Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Today, Pastor Greg Byman preaches on Hebrews 12 and how to run you life race. 

Run Your Race
Hebrews 12:1-2
Congratulations Class of 2020!
God has blessed you with this opportunity to succeed
 
 
This is one of many life accomplishments
-there are many races, events, causes, goals to choose from
-many are worthy, some not worth pursuing
 
The most important race-  live by faith in God!
-All other pursuits in life must support this race!
-Place your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord
-Trust God’s plan for your life
-Trust that God has a bigger plan and purpose beyond your life
-Live on this earth for eternity, for a lasting reward from God!
 
Run your race! 
-This is your moment in time to run, to fulfill your purpose in life
-This is your time to live for Jesus
 
This begins by placing your faith in Jesus Christ
 
 
Hebrews 12:1-2 explains how to run your race successfully
 
Hear the Cheers
“Great cloud of witness”- the ones who already ran well
-If they can do it so can you!
-Your race is just as important as theirs-  you matter to God
-Their success paved the way for yours
-They may even be watching and cheering you on from heaven
 
Ephesians 2:10
-You are God’s workmanship-  poima…poem…masterpiece
-You were created to do good works- God already planned it!
-God doesn’t make photocopies!
-How you run your race matters for the whole team! 
 
Throw Off Distractions
Lay aside-  cast it off, don’t do it, stop carrying it
-1 Cor 10:23  “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.
 
What keeps you from living for Jesus Christ?
-a runner doesn’t carry anything unimportant
-When do you least care about Jesus?
-Who keeps you from caring about Jesus?
-What situations, places, entertainment choices hinder you?
 
What falsehoods are you carrying in your mind about you?
-falsehoods put on you by family, peers, society
 
Turn From Sins
What sins keep creeping into your life? 
-Confess and turn away from practicing those sins!
 
Is God disciplining you right now?  Heb 12:5-6, 9-11  
-Let your guilt lead you to God’s grace and love!
 
Keep Going
Run with endurance- living by faith is NOT EASY!
 
Failure isn’t final
-every God follower has failed, some terribly!
-Keep going when you fail- confess it and keep going!
-Hear the cheers, throw off the distraction that led to failure
 
Focus on Jesus
Look at his example- His victory is your victory!
-He is the source and perfecter of our faith!
Look at why he did it- the joy set before Him
-obeying and glorifying his Father
-reconciling us to the Father forever!
Look at your reward!
-A life that matters here and now, and in eternity
-A race that truly satisfies you, blesses others, glorifies God!
Run Your Race!
​

​Trust Jesus, Trust the Bible, Tell Others!
Luke 24:25-27, 44-47
Intro
 
 
Trust Jesus = Trust the Bible
Jesus used the Old Testament to explain Himself
-vs 27-  the beginning with Moses and all the prophets
-vs 44  “the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms
 
Jesus used Himself to interpret the Scriptures
-vs 26  it was “necessary for the Messiah to suffer”
-vs 27  He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself
-vs 45  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures
 
Jesus used “all the Scriptures”
-vs 27 “in all the Scriptures”
-He referred to all the sections of Scripture
-Peter, Stephen, Philip, Paul- they all used Scripture when preaching
-A faithful preacher will emphasize Scripture more than good stories
 
Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures
-Jesus is ready to help anyone understand!
 
Jesus taught that the Old Testament was literally true
Stories Jesus taught as true
-Creation of Adam and Eve   Matthew 19:4;  Mark 10:6
-Noah and the flood     Luke 17:26-27
-Lot and the destruction of Sodom
    Luke 17:28-29
-Jonah’s three days in a huge fish
    Matthew 12:38-41
 
If you trust in Jesus, you have to trust the Bible!
-the integrity of both stand together
 
Jesus Is in Every Book of the Bible
Read descriptions of Jesus from every OT book
 
Tell Others!  “you will tell the nations”
Jesus is the hero of the Bible
-Every story and saying points to Jesus Christ
-Old Testament characters and events foreshadow the coming Christ
-We must use the Bible to tell people about Jesus
    -not just our own story of how He changed our lives
    -not just logical discussions about Jesus
    -We must depend on facts, not feelings
    -Acts 8:35  Philip used Isaiah and the OT
 
Jesus suffered and died
-There is a real penalty for our sins
-Jesus died in our place
 
 
Jesus rose from the dead on the third day
-His grave is empty- he really did come back to life
-Jesus proved he had the power to overcome sin and death
 
 
We must repent and receive forgiveness for our sins
-Everyone must repent or turn from rejecting Jesus
    -We reject Jesus when we reject the Bible
       -when we don’t obey what God says is right
 
-Everyone must receive forgiveness from Jesus
Acts 4:12  There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved
 
Trust Jesus!  Trust the Bible!  Tell Others!

 
Jesus Christ Is In Every Book of the Bible
(author unknown)
 
In Genesis, Jesus is the seed of the Woman.
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb.
In Leviticus, He is the Priest, the Altar and the Lamb of Sacrifice.
In Numbers, He is the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by
    night.
In Deuteronomy, Jesus is the Prophet like Moses.
In Joshua, Jesus is the Captain of our salvation.
In Judges, He is our Judge and Law-Giver.
In Ruth, He is our Kinsman and Redeemer.
In 1 & 2 Samuel, He is our trusted Prophet.
In Kings & Chronicles, He is our reigning King.
In Ezra, He is the rebuilder of the broken-down walls of human life.
In Nehemiah, Jesus is our Restorer.
In Esther, He is our Advocate.
In Job, Jesus is our Ever-Living Redeemer.
In Psalms, He is our Shepherd.
In Proverbs, He is our Wisdom.
In Ecclesiastes, He is our hope of resurrection.
In the Song of Songs, He is our loving Bridegroom.
In Isaiah, Jesus is the suffering Servant.
In Jeremiah, He is the righteous wronged.
In Lamentations, He is our weeping prophet.
In Ezekiel, He is the one with the right to rule.
In Daniel, Jesus is the fourth man in the fiery furnace.
In Hosea, Jesus is the faithful husband forever married to the sinner.
In Joel, He is the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit, fire.
In Amos, He is the restorer of Justice.
In Obadiah, He is mighty to save.
In Jonah, He is our great foreign missionary.
In Micah, Jesus is the feet of one who brings good news.
In Nahum, Jesus is our stronghold in the day of trouble.
In Habakkuk, He is God my Saviour.
In Zephaniah, He is the King of Israel.
In Haggai, He is the signet ring.
In Zecharish, He is our humble King riding on a colt.
In Malachi, Jesus is the son of righteousness.
 
 
 
In Matthew, Jesus is God-with-us.
In Mark, He is the Son of God.
In Luke, He is the Son of Mary, feeling what you feel.
In John, He is the Bread of Life.
In Acts, Jesus is the Savior of the world.
In Romans, Jesus is the righteousness of God.
In 1 Corinthians, He is the Resurrection.
In 2 Corinthians, He is the God of all comfort.
In Galatians, He is your liberty, He sets you free.
In Ephesians, Jesus is the Head of the Church.
In Philippians, Jesus is your joy.
In Colossians, He is your completeness.
In 1 & 2 Thessalonians, He is your hope.
In 1 Timothy, He is your faith.
In 2 Timothy, Jesus is your stability.
In Titus, Jesus is Truth.
In Philemon, He is your benefactor.
In Hebrews, He is your perfection.
In James, He is the power behind your faith.
In 1 Peter, He is your example.
In 2 Peter, Jesus is your purity.
In 1 John, Jesus is your life.
In 2 John, He is your pattern.
In 3 John, He is your motivation.
In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith.
In Revelation, Jesus is your coming King. 
 
He is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
He is the Keeper of Creation and the Creator of all.
He is the Architect of the Universe and the Manager of all Time.
He always Was, He always Is and He always Will Be,
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated and never undone.
 
He was bruised and brought healing,
He was pierced and eased pain,
He was persecuted and brought freedom,
He was dead and brought life.
He is risen and brings power,
He reigns and brings peace.
The world can’t understand Him,
Armies can’t defeat Him,
Schools can’t explain Him
And the leaders can’t ignore Him.
 
Herod couldn’t kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn’t confuse Him,
The people couldn’t hold Him,
Nero couldn’t crush Him,
Hitler couldn’t find Him,
The New Age can’t replace Him
And Oprah can’t explain Him away.
He is Life, Love, Longevity and Law.
He is goodness, kindness, gentleness and love.
He is holy, righteous, mighty, powerful, good.
His Way is Right, His Words Eternal.
His rules unchanging, and His mind is on me.
He is my Redeemer, His is my Savior, He is my God, He is my Priest,
He is my Joy, He is my Comfort, He is my Law, and He rules my life.

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