WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.200
 One of the major disappointments for me over the last year of COVID-19 restrictions has been

00:00:06.200 --> 00:00:14.759
 on two occasions, a half marathon that I was preparing for was cancelled, but I had done

00:00:14.759 --> 00:00:22.640
 all the preparation. I had did three months of gruelling preparation. I had run the 22.1

00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:29.480
 kilometre distance twice while training, and it was very hard, and it was particularly difficult

00:00:29.480 --> 00:00:37.260
 when those events were cancelled. It was particularly difficult doing the 22.1 kilometres by myself.

00:00:37.260 --> 00:00:43.679
 It was especially hard to keep pressing on when I hit that wall of physical and especially

00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:51.960
 mental exhaustion at about the 17 kilometre mark. As we open up the book of Hebrews at the end of this

00:00:51.960 --> 00:01:00.079
 vision series, the letter to Hebrews pitches the Christian walk, the walk of Christian discipleship,

00:01:00.159 --> 00:01:08.099
 the journey of Christian discipleship, as a running race. It's a running race, a long running race,

00:01:08.099 --> 00:01:17.140
 a journey that the first recipients of this letter were struggling with. Hebrews 11 and 12 are crucial

00:01:17.140 --> 00:01:23.859
 for us to understand the message of Hebrews. You see, Hebrews is written to a bunch of Christians

00:01:23.859 --> 00:01:31.620
 who are on this road of journeying with Jesus, seeking to follow him, but who had settled into the world

00:01:31.620 --> 00:01:39.260
 and started to drift through life without focus, without vigilance, and without energy. At the beginning

00:01:39.260 --> 00:01:46.980
 of the letter, chapter 2 verses 1 and chapter 3, the writer declares,

00:01:46.980 --> 00:01:56.320
 we must pay more closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift from it. And then he writes,

00:01:56.980 --> 00:02:00.660
 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?

00:02:00.659 --> 00:02:11.500
 So the writer here is dealing with the disease of drifting, of neglect. It had crept into this church,

00:02:11.500 --> 00:02:19.639
 and these Christians are growing careless, spiritual lazy, and negligent. Chapters 11 and 12

00:02:19.639 --> 00:02:28.699
 are written to motivate his friends to keep the faith, to keep pushing forward, pressing on,

00:02:28.699 --> 00:02:36.500
 to keep running the race of discipleship. And they are written for us too. And so with these verses,

00:02:36.759 --> 00:02:43.859
 these three verses, we close out our vision series for this year and of our launch of our ministry

00:02:43.859 --> 00:02:50.679
 intent over the next five years. The key objective, as you've heard already and several times throughout

00:02:50.679 --> 00:02:58.280
 this whole series, is to see 65% of St Paul's identifying much growth in faith through this church by the

00:02:58.280 --> 00:03:07.300
 end of 2025. That is, we as a church want to run in such a way that the majority of us are growing as

00:03:07.300 --> 00:03:17.680
 disciples of the Lord Jesus. The majority of us are growing in confidence in God. So here's where I want

00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:23.280
 to head today. Three challenges, they're there in the St Paul's app. You want to grab that and open up.

00:03:23.280 --> 00:03:29.659
 Number one, run the race of faith. Number two, run it well. Number three, run to the finish and get the

00:03:29.659 --> 00:03:35.819
 prize. So first of all, run the race of faith. To get to Hebrews 12, you've got to go through 11. So

00:03:35.819 --> 00:03:44.680
 let me just launch into 11 a little bit. Hebrews 11 is known by some as the faith hall of fame.

00:03:44.680 --> 00:03:52.319
 What the writer does in chapter 11 is he overwhelms the readers with a list of those who have run the

00:03:52.319 --> 00:04:01.060
 race before them and got to the end, got to the finish line. And he sweeps through the whole Old

00:04:01.060 --> 00:04:06.640
 Testament, starts with creation. He mentions the faith of Abel and the faith of Enoch and Noah.

00:04:07.920 --> 00:04:13.860
 And when he reaches Abraham, he just slows down and takes a little bit of time to focus on the faith of

00:04:13.860 --> 00:04:20.500
 Abraham. He says that Abraham left everything behind that he had in order to go to a land that

00:04:20.500 --> 00:04:25.240
 he knew nothing about. He picked up everything and walked away to a new land. And he did that because

00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:30.740
 God called him to do it. He had faith and he had confidence in God. He lived out his days in a foreign

00:04:30.740 --> 00:04:38.480
 land without the support of family and friends and his tribe because he had faith in the God who had

00:04:38.480 --> 00:04:45.020
 promised him a better future. When he was very old, God promised that he would in fact have a son.

00:04:45.800 --> 00:04:52.960
 It was unthinkable he was that old. But Abraham had faith that what God said, that God had the power to

00:04:52.960 --> 00:04:58.860
 pull it off and a son was born. And after his son Isaac was born, God said the unthinkable to him

00:04:58.860 --> 00:05:06.759
 and told him to sacrifice this son to God. And Abraham was willing to do it because God was the

00:05:06.759 --> 00:05:13.620
 one who called him to do it. Even though it seemed like total insanity. He was willing to do it because

00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:20.100
 he had the faith in the God who had called it. He knew that God could even bring him back from the

00:05:20.100 --> 00:05:26.680
 dead if that's what was needed. The other significant figure here where he slows down and focuses on

00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:32.740
 demonstration of great faith is Moses. He's a man whose life was characterized by faith in God,

00:05:32.840 --> 00:05:38.600
 despite how hard it got. His faith meant giving up what would have been a wealthy and a comfortable

00:05:38.600 --> 00:05:46.019
 life in the palace in Egypt. His faith meant that he was often very alone in his leadership of God's

00:05:46.019 --> 00:05:52.420
 people. And the examples of faith from then on throughout the Old Testament, it just doesn't end.

00:05:52.420 --> 00:05:57.160
 The writer gets to the end where he goes, you know, like, you know, for time I've got to do

00:05:57.160 --> 00:06:03.759
 just a flying summary of all the highlights. Goes to verse 32. And what more shall I say? I do not

00:06:03.759 --> 00:06:07.800
 have time to talk about Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah and David and Samuel and the prophets

00:06:07.800 --> 00:06:12.700
 who through faith conquered kingdoms, admitted to justice, gained what was promised, who shut the

00:06:12.700 --> 00:06:18.420
 mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames and escaped the edge of the sword whose weakness was

00:06:18.420 --> 00:06:23.540
 turned to strength and it became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back

00:06:23.540 --> 00:06:28.300
 their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released so they might

00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:35.920
 gain a better resurrection. In other words, there's no shortage of incredible examples of faith.

00:06:37.160 --> 00:06:43.020
 And this list here in Hebrews 11 is amazingly diverse collection of people and demonstrations of

00:06:43.019 --> 00:06:49.560
 faith. And what marks each of them out is that they had faith in God. They had total confidence in God.

00:06:49.939 --> 00:06:58.539
 It was faith in God despite what he was calling them to do. See verse 36? Some faced jeers and

00:06:58.539 --> 00:07:03.579
 flogging while others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned. They were sawn in two. They were put

00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:09.359
 to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated.

00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:15.300
 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains and in caves and holes in

00:07:15.300 --> 00:07:23.860
 the ground. What's also remarkable about this chapter is that it doesn't just give us examples

00:07:23.860 --> 00:07:30.439
 of people of faith. It also gives us insight into what their faith actually is, what faith is.

00:07:31.020 --> 00:07:36.699
 And there's three things. The first is that faith is not something that exists independently.

00:07:36.699 --> 00:07:43.319
 It's not something that you achieve independently. It's not something you can buy from a supermarket

00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:51.959
 shelf or something like that. Faith is always faith in. Faith is a word that gets used even today in our

00:07:51.959 --> 00:08:00.300
 secular age. It's not uncommon for someone who perhaps doesn't believe in God to say, well, you just have to

00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:05.319
 have faith. When they've got no other answers, no other solutions, unsure of what the future is,

00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:12.639
 you've just got to have faith. And when the word faith is used like that, what they really mean is,

00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:20.800
 I'm crossing my fingers and I'm just hoping the best. Wishful thinking. And so in our secular age,

00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:31.280
 faith is regarded as the opposite of facts. In public debate, faith is seen as the opposite of reason,

00:08:31.720 --> 00:08:39.519
 logic, science, and facts. It's the opposite. So when you want to reject the research,

00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:50.819
 you just have faith is what you have. But biblical faith is not what you have when you don't have

00:08:50.819 --> 00:08:59.659
 rationality and facts. That is not the Bible's view of faith. And it's not the kind of faith that we

00:08:59.659 --> 00:09:08.919
 see demonstrated consistently in the scriptures. When the Bible refers to faith, it always refers to

00:09:08.919 --> 00:09:20.339
 faith in something. It is trusting in the facts. It is stepping out with logic and reason. It is

00:09:20.339 --> 00:09:26.179
 agreeing with the God who has revealed himself and the way things actually are.

00:09:28.979 --> 00:09:35.059
 The faith that these Old Testament people had was faith in God.

00:09:35.059 --> 00:09:41.579
 This is faith in the God who made the world. This is the faith in the God who has consistently

00:09:41.579 --> 00:09:45.939
 proven himself to be good and right and true.

00:09:48.539 --> 00:09:54.500
 It's faith in the God who is powerful and able to achieve his purposes and proven again and again

00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:59.859
 and again to do so. This is faith in the God who is able to save.

00:09:59.860 --> 00:10:03.200
 This is faith in the God who does what he promises.

00:10:05.779 --> 00:10:13.180
 How do we know? How do we know that at the end of the Christian life, there is a resurrection

00:10:13.180 --> 00:10:21.220
 hope and there is life forever? Because historically in this world, Jesus rose from the dead.

00:10:22.580 --> 00:10:23.720
 Historical fact.

00:10:23.720 --> 00:10:31.600
 That's how we know. The one who was dead has come back alive and promises the same for those

00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:36.980
 who run the race of discipleship. It's faith in that historical fact.

00:10:39.580 --> 00:10:45.740
 Biblical faith is faith in God. The second thing that we notice here is that real faith

00:10:45.740 --> 00:10:49.139
 shows itself in actions despite the consequences.

00:10:49.139 --> 00:10:54.899
 All the people mentioned here in Acts 11 had a faith that caused them to act.

00:10:55.939 --> 00:11:04.500
 Noah had faith in what God said about flooding the earth and dealing with sin and he built,

00:11:04.740 --> 00:11:07.199
 therefore, he built a really big boat.

00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:18.360
 Abraham believed God and he picked up his family and he moved to a foreign land, a promised land.

00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:28.500
 Moses trusted God, so he gave up the life in the palace with Pharaoh and he led God's people out of Egypt miraculously.

00:11:28.700 --> 00:11:29.840
 He confronted Pharaoh.

00:11:31.139 --> 00:11:36.080
 With each one of these people, their faith in God was a faith in the God who spoke,

00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:43.259
 who shaped what, and this God shaped what they did and how they lived and that is what genuine faith does.

00:11:43.259 --> 00:11:47.059
 That is, faith is not some inner feeling.

00:11:48.779 --> 00:11:54.700
 Faith is confidence in the God who's revealed himself, of who God is, what he says, and what he does.

00:11:55.259 --> 00:12:01.840
 Faith is based on that knowledge and experience of God's faithfulness that results in God's confidence.

00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:03.840
 Faith is based on that knowledge and experience of God's faithfulness.

00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:05.840
 Faith is based on that knowledge and experience of God's faithfulness.

00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:07.840
 Faith is based on that knowledge and experience of God's faithfulness.

00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:16.700
 The final thing we see here is that faith always looks forward to the future with hope.

00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:22.080
 That's the definition, in fact, of what we're given, what faith is, in chapter 11, verse 1.

00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:30.200
 Now, faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

00:12:30.200 --> 00:12:34.120
 This is what the ancients were commended for.

00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:37.320
 That is, faith is not, I just hope it works out, I really hope it works out.

00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:41.080
 How can you be sure and certain?

00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:46.640
 Because you have confidence in the God and what he's promised.

00:12:47.560 --> 00:12:50.440
 Because he's got a track record of coming through.

00:12:56.020 --> 00:12:57.580
 Let me just say it one more time.

00:12:57.580 --> 00:13:08.580
 That is why communing with God in his word four or more a week is so, so crucial for us growing in faith.

00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:12.840
 You don't build God confidence.

00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:22.900
 You don't grow in faith unless you are being reminded again and again and again and again and again and again and again.

00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:30.319
 How great and awesome and trustworthy he is and how he consistently fulfills his promises throughout history.

00:13:30.819 --> 00:13:38.659
 Unless you've got your face in the Bible and seeing that consistently, you don't grow in faith.

00:13:38.659 --> 00:13:49.219
 Secondly, the second thing here is to run the race of faith well.

00:13:50.819 --> 00:13:54.860
 Following a clear demonstration of lived-out confidence of God from those in the past,

00:13:54.959 --> 00:14:02.139
 the writer then here calls these Christians with a challenge in chapter 12, verse 1.

00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:12.939
 The word therefore at the beginning of chapter 12 connects the history lesson with the application.

00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:19.759
 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,

00:14:20.439 --> 00:14:25.639
 let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles

00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:29.059
 and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:33.479
 Now, I'm of the view that Hebrews chapter 12, verses 1 to 3,

00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:36.799
 is the application for the whole letter of Hebrews.

00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:40.279
 That is, that therefore, at the beginning of chapter 12,

00:14:40.479 --> 00:14:45.639
 is not just about chapter 11, it's about the whole first 11 chapters.

00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:54.939
 And I think that the main take-home action point of the whole book of Hebrews

00:14:54.940 --> 00:15:01.360
 is that three-letter command in verse 1,

00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:05.280
 run, run.

00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:10.880
 Everything else supports it, explains it, gives motivation for it.

00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:15.340
 Run the race of faith which has been set before you.

00:15:15.920 --> 00:15:16.380
 Run it.

00:15:17.020 --> 00:15:20.900
 Endure, persevere, run, fight, be alert, be strengthened,

00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:24.699
 don't drift, don't neglect, don't be sluggish, don't stroll, don't meander,

00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:29.759
 don't wander aimlessly, don't take your eternal security for granted.

00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:33.019
 Run, as in a race with a finish line,

00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:37.299
 with everything for eternity hanging on you crossing that finish line.

00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:38.379
 Run.

00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:43.059
 Run the race of faith.

00:15:43.059 --> 00:15:51.899
 Follow Jesus in everything on the basis of Jesus' spectacular death and resurrection and ascension.

00:15:52.359 --> 00:15:57.059
 Show your confidence in God in the way the saints of Hebrews did

00:15:57.059 --> 00:15:59.939
 and just lived it out.

00:16:02.719 --> 00:16:04.139
 And to do that well,

00:16:05.059 --> 00:16:09.619
 we have to heed the two instructions which are in verse 1.

00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:10.799
 It says,

00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:13.580
 Let us throw off everything that hinders

00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:18.340
 and the sin that so easily entangles.

00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:21.299
 Take the last one first.

00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:25.019
 The easiest definition of sin

00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:27.500
 is attitudes and actions

00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:30.320
 where we choose to live life our way

00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:31.980
 without reference to God.

00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:35.240
 And contrary to modern thinking,

00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:39.120
 the life of sin does not result in freedom

00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:43.860
 it actually results in enslavement.

00:16:45.080 --> 00:16:46.360
 You are not set free.

00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:48.700
 You are not liberated.

00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:50.700
 Sin entangles.

00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:53.360
 It coils around you like a python

00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:57.620
 and it constantly requires you to sacrifice for it.

00:16:59.240 --> 00:16:59.799
 Constantly.

00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:02.220
 It trips you up.

00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.279
 It enslaves you.

00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:06.259
 It sends you crashing to the pavement

00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:10.140
 in the same way that if you decided to go on a run

00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:12.799
 with your shoelaces tied.

00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:16.839
 You could, you know,

00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:18.660
 crawl along for a bit.

00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:21.000
 As soon as you try to put some pace up,

00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:24.940
 bang, you are face planted onto the pavement.

00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:28.380
 So don't ever think that it won't happen to you.

00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:31.160
 Don't ever think that you've got your sin under control.

00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:33.600
 As 1 Corinthians 10, 12 says,

00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:35.860
 if you think you are standing firm,

00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:39.160
 be careful that you don't fall.

00:17:39.160 --> 00:17:45.680
 But city is not just high profile failures.

00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:49.940
 It is insidious and it's subtle.

00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:52.120
 A secret habit.

00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:58.259
 It's a character trait that you have just got comfortable with.

00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:59.259
 Anger.

00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:02.220
 Grumbling.

00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:03.940
 Greed.

00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:05.160
 Gossip.

00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:06.759
 Judgmentalism.

00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:08.039
 Selfishness.

00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:14.079
 The Puritan Thomas Watson urged followers of Jesus

00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:18.500
 to develop what he called a holy hatred of sin.

00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:22.259
 We must develop this if we're going to run the race

00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:24.339
 of perseverance well.

00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:29.119
 But we're also instructed here to lay aside

00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:31.379
 not only the sin which entangles us,

00:18:31.639 --> 00:18:34.859
 but also it says everything that hinders.

00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:39.099
 That is, every weight, every obstacle.

00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:43.859
 Things that in themselves may not be sinful.

00:18:45.339 --> 00:18:47.019
 But they do slow us down.

00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:52.199
 So last year when I was training for a half marathon,

00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:56.660
 I didn't wear what I'm wearing this morning.

00:18:56.900 --> 00:18:59.180
 In fact, when I went for a 5K run yesterday morning,

00:18:59.360 --> 00:19:02.920
 I didn't wear what I'm currently wearing this morning.

00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:05.180
 And this passage calls us,

00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:07.140
 if we're going to run the race of faith well,

00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:09.620
 we have to strip off.

00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:12.519
 We've got to take the layers off.

00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:13.620
 It says here,

00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:17.240
 get rid of everything that is going to slow you down.

00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:20.259
 Everything that hinders.

00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:25.240
 Quite literally what that means is every single weight.

00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:28.379
 One translation puts it like this.

00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:34.039
 Let us strip off everything that hinders us.

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:38.000
 And the imagery in the first century Palestine is striking.

00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:41.359
 And the imagery that the writer the Hebrews picks up here

00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:42.400
 is very striking.

00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:45.680
 Because it is used,

00:19:45.780 --> 00:19:47.940
 this language is used in the first century

00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:50.660
 for athletes running in Olympic Games.

00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:55.019
 And what runners in the Olympic Games in the first century did

00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:58.600
 was that they ran literally naked.

00:19:59.560 --> 00:19:59.840
 And...

00:19:59.840 --> 00:20:00.280
 Oh no, sorry.

00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:05.740
 I do want to preach again.

00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:14.759
 They got rid of anything that held them back.

00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:16.660
 Anything that hindered them.

00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.700
 Every single weight.

00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:21.740
 Everything that weighed them down was stripped off.

00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:25.500
 And Christians are called to do the same metaphorically.

00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:27.099
 Do exactly the same.

00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:28.539
 Now, let me be clear.

00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:32.240
 This command here is absolutely revolutionary.

00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:35.079
 Absolutely revolutionary.

00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:39.200
 This is very helpful for the religious person.

00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:42.180
 This is very helpful for the legalist amongst us

00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:45.279
 who wants to live by boundaries and rules and stuff like that.

00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:47.700
 Because what it does is it shows us

00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:48.700
 that the fight of faith,

00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.920
 the race of the Christian life,

00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:53.400
 is not fought well

00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:57.579
 by asking what's wrong with it.

00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:58.880
 What's wrong with this?

00:20:59.000 --> 00:20:59.660
 What's wrong with that?

00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:00.660
 But...

00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:01.660
 But...

00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:06.000
 by asking another question as well.

00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:09.580
 Is it in the way?

00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:13.019
 Is it slowing me down?

00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:18.259
 Is it in the way of greater faith,

00:21:18.840 --> 00:21:19.600
 greater love,

00:21:19.820 --> 00:21:20.460
 greater purity,

00:21:20.620 --> 00:21:21.300
 greater courage,

00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.120
 greater humility,

00:21:22.560 --> 00:21:23.220
 greater patience,

00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:24.240
 greater self-control?

00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:26.500
 Is it a sin

00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:28.580
 is one question to ask,

00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:30.439
 but it's not the only question they ask?

00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:33.059
 We must also be asking the question

00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:35.480
 of everything in our life and our lifestyles.

00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:37.579
 Does it help me run?

00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.500
 Is it in the way?

00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:43.059
 Is it weighing me down?

00:21:47.199 --> 00:21:48.759
 I've been mightily helped

00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:51.659
 by having my very categories in life changed

00:21:51.659 --> 00:21:53.379
 in this way,

00:21:53.439 --> 00:21:54.220
 in the way I live.

00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:55.259
 And I commit it to you.

00:21:55.360 --> 00:21:56.420
 Do not ask.

00:21:57.779 --> 00:22:00.160
 Do not ask of your music,

00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:00.740
 your movies,

00:22:00.860 --> 00:22:01.279
 your parties,

00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:01.759
 your habits,

00:22:01.860 --> 00:22:02.259
 your friends,

00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:02.799
 your hobbies,

00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:03.720
 your career,

00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:04.380
 your retirement,

00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:05.019
 your relationships,

00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:05.680
 your investments,

00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:06.500
 your everything.

00:22:06.860 --> 00:22:07.740
 What's wrong with it?

00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:10.299
 But ask the question,

00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:12.519
 does it help me run the race?

00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:14.559
 Does it help me run for Jesus?

00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.660
 Hebrews 12 verse 1

00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.460
 is a command

00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:19.160
 to look at your life,

00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.380
 to think hard about

00:22:20.380 --> 00:22:21.360
 what you are doing,

00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:22.759
 to get ruthless

00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.819
 with what stays

00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:25.359
 and what goes.

00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.879
 We are reminded here

00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:29.319
 that of a simple lifestyle

00:22:29.319 --> 00:22:32.000
 to strip back our lives

00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:33.500
 and to be uncluttered

00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.539
 as disciples of Jesus

00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:36.319
 and travel light.

00:22:39.659 --> 00:22:40.740
 And so here's what I'm suggesting.

00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:42.779
 Pick a day,

00:22:42.859 --> 00:22:43.240
 half a day,

00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:43.679
 a few hours,

00:22:43.719 --> 00:22:44.359
 whatever it takes.

00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.939
 Get away by yourself.

00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:46.839
 Get away from the house.

00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:47.699
 Get away from the phone.

00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:48.679
 Get away from the TV,

00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:49.339
 the radio,

00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:50.359
 the chores.

00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:51.359
 Get away from other people.

00:22:51.419 --> 00:22:52.220
 Get away from work.

00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:53.259
 Take a Bible,

00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:53.980
 a pen,

00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:55.039
 and a piece of paper

00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:57.019
 and plan your run with Jesus

00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:57.859
 for the next year

00:22:57.859 --> 00:23:00.079
 and between now and 2025.

00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:02.459
 And on that piece of paper,

00:23:02.699 --> 00:23:03.539
 put two columns.

00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:05.199
 One at the top

00:23:05.199 --> 00:23:06.879
 called entangling sins.

00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:09.699
 These are the idols of your heart.

00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:11.899
 These are the treasures

00:23:11.899 --> 00:23:13.579
 that are pushing Jesus out

00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:14.319
 from being the treasure

00:23:14.319 --> 00:23:15.079
 of your life.

00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:17.039
 Things like approval of others,

00:23:17.179 --> 00:23:17.799
 materialism,

00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.720
 my work,

00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.740
 my family allegiance,

00:23:19.919 --> 00:23:21.460
 being an idolized parent,

00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:22.839
 being in control,

00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:23.980
 having power,

00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:24.480
 comfort,

00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:25.039
 achievement,

00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:25.559
 religion,

00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:26.460
 individualism,

00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.200
 image,

00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:28.079
 suffering,

00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:29.539
 helping others.

00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.980
 Whatever it is,

00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.659
 it's an idol of your heart.

00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:38.279
 And note on the other column

00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:40.500
 the weights,

00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:41.819
 the encumbrances,

00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:44.799
 the seemingly innocent things

00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:48.119
 that are not condemned explicitly

00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:50.180
 but you know

00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:51.119
 are holding you back

00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:52.019
 in the race of faith

00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:53.359
 of love and strength

00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:53.879
 and holiness

00:23:53.879 --> 00:23:54.819
 and courage and freedom.

00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:57.359
 Note the ways

00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:59.720
 that you make subtle provision

00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:01.119
 for these hindrances.

00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:03.099
 The computer games,

00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.019
 the hidden alcohol,

00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:04.940
 the chocolate,

00:24:06.159 --> 00:24:07.299
 the television,

00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.059
 the movies,

00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:08.980
 the work,

00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:09.779
 the hobbies,

00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:12.599
 the mobile phones,

00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:13.319
 the novels,

00:24:13.639 --> 00:24:16.639
 the people who weaken you.

00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:23.700
 What you'll notice

00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:25.799
 is that one or two

00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:27.399
 of those columns combined

00:24:27.399 --> 00:24:28.279
 you'll discover

00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:29.279
 they are the things

00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:30.279
 that are stopping you

00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:31.539
 from doing four or more.

00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.500
 They're the things

00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.359
 getting in the way

00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:35.740
 of you pursuing Jesus more.

00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:40.359
 Note the times

00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.039
 that are wasted.

00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.559
 Note the time

00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:44.640
 that's thrown away.

00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.440
 When you've made

00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:48.299
 all those notes

00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:50.200
 pray your way

00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:50.880
 through them

00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:52.480
 and formulate

00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.299
 a plan

00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:54.660
 of dismantling

00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:55.480
 those hindrances

00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:58.359
 and resisting

00:24:58.359 --> 00:24:59.579
 those sins

00:24:59.579 --> 00:25:00.920
 and breaking

00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.940
 the old,

00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:03.120
 old habits

00:25:03.120 --> 00:25:04.059
 that you've become

00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:05.400
 really comfortable with.

00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.539
 Then share it

00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.380
 with your community group.

00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:10.420
 Some of what you've resolved

00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:10.920
 and get them

00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:11.599
 to pray for you.

00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.400
 Find someone

00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.359
 who you can trust

00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:14.120
 and ask them

00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:15.099
 to check in on you

00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:16.420
 and support you

00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.259
 as you deal

00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:17.980
 with those things.

00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:26.359
 Let me just...

00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:27.359
 Today...

00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:30.620
 In other words,

00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.339
 you can walk

00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:32.299
 out of this building

00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:35.000
 and you can easily

00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:36.139
 just drift.

00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:38.359
 Right from now

00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:39.119
 you can drift.

00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:41.700
 Don't drift.

00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.559
 Even today

00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:43.220
 don't drift.

00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:45.059
 Don't drift

00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:45.960
 from this moment

00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:46.759
 right now

00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.659
 what's being preached

00:25:47.659 --> 00:25:48.440
 in God's word

00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:50.180
 into Sunday afternoon

00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:51.220
 and forget it.

00:25:52.379 --> 00:25:53.240
 Don't drift.

00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:54.220
 Don't even drift today.

00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:56.579
 Don't meander.

00:25:56.899 --> 00:25:57.399
 Don't wander.

00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.899
 Run today.

00:25:58.900 --> 00:25:59.019
 Don't drift away.

00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.620
 Before this day

00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:03.300
 is over

00:26:03.300 --> 00:26:04.060
 choose

00:26:04.060 --> 00:26:05.160
 that moment

00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:06.080
 where you're going

00:26:06.080 --> 00:26:07.000
 to run your plan.

00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:07.720
 Plan your run

00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.200
 with Jesus.

00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.180
 Thirdly,

00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.759
 run to the finish

00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.700
 and get the prize.

00:26:13.580 --> 00:26:14.240
 As we run

00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:14.960
 the race of faith

00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:15.620
 we are surrounded

00:26:15.620 --> 00:26:16.460
 by this great cloud

00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:16.900
 of witnesses

00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:18.000
 cheering us on.

00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:18.720
 Literally

00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.920
 a great host

00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.460
 of people

00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:23.280
 a multitude

00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:24.940
 who have run

00:26:24.940 --> 00:26:25.460
 the race

00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.180
 and have crossed

00:26:26.180 --> 00:26:26.920
 the finish line

00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:27.500
 and received

00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.139
 the prize.

00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.779
 And these people

00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:31.139
 are not just spectators

00:26:31.139 --> 00:26:32.299
 they are overcomers.

00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.700
 Each bear witness

00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.440
 to the hardship

00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:36.759
 and the triumphs

00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:38.099
 and to the final prize.

00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:39.759
 But there is one.

00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.500
 There is one

00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.480
 amongst all

00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:42.960
 that cloud

00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.399
 of witnesses

00:26:43.399 --> 00:26:44.279
 that we must

00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.740
 transfix our gaze on.

00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:46.379
 Verse 2

00:26:46.380 --> 00:27:05.860
 The term

00:27:05.860 --> 00:27:07.340
 to fix our eyes

00:27:07.340 --> 00:27:08.040
 on Jesus

00:27:08.040 --> 00:27:09.760
 is a term

00:27:09.760 --> 00:27:11.620
 that literally means

00:27:11.620 --> 00:27:13.520
 to look away

00:27:13.520 --> 00:27:15.020
 from everything else.

00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:18.740
 to be transfixed

00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:20.340
 to look away

00:27:20.340 --> 00:27:21.500
 from everything else.

00:27:22.760 --> 00:27:23.860
 This is a firmly

00:27:23.860 --> 00:27:24.940
 fixed gaze on Jesus

00:27:24.940 --> 00:27:27.220
 as if success

00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:28.960
 is totally

00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:29.940
 dependent upon him.

00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:31.680
 And Jesus

00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:32.260
 in amongst

00:27:32.260 --> 00:27:32.880
 this great cloud

00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:33.160
 of witness

00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.400
 is the perfect example.

00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:36.140
 He is our forerunner.

00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.400
 First of all

00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:38.460
 in the Garden of Gethsemane

00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:39.160
 he had complete

00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:40.480
 confidence in God

00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.560
 and he says to God

00:27:41.560 --> 00:27:42.460
 not my will be done

00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:42.960
 but yours.

00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:43.880
 Secondly

00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:45.220
 his faith translated

00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:45.800
 into actions.

00:27:45.799 --> 00:27:46.399
 He was willing

00:27:46.399 --> 00:27:47.339
 to endure the cross.

00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.139
 Thirdly

00:27:48.139 --> 00:27:48.720
 his faith

00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.480
 was based

00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:51.220
 on what lay ahead

00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:52.119
 the future hope.

00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:52.919
 It says

00:27:52.919 --> 00:27:53.819
 for the joy

00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:55.480
 set before him

00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:56.659
 he endured

00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:57.299
 the cross.

00:27:58.819 --> 00:28:00.220
 But he is more

00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.960
 than just

00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.559
 an example

00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.220
 of faith.

00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:04.019
 He is the author

00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:06.539
 and the perfecter

00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.899
 of our faith.

00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:09.500
 That is

00:28:09.500 --> 00:28:10.240
 he's not only

00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:10.899
 the one who

00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:13.019
 is amongst

00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.799
 the cloud of witnesses

00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.579
 he wrote the book

00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.180
 on what genuine

00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:15.879
 faith is

00:28:15.879 --> 00:28:16.599
 and

00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:18.799
 he's completed

00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.460
 it for us.

00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.259
 He's the one

00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:21.740
 who brings

00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:22.220
 our faith

00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:22.859
 into being

00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.879
 and he finishes

00:28:23.879 --> 00:28:24.839
 it for us.

00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:27.019
 Jesus'

00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:28.500
 entire life

00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:30.259
 was the embodiment

00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.099
 of trust

00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:31.940
 in his father.

00:28:33.399 --> 00:28:34.680
 Where we fail

00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:36.460
 every day

00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:38.180
 he didn't.

00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:40.279
 he perfectly

00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:41.100
 obeyed.

00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:41.680
 He lived

00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:42.340
 the perfect

00:28:42.340 --> 00:28:42.900
 life

00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:43.920
 that we

00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:45.299
 never can live

00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:46.900
 and he trusted

00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:48.000
 God all the way

00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.600
 to the cross.

00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:49.539
 He died the death

00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:50.120
 that we should have

00:28:50.120 --> 00:28:50.440
 died.

00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:51.900
 His obedience

00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.880
 took him to the cross

00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.700
 of shame

00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.480
 the shame

00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.160
 that we should have

00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.560
 received

00:28:55.560 --> 00:28:56.240
 the rejection

00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:56.940
 that we should have

00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.360
 received

00:28:57.360 --> 00:28:58.420
 for our

00:28:58.420 --> 00:28:59.519
 imperfection

00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.480
 for our

00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.420
 meandering

00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:02.160
 and dawdling

00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:02.860
 and wandering

00:29:02.860 --> 00:29:03.440
 or taking

00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.200
 different paths

00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:04.779
 in life.

00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:07.420
 And he did that

00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:08.000
 so that we could

00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:09.000
 receive the accolades

00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:09.599
 and the praises

00:29:09.599 --> 00:29:10.460
 if we have run

00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:10.920
 the race

00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.639
 in perfect

00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:12.460
 obedience.

00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:17.799
 Friends,

00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.700
 it is so

00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:19.319
 essential

00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:19.940
 for your

00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:20.660
 discipleship

00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:21.139
 that you

00:29:21.139 --> 00:29:22.299
 always have

00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:22.779
 the gospel

00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.559
 in front of you.

00:29:24.879 --> 00:29:25.059
 You know,

00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:26.339
 this 525

00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:27.920
 is not about

00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:28.519
 you pulling

00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:29.180
 your socks up

00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:29.599
 and trying

00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:30.220
 a bit harder.

00:29:32.399 --> 00:29:33.180
 It's about

00:29:33.180 --> 00:29:33.819
 growing

00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.799
 in faith

00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:35.500
 in Jesus

00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.179
 Christ.

00:29:37.619 --> 00:29:38.179
 God

00:29:38.179 --> 00:29:38.919
 confidence.

00:29:40.379 --> 00:29:41.039
 Our tendency

00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.659
 is to look

00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:42.079
 at the list

00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:42.480
 of names

00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:42.879
 in Hebrews

00:29:42.879 --> 00:29:43.519
 chapter 11

00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:44.159
 and we

00:29:44.159 --> 00:29:44.700
 pass them

00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:45.379
 on the board

00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:46.279
 of heroes

00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:47.200
 of the faith.

00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.720
 And they

00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.200
 are.

00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:50.819
 And yet

00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.539
 even Abraham

00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.399
 and Sarah

00:29:52.399 --> 00:29:53.919
 failed God

00:29:53.919 --> 00:29:54.460
 often.

00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:56.460
 Rahab

00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:56.799
 was a

00:29:56.799 --> 00:29:57.259
 prostitute.

00:29:57.419 --> 00:29:57.679
 Jacob

00:29:57.679 --> 00:29:58.220
 was a

00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:58.779
 schemer

00:29:58.779 --> 00:29:59.539
 and a

00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.279
 deceiver.

00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:01.500
 Samson

00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:02.519
 was constantly

00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:02.919
 falling

00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:03.580
 to sexual

00:30:03.580 --> 00:30:04.200
 temptation.

00:30:04.340 --> 00:30:04.560
 He did

00:30:04.560 --> 00:30:05.240
 not think

00:30:05.240 --> 00:30:05.539
 with his

00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:05.960
 brain at

00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:06.279
 all.

00:30:07.600 --> 00:30:08.320
 All men

00:30:08.320 --> 00:30:08.840
 and women

00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:09.600
 of faith

00:30:09.600 --> 00:30:11.160
 but every

00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.840
 single one

00:30:11.840 --> 00:30:12.160
 of them

00:30:12.160 --> 00:30:12.840
 deeply

00:30:12.840 --> 00:30:13.380
 floored

00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:13.940
 with clay

00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:14.300
 feet.

00:30:15.660 --> 00:30:16.700
 They all

00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.240
 wavered

00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:17.660
 and they

00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.019
 did it

00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.420
 often.

00:30:20.080 --> 00:30:20.320
 Hebrews

00:30:20.320 --> 00:30:20.800
 11

00:30:20.800 --> 00:30:22.060
 is a

00:30:22.060 --> 00:30:22.900
 catalogue

00:30:22.900 --> 00:30:23.240
 of

00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.160
 imperfect

00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:24.820
 saints

00:30:24.820 --> 00:30:26.360
 who made

00:30:26.360 --> 00:30:27.300
 many

00:30:27.300 --> 00:30:28.600
 serious

00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:29.259
 mistakes

00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:29.359
 grace

00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:31.460
 but they

00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:31.940
 all

00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:32.680
 finished

00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:32.879
 the

00:30:32.879 --> 00:30:33.160
 race

00:30:33.160 --> 00:30:33.359
 with

00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:33.740
 faith.

00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:35.799
 Even

00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:36.359
 Samson

00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:37.339
 in the

00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:37.680
 end

00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.879
 finished

00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:39.079
 the

00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:39.319
 race

00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:39.480
 in

00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:39.799
 faith.

00:30:41.119 --> 00:30:41.660
 They

00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:42.319
 received

00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:42.960
 God's

00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:43.279
 free

00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:43.519
 gift

00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:43.680
 of

00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:44.059
 forgiveness

00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:44.379
 and

00:30:44.379 --> 00:30:44.700
 grace

00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:44.920
 and

00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:45.079
 they

00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:45.379
 finished

00:30:45.379 --> 00:30:45.579
 the

00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:45.900
 race.

00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:46.799
 They

00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:47.039
 might

00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.180
 have

00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:47.579
 suffered

00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:48.240
 consequences

00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:48.619
 for their

00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:49.000
 failures

00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.640
 but by

00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:50.019
 God's

00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.279
 grace

00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:50.460
 they

00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:50.920
 finished

00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:51.099
 the

00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:51.440
 race.

00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:52.579
 These

00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:53.000
 imperfect

00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:53.460
 saints

00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:54.160
 like

00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:54.400
 the

00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:54.660
 rest

00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:54.819
 of

00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.160
 us

00:30:55.160 --> 00:30:58.220
 were

00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:58.600
 in

00:30:58.600 --> 00:30:58.799
 fact

00:30:58.799 --> 00:30:59.079
 the

00:30:59.079 --> 00:30:59.380
 joy

00:30:59.380 --> 00:30:59.539
 that

00:30:59.539 --> 00:30:59.720
 was

00:30:59.720 --> 00:30:59.920
 set

00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:00.240
 before

00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:00.740
 Jesus.

00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.079
 That

00:31:03.079 --> 00:31:03.259
 is

00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:03.799
 his

00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:04.259
 future

00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.740
 joy

00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:05.220
 the

00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:05.600
 joy

00:31:05.600 --> 00:31:05.779
 that

00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:05.940
 was

00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:06.160
 set

00:31:06.160 --> 00:31:06.579
 before

00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:06.960
 him

00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:07.600
 the

00:31:07.600 --> 00:31:07.860
 joy

00:31:07.860 --> 00:31:08.039
 that

00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:08.279
 meant

00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:08.500
 he

00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.140
 scorned

00:31:09.140 --> 00:31:09.259
 the

00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:09.480
 shame

00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:09.579
 of

00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:09.720
 the

00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.100
 cross.

00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.279
 What

00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:11.480
 was

00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:11.680
 that

00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:12.039
 joy?

00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:13.779
 Let

00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:13.940
 me

00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:14.360
 quote

00:31:14.360 --> 00:31:14.819
 biblical

00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:15.200
 scholar

00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:15.519
 Leon

00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:15.960
 Morris.

00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:17.079
 He

00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:17.480
 looked

00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:18.039
 right

00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:18.360
 through

00:31:18.360 --> 00:31:18.559
 the

00:31:18.559 --> 00:31:18.940
 cross

00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:19.680
 to

00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:19.840
 the

00:31:19.840 --> 00:31:20.140
 coming

00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:20.640
 joy

00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:21.759
 the

00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.340
 joy

00:31:22.340 --> 00:31:22.799
 of

00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.279
 bringing

00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:23.980
 salvation

00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:24.339
 to

00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:24.779
 those

00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:25.019
 he

00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:25.440
 loved.

00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:26.720
 That

00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:26.899
 was

00:31:26.899 --> 00:31:27.099
 his

00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:27.440
 joy.

00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:28.220
 You

00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:28.519
 and

00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:28.980
 I

00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.539
 are

00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:29.779
 his

00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.240
 joy.

00:31:31.299 --> 00:31:31.519
 His

00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:32.059
 victory

00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:32.539
 is

00:31:32.539 --> 00:31:32.720
 the

00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:33.099
 guarantee

00:31:33.099 --> 00:31:33.639
 of

00:31:33.639 --> 00:31:33.960
 our

00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:34.259
 victory.

00:31:34.399 --> 00:31:34.559
 His

00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:34.980
 joy

00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.279
 is

00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:35.619
 our

00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:35.920
 joy.

00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:36.579
 All

00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:36.720
 of

00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:36.839
 us

00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:36.960
 who

00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:37.079
 are

00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:37.519
 disciples

00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:37.799
 are

00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:38.240
 part

00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:38.379
 of

00:31:38.379 --> 00:31:38.579
 his

00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:39.079
 reward.

00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:39.680
 He

00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:39.899
 has

00:31:39.899 --> 00:31:40.299
 given

00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:42.019
 us

00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:42.240
 the

00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:42.500
 gifts

00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:42.720
 to

00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.259
 ensure

00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:43.500
 that

00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:43.660
 we

00:31:43.660 --> 00:31:43.980
 finish

00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.160
 the

00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:44.399
 race

00:31:44.399 --> 00:31:44.680
 too.

00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:45.139
 We

00:31:45.139 --> 00:31:45.440
 have

00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:45.639
 his

00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:45.879
 word.

00:31:45.899 --> 00:31:46.000
 As

00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.099
 we've

00:31:46.099 --> 00:31:46.200
 been

00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:46.579
 reminded

00:31:46.579 --> 00:31:46.779
 through

00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:46.940
 this

00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.180
 series,

00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:47.359
 we

00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:47.579
 have

00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:47.740
 his

00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.059
 word,

00:31:48.339 --> 00:31:48.460
 his

00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:48.899
 presence

00:31:48.900 --> 00:31:49.220
 every

00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:49.500
 step

00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:49.600
 of

00:31:49.600 --> 00:31:49.660
 the

00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:49.860
 way

00:31:49.860 --> 00:31:50.100
 in

00:31:50.100 --> 00:31:50.300
 his

00:31:50.300 --> 00:31:50.600
 spirit.

00:31:50.900 --> 00:31:51.100
 We

00:31:51.100 --> 00:31:51.320
 have

00:31:51.320 --> 00:31:51.640
 fellow

00:31:51.640 --> 00:31:52.200
 runners

00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:53.180
 to

00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:53.600
 spare

00:31:53.600 --> 00:31:53.840
 us

00:31:53.840 --> 00:31:54.160
 on

00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:54.300
 when

00:31:54.300 --> 00:31:54.440
 we

00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:54.600
 hit

00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:54.759
 that

00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:55.259
 emotional

00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:55.759
 wall,

00:31:55.880 --> 00:31:55.980
 that

00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:56.400
 spiritual

00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:56.860
 wall,

00:31:57.280 --> 00:31:57.380
 but

00:31:57.380 --> 00:31:58.000
 more

00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:58.600
 importantly,

00:31:59.600 --> 00:32:01.140
 we

00:32:01.140 --> 00:32:01.280
 have

00:32:01.280 --> 00:32:01.420
 the

00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:01.800
 cross.

00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:05.160
 His

00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:05.620
 cross,

00:32:06.340 --> 00:32:06.580
 where

00:32:06.580 --> 00:32:06.780
 he

00:32:06.780 --> 00:32:07.100
 crossed

00:32:07.100 --> 00:32:07.280
 the

00:32:07.280 --> 00:32:07.560
 finish

00:32:07.560 --> 00:32:07.920
 line,

00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:08.640
 and

00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:08.820
 he

00:32:08.820 --> 00:32:09.320
 guarantees

00:32:09.320 --> 00:32:09.920
 our

00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:10.420
 prize.

00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:11.780
 Jesus

00:32:11.780 --> 00:32:12.240
 saves

00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:12.580
 us,

00:32:12.780 --> 00:32:13.040
 and

00:32:13.040 --> 00:32:13.200
 he

00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:13.600
 gets

00:32:13.600 --> 00:32:13.960
 us

00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:14.440
 started

00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:14.759
 on

00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:15.000
 this

00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.320
 journey.

00:32:15.420 --> 00:32:15.560
 That's

00:32:15.560 --> 00:32:15.660
 what

00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:15.780
 we

00:32:15.780 --> 00:32:15.960
 saw

00:32:15.960 --> 00:32:16.200
 right

00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:16.360
 at the

00:32:16.360 --> 00:32:16.519
 very

00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:16.780
 beginning.

00:32:16.780 --> 00:32:17.000
 We

00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.460
 began

00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:17.720
 this

00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:17.960
 series

00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:18.180
 with

00:32:18.180 --> 00:32:18.560
 Jesus,

00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:19.160
 the

00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:19.340
 one

00:32:19.340 --> 00:32:19.539
 who

00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:20.120
 rescues

00:32:20.120 --> 00:32:20.480
 us,

00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:21.299
 brings

00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:21.500
 us

00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:21.660
 from

00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:21.860
 the

00:32:21.860 --> 00:32:22.200
 paths

00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:22.340
 of

00:32:22.340 --> 00:32:22.620
 life

00:32:22.620 --> 00:32:22.759
 that

00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:22.860
 we

00:32:22.860 --> 00:32:23.000
 have

00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:23.400
 followed,

00:32:24.080 --> 00:32:24.220
 the

00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:25.120
 broad

00:32:25.120 --> 00:32:25.519
 ways

00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:25.680
 that

00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:25.860
 lead

00:32:25.860 --> 00:32:25.960
 to

00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:26.420
 destruction.

00:32:26.560 --> 00:32:26.680
 He's

00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:26.920
 brought

00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:27.100
 us

00:32:27.100 --> 00:32:27.500
 back

00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:28.200
 onto,

00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:28.740
 by his

00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:29.120
 grace,

00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:29.539
 onto

00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:29.779
 this

00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.279
 pathway

00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:30.640
 of

00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:31.000
 Christian

00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:31.759
 discipleship.

00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:32.299
 We

00:32:32.299 --> 00:32:32.740
 discover

00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:33.220
 he's

00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:33.360
 just

00:32:33.360 --> 00:32:33.519
 not

00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:33.660
 the

00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:33.980
 beginning

00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.279
 of it.

00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:34.740
 He's

00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:34.900
 the

00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:35.460
 enabler

00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:35.640
 for

00:32:35.640 --> 00:32:36.019
 the

00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:36.220
 whole

00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:36.600
 journey.

00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:36.860
 He's

00:32:36.860 --> 00:32:37.000
 the

00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:37.279
 one

00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:37.420
 who

00:32:37.420 --> 00:32:37.539
 is

00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:37.700
 there

00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:37.980
 with

00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.160
 us.

00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.019
 He's

00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:39.120
 at

00:32:39.120 --> 00:32:39.279
 the

00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:39.640
 end.

00:32:40.100 --> 00:32:40.320
 He's

00:32:40.320 --> 00:32:40.440
 the

00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:40.840
 goal.

00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:41.440
 He's

00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:41.600
 the

00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:42.019
 prize

00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:42.200
 of

00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:42.259
 the

00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:42.720
 life

00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:42.860
 of

00:32:42.860 --> 00:32:43.120
 Christian

00:32:43.120 --> 00:32:43.860
 discipleship.

00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:44.400
 The

00:32:44.400 --> 00:32:44.740
 race

00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:44.860
 of

00:32:44.860 --> 00:32:44.960
 the

00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:45.259
 Christian

00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:45.580
 life,

00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:45.799
 the

00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:46.100
 journey

00:32:46.100 --> 00:32:46.240
 of

00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:46.960
 discipleship

00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:48.000
 does,

00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:48.279
 however,

00:32:48.440 --> 00:32:48.820
 require

00:32:48.820 --> 00:32:49.299
 perseverance

00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:49.900
 from us.

00:32:50.600 --> 00:32:50.900
 That's

00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:51.259
 what this

00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:51.539
 Bible

00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:51.880
 passage

00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:52.080
 is

00:32:52.080 --> 00:32:52.320
 calling

00:32:52.320 --> 00:32:52.539
 us

00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:52.779
 to,

00:32:52.880 --> 00:32:53.400
 to run

00:32:53.400 --> 00:32:53.600
 with

00:32:53.600 --> 00:32:54.080
 perseverance.

00:32:54.340 --> 00:32:54.440
 We

00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.019
 must

00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:56.000
 persevere

00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:57.059
 if we

00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:57.380
 are to

00:32:57.380 --> 00:32:57.779
 finish

00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:58.460
 and

00:32:58.460 --> 00:32:58.840
 receive

00:32:58.840 --> 00:32:59.039
 the

00:32:59.039 --> 00:32:59.500
 prize.

00:33:02.140 --> 00:33:02.500
 For

00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:02.660
 you

00:33:02.660 --> 00:33:02.920
 young

00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:03.220
 people

00:33:03.220 --> 00:33:03.380
 in

00:33:03.380 --> 00:33:03.519
 the

00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:03.759
 room,

00:33:05.140 --> 00:33:06.299
 put

00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:06.500
 down

00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:06.640
 your

00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:07.000
 phones

00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:08.460
 and

00:33:08.460 --> 00:33:08.680
 listen

00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:08.840
 to

00:33:08.840 --> 00:33:09.160
 this.

00:33:09.160 --> 00:33:10.940
 especially

00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:11.240
 young

00:33:11.240 --> 00:33:11.440
 people,

00:33:11.560 --> 00:33:12.100
 everyone,

00:33:12.360 --> 00:33:12.600
 because we're

00:33:12.600 --> 00:33:13.200
 all marinating

00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:13.500
 in the

00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:13.680
 same

00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:14.000
 culture,

00:33:14.080 --> 00:33:14.320
 but for

00:33:14.320 --> 00:33:14.560
 young

00:33:14.560 --> 00:33:14.800
 people

00:33:14.800 --> 00:33:15.279
 especially,

00:33:16.300 --> 00:33:16.560
 you

00:33:16.560 --> 00:33:17.080
 exist

00:33:17.080 --> 00:33:17.560
 in a

00:33:17.560 --> 00:33:17.960
 culture,

00:33:18.320 --> 00:33:18.759
 in an

00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.100
 era,

00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:19.759
 in a

00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.200
 time and

00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:20.720
 space,

00:33:21.540 --> 00:33:22.360
 where you

00:33:22.360 --> 00:33:23.000
 value the

00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:23.720
 quick fixes.

00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.519
 Maximum

00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:27.220
 results with

00:33:27.220 --> 00:33:27.700
 minimum

00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:28.180
 effort.

00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.540
 We

00:33:31.540 --> 00:33:32.080
 exist in

00:33:32.080 --> 00:33:32.560
 a culture

00:33:32.560 --> 00:33:32.960
 where we

00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:33.140
 are

00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:33.700
 flippant.

00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:34.880
 We

00:33:34.880 --> 00:33:35.600
 flip from

00:33:35.600 --> 00:33:36.220
 one thing

00:33:36.220 --> 00:33:36.519
 to the

00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:36.720
 next

00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:36.900
 thing,

00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:37.160
 one

00:33:37.160 --> 00:33:37.600
 promising

00:33:37.600 --> 00:33:38.080
 solution

00:33:38.080 --> 00:33:38.400
 to the

00:33:38.400 --> 00:33:38.600
 next

00:33:38.600 --> 00:33:38.960
 promising

00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:39.480
 solution.

00:33:40.180 --> 00:33:40.539
 We

00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:40.900
 shift

00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:41.140
 from

00:33:41.140 --> 00:33:41.460
 church

00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:41.680
 to

00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:42.120
 church.

00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:44.799
 Our

00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:45.380
 culture

00:33:45.380 --> 00:33:46.319
 encourages

00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:46.819
 what

00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:47.360
 American

00:33:47.360 --> 00:33:47.740
 writer

00:33:47.740 --> 00:33:48.160
 Gore

00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:48.720
 Vidal

00:33:48.720 --> 00:33:49.500
 once

00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.120
 described

00:33:50.120 --> 00:33:50.779
 as a

00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:51.360
 passion

00:33:51.360 --> 00:33:52.279
 for the

00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:52.840
 immediate

00:33:52.840 --> 00:33:54.100
 and the

00:33:54.100 --> 00:33:54.500
 casual.

00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:57.100
 We

00:33:57.100 --> 00:33:57.840
 are easily

00:33:57.840 --> 00:33:58.460
 bored,

00:33:59.180 --> 00:33:59.539
 we are

00:33:59.539 --> 00:34:00.059
 easily

00:34:00.059 --> 00:34:00.660
 distracted,

00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:03.019
 and we

00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:03.380
 cannot

00:34:03.380 --> 00:34:04.160
 grow in

00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:04.940
 faith and

00:34:04.940 --> 00:34:05.779
 persevere in

00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:06.100
 Christian

00:34:06.100 --> 00:34:06.920
 discipleship

00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:08.039
 if that

00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:08.559
 culture

00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:09.220
 that we

00:34:09.220 --> 00:34:10.220
 marinate in

00:34:10.220 --> 00:34:11.380
 dominates

00:34:11.380 --> 00:34:11.619
 our

00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:12.039
 outlook

00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:12.680
 on life.

00:34:16.680 --> 00:34:18.079
 The best

00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:18.639
 description

00:34:18.639 --> 00:34:20.039
 that I

00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:20.680
 can have

00:34:20.680 --> 00:34:22.159
 of the

00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:22.599
 Christian

00:34:22.599 --> 00:34:23.139
 life

00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:24.579
 comes from

00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:25.340
 atheistic

00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:25.960
 philosopher

00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:26.500
 Friedrich

00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:26.920
 Nietzsche.

00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:28.880
 He

00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:29.500
 saw

00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:30.400
 Christian

00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:31.139
 discipleship

00:34:31.139 --> 00:34:31.360
 with

00:34:31.360 --> 00:34:32.039
 absolute

00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:32.720
 clarity

00:34:32.720 --> 00:34:33.300
 even

00:34:33.300 --> 00:34:33.500
 though

00:34:33.500 --> 00:34:34.139
 himself

00:34:34.139 --> 00:34:34.619
 was no

00:34:34.619 --> 00:34:35.019
 friend of

00:34:35.019 --> 00:34:35.519
 Christianity.

00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:38.360
 He wrote

00:34:38.360 --> 00:34:40.300
 it is the

00:34:40.300 --> 00:34:40.960
 necessity

00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:42.659
 of long

00:34:42.659 --> 00:34:43.420
 obedience

00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:44.599
 in the

00:34:44.599 --> 00:34:45.079
 same

00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:45.740
 direction.

00:34:49.240 --> 00:34:49.760
 Nietzsche,

00:34:49.900 --> 00:34:50.599
 what insight.

00:34:51.500 --> 00:34:52.139
 Unfortunately,

00:34:52.139 --> 00:34:52.720
 you didn't

00:34:52.720 --> 00:34:53.079
 live it.

00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:54.699
 it

00:34:54.699 --> 00:34:55.619
 powerfully

00:34:55.619 --> 00:34:56.319
 describes

00:34:56.319 --> 00:34:56.539
 the

00:34:56.539 --> 00:34:57.139
 pathway

00:34:57.139 --> 00:34:57.519
 of

00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:57.819
 Christian

00:34:57.819 --> 00:34:58.579
 discipleship.

00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:00.259
 This is

00:35:00.259 --> 00:35:00.699
 the life

00:35:00.699 --> 00:35:01.059
 of meaning

00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:01.619
 and purpose.

00:35:02.319 --> 00:35:02.599
 This is

00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:03.079
 the life

00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:03.440
 as God

00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:03.880
 intended.

00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:04.360
 Do not

00:35:04.360 --> 00:35:04.659
 chase

00:35:04.659 --> 00:35:05.059
 pale

00:35:05.059 --> 00:35:05.699
 imitations.

00:35:06.500 --> 00:35:06.840
 Do not

00:35:06.840 --> 00:35:07.000
 be

00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:07.539
 distracted

00:35:07.539 --> 00:35:07.920
 by

00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:08.799
 shadows.

00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:10.000
 Persevere.

00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:11.819
 We may

00:35:11.819 --> 00:35:12.319
 reach the

00:35:12.319 --> 00:35:12.920
 finish line

00:35:12.920 --> 00:35:14.039
 limping

00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:15.539
 or leaping.

00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:16.819
 We may

00:35:16.819 --> 00:35:17.099
 even

00:35:17.099 --> 00:35:17.460
 collapse

00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:17.960
 over the

00:35:17.960 --> 00:35:18.299
 line,

00:35:18.900 --> 00:35:19.679
 but all

00:35:19.679 --> 00:35:20.299
 true

00:35:20.299 --> 00:35:20.960
 disciples

00:35:20.960 --> 00:35:22.039
 will make

00:35:22.039 --> 00:35:22.259
 it.

00:35:23.079 --> 00:35:23.920
 such is

00:35:23.920 --> 00:35:24.559
 the grace

00:35:24.559 --> 00:35:24.940
 of the

00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:25.119
 Lord

00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:25.400
 Jesus

00:35:25.400 --> 00:35:25.960
 Christ.

00:35:26.860 --> 00:35:27.559
 But we

00:35:27.559 --> 00:35:28.159
 will cross

00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:28.699
 the finish

00:35:28.699 --> 00:35:29.299
 line

00:35:29.299 --> 00:35:31.079
 because of

00:35:31.079 --> 00:35:31.559
 the means

00:35:31.559 --> 00:35:31.819
 that he

00:35:31.819 --> 00:35:32.199
 has given

00:35:32.199 --> 00:35:32.619
 us.

00:35:33.619 --> 00:35:34.059
 And we

00:35:34.059 --> 00:35:34.460
 will cross

00:35:34.460 --> 00:35:34.860
 the finish

00:35:34.860 --> 00:35:35.199
 line

00:35:35.199 --> 00:35:36.380
 more strongly,

00:35:36.719 --> 00:35:37.819
 more purposely,

00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:39.039
 with greater

00:35:39.039 --> 00:35:39.719
 joy, with

00:35:39.719 --> 00:35:40.719
 greater anticipation

00:35:40.719 --> 00:35:41.900
 as we fix

00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:42.739
 our gaze

00:35:42.739 --> 00:35:43.880
 more and

00:35:43.880 --> 00:35:44.799
 more on

00:35:44.799 --> 00:35:45.179
 the Lord

00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:45.440
 Jesus

00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:46.000
 Christ.

00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:48.139
 The key

00:35:48.139 --> 00:35:48.880
 objective for

00:35:48.880 --> 00:35:49.539
 Follow 25

00:35:49.539 --> 00:35:50.199
 is to see

00:35:50.199 --> 00:35:51.480
 65% of

00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:51.679
 St.

00:35:51.699 --> 00:35:51.940
 Paul's

00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:52.420
 identifying

00:35:52.420 --> 00:35:53.240
 much growth

00:35:53.240 --> 00:35:54.619
 in faith

00:35:54.619 --> 00:35:55.460
 through the

00:35:55.460 --> 00:35:55.860
 ministry of

00:35:55.860 --> 00:35:56.300
 this church.

00:35:56.360 --> 00:35:56.820
 That is the

00:35:56.820 --> 00:35:58.220
 majority of

00:35:58.220 --> 00:35:59.300
 us growing

00:35:59.300 --> 00:36:00.119
 more and

00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:00.700
 more in

00:36:00.700 --> 00:36:01.440
 confidence in

00:36:01.440 --> 00:36:01.960
 God in

00:36:01.960 --> 00:36:02.220
 the next

00:36:02.220 --> 00:36:02.960
 five years.

00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:06.260
 Oh, my

00:36:06.260 --> 00:36:06.980
 goodness, how

00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.380
 I would

00:36:07.380 --> 00:36:08.059
 navigate the

00:36:08.059 --> 00:36:08.780
 complexity of

00:36:08.780 --> 00:36:09.480
 life if I

00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:10.059
 was far more

00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:10.539
 confident in

00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:10.720
 God.

00:36:10.960 --> 00:36:11.220
 Young

00:36:11.220 --> 00:36:11.599
 people,

00:36:12.480 --> 00:36:13.780
 you've got a

00:36:13.780 --> 00:36:14.559
 whole life ahead

00:36:14.559 --> 00:36:15.019
 of you.

00:36:15.740 --> 00:36:16.240
 You will

00:36:16.240 --> 00:36:17.360
 navigate the

00:36:17.360 --> 00:36:18.400
 complexity of

00:36:18.400 --> 00:36:19.000
 life in this

00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:20.139
 world fundamentally

00:36:20.139 --> 00:36:22.239
 more easily

00:36:22.239 --> 00:36:23.779
 as you grow

00:36:23.779 --> 00:36:24.420
 in confidence

00:36:24.420 --> 00:36:25.099
 in God.

00:36:27.219 --> 00:36:28.279
 Our vision

00:36:28.279 --> 00:36:29.500
 is about

00:36:29.500 --> 00:36:30.299
 what we are

00:36:30.299 --> 00:36:30.839
 seeking to

00:36:30.839 --> 00:36:31.599
 do as a

00:36:31.599 --> 00:36:32.159
 church over

00:36:32.159 --> 00:36:32.500
 the next

00:36:32.500 --> 00:36:33.179
 five years,

00:36:33.299 --> 00:36:34.119
 but fundamentally

00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:34.960
 it's about

00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:35.460
 you.

00:36:36.579 --> 00:36:37.379
 You, the

00:36:37.379 --> 00:36:37.799
 individual.

00:36:39.159 --> 00:36:39.599
 Don't sit

00:36:39.599 --> 00:36:40.079
 back and go,

00:36:40.299 --> 00:36:40.799
 well, you know,

00:36:40.900 --> 00:36:41.480
 we've been to see

00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:42.019
 what happens in

00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:42.440
 the next five

00:36:42.440 --> 00:36:43.039
 years, see

00:36:43.039 --> 00:36:43.420
 where the

00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:44.119
 leadership goes

00:36:44.119 --> 00:36:44.539
 and how we,

00:36:45.019 --> 00:36:47.079
 this, this is

00:36:47.079 --> 00:36:47.679
 about you,

00:36:47.679 --> 00:36:48.159
 this is about

00:36:48.159 --> 00:36:49.379
 your journey,

00:36:49.539 --> 00:36:50.079
 your life,

00:36:50.179 --> 00:36:50.919
 your faith in

00:36:50.919 --> 00:36:51.500
 the Lord Jesus.

00:36:51.819 --> 00:36:52.219
 This is about

00:36:52.219 --> 00:36:53.259
 you growing in

00:36:53.259 --> 00:36:53.899
 confidence in

00:36:53.899 --> 00:36:54.199
 God.

00:36:54.500 --> 00:36:55.279
 This plan is

00:36:55.279 --> 00:36:56.239
 about your

00:36:56.239 --> 00:36:57.219
 journey with

00:36:57.219 --> 00:36:57.679
 Jesus.

00:37:02.719 --> 00:37:03.519
 So don't

00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:04.039
 meander from

00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:04.579
 this moment.

00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:06.259
 Don't drift.

00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.579
 Don't wander.

00:37:08.859 --> 00:37:10.539
 This plan is

00:37:10.539 --> 00:37:11.899
 about your

00:37:11.899 --> 00:37:13.359
 next step

00:37:13.359 --> 00:37:14.899
 in faith.

00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:17.440
 So what is

00:37:17.440 --> 00:37:17.579
 it?

00:37:17.579 --> 00:37:17.599
 That's it.