WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.220 Amen. 00:00:00.980 --> 00:00:01.240 Amen. 00:00:01.320 --> 00:00:02.180 You may be seated, kids. 00:00:02.240 --> 00:00:04.860 You are excused to your King's Kids class. 00:00:04.860 --> 00:00:04.860 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:41.019 Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely. 00:00:41.240 --> 00:00:49.519 And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, 00:00:49.640 --> 00:00:57.960 who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 00:00:57.960 --> 00:01:09.219 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself so that you may not grow weary or faint-hearted, so that you wouldn't give up. 00:01:10.819 --> 00:01:14.159 May God bless the hearing of his word. 00:01:16.379 --> 00:01:18.260 Distracted drivers are dangerous. 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:22.620 A danger to themselves and a danger to others. 00:01:22.620 --> 00:01:30.920 A distracted driver is someone who takes their eyes off the road and fixes their eyes on something else. 00:01:31.060 --> 00:01:32.020 Maybe it's their phone. 00:01:32.859 --> 00:01:35.740 Maybe it's their companion next to them. 00:01:35.859 --> 00:01:39.260 Maybe it's a French fry that has fallen to the floor. 00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:44.900 Maybe it's an accident on the other side of the road. 00:01:45.280 --> 00:01:46.680 You're part of the gaper's delay. 00:01:46.680 --> 00:01:49.260 Maybe it's a good thought. 00:01:49.260 --> 00:01:54.120 Distracted drivers are a danger to themselves and others, and they need to fix their eyes on the road. 00:01:55.700 --> 00:02:00.900 Distracted Christians are also a danger. 00:02:02.460 --> 00:02:05.240 Danger to themselves and a danger to others. 00:02:05.380 --> 00:02:10.560 There are a variety of things that can distract Christians from Christ, 00:02:10.560 --> 00:02:14.080 and one of which that we are hearing again and again in the book of Hebrews 00:02:14.080 --> 00:02:18.379 is suffering on account of Christ. 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:20.920 Being marginalized for Jesus. 00:02:21.099 --> 00:02:24.699 That can cause you to become weary and faint hearted. 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:25.500 Want to give up. 00:02:26.420 --> 00:02:30.659 When you get distracted from Christ, you tend to drift from Christ. 00:02:31.120 --> 00:02:35.539 And in some cases, you can actually fall away from Christ. 00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:38.060 Where there was no faith to begin with. 00:02:38.060 --> 00:02:38.860 It's a disaster. 00:02:41.140 --> 00:02:47.500 In Hebrews chapter 12, the author likens the Christian faith to an endurance race. 00:02:48.020 --> 00:02:49.180 To a marathon. 00:02:50.640 --> 00:02:59.680 In order for you, Christian, to finish the race and to finish strong, you need endurance. 00:03:01.439 --> 00:03:02.620 Don't give up. 00:03:03.819 --> 00:03:05.039 You need to endure. 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:12.239 And in Hebrews 12, 1 through 3, we're shown how to finish the race and finish strong in four ways. 00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:14.459 First is run the legacy. 00:03:15.199 --> 00:03:16.479 Second, run light. 00:03:16.899 --> 00:03:17.840 Third, run long. 00:03:18.199 --> 00:03:19.939 Fourth, run looking. 00:03:20.259 --> 00:03:22.959 Those last three I heard in a sermon about 30 years ago. 00:03:23.219 --> 00:03:24.259 Stuck with me ever since. 00:03:24.259 --> 00:03:26.659 So, four points this morning. 00:03:27.120 --> 00:03:27.799 Run the legacy. 00:03:28.179 --> 00:03:28.620 Run light. 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:29.539 Run long. 00:03:29.879 --> 00:03:30.399 Run looking. 00:03:30.939 --> 00:03:32.719 Do you want to finish the race? 00:03:33.639 --> 00:03:34.500 And finish strong? 00:03:35.919 --> 00:03:36.799 Eyes on Jesus. 00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:40.800 So, let's look at this first point. 00:03:41.480 --> 00:03:43.360 We'll see it in Hebrews 12, 1. 00:03:43.740 --> 00:03:44.960 Run the legacy. 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:50.740 We read, therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. 00:03:50.740 --> 00:03:59.480 The cloud of witnesses that the author of Hebrews is talking about here are all of those 20 plus saints of old. 00:04:00.020 --> 00:04:05.580 Those people of old commended by God for their faith that we were looking at last week in Hebrews chapter 11. 00:04:05.939 --> 00:04:08.219 They are the cloud of witnesses. 00:04:09.600 --> 00:04:13.020 They're the ones commended by God for their faith. 00:04:14.260 --> 00:04:17.340 They finished the race that God had set before him. 00:04:17.339 --> 00:04:20.839 They endured by trusting God and his promises. 00:04:22.179 --> 00:04:23.560 It's a cloud of witnesses. 00:04:25.339 --> 00:04:29.519 The original word for witness is the word martyr. 00:04:29.699 --> 00:04:31.959 That's where you get the word martyr from. 00:04:32.039 --> 00:04:38.219 And when we think of martyr, we think of people who give up their lives out of believing in Jesus and proclaiming him. 00:04:38.339 --> 00:04:45.379 And so, what we're getting at here are these, this cloud of witnesses are those who bore witness to God to their last breath. 00:04:45.379 --> 00:04:49.800 That they believe in him and they believe in his promises. 00:04:50.060 --> 00:04:52.319 They were faithful all the way to the end. 00:04:53.360 --> 00:04:55.779 So, what's happening here in Hebrews 12, 1. 00:04:56.600 --> 00:05:04.459 Is that the author is making a connection between old covenant saints and new covenant saints. 00:05:04.459 --> 00:05:08.199 Those commended by God. 00:05:08.199 --> 00:05:21.120 We're being linked to Abel and Enoch and Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Daniel, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah. 00:05:21.459 --> 00:05:25.879 All of these commended by God for their faith who've gone before us. 00:05:26.099 --> 00:05:27.839 We're being connected to them. 00:05:28.219 --> 00:05:29.159 Linked to them. 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:31.039 They're the heroes of the faith. 00:05:31.959 --> 00:05:33.539 The who's who of the faith. 00:05:33.540 --> 00:05:33.660 Faith. 00:05:35.420 --> 00:05:39.860 And they have left for us a legacy of faith. 00:05:41.520 --> 00:05:47.560 A legacy is something that those who've gone before us entrust us with. 00:05:48.680 --> 00:05:59.340 And what the kind of the heroes of the faith of chapter 11 have entrusted to us is an example of endurance by faith. 00:05:59.339 --> 00:06:02.839 In chapter 11, verse 40. 00:06:04.119 --> 00:06:09.039 We learn that apart from us, these Old Testament saints will not be made perfect. 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:15.559 Their salvation as ours was found in Christ alone. 00:06:15.779 --> 00:06:18.239 Theirs by faith in what Christ would do. 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:23.019 And ours by faith alone in what Christ has done. 00:06:23.019 --> 00:06:25.359 We are all united by faith. 00:06:28.359 --> 00:06:33.939 We read here that we are surrounded by this great cloud. 00:06:34.339 --> 00:06:35.899 It's a very interesting picture. 00:06:35.899 --> 00:06:44.359 The Ethiopian Tamaral Tola won the 2024 Olympic marathon with a time of two hours and six minutes. 00:06:44.759 --> 00:06:45.259 Pretty quick. 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:56.739 If you saw it, you would see that the last 100 yards of the race, it led into this massive throng. 00:06:56.740 --> 00:06:59.500 A cloud of spectators. 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:01.840 And they were cheering him on. 00:07:02.220 --> 00:07:05.439 And he ran that last 200 yards to the end. 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:08.879 It was like a stadium filled with people rooting him on. 00:07:09.019 --> 00:07:17.620 In chapter 12, verse 1, the author is picturing our holding fast to Christ as a marathon. 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:23.019 And we're being surrounded by those who've endured to the end. 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:29.420 They've gone before us and they wait for us in the heavenly city of God. 00:07:34.579 --> 00:07:37.920 They're the ones who we've been linked to. 00:07:38.959 --> 00:07:41.899 They're the ones who surround us. 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:45.740 They're the ones who are the legacy entrusted to us. 00:07:45.819 --> 00:07:46.379 Run the legacy. 00:07:47.620 --> 00:07:49.660 Here's two ways this makes a difference. 00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:51.980 First is this. 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:55.220 In our day and age, there's a lot of pressure to signal your tribe. 00:07:56.500 --> 00:07:59.579 Whether it's politically, progressive or conservative. 00:08:00.220 --> 00:08:01.379 Whether it's theologically. 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:03.180 Whether it's ethnically. 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:07.800 What's going on here is, brothers and sisters, we've got a tribe. 00:08:09.019 --> 00:08:11.399 A tribe of faith. 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:14.519 We're to identify with them. 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:21.839 We're to check the box that we are in this group. 00:08:21.839 --> 00:08:29.519 Have you ever filled out a government form where it asks for your ethnic heritage, whether you're Caucasian or you're black or you're Hispanic or you're Asian? 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:31.060 Just imagine another box. 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:31.120 By faith. 00:08:31.620 --> 00:08:32.519 By faith. 00:08:33.340 --> 00:08:34.120 Check. 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:37.539 This is who we identify with. 00:08:38.460 --> 00:08:39.419 This is our tribe. 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:41.340 Tribe of faith. 00:08:42.379 --> 00:08:46.679 Second thing this thing does is it locates us in God's story. 00:08:46.679 --> 00:09:02.279 God has always had a gracious and glorious plan for the fullness of time to gather a people for himself from every tribe, tongue and nation in Christ. 00:09:02.279 --> 00:09:04.799 And we're part of the story. 00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:11.139 We're part of the unfolding story of God's plan. 00:09:12.439 --> 00:09:15.019 We are numbered with this multitude. 00:09:15.699 --> 00:09:23.399 We are to be part of this great cloud of witnesses unto God's grace and unto his glory. 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:34.100 This is the fulfillment of the promise he made to Abraham to bless all the nations of the world through his offspring whom we know is Jesus Christ. 00:09:35.100 --> 00:09:35.840 Run the legacy. 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:38.620 You want to finish this race? 00:09:39.319 --> 00:09:40.559 You want to finish strong? 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:42.500 Run the legacy. 00:09:43.459 --> 00:09:44.639 The legacy of faith. 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:50.559 The second point in how to finish strong is you run light. 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:54.240 We read in verse 1, 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:58.340 Let us also lay aside every weight and the sin which clings so closely. 00:09:59.039 --> 00:10:01.559 The New International Version of the Bible says, 00:10:01.819 --> 00:10:06.399 Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles. 00:10:07.699 --> 00:10:09.960 Have you ever noticed a marathon runner what they wear? 00:10:11.960 --> 00:10:14.279 When they're running the race, they don't wear much. 00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:17.759 They usually wear like really short shorts. 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:19.259 Who wears short shorts? 00:10:20.179 --> 00:10:21.460 And then they have a tank top. 00:10:22.139 --> 00:10:23.100 And that's all that they're wearing. 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:27.340 On cold days, they usually put on a stocking hat and have gloves on, but that's it. 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:31.159 They're running light. 00:10:32.439 --> 00:10:39.080 In fact, the Greco-Roman Olympics, which began in 776 BC, 00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:42.279 they wore no clothing at all. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:50.039 Which would boost the Olympic kind of viewership if they did that today. 00:10:51.879 --> 00:10:53.259 But the point is, 00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:56.819 competitors run light. 00:10:58.740 --> 00:11:03.439 They compete light to minimize hindrances to the running the race. 00:11:03.580 --> 00:11:07.679 They lay things aside that would distract them or hinder them. 00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:10.000 Think about it this way. 00:11:10.199 --> 00:11:14.939 If it is not helping you run the race for Jesus, 00:11:15.379 --> 00:11:19.939 it's probably hindering you from running the race for Jesus. 00:11:20.599 --> 00:11:25.079 And the author points to two different types of hindrances in this passage. 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:28.220 The first is every weight. 00:11:29.300 --> 00:11:33.980 Let us also lay aside every weight. 00:11:34.580 --> 00:11:39.420 A marathon runner may show up to the race in a full-blown body warm-up suit, 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:44.379 but when it's race time, he or she will take off that warm-up suit and lay it aside 00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:47.220 because they want to run the race and run it strong. 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:55.080 They don't want anything hindering them from running as strong and as best as they can run. 00:11:56.340 --> 00:12:01.680 There are things that aren't in and of themselves sinful 00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:06.120 that become hindrances to us running the race. 00:12:06.200 --> 00:12:07.120 Let me give you some examples. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:11.700 Would you say that sleep is bad or good? 00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:13.259 It's good. 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:21.879 But if your sleep habits are resulting in your neglecting your pursuit of Christ, 00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:24.759 you've got a hindrance. 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:29.019 You've got to lay that aside. 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:30.919 It's not helping you pursue Jesus. 00:12:31.100 --> 00:12:31.840 It's hindering you. 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:37.820 It's keeping you from reading the Bible, from praying unto God. 00:12:39.220 --> 00:12:40.800 Another example would be work. 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.700 Is work good or bad? 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:44.360 The Bible is very clear. 00:12:44.420 --> 00:12:45.000 Work is good. 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:52.759 But if you are working so much that it's resulting in you neglecting, 00:12:53.560 --> 00:12:54.800 tending to your soul, 00:12:56.660 --> 00:12:58.960 it's something out of proportion there. 00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:02.540 You need to rein something in. 00:13:04.920 --> 00:13:08.740 In our culture, one of the things that people deal with on a regular basis 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:11.240 is busyness as a family. 00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:14.720 We have families who are trying to do it all, 00:13:15.700 --> 00:13:19.080 to have all of their kids involved in as much as possible, 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:22.780 whether it's athletics or whether it's performance arts 00:13:22.780 --> 00:13:25.379 or even serving at the church. 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:27.800 You're trying to do it all. 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:31.940 But over time, it is thinning you out. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:34.400 Busyness. 00:13:35.220 --> 00:13:37.540 Is it good to give yourself to important good things? 00:13:37.660 --> 00:13:38.620 Yes, of course it is. 00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:40.759 But you can only do a few things really well. 00:13:42.060 --> 00:13:43.480 Do you remember back in Luke 10? 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:45.700 Mary and Martha. 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:48.120 Martha was a busy body. 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:51.180 She was getting everything ready because Jesus was there. 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:52.259 And she's like, 00:13:52.420 --> 00:13:55.180 Jesus, would you please tell Mary to help me? 00:13:55.179 --> 00:13:57.779 Because Mary was sitting at his feet. 00:13:57.919 --> 00:13:58.599 And Jesus says, 00:13:59.459 --> 00:14:00.739 Mary has chosen the better. 00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:05.000 There are first things, brothers and sisters. 00:14:06.679 --> 00:14:10.179 When we're thinking about weights to lay aside, 00:14:10.339 --> 00:14:11.699 here's the question to be asking. 00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:19.280 Is this good thing helping or hindering me run the race? 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:22.360 You might need to cut something out completely 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:24.900 or just simply rein something in a little bit. 00:14:25.020 --> 00:14:27.120 Something's gotten away from you. 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:32.519 The second hindrance is outright sin. 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:36.220 And the sin which clings so closely 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:38.840 or the sin which so easily entangles. 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:47.120 Sin is any thought, feeling, word, or action 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:51.000 that contradicts God's character or His command. 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:56.340 It is always by nature wrong, evil, 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:58.500 grievous in God's sight. 00:14:59.259 --> 00:15:01.179 And we are to lay it aside. 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:02.320 We're to put it off. 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:05.539 The picture here is not of someone 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:08.059 who is being necessarily hindered by something 00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:09.659 but being tripped up by something. 00:15:10.879 --> 00:15:12.179 Do you guys know what shackles are? 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:15.600 Shackles are like these steel cuffs 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:16.679 that will go around your wrists 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:18.120 and there's this chain in between 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:19.759 that really limits you. 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:21.899 They're also leg irons, 00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:25.439 leg shackles that go cuffs on your ankles 00:15:25.439 --> 00:15:27.559 and there's this chain in between you. 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:30.279 Could you imagine if Tamaral Tola, 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:32.500 the 2024 Olympic champion, 00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:36.039 he came up to the marathon line, 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:37.899 the starting line, 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:40.120 with shackles on his legs? 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:44.460 Do you think he would finish? 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:47.399 Do you think he would run strong? 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:48.939 No. 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:52.360 He would need to remove the shackles 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:54.819 to lay them aside. 00:15:57.439 --> 00:15:59.580 There are some sinful shackles pointed to 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:00.519 in Hebrews 12. 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.539 Let me point them out to you. 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:04.620 Later on in verse 15, 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:05.759 we read, 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:07.360 See to it that no one fails 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:08.439 to obtain the grace of God, 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:10.960 that no root of bitterness 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:14.019 springs up and causes trouble, 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:16.319 and by it many become defiled. 00:16:16.699 --> 00:16:20.980 Bitterness is a shackle on a Christian. 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:23.159 And it's dangerous for them 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:24.639 and it's dangerous for those around them. 00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:26.240 It defiles people. 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:28.659 Bitterness is holding a grudge. 00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:31.579 It is a hardness of heart. 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.439 It is resentment. 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:34.399 It's blaming someone 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:36.699 for something that has happened 00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:39.300 and it's this hatred. 00:16:39.300 --> 00:16:39.700 It's hatred. 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:41.200 It's unloving. 00:16:42.660 --> 00:16:44.280 It defiles the people. 00:16:45.060 --> 00:16:46.960 And it runs in the opposite direction 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:48.500 of verse 14. 00:16:49.700 --> 00:16:52.040 Strive for peace with everyone. 00:16:53.080 --> 00:16:55.960 You are to lay it aside. 00:16:55.960 --> 00:17:00.320 You are to put bitterness off. 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:03.220 You are to repent of that. 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:07.279 There's another shackle. 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:08.360 It's in verse 16. 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:11.360 That no one is sexually immoral 00:17:11.360 --> 00:17:13.840 or unholy like Esau 00:17:13.840 --> 00:17:15.259 who sold his birthright 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:17.420 for a single meal. 00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:20.240 Sexual immorality is sexual sin. 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:21.200 Whether it's adultery, 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:22.299 when you have a spouse 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:24.340 who's been sexually unfaithful 00:17:24.340 --> 00:17:25.220 or fornication, 00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:27.460 when you have two unmarried people 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:29.299 being sexually unfaithful to God. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:34.480 Pornography is this visualized sexual sin 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:36.720 and it is wickedly wrong. 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:40.539 What makes this so grievous in God's sight 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:42.600 is it runs against the grain 00:17:42.600 --> 00:17:44.259 of his good design of marriage. 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:48.740 This sexuality that he has given us as a gift 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:49.839 is to be enjoyed 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:53.140 in the context of marriage alone. 00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:59.759 And when we seek to experience 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:01.420 and enjoy sexuality 00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:04.680 outside of the good confines of marriage, 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:07.220 it's grievous in God's sight. 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:09.860 These are shackles. 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:12.799 These will hold you back 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:13.740 from running the race 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.960 and it will affect other people. 00:18:17.059 --> 00:18:17.940 And then of course, 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:19.640 there's unbelief. 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:20.180 If you, 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:22.640 Amy actually referenced this 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:24.279 when she was praying moments ago. 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:27.079 In Hebrews 3, 12 and 13, 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:27.839 we read this. 00:18:27.900 --> 00:18:28.720 Take care, brothers, 00:18:28.860 --> 00:18:30.259 lest there be in any of you 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:32.620 an evil, unbelieving heart 00:18:32.620 --> 00:18:33.759 leading you to fall away 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:34.640 from the living God. 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:36.820 But exhort one another every day 00:18:36.820 --> 00:18:38.200 as long as it's called today 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:40.500 that none of you may be hardened 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:42.480 by the deceitfulness of sin. 00:18:44.280 --> 00:18:46.300 Unbelief is a denying of who God is 00:18:46.300 --> 00:18:47.040 and what he's done. 00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:49.600 And you're to put that off. 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:51.420 That will shackle you. 00:18:53.100 --> 00:18:55.780 So here we have shackles 00:18:55.780 --> 00:18:59.280 that will immobilize you 00:18:59.280 --> 00:19:02.680 as you seek to run for Christ. 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.799 You gotta put them off. 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:08.860 I've been praying 00:19:08.860 --> 00:19:10.640 that God would put his finger 00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:12.700 on something in our lives. 00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:15.700 Has God been putting something, 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:17.000 his finger on something 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.539 in your life? 00:19:19.420 --> 00:19:20.920 Some weight 00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:22.779 that you need to lay aside, 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:24.940 some sin that you need to repent of? 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:28.720 That's his loving kindness to you. 00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:30.660 He wants you to share 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:31.360 in his holiness. 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:34.060 And he wants you to run the race. 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:35.740 He wants you to finish the race 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:37.560 and finish strong. 00:19:38.080 --> 00:19:40.500 So receive that 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:42.940 and turn from these things. 00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:44.600 Lay them aside. 00:19:47.540 --> 00:19:48.640 When we run, 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:51.019 we run the legacy, 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:52.820 we run light, 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:55.059 and the third point 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:56.859 is that we run long. 00:19:58.379 --> 00:19:59.659 In 12.1 we read, 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:02.460 and let us run with endurance 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:06.099 the race that is set before us. 00:20:07.899 --> 00:20:08.579 Eugene Peterson, 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.919 a title to his book, 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:12.439 helps with a definition. 00:20:12.679 --> 00:20:14.859 Endurance is a long obedience 00:20:14.859 --> 00:20:16.819 in the same direction. 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:19.419 Endurance is the ability 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:21.039 to press on 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:22.580 in the face of difficulty. 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:26.039 Endurance is not giving up. 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:27.120 It's not quitting. 00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:29.300 It's not falling away 00:20:29.300 --> 00:20:32.220 or folding like a cheap suit. 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:35.700 Endurance is pressing on. 00:20:35.880 --> 00:20:37.060 It's getting back up 00:20:37.060 --> 00:20:38.200 and moving forward 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:39.180 unto Christ. 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:42.600 It's holding fast to Christ 00:20:42.600 --> 00:20:45.100 all the way to the end. 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.940 Your very last breath. 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:51.920 And if you're a Christian, 00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:55.000 and you're seeking 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:56.220 to live by faith, 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:59.039 it's just a matter of time 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:01.100 before your faith, 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.400 your life, 00:21:02.620 --> 00:21:03.920 will get challenged. 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:06.380 Before you'll be marginalized. 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:09.360 You will need to endure that. 00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:11.400 You'll need to press through that 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.100 by faith. 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:14.700 We got a baptism coming up 00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:15.380 in August, 00:21:15.380 --> 00:21:16.780 and we have a good group 00:21:16.780 --> 00:21:17.100 of people, 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:17.720 like I mentioned, 00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:18.580 being baptized. 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.160 It's down at Eichelman. 00:21:20.280 --> 00:21:21.440 It's highly public. 00:21:22.620 --> 00:21:23.940 And anyone who comes out 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:24.240 in the water, 00:21:24.280 --> 00:21:24.780 I'm going to ask them 00:21:24.780 --> 00:21:25.300 two questions. 00:21:25.560 --> 00:21:26.680 First question is this. 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:27.660 Have you put your faith 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:28.740 in Jesus Christ alone 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.640 for the forgiveness 00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:30.320 of your sin 00:21:30.320 --> 00:21:30.900 and the promise 00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:31.540 of eternal life? 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.180 Yes. 00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:34.000 The second question 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:35.200 is the endurance question. 00:21:36.060 --> 00:21:36.780 It's the finish 00:21:36.780 --> 00:21:37.500 the race question. 00:21:38.320 --> 00:21:39.400 It goes like this. 00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:40.800 Have you resolved 00:21:40.800 --> 00:21:43.040 to follow Jesus 00:21:43.040 --> 00:21:44.420 all the days of your life, 00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:45.900 no matter what happens? 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:47.960 Are you going to finish 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.519 the race? 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:50.340 As far as it depends on you, 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:51.640 trusting in the living God? 00:21:52.420 --> 00:21:52.800 Yes. 00:21:53.840 --> 00:21:54.660 We baptize him. 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.060 Endurance. 00:21:58.060 --> 00:21:59.759 The opposite of endurance, 00:22:00.600 --> 00:22:01.779 of an enduring faith, 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:03.600 an endurance by faith, 00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:06.680 is a falling away 00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:07.880 because of unbelief. 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:07.960 faith. 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.480 Remember, 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:11.700 faith is like a muscle. 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:13.920 And if your faith 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:15.100 goes unused, 00:22:15.580 --> 00:22:16.880 it atrophies. 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:19.480 But with use, 00:22:19.600 --> 00:22:20.300 your muscles, 00:22:20.820 --> 00:22:21.500 faith muscles, 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:22.300 strengthen, 00:22:22.820 --> 00:22:23.960 and you are able 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:25.440 to press through hard things 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:26.120 by faith, 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.580 trusting in God's character, 00:22:27.780 --> 00:22:28.960 trusting in his promise. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.520 It's by use. 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:31.639 endurance. 00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:35.599 This is endurance. 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:38.339 And we are to run 00:22:38.339 --> 00:22:39.319 with endurance 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:41.740 the race that God 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:43.980 has set before us. 00:22:45.660 --> 00:22:48.059 It's his paths 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:49.900 that he's laid out 00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:50.599 before us. 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:52.240 It's a path, 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.960 a race for us to run. 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:54.920 He's laid it out. 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:55.960 He's laid it out 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:57.119 according to his word. 00:22:57.119 --> 00:23:02.179 And we are to finish 00:23:02.179 --> 00:23:04.619 and to finish strong. 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:08.399 God sets this race 00:23:08.399 --> 00:23:09.539 before us. 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:12.539 It's a path of faith. 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:17.239 Nowhere does he promise to us 00:23:17.239 --> 00:23:18.819 that this race 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:20.259 is going to be easy 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:20.959 and comfortable. 00:23:21.719 --> 00:23:22.319 Nowhere. 00:23:23.179 --> 00:23:23.799 In fact, 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:24.759 if it's anything, 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.659 he duly warns us 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:28.200 Jesus said 00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:29.259 at the end of John 16, 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:32.580 in the world, 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:34.480 you will have tribulation. 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.880 You will have difficulty 00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:37.560 on account of me. 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.340 You know, 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:42.820 we sing a song, 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:45.320 Amazing Grace, 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:47.720 Amazing Grace, 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:48.759 and there's this line, 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:50.380 through many dangers, 00:23:50.580 --> 00:23:51.720 toils, and snares, 00:23:51.800 --> 00:23:52.980 I have already come. 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.860 Brothers and sisters, 00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:55.880 that's just normal. 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:59.060 Through many dangers, 00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:00.560 toils, and snares, 00:24:01.060 --> 00:24:02.759 blessed be your name 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:04.800 in a world 00:24:04.800 --> 00:24:07.100 that is marked by suffering. 00:24:07.600 --> 00:24:08.420 We just sang it. 00:24:09.640 --> 00:24:10.620 You'll be marginalized 00:24:10.620 --> 00:24:12.779 by being a follower of Jesus. 00:24:12.920 --> 00:24:14.380 Don't be surprised by it. 00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:16.140 Rejoice in it. 00:24:16.820 --> 00:24:18.880 Just like Paul and Silas 00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:20.820 rejoiced in the Philippian jail. 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:20.919 Now, 00:24:21.619 --> 00:24:24.639 this is an endurance race. 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:29.419 In September, 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:29.919 I'm going to preach 00:24:29.919 --> 00:24:30.539 three sermons 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.460 on Psalm 23. 00:24:32.639 --> 00:24:33.559 I can't wait. 00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:35.759 The Lord is my shepherd. 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:37.480 I shall not want. 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.119 He makes me 00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:39.899 lie down 00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:40.779 and greet pastures. 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.599 He leads me 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.539 beside still waters. 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:44.019 He restores my soul. 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:44.539 Verse 3. 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:45.759 And then it says, 00:24:45.920 --> 00:24:46.639 He leads me 00:24:46.639 --> 00:24:47.839 in paths of righteousness 00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:49.279 for His name's sake. 00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:51.460 He's got a race 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.700 set out for us. 00:24:54.379 --> 00:24:55.319 And then verse 4. 00:24:57.079 --> 00:24:57.779 Even though I walk 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:58.299 through the valley 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.200 of the shadow of death, 00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:01.059 the deep darks, 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:03.639 I shall feel no evil 00:25:03.639 --> 00:25:05.759 for you are with me. 00:25:06.879 --> 00:25:07.960 Even David knew. 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:10.059 Being a follower 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.980 of God 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:12.880 in the paths 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:14.259 that God had set 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:15.440 would lead through 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.200 deep darks, 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:16.579 hardship, 00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.259 difficulty, 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.180 suffering on account 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:19.200 of Jesus for us. 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:22.519 He does not promise 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.140 ease and comfort. 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.740 Hardship and difficult 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.700 will surely come. 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.740 We must endure. 00:25:28.840 --> 00:25:29.620 Not giving up, 00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:30.460 not quitting, 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.400 pressing on. 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.319 You're going to have 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:34.980 some hard decisions 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.420 to make. 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:38.200 What are you going 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:38.519 to do 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:41.100 when your 00:25:41.100 --> 00:25:42.440 gay nephew 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.820 invites you 00:25:43.820 --> 00:25:45.039 to come to his 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.680 gay wedding? 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:46.640 What are you going 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:46.880 to do? 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.600 What does it look like 00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:49.740 to walk by faith 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.420 there? 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.500 Because in God's eyes, 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.200 it's not a wedding. 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.440 Students, 00:25:58.039 --> 00:25:59.480 what do you do 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:01.660 when your classmates 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:02.779 are cheating 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:04.820 on their schoolwork? 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:06.379 what do you do? 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:07.759 What does it look like 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.819 to walk by faith? 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.419 It might mean 00:26:13.419 --> 00:26:14.259 getting marginalized, 00:26:15.439 --> 00:26:17.200 taking some heat. 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:20.359 He doesn't promise 00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:21.079 ease and comfort 00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:21.980 to those who walk 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.559 uprightly. 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.960 But the thing is, 00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:27.720 we get to do this 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.079 together. 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:28.139 together. 00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:31.899 We run this race 00:26:31.899 --> 00:26:33.419 together. 00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:35.579 We're like a pack. 00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:37.299 Remember the chariots 00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:37.899 of fire, 00:26:38.179 --> 00:26:39.879 those guys 00:26:39.879 --> 00:26:40.879 and runners 00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:41.759 and white 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.960 on the beach 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:44.220 in England 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:45.399 running 00:26:45.399 --> 00:26:46.859 together? 00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:49.399 If you look back 00:26:49.399 --> 00:26:51.019 at Hebrews 10, 00:26:51.439 --> 00:26:52.799 24 and 25, 00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.639 I'm going to read 00:26:54.639 --> 00:26:54.859 this, 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:55.720 but be thinking 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.619 in terms of 00:26:56.619 --> 00:26:57.419 running the race. 00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:59.180 And let us 00:26:59.180 --> 00:26:59.820 consider how to 00:26:59.820 --> 00:27:00.600 stir up one another 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:01.740 to love and good works, 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:03.259 not neglecting 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.000 to meet together 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.779 as is the habit 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.180 of some, 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:05.900 but encouraging 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.400 one another. 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.660 And all the more 00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:08.700 as you see the day 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.340 drawing near. 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:10.000 As you're running 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.920 the race together 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:12.279 and gathering 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:13.560 together every Sunday, 00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:14.920 be encouraging 00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:15.600 one another 00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:16.279 as you see 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:17.060 that day 00:27:17.060 --> 00:27:17.920 approaching 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:19.340 when Jesus 00:27:19.340 --> 00:27:20.019 comes back. 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:23.299 our Sunday 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:23.859 gathering 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:25.519 is an encouraging 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.799 gathering. 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.980 It's encouragement. 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:30.680 It is strength 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:32.000 for your soul 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:33.559 to press on. 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:34.420 We do this 00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:34.960 together. 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.579 Do you want to 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.279 finish the race 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:39.619 and finish strong? 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:41.039 You need to run 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.680 long 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:43.879 with endurance. 00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:45.160 The race marked out 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.639 and we do that 00:27:45.639 --> 00:27:45.980 together. 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:47.079 One last point. 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:51.460 We run looking. 00:27:53.620 --> 00:27:54.599 In verse 2, 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.019 we read 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:56.079 looking to Jesus. 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.180 In verse 3, 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:58.720 we read 00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.680 consider him, 00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:00.360 Jesus, 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.319 who endured 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:01.839 from sinners 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.579 such hostility 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.319 against himself 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:04.180 so that you 00:28:04.180 --> 00:28:05.079 may not grow weary 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:06.420 or faint hearted. 00:28:06.660 --> 00:28:06.860 You know, 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:07.759 there's just a general 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:09.160 principle in life. 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:09.700 It goes something 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.220 like this. 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:11.160 You move 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:11.860 in the direction 00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:13.420 to which you're looking. 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:15.519 You move 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:17.220 to where you're looking. 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.039 Whether you're 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:20.620 driving a car 00:28:20.620 --> 00:28:21.340 or riding a bike 00:28:21.340 --> 00:28:22.800 or running a marathon, 00:28:23.080 --> 00:28:23.960 if you look over 00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:24.779 your left shoulder, 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.660 typically you're going 00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:26.519 to move a little left, 00:28:26.580 --> 00:28:26.759 right? 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.519 Or if you look over 00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:29.240 your right shoulder, 00:28:29.300 --> 00:28:29.660 you're going to move 00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:30.200 a little right. 00:28:31.120 --> 00:28:31.960 The general principle 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:33.600 is you move 00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:34.660 to where you're looking. 00:28:36.580 --> 00:28:37.460 Spiritually speaking, 00:28:38.860 --> 00:28:39.720 your looking 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:41.620 aims your living. 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:43.419 you live for 00:28:43.419 --> 00:28:43.959 what you're looking 00:28:43.959 --> 00:28:44.239 at. 00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:47.459 If you're fixing 00:28:47.459 --> 00:28:48.259 your eyes, 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:49.959 scrolling, 00:28:50.339 --> 00:28:51.159 scrolling for new 00:28:51.159 --> 00:28:51.639 purchases, 00:28:52.439 --> 00:28:53.619 again and again 00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.099 and again, 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.439 you make the purchase 00:28:55.439 --> 00:28:56.099 and you're scrolling 00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:57.239 for a new purchase, 00:28:57.719 --> 00:28:58.619 you're looking 00:28:58.619 --> 00:29:00.199 and your living 00:29:00.199 --> 00:29:00.819 follows. 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.819 If you're fixated 00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:04.599 on something 00:29:04.599 --> 00:29:05.279 that's happened 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.319 in your past 00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:08.879 and you're just 00:29:08.879 --> 00:29:09.739 looking and looking 00:29:09.739 --> 00:29:10.619 and looking at it, 00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:11.159 it's like trying 00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:12.140 to move forward, 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:12.779 but you're just 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.320 staring in the 00:29:13.320 --> 00:29:14.040 rearview mirror, 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:16.920 you're going to be 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:18.040 living in the past. 00:29:19.320 --> 00:29:20.540 If you're fixated 00:29:20.540 --> 00:29:23.240 on illicit images, 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:26.900 you're setting 00:29:26.900 --> 00:29:27.300 your heart 00:29:27.300 --> 00:29:28.180 on these things. 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:30.040 You're living 00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:31.019 for that 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.800 which gives 00:29:31.800 --> 00:29:32.340 no life. 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.800 They're broken, 00:29:34.100 --> 00:29:35.660 empty sin cisterns. 00:29:35.860 --> 00:29:36.440 There's no life 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.220 in these things. 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:41.019 we're told to lay 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:41.799 these things aside. 00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:44.759 There's no life. 00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:47.299 They distract us 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:47.940 from Christ. 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:49.960 They're impostors. 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:53.079 If you're a Christian, 00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:55.880 but not regularly 00:29:55.880 --> 00:29:56.799 looking to Jesus, 00:29:56.900 --> 00:29:57.640 and what I mean by that 00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:58.059 is this. 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:58.920 Have you ever heard 00:29:58.920 --> 00:29:59.460 someone say, 00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:01.259 every one look 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:01.880 at sin, 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.819 you look ten looks 00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:03.339 at Jesus. 00:30:03.339 --> 00:30:06.199 every one look 00:30:06.199 --> 00:30:07.559 at this past wrong 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.039 that you need 00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.679 to work through, 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.459 you need to take 00:30:09.459 --> 00:30:10.179 ten at Jesus. 00:30:11.699 --> 00:30:12.399 It's that kind 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:12.740 of looking. 00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:13.319 If you're not 00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:14.539 looking to Jesus, 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.659 you're going to be 00:30:16.659 --> 00:30:17.220 looking at something 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:17.599 else. 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.779 There's dangers there. 00:30:20.939 --> 00:30:21.459 There's the danger 00:30:21.459 --> 00:30:22.139 of drift. 00:30:22.439 --> 00:30:23.279 That word looking, 00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:24.079 looking to Jesus, 00:30:24.179 --> 00:30:25.179 has a very interesting 00:30:25.179 --> 00:30:26.079 nuance to it. 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:29.319 it means to purposefully 00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:31.740 stop looking at one thing 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:33.379 and to start looking 00:30:33.379 --> 00:30:33.919 at another. 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:37.519 To very intentionally, 00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:39.299 to consciously, 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.740 purposefully, 00:30:40.899 --> 00:30:42.439 take your eyes off 00:30:42.439 --> 00:30:43.119 one thing 00:30:43.119 --> 00:30:44.460 and put your eyes 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:44.960 on another. 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:45.799 I've got a confession. 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:49.740 Sometimes I come home 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.599 from a hard day 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.960 of pastoring. 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:55.380 And I walk 00:30:55.380 --> 00:30:56.840 in the side door 00:30:56.840 --> 00:30:57.920 and I grab 00:30:57.920 --> 00:30:58.600 the mail 00:30:58.600 --> 00:30:59.720 and I walk 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.720 into the kitchen 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.279 and sometimes 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:02.059 Jenny's there 00:31:02.059 --> 00:31:03.779 and we'll start 00:31:03.779 --> 00:31:05.319 talking about our day. 00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:07.480 But you know 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:07.840 what I'm doing? 00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:10.620 I'm looking 00:31:10.620 --> 00:31:11.039 at the mail. 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.559 Jenny's asking 00:31:14.559 --> 00:31:15.220 me about my day. 00:31:15.340 --> 00:31:15.480 Yeah, 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:15.700 huh, 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:15.940 huh. 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:16.420 But I'm, 00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:18.400 I'm looking 00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:20.480 at an AARP 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:22.000 letter. 00:31:24.160 --> 00:31:24.660 Do you know 00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:25.120 what I've got to do? 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:28.460 I've got to lay it aside. 00:31:30.180 --> 00:31:31.059 And I need to fix 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:32.120 my eyes on Jenny. 00:31:33.900 --> 00:31:35.660 And I need to be there. 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.120 Does this make sense? 00:31:37.599 --> 00:31:38.319 I've got to take 00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:39.380 my eyes off one thing 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:40.259 and put my eyes 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:40.700 on another. 00:31:43.660 --> 00:31:44.440 In order for you 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.299 to finish the race 00:31:45.299 --> 00:31:46.420 and finish strong, 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:48.279 you need to learn 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:50.420 and practice 00:31:50.420 --> 00:31:52.420 turning your eyes 00:31:52.420 --> 00:31:53.580 from lesser things 00:31:53.580 --> 00:31:56.380 in order to fix 00:31:56.380 --> 00:31:57.100 your eyes 00:31:57.100 --> 00:31:57.980 on the greatest 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:58.779 treasure of all, 00:31:59.400 --> 00:31:59.700 Jesus. 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.060 Eyes 00:32:02.060 --> 00:32:03.820 on 00:32:03.820 --> 00:32:05.600 Jesus. 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.460 And in verses 00:32:08.460 --> 00:32:09.220 two and three, 00:32:10.600 --> 00:32:13.400 the author gives us 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:14.420 some things about 00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:15.700 Jesus to look at. 00:32:16.300 --> 00:32:16.860 We've got a couple 00:32:16.860 --> 00:32:17.320 titles, 00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:18.279 a couple places, 00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:19.140 and one example. 00:32:19.140 --> 00:32:21.340 the two titles, 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:22.420 essentially two titles 00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:22.940 are these. 00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:25.680 Looking to Jesus, 00:32:25.820 --> 00:32:26.460 the founder and 00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:27.460 perfecter of your faith. 00:32:27.540 --> 00:32:28.520 Maybe the founder 00:32:28.520 --> 00:32:29.540 and finisher 00:32:29.540 --> 00:32:30.759 of your faith. 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:31.680 Two titles. 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:34.060 The founder, 00:32:34.360 --> 00:32:35.300 the originator 00:32:35.300 --> 00:32:36.400 of the faith 00:32:36.400 --> 00:32:37.460 of our salvation. 00:32:38.280 --> 00:32:38.620 Jesus. 00:32:40.620 --> 00:32:41.960 The finisher, 00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:43.500 the perfecter, 00:32:43.600 --> 00:32:44.400 the completer 00:32:44.400 --> 00:32:45.560 of our salvation. 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:46.980 Jesus, 00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:48.319 all of Christianity, 00:32:48.879 --> 00:32:50.039 begins and 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:50.639 ends 00:32:50.639 --> 00:32:51.619 with Jesus. 00:32:53.159 --> 00:32:54.019 He is our 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:54.700 everything. 00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:56.359 He is 00:32:56.359 --> 00:32:57.599 our salvation. 00:32:58.879 --> 00:32:59.899 If you're familiar 00:32:59.899 --> 00:33:00.659 with Revelation, 00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:02.339 in Revelation 22, 00:33:02.659 --> 00:33:03.319 13, 00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:04.059 Jesus says this 00:33:04.059 --> 00:33:04.559 about himself, 00:33:04.679 --> 00:33:05.500 I am the alpha 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.259 and the omega, 00:33:06.379 --> 00:33:07.339 the first and the last, 00:33:07.339 --> 00:33:08.059 the beginning 00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:08.639 and the end. 00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:09.700 And if you don't know 00:33:09.700 --> 00:33:10.440 the Greek alphabet, 00:33:10.839 --> 00:33:11.839 it starts with alpha 00:33:11.839 --> 00:33:13.440 and ends with omega. 00:33:13.639 --> 00:33:14.299 He's the beginning 00:33:14.299 --> 00:33:14.839 and the end. 00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:16.099 It's all about Jesus. 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.779 Have you ever heard 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.180 the song, 00:33:19.919 --> 00:33:21.259 He's got the whole world. 00:33:23.159 --> 00:33:23.919 We can adjust 00:33:23.919 --> 00:33:24.619 that a little bit 00:33:24.619 --> 00:33:27.480 to Jesus singing, 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:28.980 saying of Jesus, 00:33:29.659 --> 00:33:30.319 He's got our whole 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:31.980 salvation in His hands. 00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:34.319 He's the beginning 00:33:34.319 --> 00:33:34.960 and the end. 00:33:36.659 --> 00:33:37.839 These are two titles. 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:39.720 Now let's look 00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:40.579 at the two places. 00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:42.879 Looking to Jesus, 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:43.799 the founder and perfecter 00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:44.299 of our faith 00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:44.919 who for the joy 00:33:44.919 --> 00:33:46.019 that was set before Him 00:33:46.019 --> 00:33:47.519 endured the cross. 00:33:48.379 --> 00:33:49.379 Place number one, 00:33:50.059 --> 00:33:51.940 the place of His humiliation 00:33:51.940 --> 00:33:54.000 and our salvation. 00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:57.619 That place, 00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:58.579 the cross, 00:33:59.000 --> 00:34:01.440 was a shameful way to die. 00:34:01.440 --> 00:34:03.539 It was the Romans. 00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:06.440 They designed crucifixion 00:34:07.299 --> 00:34:08.619 to be the most shameful 00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:10.480 and painful experience 00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:12.159 anyone can experience 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:12.920 to die. 00:34:16.379 --> 00:34:17.719 It was incredibly painful 00:34:17.719 --> 00:34:18.279 physically, 00:34:19.019 --> 00:34:19.559 emotionally, 00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:20.980 and socially. 00:34:21.219 --> 00:34:22.619 It was shameful. 00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:24.119 You died naked, 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:26.039 suffering greatly. 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:27.519 But for Jesus, 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:29.199 on that cross, 00:34:29.759 --> 00:34:32.440 He bore God's wrath 00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:34.239 for our sin 00:34:34.239 --> 00:34:36.480 once for all. 00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:40.759 At the cross, 00:34:41.759 --> 00:34:42.820 He founded 00:34:42.820 --> 00:34:45.279 our salvation. 00:34:47.279 --> 00:34:48.639 Despising the shame. 00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:50.739 Whatever. 00:34:50.739 --> 00:34:51.739 He had a place 00:34:51.739 --> 00:34:51.739 00:34:51.739 --> 00:34:52.119 of His grace 00:34:52.119 --> 00:34:59.239 and is seated 00:34:59.239 --> 00:35:00.339 at the right hand 00:35:00.339 --> 00:35:01.299 of the throne of God. 00:35:02.239 --> 00:35:04.419 His place of exaltation 00:35:04.419 --> 00:35:06.899 where He is now. 00:35:08.959 --> 00:35:10.279 Sitting on His throne, 00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:12.059 welcoming all 00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:13.299 that comes to us 00:35:13.299 --> 00:35:14.239 at the cross. 00:35:14.339 --> 00:35:15.039 He's the source, 00:35:15.239 --> 00:35:16.479 founder of our salvation. 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.840 On the throne, 00:35:18.240 --> 00:35:19.539 Psalm 110.1, 00:35:20.099 --> 00:35:22.800 He is sustaining us. 00:35:23.719 --> 00:35:25.300 He's perfecting us. 00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:26.820 He's finishing 00:35:26.820 --> 00:35:27.719 what He started. 00:35:27.880 --> 00:35:29.780 He's pouring out grace. 00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:31.039 It's Hebrews 4, 00:35:31.119 --> 00:35:32.019 14 through 16. 00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:33.440 Do you have a need? 00:35:33.699 --> 00:35:34.840 You make a beeline 00:35:34.840 --> 00:35:36.019 to the throne of grace. 00:35:37.019 --> 00:35:38.240 And He will give you grace 00:35:38.240 --> 00:35:39.500 in that time of need 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:40.639 to sustain you 00:35:40.639 --> 00:35:41.840 so that you endure 00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:43.380 to the end. 00:35:43.380 --> 00:35:47.099 He gives us grace 00:35:47.099 --> 00:35:47.800 upon grace. 00:35:51.760 --> 00:35:52.680 It's a beauty. 00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:54.340 He's the founder 00:35:54.340 --> 00:35:57.539 of our salvation cross. 00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:59.160 He's the finisher 00:35:59.160 --> 00:36:01.519 of our salvation throne. 00:36:02.579 --> 00:36:03.480 But in verse 3, 00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:05.640 we have an example. 00:36:06.599 --> 00:36:07.180 Consider Him 00:36:07.180 --> 00:36:08.220 who endured from sinners 00:36:08.220 --> 00:36:09.000 such hostility 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:09.720 against Himself. 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:12.000 You see, 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:13.699 not only is Jesus 00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:14.440 the source 00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:15.559 of our salvation, 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:18.360 He is the ultimate example 00:36:18.360 --> 00:36:20.300 of finishing the race. 00:36:21.139 --> 00:36:23.380 It's all of Hebrews 11 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:25.679 climaxes in Jesus 00:36:25.679 --> 00:36:27.460 as the greatest example 00:36:27.460 --> 00:36:28.320 of endurance 00:36:28.320 --> 00:36:31.400 who finished doing 00:36:31.400 --> 00:36:32.699 God's will 00:36:32.699 --> 00:36:34.840 at great cost. 00:36:36.420 --> 00:36:37.320 He was mocked, 00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:38.460 beaten, 00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:40.599 unjustly convicted, 00:36:40.599 --> 00:36:41.539 imprisoned, 00:36:41.779 --> 00:36:42.460 humiliated, 00:36:43.019 --> 00:36:43.900 put to death 00:36:43.900 --> 00:36:46.519 the ultimate example 00:36:46.519 --> 00:36:48.539 of endurance, 00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:50.779 such hostility 00:36:50.779 --> 00:36:51.599 against Himself. 00:36:53.059 --> 00:36:54.239 And it's there 00:36:54.239 --> 00:36:56.139 so you don't grow weary 00:36:56.139 --> 00:36:58.299 or faint-hearted 00:36:58.299 --> 00:37:00.380 as you pursue Him. 00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:03.779 You know why He did it? 00:37:05.239 --> 00:37:06.799 For the joy set before Him. 00:37:06.800 --> 00:37:08.800 It could have been 00:37:08.800 --> 00:37:09.700 the exaltation 00:37:09.700 --> 00:37:10.240 of the throne. 00:37:12.160 --> 00:37:13.460 I think it's more likely 00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:15.300 that it's the joy 00:37:15.300 --> 00:37:16.560 of bringing many sons 00:37:16.560 --> 00:37:17.760 and daughters to glory. 00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:20.780 Of gathering for Himself 00:37:20.780 --> 00:37:22.120 a people from every tribe, 00:37:22.240 --> 00:37:22.840 tongue, and nation. 00:37:23.960 --> 00:37:25.360 A people that have been 00:37:25.360 --> 00:37:27.080 flipped by God's grace 00:37:27.080 --> 00:37:28.120 and delivered from 00:37:28.120 --> 00:37:28.940 the domain of darkness 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:30.380 and transferred into 00:37:30.380 --> 00:37:31.920 the kingdom of the beloved Son. 00:37:32.300 --> 00:37:33.500 And it's us 00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:34.480 around the throne 00:37:34.480 --> 00:37:35.599 with all of those 00:37:35.599 --> 00:37:36.780 who've gone before us 00:37:36.780 --> 00:37:38.559 singing the praises of God 00:37:38.559 --> 00:37:39.740 for what He has done. 00:37:40.599 --> 00:37:41.480 That joy, 00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:43.119 all of the blood bought 00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:43.519 of God, 00:37:43.780 --> 00:37:44.579 gathered together 00:37:44.579 --> 00:37:45.639 for eternity 00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:48.119 in the city of heaven, 00:37:49.420 --> 00:37:51.400 which He's prepared for us. 00:37:52.679 --> 00:37:53.940 We become part of 00:37:53.940 --> 00:37:55.079 His great cloud 00:37:55.079 --> 00:37:55.760 of witnesses. 00:37:58.300 --> 00:37:59.400 He's the one to whom 00:37:59.400 --> 00:38:00.420 we fix our eyes on. 00:38:00.420 --> 00:38:03.280 We run looking to Him. 00:38:08.059 --> 00:38:09.099 Do you need help 00:38:09.099 --> 00:38:10.579 looking to Jesus? 00:38:13.099 --> 00:38:13.780 I do. 00:38:15.920 --> 00:38:16.940 To help you 00:38:16.940 --> 00:38:19.440 lay aside 00:38:19.440 --> 00:38:20.460 every weight in sin 00:38:20.460 --> 00:38:21.320 and fix your eyes 00:38:21.320 --> 00:38:21.820 on Jesus, 00:38:21.920 --> 00:38:22.720 do you need help? 00:38:23.420 --> 00:38:24.119 Of course. 00:38:24.119 --> 00:38:29.380 prioritize coming 00:38:29.380 --> 00:38:30.420 on Sunday. 00:38:31.839 --> 00:38:33.099 Prioritize gathering together. 00:38:33.239 --> 00:38:34.880 It's God's good design. 00:38:35.159 --> 00:38:37.259 It's a habit of grace 00:38:37.259 --> 00:38:39.519 that we endure together 00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:40.619 by gathering together. 00:38:42.139 --> 00:38:43.139 Another way to, 00:38:43.699 --> 00:38:44.159 for help, 00:38:44.279 --> 00:38:45.000 you're going to get 00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:46.039 an email this afternoon 00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:46.480 from me. 00:38:47.359 --> 00:38:48.420 And what I do is 00:38:48.420 --> 00:38:50.099 I lay out this week, 00:38:50.699 --> 00:38:52.039 Monday through next Sunday, 00:38:52.039 --> 00:38:54.019 and I give you something 00:38:54.019 --> 00:38:54.960 from the Bible 00:38:54.960 --> 00:38:56.380 to fix your eyes upon. 00:38:56.679 --> 00:38:57.699 It would be great 00:38:57.699 --> 00:38:58.420 for you to start 00:38:58.420 --> 00:38:59.279 your day that way. 00:38:59.599 --> 00:39:00.219 It would be great 00:39:00.219 --> 00:39:00.900 if you've been looking 00:39:00.900 --> 00:39:01.940 for something to do 00:39:01.940 --> 00:39:03.619 devotionally with your family, 00:39:04.420 --> 00:39:05.360 to be in God's Word, 00:39:05.480 --> 00:39:06.440 to fix your eyes on Jesus, 00:39:06.619 --> 00:39:07.279 to pray together. 00:39:07.480 --> 00:39:08.279 This would be 00:39:08.279 --> 00:39:09.000 an easy start. 00:39:10.059 --> 00:39:10.519 You'll get that 00:39:10.519 --> 00:39:11.099 at one o'clock 00:39:11.099 --> 00:39:11.860 this afternoon. 00:39:13.480 --> 00:39:14.460 But here's a way 00:39:14.460 --> 00:39:16.820 that has helped me 00:39:16.820 --> 00:39:17.320 this week. 00:39:19.679 --> 00:39:20.079 Parents, 00:39:20.300 --> 00:39:20.960 use your discretion 00:39:20.960 --> 00:39:21.579 with your kids. 00:39:22.039 --> 00:39:25.000 it's writing something. 00:39:25.900 --> 00:39:28.460 On my left index finger, 00:39:29.519 --> 00:39:30.699 earlier this week, 00:39:30.800 --> 00:39:31.460 I've been writing 00:39:31.460 --> 00:39:34.900 E-O-J. 00:39:37.139 --> 00:39:38.000 Eyes on Jesus. 00:39:39.360 --> 00:39:40.400 So whatever I'm doing 00:39:40.400 --> 00:39:40.980 that day, 00:39:41.920 --> 00:39:42.400 driving, 00:39:43.860 --> 00:39:44.279 eating, 00:39:45.599 --> 00:39:46.619 working on things, 00:39:47.980 --> 00:39:48.599 eyes on Jesus. 00:39:48.599 --> 00:39:51.920 it's been so helpful. 00:39:53.299 --> 00:39:53.539 I can, 00:39:54.480 --> 00:39:55.179 I look to Him 00:39:55.179 --> 00:39:55.860 throughout the day. 00:39:58.799 --> 00:40:00.239 We must finish the race 00:40:00.239 --> 00:40:01.039 and finish strong. 00:40:03.539 --> 00:40:04.500 Run the legacy, 00:40:05.460 --> 00:40:06.079 run light, 00:40:07.019 --> 00:40:07.679 run long, 00:40:08.980 --> 00:40:10.179 run looking to Jesus. 00:40:12.179 --> 00:40:13.279 Distracted drivers 00:40:13.280 --> 00:40:16.160 need to keep their eyes 00:40:16.160 --> 00:40:16.960 on the road. 00:40:18.560 --> 00:40:19.620 Christians prone 00:40:19.620 --> 00:40:20.420 to distraction, 00:40:20.660 --> 00:40:21.540 and that's all of us, 00:40:22.040 --> 00:40:23.680 need to learn 00:40:23.680 --> 00:40:24.760 to fix our eyes 00:40:24.760 --> 00:40:25.400 on Jesus. 00:40:26.840 --> 00:40:27.660 Eyes on Jesus. 00:40:28.560 --> 00:40:29.260 Let's pray together. 00:40:29.260 --> 00:40:38.180 Lord Jesus, 00:40:38.300 --> 00:40:39.120 we do acknowledge 00:40:39.120 --> 00:40:40.320 that You are 00:40:40.320 --> 00:40:42.180 exalted 00:40:42.180 --> 00:40:42.920 at the right hand 00:40:42.920 --> 00:40:43.760 of God right now, 00:40:43.860 --> 00:40:44.300 the throne, 00:40:44.500 --> 00:40:45.520 and You give grace 00:40:45.520 --> 00:40:46.300 to those in need. 00:40:46.300 --> 00:40:47.620 and we are 00:40:47.620 --> 00:40:49.720 in ongoing need. 00:40:49.860 --> 00:40:52.140 We need You. 00:40:52.560 --> 00:40:53.720 You are everything. 00:40:54.340 --> 00:40:54.900 You are 00:40:54.900 --> 00:40:55.920 the beginning 00:40:55.920 --> 00:40:56.700 and the end, 00:40:56.900 --> 00:40:57.320 the alpha 00:40:57.320 --> 00:40:58.120 and the omega. 00:40:58.420 --> 00:40:59.080 Would You 00:40:59.080 --> 00:41:00.780 sustain us 00:41:00.780 --> 00:41:01.420 this week? 00:41:02.080 --> 00:41:02.940 Would You help us 00:41:02.940 --> 00:41:03.920 to look to You 00:41:03.920 --> 00:41:05.100 with eyes of faith 00:41:05.100 --> 00:41:06.920 and endure 00:41:06.920 --> 00:41:07.780 to the end 00:41:07.780 --> 00:41:09.320 day by day? 00:41:10.000 --> 00:41:10.680 In Jesus' name 00:41:10.680 --> 00:41:11.060 we pray. 00:41:11.780 --> 00:41:12.120 Amen. 00:41:12.120 --> 00:41:12.300 Amen. 00:41:12.300 --> 00:41:12.300 00:41:12.300 --> 00:41:12.300 00:41:12.300 --> 00:41:12.300 00:41:12.300 --> 00:41:12.300 00:41:12.300 --> 00:41:12.300