WEBVTT

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 We can turn back to our reading in Hebrews.

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 We're going to look at the first two verses of chapter 12.

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 Hebrews chapter 12.

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 You see there it says,

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 Therefore, so it's in light of what we've just read in chapter 11 as well.

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 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

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 let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely,

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 and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

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 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,

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 who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

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 despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

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 Here, the writer to the Hebrews is speaking about the Christian life

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 in that sense of it being a race running, a race.

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 And as we approach a communion season,

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 as we think of the week ahead of us,

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 we could ask ourselves,

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 where are we in this race that we are running?

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 What stage are we at?

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 And how is it?

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 How are we running in this race?

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 Are we running with vigour and energy,

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 fresh in this race?

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 Or are we running with that sense of weariness and tiredness

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 and struggling in the race?

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 Are we in the race?

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 Might be a question we ask ourselves as well.

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 Have we begun this race?

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 Are we looking to engage in this race?

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 There's so many ways that we can look at this.

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 But the writer is encouraging us all where to look as we look to this race.

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 It's to look to Jesus.

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 The summer months see a period when many races take place.

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 There'll be the fun runs.

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 There'll be the 5Ks and 10Ks,

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 and then all the way up to maybe half marathons and marathons

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 and ultra marathons even that people will run in.

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 And sometimes we might think,

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 well, the summer seems so far away.

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 But anyone who's wanting to do one of these runs,

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 and especially runs that are for a greater distance,

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 you cannot just wake up one morning and say,

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 I'm going to run a 10K.

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 Or wake up one morning and say,

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 well, I'm going to go and run a marathon.

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 You would unlikely finish

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 because there's been no preparation made.

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 You haven't been training.

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 You haven't been out running before that.

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 You're just thinking you can just go and do it.

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 These kinds of races, they need preparation.

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 And they need ongoing preparation, training, and exercise.

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 And the same is true when we think of the Christian race.

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 We might think, well, I want to be a Christian,

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 and I'm going to do it myself.

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 I'm going to figure out how I'm going to run this race in my own way.

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 I'm going to make the plans for it.

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 I'm going to see just how it is I'm going to run this race.

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 But it takes preparation.

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 It takes training.

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 It takes endurance.

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 It takes a lot of work.

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 And that's what the Scripture reminds us of.

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 And in these two verses,

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 we have so much that reminds us of what the Christian race is like.

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 And we're going to look at these two verses under four headings.

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 And they are under a heading where we see

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 it is a setting of being in a stadium, if you like,

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 and running a race where there is a crowd round about us.

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 And the first thing we're going to see is the crowd.

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 The second thing we're going to see is the call.

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 The third thing we're going to see is the fear.

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 And then the fourth thing is the focus.

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 So these four things, these four headings,

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 the crowd, the call, the fear, and the focus,

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 as we think of running the Christian race.

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 The first thing is the crowd.

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 The writers wanting us to know what the Christian life is like,

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 this great race that we are running in.

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 And what he is doing is writing it in light of

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 what he said in the previous chapter as well,

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 the example of others who have gone before us.

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 And that's what I said in verse 12,

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 it begins with a therefore, a therefore.

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 And that's in light of all these people who are mentioned in chapter 11.

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 He draws our attention to that chapter

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 where he mentions the great men and women of the faith in the Old Testament,

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 of how their race was set before them,

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 and of how they ran this race.

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 And these people who you read of in chapter 11,

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 we see that they are now the crowd that is watching on.

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 It says,

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 A great cloud of witnesses.

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 There is the substance to the crowd that is around,

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 the people who are around.

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 And they are the witnesses,

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 a great cloud of witnesses.

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 They have run their race.

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 And even in the verses that we read there in chapter 11,

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 we saw the kind of race that some of these people had.

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 It wasn't straightforward.

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 It wasn't easy.

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 It was a difficult race.

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 You see it throughout the last few verses there in verse 33.

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 There's a whole list of things that these people have gone through.

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 Their race was hard.

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 Their race was difficult.

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 But they have run the race.

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 And how did they run the race?

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 Well, that's what that great chapter is about.

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 It always begins with by faith.

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 By faith, they ran their race.

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 And so these are the great cloud of witnesses that we have around us.

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 And it's saying to us,

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 Well, if these people could run the race, so can you.

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 So can you.

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 And they're there as an example to us,

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 as an encouragement to us.

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 When you read through this great chapter in Hebrews 11,

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 it reminds us that they were ordinary men and women.

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 Ordinary men and women who had their backgrounds,

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 who had their problems, who had their challenges,

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 and who yet by faith ran the race.

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 For example, Elijah, who is mentioned in chapter 11,

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 is mentioned in James chapter 5, verse 17.

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 In the New Testament, it says,

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 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours.

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 He was an ordinary man.

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 And James is writing there in chapter 5 about prayer

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 and the power of prayer.

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 And he's saying it wasn't because Elijah was a superhuman being.

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 He was a man just like us.

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 But by faith he prayed.

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 Through faith he prayed.

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 And so this crowd is there for us,

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 there around us,

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 as this cloud of witnesses.

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 The ones who are, almost like you would say,

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 looking on and there for our encouragement.

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 The image is very much of a stadium

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 and of a crowd gathered in the stadium.

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 We runners are about to start a race

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 and the crowd is watching on.

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 And you imagine the crowd that's watching down

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 on our race, on our lives.

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 You think of the names that are mentioned.

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 The crowd, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Rahab, Noah, David.

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 The list goes on and on.

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 It's not just the ones mentioned in Hebrews 11.

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 Many others who have gone before us,

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 right up to the ones we knew ourselves.

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 Those who have gone to glory.

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 They are the cloud of witnesses

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 who are watching on, as it were, on our race.

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 They are there for our encouragement.

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 Encouraging us, surrounding us at all points.

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 When you think of this crowd,

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 you almost ask, well, what would they think of us?

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 What would they think of you and think of me

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 and how we are running our race tonight

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 and in our time?

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 Are we running being faithful?

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 Are we running with that prayer of faith of Elijah?

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 Are we running with those acts of obedience

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 of the likes of Noah who built an ark?

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 Even when it seemed crazy,

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 is this the way that we are running our race?

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 What do they see of us?

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 Are we doing things for the glory of God?

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 Are we being obedient to the Lord in all that we do?

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 And especially as we think of coming to a communion season,

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 are we doing this in remembrance of him?

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 Are we being obedient to that call

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 and to the mission of the church?

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 What would they make as that cloud of witnesses around us?

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 What would they make of us?

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 There's a challenge in that, as there always is.

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 But they are there for our encouragement.

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 They might challenge us this evening

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 to review our race,

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 to ask, are we running as we should?

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 Are we doing as we ought?

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 They are there as those who have gone before us.

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 Those who by faith went on in this race.

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 The second thing we see here is that there is a call.

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 There is a call to us.

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 So there is the crowd of witnesses around,

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 but then it says,

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 let us also lay aside every weight and sin

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 which clings so closely

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 and let us run with endurance

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 the race that is set before us.

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 So there is a call to us.

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 You might hear when you're going to run a race,

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 the starter says,

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 on your marks,

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 you're about to go into this race.

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 And that's the call to us as well this evening,

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 the call to run this race.

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 And if you're going to run this race,

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 you need the right approach.

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 And so the writer here says,

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 let us lay aside every weight and sin

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 which clings so closely.

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 They sound similar,

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 these two things.

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 He's talking here about the weight,

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 every weight and sin.

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 But as you might understand,

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 they are two different things.

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 He wants us to see the kind of life

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 and preparation and training

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 that we need to have in our lives.

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 So he says, first of all,

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 lay aside the weight.

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 Lay aside the weight.

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 What kind of impression would this have?

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 What understanding would they have

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 in the theme of the race

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 that he's talking about here?

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 A runner cannot run a race properly

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 if he's overburdened by many different things.

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 So in the days of the writer to the Hebrews,

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 and you see it in Paul's letters so often as well,

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 the theme of running the race is always there.

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 But they would make preparation.

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 They would get ready to run the race.

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 They wouldn't run dressed as they were.

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 Just as you see people running races today,

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 they wear the right shoes,

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 the right gear,

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 everything that's going to help them.

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 And so that's what he's saying to us here as well.

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 Every weight has to go.

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 Everything that's going to hinder you in this race

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 has to go.

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 And sometimes it's speaking about legitimate things.

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 But if they are coming between us

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 and our relationship with the Lord,

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 then they have to go.

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 You don't see someone going into a race,

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 carrying their laptop on their back,

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 or running with a mobile phone in their hands,

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 or a bag of clothes.

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 They are going to leave all of these things behind

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 to run the race,

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 because it's going to hinder them.

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 And that's what the writer is challenging us with as well.

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 Whatever is holding us back,

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 whatever is more important to us than Christ,

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 it has to go.

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 As one person put it,

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 we will often need the help of us,

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 the help of Christ to enable us

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 to let it go.

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 That's what we need.

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 Because there are things that are hindering us,

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 that are weighing us down,

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 that have to go.

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 But Christ is there to help.

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 Christ is there to help.

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 But he also says here that the weights must go,

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 but he also says the sin which clings so closely.

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 So there's the legitimate things we could say

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 that come between us and God,

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 and sometimes it can be people,

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 it can be work,

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 it can be so many different things

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 that we have to think,

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 well, what's more important?

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 That or my relationship with the Lord Jesus.

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 But he also says there's the sin

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 that clings so closely.

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 And again, these are the things

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 that we have to examine in our lives

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 as we approach the Lord's Supper,

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 to examine ourselves and to ask,

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 are there sins that are clinging so closely?

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 Those repeated sins in our life.

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 Any athletes, maybe not as common now

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 because they've clamped down on it,

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 but many have been caught out

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 by taking performance-enhancing drugs,

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 thinking they could get away with it.

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 And when you look back,

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 some were actually stripped of their titles afterwards

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 because they had cheated.

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 And there are sins in our lives

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 that will prevent us from running this race

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 as we ought.

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 And so we have to take it seriously.

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 And sometimes we can think it's,

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 well, insignificant sins that don't matter,

00:15:04.059 --> 00:15:06.139
 but sin will be set.

00:15:06.239 --> 00:15:07.599
 Sin will hold us back.

00:15:07.739 --> 00:15:08.959
 Sin will bring us down.

00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:13.179
 There's a little plant called the sun june.

00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:15.339
 And when you look at it,

00:15:15.359 --> 00:15:17.059
 you think it's not much to look at.

00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:20.099
 A slender stem, some round leaves.

00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:21.959
 But on those leaves,

00:15:22.319 --> 00:15:24.339
 it's fringed with hairs

00:15:24.339 --> 00:15:27.519
 and like a substance that glistens in the light.

00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:30.739
 Bright drops of a liquid on these leaves.

00:15:30.740 --> 00:15:36.779
 But any fly or insect that lands on this,

00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:38.600
 they're stuck.

00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:42.480
 This shiny moisture on each leaf,

00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:45.399
 it just sticks to the fly

00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:47.279
 and the fly cannot move.

00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.940
 And the more the fly struggles,

00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:53.399
 the more then the leaves start to close in.

00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:56.700
 And eventually the fly is trapped in the leaves

00:15:56.700 --> 00:16:00.019
 and the plant feeds on this fly.

00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:03.399
 It's so gentle, so subtle,

00:16:03.579 --> 00:16:04.519
 so insignificant,

00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:06.720
 yet so deadly.

00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:11.340
 And that's the way the sin is described here,

00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:14.019
 the sin that clings so closely.

00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:17.079
 The sin that we get stuck into

00:16:17.079 --> 00:16:18.600
 and we can't get out of.

00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:23.159
 And there are so many sins

00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:26.920
 that can cling so closely to our hearts as well.

00:16:26.920 --> 00:16:28.680
 The sin of pride,

00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:30.340
 the sin of lust,

00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:31.440
 the sin of greed,

00:16:32.040 --> 00:16:32.879
 the sin of jealousy,

00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:33.920
 the sin of anger.

00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:37.080
 They can seem insignificant things

00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:38.159
 in and of themselves,

00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:40.740
 but they cling closely.

00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:44.720
 And they are there all the time for us.

00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:47.540
 And they too have to go.

00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:52.300
 Let us lay aside every weight and sin.

00:16:52.420 --> 00:16:54.000
 So the weight we can get rid of

00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:54.980
 by saying,

00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:56.940
 well, what needs to change in my life?

00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:58.100
 But what about sin?

00:16:58.800 --> 00:17:01.759
 How do we rid ourselves of that sin

00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:03.960
 that clings so closely?

00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:07.579
 Well, we think of what we are doing,

00:17:08.860 --> 00:17:10.200
 of what we are looking to

00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:13.000
 as we think of coming to a communion season.

00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:15.840
 We are looking to the one

00:17:15.840 --> 00:17:17.600
 who went to the cross.

00:17:18.840 --> 00:17:21.860
 And why did he go to the cross?

00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:25.380
 That our sins might be forgiven.

00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.380
 But how?

00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:30.019
 By confessing.

00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:33.720
 By confessing our sins.

00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:37.400
 By taking our sins to the cross.

00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:40.539
 By laying them before Jesus.

00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:44.460
 As Psalm 130 says,

00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:47.059
 Who can stand before God?

00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:49.120
 But yet with you,

00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:50.539
 there is forgiveness.

00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:54.819
 We can come before God

00:17:54.819 --> 00:17:58.860
 through Jesus and confess our sins.

00:17:59.840 --> 00:18:02.539
 And seek forgiveness for all of our sins.

00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:03.599
 And he is faithful.

00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:07.299
 And he is just to forgive us our sins.

00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:09.839
 As we come confessing.

00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:14.859
 So here we have that call

00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:16.559
 that comes to us

00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:18.159
 to run this race,

00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:19.799
 laying aside every weight

00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:23.119
 and sin which clings so closely.

00:18:24.419 --> 00:18:25.599
 There are certain things

00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:26.379
 we maybe need

00:18:26.379 --> 00:18:28.179
 to look at in our lives,

00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:30.359
 whether it's to get rid of

00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:31.959
 or to confess

00:18:31.959 --> 00:18:34.379
 as we look to the race

00:18:34.379 --> 00:18:35.899
 that we are running.

00:18:35.900 --> 00:18:40.220
 The third thing that we see here then

00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:41.180
 is the fear.

00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:43.100
 The fear.

00:18:46.060 --> 00:18:48.660
 Let us run with endurance

00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:52.320
 the race that is set before us.

00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:55.460
 When you enter a race

00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:57.779
 or maybe before you enter a race,

00:18:58.179 --> 00:19:00.179
 you may be thinking to yourself

00:19:00.179 --> 00:19:02.220
 whether maybe you want to run a 5K

00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:03.819
 or a 10K

00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:05.279
 or a half marathon.

00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.819
 One of the fears

00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:08.339
 that's going to come quite naturally

00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:09.759
 is will I finish?

00:19:10.899 --> 00:19:12.720
 What if I don't get very far?

00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:14.319
 What if after maybe 2K

00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.679
 or if I have 5K

00:19:16.679 --> 00:19:17.960
 I've got a stitch

00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:19.119
 and I've just got to give up?

00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:21.479
 How embarrassing that would be.

00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:24.239
 There's this fear of failure.

00:19:25.459 --> 00:19:26.359
 And so it is

00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:28.219
 with the Christian life as well.

00:19:28.939 --> 00:19:30.799
 This fear of what if?

00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:32.099
 What if I fail?

00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:34.079
 What if I don't make it?

00:19:34.119 --> 00:19:35.199
 What if I don't get through?

00:19:36.699 --> 00:19:38.079
 Well, we are told

00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:39.939
 that we can do so

00:19:39.939 --> 00:19:42.439
 running the race,

00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:44.039
 this race with endurance,

00:19:44.939 --> 00:19:47.059
 the race that is set before us.

00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:49.759
 And there's a couple of words here

00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:52.299
 that we just want to tease out a little.

00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:54.539
 And the first is this,

00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:56.339
 this word for race.

00:19:57.779 --> 00:20:00.299
 What kind of race are we running?

00:20:01.679 --> 00:20:03.099
 Well, if you're going to run

00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:04.919
 a half marathon,

00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:07.720
 if you're just the ordinary person

00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:09.779
 coming to run the half marathon,

00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:12.059
 it's not going to be easy.

00:20:12.419 --> 00:20:13.720
 It's going to be hard.

00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:16.620
 And that's what this word

00:20:16.620 --> 00:20:18.140
 is saying here as well.

00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:22.259
 We are going to run this race.

00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:26.000
 And this race is a struggle.

00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:29.180
 This race is a challenge.

00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:32.819
 It's not going to be easy.

00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:37.920
 The word used in the original language here

00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:39.880
 is where we get our English word

00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:41.100
 agony from.

00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:44.119
 So when you think of running,

00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:46.579
 there are times when a race is agony,

00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:48.639
 when there is pain,

00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.459
 when there is suffering.

00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.919
 And there will be that

00:20:52.919 --> 00:20:54.859
 in our experience.

00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:58.019
 As we go in this Christian race,

00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.839
 there are going to be

00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:01.919
 those struggles,

00:21:02.159 --> 00:21:04.139
 those pains in our life.

00:21:04.379 --> 00:21:05.939
 And they are going to be ongoing.

00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:09.059
 This is a race that we are in.

00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:10.460
 That's a long race.

00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:11.859
 And so over that period,

00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:13.299
 there are going to be

00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:14.339
 these struggles,

00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:15.279
 these pains

00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:17.480
 that we have to experience.

00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:23.480
 But knowing that is surely

00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:25.559
 a help for us as well.

00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:27.960
 Knowing that there is going to be pain.

00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:29.319
 But knowing that

00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:30.740
 as we go through,

00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:32.759
 we will come through this pain.

00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:34.940
 And that it will be worth it

00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:36.159
 in the long run

00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:38.759
 to finish this race.

00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:42.220
 So you have this agony,

00:21:42.820 --> 00:21:44.500
 this pain that you have to go through.

00:21:44.620 --> 00:21:45.960
 This race is a struggle.

00:21:46.580 --> 00:21:48.220
 But he also says here

00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:52.100
 that we run with endurance

00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:54.740
 the race that is set before us.

00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.980
 This endurance,

00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:59.180
 this means that we are

00:21:59.180 --> 00:22:01.059
 in it for the long haul.

00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:03.519
 That there is a commitment

00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.880
 on our side.

00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.980
 But we also,

00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:08.400
 as we're going to see in a moment,

00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:09.779
 we have a commitment

00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:11.440
 from the other side as well.

00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:14.880
 That the Lord is with us.

00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:17.519
 So that despite this race

00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:18.460
 being a struggle,

00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:21.019
 being an agony at times,

00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.480
 and there are obstacles,

00:22:23.900 --> 00:22:24.920
 there are difficulties,

00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:27.600
 we are in it for the long haul.

00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:30.980
 We are in it with endurance,

00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:34.200
 this race that is set before us.

00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:36.200
 William Barclay,

00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:37.220
 the Christian writer,

00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:39.200
 he said this,

00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.700
 it is that,

00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:42.720
 I'm talking about this word endurance,

00:22:43.560 --> 00:22:45.360
 it is that determination,

00:22:46.060 --> 00:22:48.240
 unhasting and unresting,

00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:50.900
 unhurrying and yet underlaying,

00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:52.940
 which goes steadily on,

00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:56.100
 and which refuses to be deflected.

00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:59.180
 Obstacle will not daunt it,

00:22:59.340 --> 00:23:01.100
 delays will not depress it,

00:23:01.580 --> 00:23:03.240
 discouragements will not take

00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:04.160
 its hope away.

00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:07.360
 It will halt neither for discouragement

00:23:07.360 --> 00:23:08.180
 from within,

00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:10.420
 nor opposition from without.

00:23:11.080 --> 00:23:13.220
 It is a steadfast endurance

00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:14.620
 which will carry on

00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:16.420
 until in the end,

00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:18.000
 it gets there.

00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:20.759
 It gets there.

00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:24.640
 It's like the hymn writer says,

00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.740
 through many dangers,

00:23:25.900 --> 00:23:27.119
 toils and snares,

00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:30.279
 the grace leads us on.

00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:32.680
 There is endurance.

00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:36.640
 It's for the long haul,

00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:38.920
 but we keep going.

00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:42.119
 And you notice how in verse 1

00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:42.619
 it says,

00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:45.680
 the race that is set before us.

00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:49.240
 This seems to indicate

00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:52.120
 that we all run our own race.

00:23:53.320 --> 00:23:55.519
 We all have a race to run.

00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:58.660
 We all have our different pains.

00:23:59.560 --> 00:24:01.700
 We all have our way of endurance.

00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:06.240
 So we are running our own race.

00:24:06.320 --> 00:24:07.880
 We don't look at others.

00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:10.279
 One of the greatest distractions

00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:12.039
 for athletes is to get distracted

00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:14.019
 by those who are running beside them.

00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:16.379
 Instead of looking towards the finish,

00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:17.900
 they look to their left

00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:18.759
 or to their right

00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.819
 and they're thinking,

00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:21.400
 that person's catching me.

00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:22.759
 And all of a sudden,

00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:24.079
 they lose their stride.

00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.579
 Well, here we're being told,

00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.720
 we don't look to others,

00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.599
 what they're doing,

00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:30.779
 in the same way in the Christian life.

00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.180
 We don't think,

00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.539
 oh, that Christian is doing

00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:33.779
 so much better than me.

00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:37.220
 That would just bring us back.

00:24:38.139 --> 00:24:40.079
 We think I'm not good enough.

00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:41.299
 I can't make it.

00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:43.680
 Or we can look at others and say,

00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:45.659
 oh, I'm doing much better than that person.

00:24:46.139 --> 00:24:47.379
 And pride comes in

00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:49.180
 and then we start to stumble

00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:50.720
 in a different way.

00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:54.419
 We run our race.

00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:57.680
 The race that is set before us.

00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:00.440
 But we are not in a competition.

00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:03.639
 We are on the same team.

00:25:03.640 --> 00:25:07.600
 We are all running our own race.

00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:11.820
 And our job isn't to outrun anybody else.

00:25:13.540 --> 00:25:15.780
 Our race is to run for Jesus.

00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:19.980
 The race that he has set before us.

00:25:21.040 --> 00:25:22.740
 The race that he has planned

00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:24.720
 for your life and mine

00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:26.860
 is what he has set before us.

00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:30.639
 And we run that race for him.

00:25:31.919 --> 00:25:34.219
 We do so not trying to beat

00:25:34.219 --> 00:25:35.639
 those who are beside us,

00:25:36.439 --> 00:25:39.159
 but to encourage those who are with us.

00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:41.719
 Just as those who have gone before us,

00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:43.119
 the great cloud of witnesses,

00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:45.459
 are there for our challenge,

00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:46.399
 our encouragement,

00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.539
 all of these things,

00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:50.719
 so we run this race together as well.

00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:53.559
 And we run it with other brothers

00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:55.700
 and sisters in the Lord

00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:57.839
 to encourage them,

00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:59.539
 to strengthen them.

00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:05.579
 Let us run this race with endurance,

00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:09.180
 the race that is set before us.

00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:14.940
 The final thing we see here is

00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:19.259
 how are we going to run?

00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:22.660
 How are we going to keep going?

00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:25.099
 How can this endurance be?

00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:27.980
 Well, the only way that we can run well

00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:31.299
 is to keep our eyes on Jesus.

00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:36.319
 He is the only one we have to run for.

00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:38.819
 And that's what you see in verse 2.

00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.839
 Looking to Jesus,

00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:44.059
 the founder and perfecter of our faith,

00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:46.879
 who for the joy that was set before him

00:26:46.879 --> 00:26:48.200
 endured the cross,

00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:49.700
 despising the shame,

00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:53.559
 and is seated at the right hand of God.

00:26:55.080 --> 00:26:57.900
 Looking unto Jesus.

00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:01.559
 This is our focus.

00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:05.680
 This should be our focus on a daily basis

00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:07.200
 in everything that we do.

00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:10.360
 Looking unto Jesus,

00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.759
 the founder,

00:27:12.360 --> 00:27:14.660
 the perfecter of our faith.

00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:20.680
 Where did our race begin?

00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:24.259
 Did it begin by looking at ourselves?

00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:28.120
 Well, if you go back to Isaiah chapter 45,

00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:29.440
 verse 22,

00:27:31.840 --> 00:27:35.320
 there it tells us where the Christian life begins.

00:27:36.120 --> 00:27:37.279
 Where God says there,

00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:39.340
 turn to me and be saved,

00:27:39.800 --> 00:27:41.180
 all ends of the earth,

00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:42.360
 for I am God,

00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:44.200
 and there is no other.

00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.039
 Turn.

00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:49.200
 Look to me and be saved,

00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:50.320
 he cries out there.

00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:53.779
 That's where faith is focused,

00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:54.420
 on him.

00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:56.560
 Look to me and be saved,

00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:58.200
 all ends of the earth,

00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:59.259
 for I am God,

00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:01.140
 and there is no other.

00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:04.520
 So looking to him is where the race begins.

00:28:05.120 --> 00:28:08.000
 But it's also how the race goes on.

00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:11.160
 Always looking to Jesus,

00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:12.000
 the founder,

00:28:12.540 --> 00:28:14.920
 the perfecter of our faith.

00:28:16.100 --> 00:28:18.340
 We keep our eyes on him,

00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:21.020
 on what he has done for us,

00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:24.700
 on how he has gone before us.

00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:28.040
 He has finished the race for us.

00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.519
 He is,

00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:29.779
 as it says here,

00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:30.399
 the founder,

00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:31.339
 the perfecter,

00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:33.960
 you could say the pioneer of our faith,

00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:36.879
 the one who has gone before us for our faith.

00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:39.059
 Our faith is in him,

00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:40.659
 and his finished work.

00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:42.920
 That's what the cross is all about.

00:28:43.639 --> 00:28:46.960
 Where Jesus died on the cross for our sin,

00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.539
 where he said,

00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:49.220
 it is finished,

00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:53.159
 that we might look to him.

00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:55.440
 What it says here,

00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:56.380
 the founder,

00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:58.019
 the perfecter of our faith,

00:28:58.100 --> 00:28:59.460
 who endured the cross,

00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:01.880
 despising the shame of it.

00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:04.660
 He endured the cross,

00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:08.519
 and he's at the right hand of God the Father.

00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:12.880
 What he suffered for you and for me,

00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:14.620
 that is what we are to remember

00:29:14.620 --> 00:29:16.320
 as we come to the Lord's table.

00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:20.039
 This due in remembrance of him,

00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:22.840
 not self-congratulating,

00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:25.000
 not saying well done to ourselves,

00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:27.740
 but looking to him,

00:29:28.419 --> 00:29:30.019
 who went before us,

00:29:30.379 --> 00:29:32.259
 who endured the cross,

00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:35.059
 despising its shame.

00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:37.279
 And look at what it says though.

00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:41.859
 Who for the joy that was set before him.

00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:45.159
 It seems a little strange,

00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:45.619
 doesn't it,

00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:46.839
 to use the word joy.

00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:49.419
 For the joy that was set before him,

00:29:49.459 --> 00:29:51.099
 he endured the cross.

00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:53.159
 You might think it would say something else.

00:29:53.899 --> 00:29:54.819
 The shame,

00:29:55.859 --> 00:29:56.659
 you might think,

00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:57.899
 that was set before him.

00:29:58.179 --> 00:30:01.339
 The agony that was set before him.

00:30:01.959 --> 00:30:04.480
 The horror that was set before him.

00:30:04.919 --> 00:30:06.579
 You might think it would use these words,

00:30:06.679 --> 00:30:06.959
 but no,

00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:10.319
 it says the joy that was set before him.

00:30:11.159 --> 00:30:12.259
 And so we have to ask,

00:30:12.679 --> 00:30:15.839
 what was this joy that was set before him?

00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:17.159
 Well,

00:30:19.339 --> 00:30:20.099
 as someone said,

00:30:20.179 --> 00:30:23.919
 it's the joy of bringing many sons to glory.

00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:28.299
 When you go back to Isaiah 53,

00:30:28.419 --> 00:30:31.859
 and that great passage that describes the suffering of Jesus,

00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:34.079
 it says there,

00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:35.519
 along the lines of,

00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:38.059
 he shall see of the travel of his soul,

00:30:38.459 --> 00:30:39.859
 and he shall be satisfied.

00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:43.240
 It's almost like he looks on the people,

00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:44.019
 he's on the cross,

00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:45.299
 he looks on the people,

00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:47.339
 and he sees in his agony,

00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:52.120
 but is satisfied because he's doing it for them,

00:30:52.900 --> 00:30:54.559
 for those who will believe.

00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:58.460
 And so this is the joy that was set before him,

00:30:58.480 --> 00:31:00.660
 that he endured the cross,

00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:04.920
 to bring many to glory.

00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:08.420
 The great cloud of witnesses,

00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:11.660
 that is a crowd that is ever increasing.

00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:18.000
 As it says in the parable of the lost coin,

00:31:18.140 --> 00:31:19.019
 the lost sheep,

00:31:19.320 --> 00:31:20.120
 the lost son,

00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:23.800
 that is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner,

00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:24.180
 see,

00:31:24.360 --> 00:31:25.200
 there is joy,

00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:28.800
 there is joy in salvation.

00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:31.240
 And as we look to the cross,

00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:33.680
 we see there what Jesus endured,

00:31:33.960 --> 00:31:37.480
 for the joy that was set before him.

00:31:38.599 --> 00:31:41.339
 And you think of what he endured on the cross,

00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.200
 the shame,

00:31:43.819 --> 00:31:44.599
 the mocking,

00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:46.120
 the beating,

00:31:47.299 --> 00:31:48.480
 the abandonment,

00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:50.700
 where he cried out in that agony,

00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:51.420
 my God,

00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.039
 my God,

00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:53.960
 why have you forsaken me?

00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:56.339
 He endured the cross,

00:31:56.339 --> 00:32:01.039
 for the joy that was set before him.

00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:05.240
 Jesus has gone before us.

00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:08.159
 He is the pioneer of our faith.

00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:14.439
 And that means that he is there to help us along the way.

00:32:15.679 --> 00:32:17.619
 So that as we look to Jesus,

00:32:18.579 --> 00:32:21.619
 as we set our eyes on him,

00:32:21.699 --> 00:32:23.220
 looking to Jesus,

00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:24.359
 what do we see?

00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:25.819
 Well,

00:32:25.859 --> 00:32:26.759
 earlier in Hebrews,

00:32:26.919 --> 00:32:28.319
 it's described in this way,

00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:29.479
 chapter 4,

00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:30.179
 verse 15,

00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:31.879
 we do not have a high priest,

00:32:32.299 --> 00:32:35.019
 who is unable to sympathize with our weakness,

00:32:35.179 --> 00:32:37.299
 but one who in every respect,

00:32:37.399 --> 00:32:40.740
 has been tempted as we are yet without sin.

00:32:41.719 --> 00:32:42.439
 Then it goes on to say,

00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:44.399
 let us then with confidence,

00:32:44.919 --> 00:32:47.019
 draw near to the throne of grace,

00:32:47.079 --> 00:32:48.299
 that we may receive mercy,

00:32:48.439 --> 00:32:52.099
 and find grace to help in time of need.

00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:55.740
 When you think of running a long distance race,

00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:58.819
 one of the things that people look for as they are running,

00:32:58.959 --> 00:33:01.179
 is that watering point,

00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:03.980
 where you get a certain distance,

00:33:04.359 --> 00:33:08.419
 and there's people there to offer a cup or a bottle of water to you.

00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:11.659
 And it's there for your strengthening,

00:33:11.859 --> 00:33:12.579
 your help.

00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:14.480
 Well,

00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:16.539
 as we think of running our race,

00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:19.159
 as we think of coming to the Lord's table,

00:33:19.160 --> 00:33:22.300
 it's like coming in that remembrance

00:33:22.300 --> 00:33:24.980
 of the one who endured the cross

00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:28.240
 for the joy that was set before him.

00:33:29.840 --> 00:33:31.620
 And that we might find grace

00:33:31.620 --> 00:33:34.019
 to help in time of need.

00:33:35.120 --> 00:33:37.320
 That as we take of the Lord's supper,

00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:39.580
 we find grace to help

00:33:39.580 --> 00:33:41.779
 in time of need.

00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:45.319
 So we fix our eyes on him.

00:33:46.879 --> 00:33:48.579
 We run this race.

00:33:49.619 --> 00:33:52.460
 We see the finish that is ahead of us all,

00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:53.579
 and we keep going.

00:33:54.559 --> 00:33:56.819
 Just as he endured,

00:33:57.079 --> 00:33:59.259
 but with joy that was set before him.

00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:00.759
 Do you know,

00:34:00.879 --> 00:34:03.299
 we have a joy to look forward to as well.

00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:08.360
 that we would see him face to face.

00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:13.259
 That we would come into his glory.

00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:17.539
 Paul writing of running the race,

00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:19.380
 and as he concluded his race,

00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:21.820
 in 2 Timothy chapter 4,

00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:22.159
 said,

00:34:22.279 --> 00:34:23.639
 I have fought the good fight.

00:34:23.739 --> 00:34:25.039
 I have finished the race.

00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:27.460
 I have kept the faith.

00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:32.059
 A wonderful testimony.

00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:34.699
 And he's able to say,

00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:36.320
 there is laid up for me

00:34:36.320 --> 00:34:38.400
 a crown of righteousness.

00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:41.360
 The reward is there.

00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:45.579
 So what is the great cloud

00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:48.239
 of witnesses seeing of our race?

00:34:49.699 --> 00:34:50.820
 Are we in the race?

00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:55.059
 Are we running the race as we ought?

00:34:56.099 --> 00:34:58.380
 Are we doing it for his glory?

00:34:58.380 --> 00:35:02.420
 And are we looking to Jesus?

00:35:03.140 --> 00:35:04.360
 The founder,

00:35:04.920 --> 00:35:07.400
 the perfecter of our faith.

00:35:08.079 --> 00:35:11.660
 Are we doing it for his glory?

00:35:13.740 --> 00:35:15.460
 There's a hymn that says,

00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:18.760
 O soul, are you weary and troubled?

00:35:19.380 --> 00:35:21.820
 No light in the darkness you see.

00:35:22.400 --> 00:35:24.700
 There's light for a look at the Savior,

00:35:24.699 --> 00:35:28.179
 and life more abundant and free.

00:35:29.239 --> 00:35:31.599
 Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

00:35:32.299 --> 00:35:34.599
 Look full in his wonderful face.

00:35:35.299 --> 00:35:36.980
 And the things of earth

00:35:36.980 --> 00:35:39.199
 will grow strangely dim

00:35:39.199 --> 00:35:43.259
 in the light of his glory and grace.

00:35:44.139 --> 00:35:48.099
 Turn your eyes towards Jesus.

00:35:48.099 --> 00:35:51.400
 That's the call to us all.

00:35:52.319 --> 00:35:55.079
 Remembering the great cloud of witnesses.

00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:59.259
 Remembering the call to run this race.

00:36:00.319 --> 00:36:01.880
 Knowing the fear of it,

00:36:02.319 --> 00:36:03.880
 but the help that we have.

00:36:05.079 --> 00:36:06.539
 And knowing that in everything,

00:36:07.360 --> 00:36:09.420
 we can look to Jesus.

00:36:09.420 --> 00:36:12.280
 May he help us.

00:36:12.940 --> 00:36:13.880
 Look to him.

00:36:14.380 --> 00:36:16.240
 Not just for this week ahead,

00:36:17.079 --> 00:36:20.180
 but every day as we run this race.

00:36:21.200 --> 00:36:22.480
 That we would look to him,

00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:23.800
 the founder,

00:36:24.460 --> 00:36:26.900
 the perfecter of our faith.

00:36:27.599 --> 00:36:28.320
 Let us pray.

00:36:30.740 --> 00:36:32.460
 Lord, our gracious God,

00:36:32.500 --> 00:36:34.440
 we do thank you for your word,

00:36:34.599 --> 00:36:36.940
 for the truth that it gives to us.

00:36:36.940 --> 00:36:39.059
 The reality of our lives,

00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:41.200
 the race that is ours,

00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:42.780
 the agony that it brings,

00:36:43.340 --> 00:36:44.900
 the endurance that we need,

00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:47.539
 but also for the great promise

00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:50.480
 that there is Jesus there for us.

00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:54.360
 That we can turn our eyes towards Jesus.

00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:56.559
 That we can look to him,

00:36:56.700 --> 00:36:57.260
 the author,

00:36:57.880 --> 00:36:58.380
 the founder,

00:36:58.500 --> 00:37:01.039
 the perfecter of our faith.

00:37:01.619 --> 00:37:03.760
 And that we would do so in all things

00:37:03.760 --> 00:37:06.240
 for his sake and for his glory.

00:37:06.239 --> 00:37:07.039
 Amen.

00:37:12.259 --> 00:37:14.639
 We're going to conclude by singing

00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:16.779
 to God's praise in Psalm 18.

00:37:17.399 --> 00:37:19.000
 Sing Psalm's version,

00:37:19.179 --> 00:37:19.839
 Psalm 18,

00:37:21.559 --> 00:37:24.179
 page 21 of the Psalm books.

00:37:24.279 --> 00:37:27.699
 We're going to sing from verse 29 to 32.

00:37:29.319 --> 00:37:31.500
 The tune is Old 100.

00:37:31.799 --> 00:37:34.539
 Psalm 18 at verse 29,

00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:36.639
 With help from God I can advance

00:37:36.639 --> 00:37:38.759
 against a troop and rout them all.

00:37:39.179 --> 00:37:41.340
 And with the aid of my God will give,

00:37:41.420 --> 00:37:43.860
 I can leap over any wall.

00:37:43.940 --> 00:37:45.940
 We'll sing from verse 29 to 32

00:37:45.940 --> 00:37:47.179
 to God's praise.

00:37:47.179 --> 00:38:00.279
 with help from God I can advance

00:38:00.279 --> 00:38:00.279


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00:38:17.179 --> 00:38:28.539
 I can't be poorer than he wants.

00:38:28.539 --> 00:38:37.859
 For perfect is the way of God.

00:38:37.859 --> 00:38:46.960
 No choice but within his word.

00:38:47.179 --> 00:38:55.299
 To all who put their trust in him.

00:38:55.299 --> 00:39:04.799
 A shield of refuge is the Lord.

00:39:05.339 --> 00:39:14.019
 For who is one except the Lord?

00:39:14.019 --> 00:39:22.139
 He is the Lord who is the Lord.

00:39:22.139 --> 00:39:30.259
 He is the Lord who is the Lord.

00:39:30.260 --> 00:39:32.260
 Amen.

00:39:32.260 --> 00:39:43.880
 After the benediction I'll go to the main door.

00:39:44.040 --> 00:39:45.060
 We'll close with the benediction.

00:39:45.059 --> 00:39:55.059
 Amen.

00:39:55.059 --> 00:39:55.500
 Amen.

00:39:55.500 --> 00:39:55.599
 Amen.

00:39:55.599 --> 00:39:58.000
 Amen.

00:39:58.000 --> 00:39:58.000


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