WEBVTT

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 Turn to Hebrews chapter 12 and verses 1-2. I suppose I wanted to preach a New Year sermon.

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! These verses would be great verses to learn, wouldn't they, for you and I. Hebrews 12 and verses 1-2.

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! I'm going to begin a series next week in the book of Philippians, and so maybe you want to read that this week.

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 But today, Philippians chapter 12 and verses 1-2. Some of you are very young, aren't you? Some of you are very old, aren't you?

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 Some of you are very old. And I expect children, you look around you, and some of you will look around and you'll think,

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 these people are ancient, aren't they? These people are ancient.

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 I want to speak, really, this morning on how do you keep going? How do you keep going as a Christian when you're very young and when you're very old?

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 The theme, the big word is perseverance. That's the big word. How do you persevere? How can I keep on going?

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 I expect some of you are sitting here this morning, you've got through Christmas, you're exhausted,

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 and the thought of a new year doesn't actually fill you with great joy. You think, how can I keep on going?

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 Maybe you've got many worries, anxieties about life on this coming year.

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 And there are many things that are needed to live and to serve God in our world,

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 but it seems to me that none of them are more vital

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 or more neglected by the church than this big theme of perseverance.

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 In a way, it's the theme of the whole of the letter of Hebrews.

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 The letter of the Hebrews is written to a group of Christians

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 who are living in days which were pretty dangerous for them spiritually.

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 And the danger of drifting,

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 spiritually drifting, was an ever-present danger. In fact, there's two dangers.

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 One of the dangers is drifting away,

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 and the other danger is shrinking back.

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 Let me show you that.

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 If you come with me to Hebrews chapter 2 and verse 1,

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 the apostle makes it really clear.

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 He says this in Hebrews chapter 2 verse 1,

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 Therefore you must pay, we must pay close attention

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 to what we've heard lest we drift away from it.

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 And that seems to be a drifting,

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 which is just careless or neglect.

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 Maybe they weren't applying themselves to the truth of what God had said.

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 And so in chapter 2 and verse 3,

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 you get this question where it says,

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 and this is written to the church, to Christians,

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 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

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 And it was this drifting that caused neglect.

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 You know what that is.

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 When you go on holiday in the summer,

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 and you go away for a week or two,

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 and you leave your garden,

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 when your garden,

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 when you come back after a week or two away in the summertime,

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 your garden isn't exactly like how you left it, is it?

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 Because it's been neglected.

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 You didn't do anything with it,

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 and yet it has grown.

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 It is overgrown.

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 Drifting.

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 Drifting.

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 And neglect.

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 The other danger is in chapter 10 and verse 32.

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 Can you see that?

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 He says to them,

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 recall the former days when after you were enlightened,

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 you endured,

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 and here it is,

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 a hard struggle with sufferings.

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 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to reproach and affliction,

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 sometimes being partners with those so treated.

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 For you had compassion on those in prison,

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 and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property,

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 since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

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 Therefore,

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 do not throw away your confidence,

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 which is a great reward.

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 For you have need of endurance,

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 perseverance,

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 so that when you've done the will of God,

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 you may receive what is promised for yet a little while.

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 And the coming one will come and will not delay,

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 but my righteous one shall live by faith,

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 and if he shrinks back,

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 my soul has no pleasure in him.

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 But we are not those who shrink back and are destroyed,

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 but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

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 So the appeal is keep on going.

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 Now can you imagine at the end of chapter 10,

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 these Hebrew Christians,

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 they've been weakened by suffering.

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 They've lived in pretty discouraging times,

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 pretty desperate situations.

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 And they're saying,

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 is this perseverance really possible?

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 Can I really keep going?

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 Is it really feasible for somebody who is ordinary and weak and frail like me,

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 to go on believing and trusting in the Lord?

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 My circumstances are dark and difficult and troubling.

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 Is it practical for me?

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 And the writer says,

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 well,

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 it's certainly historical,

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 and so chapter 11 is the story of people who lived by faith in God.

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 Look what it says in chapter 8,

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 by faith,

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 Abraham obeyed when he was called out to go to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance,

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 and he went out not knowing where he was going.

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 He believed God.

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 He took his only son,

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 and he laid him on an altar by faith,

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 and he offered him up.

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 By faith,

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 Moses,

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 can you see him?

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 Verse 23,

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 when he was born,

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 was hidden for three months by his parents.

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 And when he was grown up,

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 verse 24,

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 he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,

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 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God,

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 than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

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 He considered the reproach of Israel of greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt.

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 And we're given this catalogue of men and women,

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 who in circumstances of appalling difficulty,

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 believed God and kept going.

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 I haven't got time to go through the chapter.

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 But it's a catalogue of one person after another,

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 who kept on going.

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 And that's what the apostle calls us to.

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 He imagines life as a race.

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 And he says,

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 you're on the track in the Christian life,

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 not for a sprint,

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 not for 400 meters,

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 but for the marathon.

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 And he says,

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 persevere,

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 keep going.

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 There's nothing more urgent than this.

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 And maybe our world finds this kind of perseverance strange.

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 But we need to cry to God at the start of this year,

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 that he would form in us,

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 and make in our Christian character,

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 such that we would persevere.

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 You find it all through the Bible.

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 You find it in the teaching of Jesus.

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 You find it in the teaching of John.

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 You find it in the teaching of the apostle Paul.

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 So Jesus said this,

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 John 8, 31.

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 He said,

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 if you continue in my word,

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 then you are my disciples.

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 Colossians 1, 22 and 23,

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 the apostle speaks about presenting us before the throne of God,

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 provided that you continue in the faith,

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 stable and steadfast,

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 not shifting from the hope of the gospel.

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 The apostle John speaks of some who've left us.

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 If they'd been with us,

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 they would have continued with us.

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 And so there's this constant plea in the New Testament.

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 The apostle Paul in Acts 13,

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 he persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

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 2 Timothy 3, verse 14,

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 he says to his apprentice Timothy,

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 continue in the things you've heard.

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 Now these two verses of Hebrews 12 are full of that.

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 So let's look at them under four headings.

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 First of all,

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 the need for perseverance.

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 The need for perseverance.

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 Why is it such a vital quality

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 that God calls us to seek from him?

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 It derives from the very nature of the Christian life.

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 And the word persevere gives us a clue.

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 It's often set against the background

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 of a military metaphor.

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 So it's used to continue the fight,

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 the battle,

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 until the very end.

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 Not to desert the field.

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 Not to run away.

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 Because the enemy seems so great.

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 Don't give up your post.

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 But go on battling

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 until victory.

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 That's one picture.

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 The military picture.

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 The second picture is

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 that of an athletic one.

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 It's of a race of staying the course.

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 Of not dropping out.

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 Of not falling behind,

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 but staying the course.

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 And the apostles are using

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 that particular picture here.

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 But you also find the military one

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 in chapter 11,

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 where the apostle speaks

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 about the kind of perseverance.

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 He says in chapter 11

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 and verses 33 to 34,

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 he speaks for all these different people

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 who through faith,

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 chapter 11 verse 33,

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 conquered kingdoms,

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 enforced justice,

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 obtained promises,

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 stopped the mouths of lions,

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 quenched the power of fire,

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 escaped the edge of the sword,

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 were made strong out of weakness,

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 became mighty in war,

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 put foreign armies to flight.

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 That's the military context,

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 isn't it?

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 And so in both of these,

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 Paul finds himself,

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 or the apostle,

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 the epistle finds himself

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 talking of the Christian life

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 as a race and as a battle.

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 He puts them together,

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 doesn't he?

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 So think about 2 Timothy,

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 when he speaks about

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 the end of the Christian life,

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 what does he say?

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 He says,

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 I fought the good fight,

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 I finished the race.

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 And so what I'm trying to say to you

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 is this,

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 the Christian life,

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 as it's painted in the New Testament,

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 is painted as a race

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 and a fight.

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 It is nowhere depicted as a holiday

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 or a journey

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 through this world

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 that is free from danger

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 and free from disaster.

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 The Christian life is nowhere depicted

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 as floating to heaven

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 on kind of fluffy clouds

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 and beds of ease.

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 The Christian life is described

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 as a war

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 and as a race.

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 And a Christian has to give everything

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 and to discipline herself

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 and to prepare himself.

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 And the Christian has to spend

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 all her energies

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 in this business

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 because it's hard,

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 isn't it?

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 It's hard to fight

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 the good fight

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 and run the race.

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 The endurance of hardship

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 and of trial.

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 The pressures

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 which the apostle speaks

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 of a thousand different kinds.

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 Now, none of us

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 would want to hide

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 from any young Christian

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 what it's like to be a Christian.

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 None of us would want to hide

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 the sheer, indescribable joy

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 there is in serving God.

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 None of us would want

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 to dial down

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 the sheer, indescribable glory

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 of what it means

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 to belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 To know God as your Father.

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 To have the Lord Jesus Christ

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 as your elder brother.

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 To have the Holy Spirit

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 within you.

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 We wouldn't want to downplay that.

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 We wouldn't want to downplay

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 the sheer, indescribable joy

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 of knowing forgiveness of sins,

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 your conscience cleansed,

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 your past dealt with,

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 your future secure.

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 of knowing that you are

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 an inheritor

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 of the riches of his grace.

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 But we also don't want

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 to hide the fact

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 that the Christian life

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 is a deadly conflict

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 with the most bitter of enemies.

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 That we're engaged

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 in a marathon.

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 That we're not in a little sprint

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 that takes a little bit

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 of energy

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 but we have to go on

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 and on

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 and on

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 and on

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 and on.

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 And there are occasions

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 aren't there

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 when the Church of Jesus Christ

00:12:17.040 --> 00:12:19.240
 most needs people

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 who are just willing

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 to keep on

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 keeping on.

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 Think of Christopher Columbus.

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 You know the guy

00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:28.139
 who discovered America?

00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:30.040
 He talks about his diary

00:12:30.040 --> 00:12:30.440
 doesn't he?

00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:32.000
 Where he's just sailing

00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:32.659
 and sailing

00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:33.279
 and sailing

00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:33.879
 and sailing

00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:34.519
 and sailing.

00:12:35.080 --> 00:12:35.840
 Sailing on.

00:12:36.040 --> 00:12:36.639
 That was his diary.

00:12:36.800 --> 00:12:37.639
 Day after day

00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:38.180
 after day.

00:12:38.340 --> 00:12:38.879
 Sailing on,

00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:39.460
 sailing on,

00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:40.040
 sailing on.

00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:41.139
 But there was a moment

00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:41.620
 wasn't there

00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:43.039
 where he caught sight of land.

00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:45.639
 There was a moment

00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:46.339
 when he discovered

00:12:46.339 --> 00:12:47.079
 a whole new world.

00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:50.240
 And for those

00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:50.839
 in the Christian life

00:12:50.839 --> 00:12:51.459
 who keep on

00:12:51.459 --> 00:12:52.039
 and keep on

00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:52.579
 and keep on

00:12:52.579 --> 00:12:53.120
 and keep on

00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:53.699
 and keep on

00:12:53.699 --> 00:12:54.860
 there will be a day.

00:12:56.439 --> 00:12:57.399
 There will be a day

00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:58.179
 when you will discover

00:12:58.179 --> 00:12:58.899
 a whole new world.

00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:01.299
 To your joy

00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:01.879
 you will discover

00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:02.399
 the God

00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:03.000
 who will bring you

00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:03.759
 into a new world.

00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:06.539
 The truth is though

00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:07.179
 until that time

00:13:07.179 --> 00:13:07.779
 you will discover

00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:08.799
 also an enemy

00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:10.059
 who will use

00:13:10.059 --> 00:13:10.819
 every means

00:13:10.819 --> 00:13:11.500
 to harass you

00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:12.279
 in the Christian life

00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:13.659
 and to divert you

00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:14.620
 from the great business

00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:15.759
 of running the Christian life.

00:13:20.099 --> 00:13:20.699
 And so

00:13:20.699 --> 00:13:21.259
 to some

00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:22.399
 the apostle says

00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:22.959
 doesn't he

00:13:22.959 --> 00:13:25.339
 you ran well

00:13:25.339 --> 00:13:26.539
 but what has hindered you?

00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:30.039
 What has diverted you?

00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:33.379
 WP Nicholson said

00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:34.399
 if Satan cannot

00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:34.899
 keep you

00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:35.959
 from being converted

00:13:35.959 --> 00:13:37.579
 he will do

00:13:37.579 --> 00:13:38.399
 all he can

00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:39.019
 to get you

00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:39.639
 diverted.

00:13:40.199 --> 00:13:40.860
 Quite good isn't it?

00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:43.299
 And the devil

00:13:43.299 --> 00:13:44.099
 will divert you

00:13:44.099 --> 00:13:45.480
 by all sorts of means.

00:13:46.839 --> 00:13:48.019
 Taking your eye

00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:48.779
 away from

00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:49.599
 the finishing post.

00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.459
 Getting you involved

00:13:52.459 --> 00:13:53.279
 in a whole lot

00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:53.620
 of things

00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:54.319
 that will actually

00:13:54.319 --> 00:13:55.740
 just slow you down

00:13:55.740 --> 00:13:57.120
 and drag you back

00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:58.500
 and blow you

00:13:58.500 --> 00:13:58.980
 off course.

00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:01.799
 So there is this

00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:02.740
 need for perseverance.

00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:05.259
 But secondly

00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.019
 there's the encouragement

00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:06.639
 to perseverance.

00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:07.519
 Can you see the

00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:08.100
 beautiful balance

00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:08.519
 in the verse?

00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:09.879
 There's this really

00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:10.820
 severe need

00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:11.240
 isn't there

00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:12.159
 for perseverance.

00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:13.980
 and yet there's

00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:15.019
 glorious encouragement.

00:14:15.459 --> 00:14:16.159
 Therefore since we

00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:16.699
 are surrounded

00:14:16.699 --> 00:14:18.179
 by so great

00:14:18.179 --> 00:14:19.179
 a cloud of witnesses

00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:21.379
 let us lay aside

00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:22.959
 every weight

00:14:22.959 --> 00:14:23.539
 and sin

00:14:23.539 --> 00:14:24.399
 which clings so closely

00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:25.439
 and let us run

00:14:25.439 --> 00:14:26.059
 with perseverance

00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:26.679
 endurance

00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:27.639
 the race that is set

00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:28.240
 before us.

00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:30.339
 So can you see

00:14:30.339 --> 00:14:30.740
 the picture?

00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:32.379
 The difficulty

00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:33.179
 of perseverance

00:14:33.179 --> 00:14:34.439
 the encouragement

00:14:34.439 --> 00:14:35.240
 of the witnesses.

00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:37.259
 The picture is

00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:38.559
 think of one of those

00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:39.860
 great amphitheaters

00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:41.000
 think of a great stadium.

00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:43.360
 rising ranks

00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:43.939
 of people

00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:46.019
 watching the runners.

00:14:47.339 --> 00:14:48.600
 Tier advantage points.

00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:50.339
 And those tiers

00:14:50.339 --> 00:14:51.980
 are full of spectators

00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:53.500
 who are bearing

00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:54.360
 witness to something.

00:14:54.419 --> 00:14:55.179
 That's the important thing.

00:14:56.339 --> 00:14:56.919
 They are bearing

00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:58.179
 witness to someone.

00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:03.799
 They bear witness.

00:15:05.459 --> 00:15:06.600
 The real point

00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:07.659
 of verse 1

00:15:07.659 --> 00:15:08.600
 therefore since we

00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:09.059
 are surrounded by

00:15:09.059 --> 00:15:09.959
 so great

00:15:09.959 --> 00:15:10.980
 a cloud of witnesses

00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:12.620
 is not that the believers

00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:14.060
 are in heaven this morning

00:15:14.060 --> 00:15:15.039
 cheering us on.

00:15:15.300 --> 00:15:16.180
 That isn't the point.

00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:17.399
 They're not sadly.

00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:20.860
 And they're not

00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:21.440
 standing around

00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:22.440
 watching us

00:15:22.440 --> 00:15:23.800
 admiring what we're doing.

00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.340
 Isn't Paul Levy

00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:25.340
 doing so well this week?

00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:27.320
 That's not the main point.

00:15:27.420 --> 00:15:28.220
 That's not the big point.

00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:30.960
 But the big point

00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:32.139
 Paul the apostle

00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:33.560
 who we don't know

00:15:33.560 --> 00:15:34.100
 who wrote Hebrews

00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:36.440
 is that the big point

00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:36.960
 is

00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:38.840
 is we need to listen

00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:39.720
 to what these witnesses

00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:40.540
 are testifying.

00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:44.220
 What are these witnesses

00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:45.320
 in Hebrews chapter 11

00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:46.060
 that he's just named?

00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:47.420
 What are they saying

00:15:47.420 --> 00:15:47.879
 to us

00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.440
 in the crowd?

00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.480
 Well think about it.

00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.240
 How did they manage

00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:52.659
 to go on?

00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.659
 How did Abraham

00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:54.779
 keep on course?

00:15:54.779 --> 00:15:57.559
 How did Moses

00:15:57.559 --> 00:15:58.120
 go through

00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:59.039
 all those trials

00:15:59.039 --> 00:15:59.759
 and pressures

00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:00.919
 that he experienced

00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:02.100
 in leading

00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:03.240
 those difficult people

00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:04.279
 Israel

00:16:04.279 --> 00:16:04.939
 out of Egypt?

00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:08.259
 Was it because

00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:08.959
 they had some

00:16:08.959 --> 00:16:10.279
 great personal qualities?

00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:12.620
 Was it because

00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:14.319
 Sarah had some

00:16:14.319 --> 00:16:15.799
 wonderful characteristics?

00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:18.919
 No it wasn't was it?

00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:20.959
 It was because

00:16:20.959 --> 00:16:21.659
 of the faithfulness

00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:22.179
 of God.

00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.459
 We're told that

00:16:25.459 --> 00:16:26.279
 he endured

00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:26.759
 Moses

00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:27.659
 he endured

00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:28.759
 as seeing him

00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:29.719
 who is invisible.

00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:32.679
 And that is what

00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:33.599
 all these great clouds

00:16:33.599 --> 00:16:34.139
 of witnesses

00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:35.179
 bear witness to.

00:16:36.699 --> 00:16:37.759
 That is the great

00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.299
 encouragement

00:16:38.299 --> 00:16:39.240
 to persevere.

00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:43.299
 And incidentally

00:16:43.299 --> 00:16:44.000
 that is why

00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:46.679
 we should be people

00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:47.240
 who are interested

00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:47.759
 in history.

00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:49.459
 It should be the

00:16:49.459 --> 00:16:50.099
 history of Christ's

00:16:50.099 --> 00:16:50.439
 church.

00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:53.319
 The biblical use

00:16:53.319 --> 00:16:53.799
 of history

00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:54.779
 is not to point

00:16:54.779 --> 00:16:55.479
 us to the past

00:16:55.479 --> 00:16:55.699
 and say

00:16:55.699 --> 00:16:56.319
 oh they were

00:16:56.319 --> 00:16:56.799
 great days

00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:57.039
 weren't they?

00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:57.819
 They were great

00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:58.259
 days in the

00:16:58.259 --> 00:17:00.019
 16th, 17th

00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:00.839
 and 18th century.

00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:03.000
 That's not the

00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:03.699
 biblical use of

00:17:03.699 --> 00:17:04.000
 history.

00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.460
 It's not wishing

00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:05.920
 that you were

00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:06.519
 living in the past

00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.180
 oh that we were

00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:07.940
 living in those

00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.480
 days.

00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.599
 No the biblical

00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:11.339
 use of history

00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:11.819
 is to say

00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:12.740
 look what the

00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.659
 living God

00:17:13.659 --> 00:17:14.599
 did in those

00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:15.839
 days and that

00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:16.720
 God is the

00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:17.759
 same God as

00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.220
 today.

00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:21.259
 And so where

00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:21.880
 is the Lord

00:17:21.880 --> 00:17:22.640
 God of Elijah?

00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:25.460
 The answer is

00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.019
 he is precisely

00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.680
 here with us.

00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:29.340
 He is the

00:17:29.340 --> 00:17:29.920
 same God.

00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:30.460
 God has not

00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.060
 changed one

00:17:31.060 --> 00:17:31.480
 iota.

00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:33.519
 And there's

00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.160
 not one thing

00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:34.560
 that he did

00:17:34.560 --> 00:17:35.180
 for those men

00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:35.620
 and women in

00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:36.100
 Hebrews chapter

00:17:36.100 --> 00:17:36.600
 11 that he's

00:17:36.600 --> 00:17:37.160
 unable to do

00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:37.580
 for you.

00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:40.820
 And you might

00:17:40.820 --> 00:17:41.039
 be thinking

00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:41.620
 well not me

00:17:41.620 --> 00:17:42.680
 not for me

00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:43.140
 other people

00:17:43.140 --> 00:17:43.580
 here maybe

00:17:43.580 --> 00:17:44.039
 but not for

00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:44.300
 me.

00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:46.980
 but the

00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:47.639
 living God

00:17:47.639 --> 00:17:48.759
 who took

00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.859
 that geriatric

00:17:49.859 --> 00:17:50.399
 Sarah

00:17:50.399 --> 00:17:52.779
 and gave her

00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.139
 a child

00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:53.899
 the living

00:17:53.899 --> 00:17:54.460
 God who

00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:55.440
 took Abraham

00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:57.299
 who brought

00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:57.980
 the name of

00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:58.539
 his God

00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:59.359
 into disgrace

00:17:59.359 --> 00:17:59.960
 when he went

00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:00.359
 down into

00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:00.799
 the land of

00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:01.019
 Egypt.

00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:01.779
 That God

00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:02.379
 is able to

00:18:02.379 --> 00:18:03.139
 take you

00:18:03.139 --> 00:18:04.740
 and make

00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.440
 you the

00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:06.319
 kind of man

00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:06.960
 or woman

00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.480
 or boy

00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:07.859
 or girl

00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:08.319
 who will

00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:08.980
 go on

00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.539
 and on

00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.099
 and on

00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:10.539
 and on

00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:11.099
 to the end.

00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:13.519
 Encouragement

00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.099
 to persevere.

00:18:16.619 --> 00:18:16.779
 And so

00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.159
 think about

00:18:17.159 --> 00:18:17.740
 how does

00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:18.339
 God introduce

00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:18.819
 himself in

00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.099
 the Bible

00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:19.679
 often.

00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:20.299
 He says

00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:20.779
 I am the

00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:21.039
 God of

00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:21.419
 Abraham

00:18:21.419 --> 00:18:23.079
 and I am

00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:23.339
 the God

00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:23.719
 of Isaac

00:18:23.719 --> 00:18:24.059
 and I am

00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:24.299
 the God

00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:24.740
 of Jacob

00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:25.079
 and I am

00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:25.319
 the God

00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:25.659
 who brought

00:18:25.659 --> 00:18:26.299
 your fathers

00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:26.619
 out of

00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:26.859
 Egypt.

00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:27.399
 He isn't

00:18:27.399 --> 00:18:28.000
 simply giving

00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.459
 them a history

00:18:28.459 --> 00:18:29.079
 lesson is he?

00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:32.959
 He is telling

00:18:32.959 --> 00:18:33.379
 them this is

00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:34.019
 my character.

00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.119
 These are

00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:36.159
 the qualities

00:18:36.159 --> 00:18:37.319
 at the start

00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:37.899
 of 2023

00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:38.379
 that you

00:18:38.379 --> 00:18:38.619
 ought to

00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:39.719
 put your

00:18:39.719 --> 00:18:40.299
 confidence in.

00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:42.699
 This is

00:18:42.699 --> 00:18:43.079
 the God

00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.339
 you are

00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:43.740
 to rest

00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:43.919
 in

00:18:43.919 --> 00:18:45.079
 and rest

00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:45.419
 upon.

00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:48.959
 Thirdly

00:18:48.959 --> 00:18:49.379
 what about

00:18:49.379 --> 00:18:49.959
 the preparation

00:18:49.959 --> 00:18:50.779
 for perseverance?

00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.879
 The preparation

00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.459
 for perseverance

00:18:54.459 --> 00:18:55.039
 there is a

00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:55.339
 preparation

00:18:55.339 --> 00:18:55.799
 so look at

00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:56.219
 verse 1

00:18:56.219 --> 00:18:58.639
 therefore

00:18:58.639 --> 00:18:59.000
 since we

00:18:59.000 --> 00:18:59.519
 are surrounded

00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.439
 by so

00:19:00.439 --> 00:19:00.899
 great a

00:19:00.899 --> 00:19:01.159
 cloud of

00:19:01.159 --> 00:19:01.439
 witnesses

00:19:01.439 --> 00:19:02.179
 let us

00:19:02.179 --> 00:19:03.319
 lay aside

00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:04.139
 every weight

00:19:04.139 --> 00:19:05.319
 and sin

00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:07.439
 which clings

00:19:07.439 --> 00:19:08.119
 so closely

00:19:08.119 --> 00:19:10.279
 and let

00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:10.659
 us run

00:19:10.660 --> 00:19:11.200
 with endurance

00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:11.660
 the race

00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:11.900
 that is

00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:12.300
 set before

00:19:12.300 --> 00:19:12.620
 us.

00:19:14.540 --> 00:19:15.080
 In your

00:19:15.080 --> 00:19:15.360
 vision

00:19:15.360 --> 00:19:16.580
 it will

00:19:16.580 --> 00:19:16.980
 say throw

00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.519
 off everything

00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:18.140
 that hinders.

00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.519
 The writer

00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:21.960
 of the Hebrews

00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:23.300
 is urging

00:19:23.300 --> 00:19:23.779
 us

00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:25.380
 and urging

00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:26.340
 the readers

00:19:26.340 --> 00:19:27.140
 to be serious

00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:27.779
 about the race

00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:31.000
 and he is

00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.600
 only addressing

00:19:31.600 --> 00:19:32.240
 those who are

00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:32.900
 serious to

00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:33.440
 throw off

00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:33.940
 everything

00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:34.240
 that would

00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.620
 be an

00:19:34.620 --> 00:19:35.180
 impediment

00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:37.120
 in running

00:19:37.120 --> 00:19:37.380
 it.

00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:40.420
 And so

00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:40.840
 one of the

00:19:40.840 --> 00:19:41.220
 ways that

00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:41.820
 people are

00:19:41.820 --> 00:19:42.400
 hindered

00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:43.120
 and prevented

00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:43.920
 from persevering

00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:44.320
 is just

00:19:44.320 --> 00:19:44.820
 because they

00:19:44.820 --> 00:19:45.380
 are weighed

00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:46.580
 down with

00:19:46.580 --> 00:19:47.299
 various kind

00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:47.980
 of impediments.

00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.160
 So can you

00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:53.799
 see what the

00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.440
 race is like?

00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:56.900
 It's not like

00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.360
 the school

00:19:57.360 --> 00:19:58.340
 parents race

00:19:58.340 --> 00:19:59.920
 at the

00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:00.640
 school

00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:02.820
 sports day.

00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:03.220
 You know

00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:03.660
 what that race

00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:04.160
 is like isn't

00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:04.340
 it?

00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:06.759
 And people

00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.400
 get there

00:20:07.400 --> 00:20:08.100
 they've done

00:20:08.100 --> 00:20:08.779
 no warming

00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:09.060
 up

00:20:09.060 --> 00:20:10.300
 and yet

00:20:10.300 --> 00:20:10.660
 they really

00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.140
 go for it

00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:11.400
 don't they

00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:11.620
 and there's

00:20:11.620 --> 00:20:12.100
 hamstrings

00:20:12.100 --> 00:20:12.540
 pulled

00:20:12.540 --> 00:20:12.920
 and all

00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:13.240
 sorts of

00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.480
 things

00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:13.940
 and people

00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:14.360
 joking

00:20:14.360 --> 00:20:14.900
 and laughing.

00:20:15.340 --> 00:20:15.620
 It's not

00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:16.259
 a fun run.

00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.360
 The Christian

00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:21.080
 race is not

00:20:21.080 --> 00:20:21.620
 a fun run.

00:20:23.320 --> 00:20:23.960
 It is what

00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:24.400
 life is all

00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:24.660
 about.

00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.000
 And it's

00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:27.259
 why we're

00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:27.519
 here.

00:20:27.620 --> 00:20:27.980
 The question

00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:28.320
 is how

00:20:28.320 --> 00:20:28.820
 serious

00:20:28.820 --> 00:20:29.400
 am I?

00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:33.200
 Think of

00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:33.799
 the professional

00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:34.480
 sportsman

00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:38.400
 get up in

00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:38.819
 the morning

00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.960
 and they

00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:41.620
 weigh themselves.

00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.600
 They fill in

00:20:43.600 --> 00:20:44.059
 a sleep

00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:44.720
 chart of how

00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.299
 they slept.

00:20:45.640 --> 00:20:46.059
 They watch

00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:46.580
 what they eat

00:20:46.580 --> 00:20:47.259
 for breakfast.

00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:50.500
 They train

00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.340
 until they can

00:20:51.340 --> 00:20:52.200
 train no more.

00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.240
 They manage

00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:53.940
 their load.

00:20:54.620 --> 00:20:55.120
 They live

00:20:55.120 --> 00:20:55.400
 don't they

00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:55.720
 a really

00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.819
 strange kind

00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.319
 of life.

00:20:59.600 --> 00:21:00.279
 And you say

00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:00.480
 to them

00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.059
 why on earth

00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:01.539
 are you doing

00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:01.899
 that?

00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:02.639
 Why are you

00:21:02.639 --> 00:21:03.200
 living like

00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:03.599
 that?

00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:05.579
 What's the

00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:06.059
 point in

00:21:06.059 --> 00:21:06.319
 doing that?

00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:06.539
 And they

00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:06.879
 would say

00:21:06.879 --> 00:21:07.079
 to us

00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:08.359
 it all

00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:08.839
 depends how

00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:09.220
 seriously

00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:09.559
 you take

00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.039
 the sport.

00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:14.899
 Lots of

00:21:14.899 --> 00:21:15.200
 people in

00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:15.879
 churches ask

00:21:15.879 --> 00:21:16.220
 the question

00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:16.779
 is there

00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.379
 any harm

00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:18.299
 in dot

00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:18.619
 dot?

00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:20.559
 There's

00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.200
 probably not

00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:21.619
 any harm

00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:21.920
 in that but

00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:22.159
 it's not

00:21:22.159 --> 00:21:22.420
 the right

00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:22.859
 question.

00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:26.700
 The question

00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.240
 is this

00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:27.579
 is how

00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:28.440
 serious are

00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:28.799
 we about

00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.400
 the race?

00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:34.220
 And in

00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:34.539
 our culture

00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:34.759
 we would

00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:34.960
 say well

00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.320
 you don't

00:21:35.320 --> 00:21:35.460
 want to be

00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:35.900
 too serious

00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:36.140
 do you?

00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.180
 I don't

00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:39.380
 know about

00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:39.640
 you but

00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:39.900
 I have

00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:40.299
 found that

00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:40.759
 the man

00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.440
 or woman

00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:42.000
 who is

00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:43.580
 most serious

00:21:43.580 --> 00:21:44.500
 about God

00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:47.000
 is often

00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:47.400
 the most

00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:47.799
 gentle

00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.860
 and the

00:21:48.860 --> 00:21:49.620
 most humorous

00:21:49.620 --> 00:21:50.180
 and the

00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:50.740
 kindest of

00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.000
 people.

00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:53.980
 And I've

00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:54.519
 tragically found

00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:54.740
 that the

00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.140
 person who

00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:55.460
 is a

00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:56.080
 Christian but

00:21:56.080 --> 00:21:56.440
 is not

00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.539
 really serious

00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.400
 about God

00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.340
 often is

00:21:59.340 --> 00:21:59.860
 the most

00:21:59.860 --> 00:22:00.460
 unhappy

00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.279
 most

00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.360
 discontented.

00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:05.340
 And that's

00:22:05.340 --> 00:22:05.759
 because they've

00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.000
 got the

00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.380
 worst of

00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:07.080
 both worlds.

00:22:10.080 --> 00:22:10.279
 And so

00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:10.580
 just look

00:22:10.580 --> 00:22:10.880
 with me at

00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:11.320
 chapter 12

00:22:11.320 --> 00:22:11.640
 verse 1

00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:12.039
 because it

00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:12.400
 is a

00:22:12.400 --> 00:22:13.000
 flabbergasting

00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.539
 verse isn't

00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:13.680
 it?

00:22:13.840 --> 00:22:14.600
 Lay aside

00:22:14.600 --> 00:22:16.580
 every weight.

00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.019
 And let's

00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:22.660
 go to the

00:22:22.660 --> 00:22:23.380
 Olympic final

00:22:23.380 --> 00:22:24.039
 100 metres

00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:25.200
 and you

00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:25.400
 know they

00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:25.799
 go along

00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.240
 the thing

00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:26.559
 and they

00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:26.940
 I don't

00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.059
 know

00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:27.119
 who

00:22:27.119 --> 00:22:27.539
 is

00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:27.799
 runners

00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.039
 now

00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:28.339
 and they

00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:29.240
 kind of

00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:29.599
 interact

00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:29.899
 one

00:22:29.899 --> 00:22:30.119
 is

00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:30.740
 dot dot dot

00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.720
 and there

00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:31.940
 you go

00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:32.240
 the person

00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.659
 waves at

00:22:32.659 --> 00:22:33.079
 their crowd

00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:34.259
 and they're

00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.539
 from

00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.220
 Dominican

00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.720
 Republic

00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:35.940
 you've

00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:36.200
 got someone

00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:36.740
 from Jamaica

00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:39.019
 and then

00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:39.500
 you come

00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.259
 to somebody

00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:40.759
 who's

00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.259
 wearing

00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:41.779
 a duffel

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.220
 coat

00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:43.139
 and carrying

00:22:43.139 --> 00:22:43.379
 two

00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:43.899
 suitcases

00:22:43.899 --> 00:22:45.440
 on the

00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:45.759
 front

00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.339
 on the

00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:46.799
 start line

00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:47.019
 of the

00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:47.599
 100 metres

00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:49.359
 it would

00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:49.859
 be ridiculous

00:22:49.859 --> 00:22:50.159
 wouldn't it

00:22:50.159 --> 00:22:50.419
 be so

00:22:50.419 --> 00:22:51.059
 stupid

00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:53.200
 a figure

00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:53.359
 of

00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:53.960
 stupidity

00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:57.059
 is there

00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:57.379
 anything

00:22:57.379 --> 00:22:57.740
 stupid

00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:57.919
 about

00:22:57.919 --> 00:22:58.039
 an

00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.419
 overcoat

00:22:58.419 --> 00:23:00.019
 it's not

00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.379
 is there

00:23:00.379 --> 00:23:01.759
 there's nothing

00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.179
 stupid

00:23:02.179 --> 00:23:02.700
 about carrying

00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.240
 suitcases

00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:03.639
 that's

00:23:03.639 --> 00:23:04.299
 really fine

00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:04.599
 it's good

00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:04.799
 to have

00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.019
 a coat

00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:05.319
 it's good

00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:05.700
 to have

00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:07.119
 suitcases

00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:07.639
 but

00:23:07.639 --> 00:23:09.740
 it's what

00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.519
 he's professing

00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.000
 to do

00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:11.440
 makes it

00:23:11.440 --> 00:23:11.839
 ridiculous

00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:14.960
 and here's

00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:15.200
 the point

00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:15.539
 the apostle

00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:15.899
 says

00:23:15.899 --> 00:23:17.059
 the weights

00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:18.319
 and the

00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:18.599
 hindrances

00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.019
 get rid

00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.240
 of them

00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.700
 and just

00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.200
 notice

00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:20.700
 can you see

00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:20.819
 this

00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:21.059
 I'm not

00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:21.339
 sure I've

00:23:21.339 --> 00:23:21.659
 seen this

00:23:21.659 --> 00:23:22.019
 before

00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.720
 but in

00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:23.119
 verse 1

00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:23.500
 there's a

00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:23.960
 distinction

00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.440
 between

00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.599
 every weight

00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:27.299
 and sin

00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:33.000
 the weights

00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:34.159
 are distinguished

00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:34.700
 from

00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.879
 sin

00:23:35.879 --> 00:23:40.919
 there are

00:23:40.919 --> 00:23:41.500
 things in

00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:41.960
 your life

00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.359
 and my life

00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:42.639
 that are

00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:43.519
 not sinful

00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:46.179
 and yet

00:23:46.179 --> 00:23:46.619
 they may be

00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.079
 a weight

00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:47.419
 that is

00:23:47.419 --> 00:23:47.859
 stopping us

00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:48.119
 from the

00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:48.339
 Christian

00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:48.639
 life

00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:53.059
 and yet

00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:53.599
 there are

00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:54.359
 things

00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:55.659
 which are

00:23:55.659 --> 00:23:56.019
 harmful

00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.619
 for all

00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:56.959
 people

00:23:56.959 --> 00:23:57.479
 all the

00:23:57.479 --> 00:23:57.759
 time

00:23:57.759 --> 00:24:01.099
 these things

00:24:01.099 --> 00:24:01.699
 cling about

00:24:01.699 --> 00:24:02.059
 us

00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:04.659
 and the

00:24:04.659 --> 00:24:05.079
 apostle Paul

00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:05.639
 says to you

00:24:05.639 --> 00:24:06.119
 think about

00:24:06.119 --> 00:24:06.619
 your life

00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:07.019
 this morning

00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.219
 at the

00:24:07.219 --> 00:24:07.479
 start of

00:24:07.479 --> 00:24:08.059
 2023

00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:11.819
 and

00:24:11.819 --> 00:24:13.019
 disentangle

00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.659
 yourself

00:24:13.659 --> 00:24:16.279
 from the

00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.480
 things

00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:16.720
 that are

00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.000
 hindering

00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.420
 you

00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:20.379
 and drop

00:24:20.379 --> 00:24:21.139
 the sin

00:24:21.139 --> 00:24:21.700
 that is

00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.099
 stopping you

00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:22.319
 running

00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:26.139
 maybe a

00:24:26.139 --> 00:24:26.460
 phone

00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:28.559
 maybe an

00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:28.940
 app

00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:31.399
 maybe the

00:24:31.399 --> 00:24:31.920
 TV

00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:34.500
 maybe money

00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:36.579
 it may be

00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:37.160
 possessions

00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:40.160
 maybe a

00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:40.759
 relationship

00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:42.920
 that is

00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:43.500
 stopping you

00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:43.839
 from running

00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.279
 all out

00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:49.059
 maybe the

00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.379
 trap of

00:24:49.379 --> 00:24:49.759
 pornography

00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:52.519
 and Paul

00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.059
 speaks about

00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:53.660
 cutting

00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:55.259
 cutting away

00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:55.779
 in Romans

00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.720
 Paul speaks

00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:57.319
 about putting

00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:57.799
 things to death

00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.339
 he speaks

00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:58.700
 about being

00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.359
 radical

00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:00.400
 with certain

00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:00.920
 things in our

00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.099
 lives

00:25:01.099 --> 00:25:01.980
 being radical

00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:02.500
 with things

00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:02.799
 that will

00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:03.299
 stop us

00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:03.700
 running the

00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.039
 race

00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:04.960
 and keeping

00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.319
 on looking

00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:05.559
 at the

00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:05.740
 finished

00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.059
 post

00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:10.759
 don't

00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.039
 drift

00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:12.440
 preparation

00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:12.839
 for

00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:13.259
 perseverance

00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.799
 let us lay

00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.659
 aside every

00:25:14.659 --> 00:25:15.500
 weight and

00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:15.859
 the sin

00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:16.139
 that so

00:25:16.139 --> 00:25:16.419
 easily

00:25:16.419 --> 00:25:16.940
 entangles

00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.500
 and then

00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:17.819
 finally

00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:18.259
 let's

00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:18.899
 just see

00:25:18.899 --> 00:25:19.379
 the manner

00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:19.779
 in which

00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.000
 way to

00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.440
 persevere

00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:22.899
 look at

00:25:22.899 --> 00:25:23.440
 verse 2

00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.579
 why is it

00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.559
 worth it

00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:28.200
 looking to

00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:28.720
 Jesus

00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:30.919
 the founder

00:25:30.919 --> 00:25:31.599
 and perfecter

00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:32.079
 of our faith

00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:32.440
 who for the

00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:32.919
 joy that was

00:25:32.919 --> 00:25:33.480
 set before him

00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:33.940
 endured the

00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:34.159
 cross

00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:34.659
 despising

00:25:34.659 --> 00:25:35.000
 the shame

00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.379
 and is

00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:35.639
 seated

00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.520
 right now

00:25:36.520 --> 00:25:37.100
 at the

00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.520
 right hand

00:25:37.520 --> 00:25:37.740
 of the

00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:37.880
 throne

00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:38.259
 of God

00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.460
 and so

00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:39.720
 can you

00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:39.920
 notice

00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.280
 where our

00:25:40.280 --> 00:25:40.759
 eyes are

00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:40.960
 in the

00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:41.160
 race

00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.600
 our eyes

00:25:41.600 --> 00:25:41.800
 are not

00:25:41.800 --> 00:25:42.200
 primarily

00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:42.500
 on the

00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:42.800
 cloud of

00:25:42.800 --> 00:25:43.100
 witnesses

00:25:43.100 --> 00:25:46.340
 our eyes

00:25:46.340 --> 00:25:46.560
 are on

00:25:46.560 --> 00:25:46.800
 Jesus

00:25:46.800 --> 00:25:48.960
 and he

00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.620
 is the

00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:49.920
 author

00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:50.380
 he is the

00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:50.700
 founder

00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.120
 and the

00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:51.440
 finisher

00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:51.820
 of our

00:25:51.820 --> 00:25:52.200
 faith

00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:53.580
 and of

00:25:53.580 --> 00:25:53.680
 course

00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:53.940
 Jesus

00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:54.259
 is the

00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.400
 great

00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:54.740
 example

00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:54.900
 of

00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:55.280
 perseverance

00:25:55.280 --> 00:25:55.700
 isn't he

00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.340
 he is the

00:25:56.340 --> 00:25:56.720
 prototype

00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.360
 of perseverance

00:25:57.360 --> 00:25:57.820
 look what

00:25:57.820 --> 00:25:58.220
 he did

00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:59.020
 he endured

00:25:59.020 --> 00:25:59.580
 the cross

00:25:59.580 --> 00:26:00.660
 he despised

00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:01.340
 the shame

00:26:01.340 --> 00:26:02.140
 and is seated

00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:02.540
 at the right

00:26:02.540 --> 00:26:03.120
 hand of God

00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:06.039
 and so

00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:06.579
 if you think

00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:06.899
 of Jesus

00:26:06.899 --> 00:26:07.259
 life

00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:07.679
 they came

00:26:07.679 --> 00:26:07.899
 to him

00:26:07.899 --> 00:26:08.479
 again and

00:26:08.479 --> 00:26:08.919
 again and

00:26:08.919 --> 00:26:09.279
 again and

00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:09.759
 the devil

00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.339
 came to him

00:26:10.339 --> 00:26:11.000
 again and

00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:13.159
 again to

00:26:13.159 --> 00:26:13.879
 divert him

00:26:13.879 --> 00:26:14.239
 to try and

00:26:14.239 --> 00:26:14.899
 distract him

00:26:14.899 --> 00:26:15.739
 to try and

00:26:15.739 --> 00:26:16.619
 entangle him

00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:18.639
 and so

00:26:18.639 --> 00:26:19.919
 when Peter

00:26:19.919 --> 00:26:20.679
 says you are

00:26:20.679 --> 00:26:21.019
 the Christ

00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.459
 the son of the

00:26:21.459 --> 00:26:21.919
 living God

00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:22.279
 and then

00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:23.039
 immediately

00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:25.079
 Simon Peter

00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:26.159
 says this

00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:26.519
 way of

00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:26.979
 suffering that

00:26:26.979 --> 00:26:27.359
 you're talking

00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:27.779
 about Jesus

00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.599
 that isn't the

00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:28.899
 way of the

00:26:28.899 --> 00:26:29.199
 Messiah

00:26:29.199 --> 00:26:29.619
 that isn't

00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:29.979
 the way of

00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.360
 the Lord

00:26:30.360 --> 00:26:31.940
 and what

00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.660
 does Jesus

00:26:32.660 --> 00:26:33.160
 say to Peter

00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:33.720
 Jesus says

00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.319
 get behind

00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:35.079
 me Satan

00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:37.160
 because he

00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:37.819
 saw behind

00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.440
 Peter's

00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.259
 diversion

00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:42.120
 was the

00:26:42.120 --> 00:26:42.480
 devil

00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:44.700
 diverting his

00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:45.660
 eyes from

00:26:45.660 --> 00:26:46.140
 the glory of

00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:46.500
 the father

00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.420
 and as he

00:26:47.420 --> 00:26:47.900
 hung on the

00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:48.299
 cross you

00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:48.640
 remember what

00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:49.059
 they said to

00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.240
 him they

00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.660
 said come

00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:50.339
 down from

00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:50.660
 the cross

00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.099
 if you are

00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.500
 the Christ

00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.640
 but he

00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:53.099
 didn't listen

00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:53.519
 because he

00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.220
 persevered and

00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:54.660
 he endured

00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:55.220
 the cross

00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:58.420
 but of course

00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:58.960
 we don't look

00:26:58.960 --> 00:26:59.319
 to Jesus

00:26:59.319 --> 00:27:00.039
 primarily as

00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:00.559
 our example

00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:02.319
 we look to

00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:02.980
 him primarily

00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:03.379
 as our

00:27:03.379 --> 00:27:03.839
 eternal

00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:04.740
 sufficient

00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.500
 saviour

00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:07.139
 that he

00:27:07.139 --> 00:27:07.960
 is the

00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.579
 author and

00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.200
 the finisher

00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.579
 of the faith

00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:11.359
 what that

00:27:11.359 --> 00:27:11.919
 means is this

00:27:11.919 --> 00:27:12.419
 this is a

00:27:12.419 --> 00:27:12.960
 wonderful truth

00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:13.859
 the only reason

00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:14.480
 if you are

00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.019
 running the

00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:15.599
 Christian life

00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.079
 this morning

00:27:16.079 --> 00:27:17.139
 the only reason

00:27:17.139 --> 00:27:17.740
 if you are

00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.480
 in the race

00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:18.939
 this morning

00:27:18.939 --> 00:27:19.279
 is because

00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:19.700
 he's put

00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:20.119
 you there

00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:23.419
 it's only

00:27:23.419 --> 00:27:23.899
 by his

00:27:23.899 --> 00:27:24.619
 grace and

00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:25.099
 by his

00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:25.779
 mercy

00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:27.619
 that the

00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:28.059
 Lord Jesus

00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:28.619
 Christ has

00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:29.139
 made you

00:27:29.139 --> 00:27:29.639
 who were

00:27:29.639 --> 00:27:30.399
 dead in

00:27:30.399 --> 00:27:31.000
 your trespasses

00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.339
 and sins

00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:31.739
 and made

00:27:31.739 --> 00:27:32.259
 you alive

00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:32.679
 in Christ

00:27:32.679 --> 00:27:32.979
 so that

00:27:32.979 --> 00:27:33.319
 you can

00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:33.799
 run

00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:36.859
 and he's

00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.699
 given you

00:27:37.699 --> 00:27:38.739
 newness of

00:27:38.739 --> 00:27:39.479
 life and

00:27:39.479 --> 00:27:40.039
 he's put a

00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.679
 new heart

00:27:40.679 --> 00:27:41.159
 and a new

00:27:41.159 --> 00:27:41.899
 spirit within

00:27:41.899 --> 00:27:42.539
 you and a

00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.279
 new desire

00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.000
 for heaven

00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:46.259
 and the glory

00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:46.779
 of God

00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.759
 and he's put

00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.399
 you in that

00:27:48.399 --> 00:27:49.739
 race and he

00:27:49.739 --> 00:27:50.699
 is the author

00:27:50.699 --> 00:27:51.399
 of that race

00:27:51.399 --> 00:27:52.059
 he is the

00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.719
 alpha the

00:27:52.719 --> 00:27:53.259
 beginning of

00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:53.779
 that race

00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:55.859
 but notice

00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:56.399
 it also

00:27:56.399 --> 00:27:56.980
 says he

00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.319
 is the

00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:57.720
 finisher

00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:59.700
 because he

00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:00.319
 who began

00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:00.680
 a good

00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.279
 work in

00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.899
 you will

00:28:02.899 --> 00:28:03.220
 bring it

00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:03.759
 to completion

00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:06.119
 at the

00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:06.359
 day of

00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:06.579
 Jesus

00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:07.000
 Christ

00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:09.700
 and that

00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:10.059
 wonderfully

00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:10.539
 means that

00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:10.879
 if God

00:28:10.879 --> 00:28:11.480
 has begun

00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.019
 a work

00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:12.539
 in you

00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:12.940
 he will

00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.480
 complete it

00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:13.819
 and he

00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:14.220
 will finish

00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:14.480
 it

00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:16.359
 and so

00:28:16.359 --> 00:28:16.799
 the secret

00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.279
 to running

00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:17.759
 this race

00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.299
 is not

00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:18.980
 that I

00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:19.559
 have this

00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:19.899
 particular

00:28:19.899 --> 00:28:20.579
 quality in

00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:21.019
 my Christian

00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.519
 character

00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.339
 it is

00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:22.839
 primarily

00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:23.579
 that God

00:28:23.579 --> 00:28:23.839
 will

00:28:23.839 --> 00:28:24.339
 persevere

00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:24.819
 with me

00:28:24.819 --> 00:28:27.859
 he will

00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.519
 persevere

00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:29.220
 with me

00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:29.539
 to the

00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:29.980
 end

00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:31.960
 and he

00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:32.799
 calls you

00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.220
 and I

00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:34.220
 to persevere

00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:35.279
 because he

00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.139
 persevered

00:28:36.139 --> 00:28:36.700
 with us

00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.160
 to be the

00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:37.579
 author and

00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:37.960
 finisher of

00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:38.359
 our faith

00:28:38.359 --> 00:28:40.400
 and that is

00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:40.720
 the ground

00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.180
 on which we

00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.619
 rest

00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:43.099
 as we set

00:28:43.099 --> 00:28:43.720
 our eyes

00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.099
 on the

00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.639
 Lord Jesus

00:28:44.639 --> 00:28:45.879
 and we are

00:28:45.879 --> 00:28:46.519
 able to say

00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:46.980
 at the start

00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:47.420
 of this year

00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:48.019
 Lord take

00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:48.559
 me on

00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:51.240
 let nothing

00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:52.140
 divert me

00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:52.579
 and so

00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:52.980
 the great

00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:53.519
 business of

00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:54.220
 your life

00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:54.740
 and my

00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.079
 life

00:28:55.079 --> 00:28:56.319
 this year

00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:58.579
 is to go

00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:58.980
 on with the

00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.319
 Lord Jesus

00:28:59.319 --> 00:28:59.720
 Christ

00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:00.099
 and to keep

00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:00.559
 going on

00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:07.220
 and so

00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:07.740
 we say to

00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:08.220
 him today

00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.620
 don't we

00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:09.339
 let not

00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:10.079
 the sins

00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:11.259
 which cling

00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:12.180
 around me

00:29:12.180 --> 00:29:14.299
 help me

00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:14.660
 Lord to

00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:15.259
 put them

00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:15.819
 to death

00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.359
 give me

00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:17.019
 a new

00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:17.660
 heart

00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:18.220
 give me

00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:19.160
 a great

00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:19.720
 hope that

00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.660
 will delight

00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:21.420
 in you

00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:24.100
 that God

00:29:24.100 --> 00:29:24.460
 will go

00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:24.900
 on in

00:29:24.900 --> 00:29:25.240
 his work

00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:25.600
 with you

00:29:25.600 --> 00:29:27.680
 what he

00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:28.340
 has begun

00:29:28.340 --> 00:29:28.759
 he will

00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.259
 continue

00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:31.220
 he is

00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.700
 the author

00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.140
 and the

00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:32.540
 finisher

00:29:32.540 --> 00:29:34.519
 so we

00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:34.759
 know the

00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:34.900
 hymn

00:29:34.900 --> 00:29:35.160
 don't we

00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:35.660
 a debtor

00:29:35.660 --> 00:29:36.259
 to mercy

00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:36.700
 alone

00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:38.560
 the work

00:29:38.560 --> 00:29:38.960
 which his

00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:39.300
 goodness

00:29:39.300 --> 00:29:40.040
 began

00:29:40.040 --> 00:29:41.900
 the arm

00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:42.160
 of his

00:29:42.160 --> 00:29:42.519
 strength

00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.140
 will complete

00:29:43.140 --> 00:29:45.180
 his promise

00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:46.740
 is yea

00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:46.740


00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:47.220
 Amen!

00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:47.900
 and never

00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:48.779
 was forfeited

00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.380
 yet

00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:51.820
 and so

00:29:51.820 --> 00:29:52.120
 that is

00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:52.520
 the hope

00:29:52.520 --> 00:29:52.980
 of the

00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.320
 child of

00:29:53.320 --> 00:29:53.500
 God

00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:53.740
 this

00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.040
 morning

00:29:54.040 --> 00:29:54.560
 as we

00:29:54.560 --> 00:29:54.840
 look to

00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:55.180
 the future

00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:55.440
 of this

00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:55.700
 year

00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:58.040
 and that

00:29:58.040 --> 00:29:58.340
 is why

00:29:58.340 --> 00:29:58.680
 when we

00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.340
 say keep

00:29:59.340 --> 00:29:59.860
 on

00:29:59.860 --> 00:30:01.400
 keeping

00:30:01.400 --> 00:30:01.780
 on

00:30:01.780 --> 00:30:02.280
 we are

00:30:02.280 --> 00:30:02.700
 assured

00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.400
 that there

00:30:03.400 --> 00:30:03.880
 is a

00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:04.460
 new world

00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:04.740
 that is

00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:04.960
 coming

00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:07.420
 and in

00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.020
 that world

00:30:08.020 --> 00:30:09.000
 this morning

00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:09.600
 there is a

00:30:09.600 --> 00:30:10.360
 forerunner

00:30:10.360 --> 00:30:10.860
 who has

00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.280
 entered

00:30:11.280 --> 00:30:11.700
 into it

00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.400
 before us

00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:15.320
 you think

00:30:15.320 --> 00:30:15.519
 of the

00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:15.720
 image

00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.300
 he has

00:30:16.300 --> 00:30:16.680
 put an

00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.000
 anchor

00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:17.340
 down

00:30:17.340 --> 00:30:17.780
 for our

00:30:17.780 --> 00:30:18.340
 souls

00:30:18.340 --> 00:30:19.140
 and it is

00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:19.620
 as it

00:30:19.620 --> 00:30:19.840
 were

00:30:19.840 --> 00:30:20.200
 he is

00:30:20.200 --> 00:30:20.759
 drawing

00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.420
 you in

00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:23.540
 and the

00:30:23.540 --> 00:30:24.060
 Christian life

00:30:24.060 --> 00:30:24.680
 is letting

00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.300
 him draw

00:30:25.300 --> 00:30:25.600
 you

00:30:25.600 --> 00:30:27.960
 and let

00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:28.560
 nothing

00:30:28.560 --> 00:30:29.840
 in earth

00:30:29.840 --> 00:30:30.240
 or in

00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:30.660
 hell

00:30:30.660 --> 00:30:31.720
 divert you

00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:32.140
 from it

00:30:32.140 --> 00:30:34.680
 and may

00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.120
 God make

00:30:35.120 --> 00:30:35.580
 us a

00:30:35.580 --> 00:30:35.840
 people

00:30:35.840 --> 00:30:38.280
 who will

00:30:38.280 --> 00:30:38.660
 persevere

00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:39.120
 to the end

00:30:39.119 --> 00:30:41.079
 let's pray

00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:41.359
 together