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Endurance
Not one of our favorite words. Starting we know about. Being inspired and motivated we get. But endurance . . . that idea that we need to keep on keeping on long after the thrill of the starting gun has faded and our feet are sore, and it is less than exciting (at least at the moment). Runners understand endurance, both the difficulty and the discipline, and the satisfaction of going a longer distance than maybe we thought we could. It is not easy. Sometimes it is not even comfortable. But it is good.
Not only do runners understand this, but anyone who as taken living seriously knows it as well. This is he imagery that the author of Hebrews draws from in Hebrews 12 (see the passage to the right).
We don't always know what is up ahead of us on the path we run. Some of it is pleasant and invigorating. Other places are steep and draining. But whatever the terrain, the good news is that we do not run alone. Even though not all that we experience is what we would want, or even what God would want for us, no steps are wasted, because the God who travels with us not only assures us of His continued presence, but that he is able to take anything we encounter that makes the run more difficult and bring both healing and growth from it.
These are the concepts that Pastor Jon explores with us this morning. If you would like to listen to the sermon again, or perhaps for the first time, you can access our sermon library by clicking here. If you would like to see the livestream version of he entire service, you can access that here.
Hebrews 12
NIV
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
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