Hebrews 10-12 ... Hall of Fame Runners who Followed in Faith

Running the Race, Following in Faith

Spring Disciple Formation Focus

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Hebrews 10-12
Hall of Fame Runners who Followed in Faith

This is one of the most famous portions of Hebrews...and all of scripture.  It speaks of a "great cloud of witnesses," those who have run the race of faith ahead of us and whose witness can inspire us to continue following Jesus.  Here's a brief summary of the take-away for this section.

1. MAKE EVERY EFFORT IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE, LOOKING TO EXAMPLES FOR INSPIRATION

• Hebrews 6:11-12 "We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."

2. PERSEVERE IN LIGHT OF GOD'S PROMISES

• Hebrews 10:36 “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” 
• Hebrews 12:1 “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”

3. DON'T MISS OUT ON PLAYING THE (FAITH) IMITATION GAME

• Hebrews 11:1-2 (Old Testament Characters) “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.  By faith…” 
• Hebrews 12:2-3 (Jesus) “...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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Summary Take-Aways: 

1. Look to Scripture for “Heroes” to Emulate 

• Who do we look to as our heroes? Who do we pattern our lives after?  
• What values are active in our selection of such heroes?

2. Adjust Your Definition of Success (to include faithful perseverance)

• What is your definition of success?
• The great cloud of witnesses are people who lived a particular way in relationship with God even though they didn’t experience the total fulfillment of all God's promises.  In what ways might the world consider them to have failed or underachieved?  What makes them examples of success in God's eyes?

Bottom line:  Live with faithful perseverance in the midst of unrealized promise, continuing to follow Jesus on the journey.  He'll get you there, to the full realization of God's saving promises.