Part of my misspent youth was spent hanging around Racehorses and those who bet on horse races. I’ve mentioned before that my sister and I both had horses when we were teenagers, and when we lived in Hammond River, just outside of Saint John, New Brunswick, we boarded them at a farm that provided stabling for Racehorses. In exchange for boarding our horses, Dianne and I worked in the stables, cleaning out stalls and helping to feed and groom the horses.
Because we were around the horses, we were also around their owners and trainers, and young, impressionable minds would pick up what they heard. Again, more is caught than taught. And one of the things we heard was the phrase “Win, place or show.” Maybe you’ve heard that as well, at some point or another, and you’ve wondered what it meant.
The phrase relates to betting on horses. You can place money on a horse to win. That is self-explanatory. Or to place, and that simply means they will place in 1st or 2nd place.
The third option is to bet that they will show, and that simply means that they will place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
Now, the best payout is obviously when you place a bet to win, and the horse actually wins.
This is week two of our Therefore series, and during the next couple of months, we will be looking at scriptures that use the word “Therefore” because, as we all know, whenever you see a therefore in the Bible, you need to go back and see what it’s, therefore.
And so two weeks ago I preached from Galatians 6:10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. Last Sunday Pastor Deborah preached from Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
Today, I would like to focus on Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Now if we take the “therefore” out, it still kind of makes sense: Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
But even though it might kind of make sense, it doesn’t convey the message the author is trying to get across. And by itself, it doesn’t tell us who this huge crowd of witnesses was, what they had done and where they had come from.
And maybe, you’re wondering, “well, that’s all well and good, Denn, but what does that have to do with horse racing.”
Nothing.
But if we go back to chapter 11 to see what the “therefore” is there for, we find a description of some people who won, some who placed, some who showed, and others who just barely made it across the finish line. And they are the folks who make up the huge crowd of witnesses to our life of faith.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
This passage is a hinge that opens the gate from the past to the present.
We need to remember that when the Book of Hebrews was written, it was not divided into chapters and verses. It was just a letter. None of the bible was divided up into chapters and verses at that point. That is a fairly recent innovation, and there is nothing sacred about it. It was simply done for convenience.
As more and more people began reading the Bible, it became necessary to make navigating the text easier.
You can imagine asking someone, “Where is that one part of the bible when King David talks about God knowing us even before we were born?”
And maybe they could narrow it down by saying, “I think it’s somewhere in the Psalms.” Which isn’t super helpful, considering there are over 30,000 words in the Psalms.
Even if you tried narrowing it down by saying, “You know, he wrote about how God knit together in the womb.” It would be a lot easier for them to just be able to say, it’s found in Psalm 139:13–16. And then you could go to the bible and look up, Psalm 139:13–16 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvellous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
For you history nerds out there, the first English translation of the bible that was printed using chapters and verses was the Geneva Bible in 1560, which became the first English Bible for the common person.
That was a bit of a tangent to simply make the point that Hebrews chapter 12 wasn’t written to be a stand-alone document.
Even going back to the beginning of Hebrews chapter 11, where we read Hebrews 11:1–2 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. Doesn’t tell all of the story, even though that is the beginning of what is often called the “Faith Hall of Fame.”
Instead, we need to go back to Hebrews 10:36–39 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.
And then the author of the book, by the way, we have no idea who the author was, and if someone says they know for sure who the author was, be careful because if they lie about that, they’ll lie about other things as well. And yes, that was another tangent.
The author then takes the next forty verses to regal us with stories of faith and obedience and they finish with these words, Hebrews 11:39–40 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.
And then, in the next chapter, we read Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
And because of what happened yesterday with those heroes of faith, we are given direction and encouragement for how to live today.
We are reminded that we are not alone. That we are part of a group, part of a family. And we are being cheered on by those who have gone before us. So, what are we being called to do?
The analogy that is used by the author is running a race. And so, let’s go back to where we started.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
We Need to Prepare to Run the Race
Picture a runner who is trying to run while wearing a long flowing robe or with sneakers that were untied, and the laces were flapping as they ran. Either instance would be a tripping hazard.
Or if they ran wearing heavy jeans and a winter coat. When I was in high school, there was a guy in my class who was a runner, and he ran every day at lunchtime with a knapsack on his back full of weights. But that was just for training when he was running in competitions, he took the knapsack and weights off.
The last time I spoke, we looked at Galatians 6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
And I mentioned that the word that was used for sin here in the original language meant to stumble or slip. It wasn’t an intentional sin—and you know the difference between slipping into sin and planning your sin out.
In one of my first churches, I had a gentleman who used a radar detector, and when I challenged him on that, he said it was for those times when he was inadvertently speeding. And when I asked him if he turned it off when he was intentionally speeding, he didn’t have an answer.
And the author doesn’t define what type of sin it is that so easily trips us up. Because it’s different for each of us, what tempts you may not necessarily tempt me.
If I were to survey the room to find out what food it was that tempted you, I would suspect that it would be a long and varied list. You might be willing to blow your diet for brussel sprouts and fried liver, and that wouldn’t tempt me in the least.
I don’t know what it is that tempts you or what it is that you struggle with, but you do. And we are told to that if we want to run the race well, it would be best to run it without whatever it is that weighs us down and trips us up.
Jesus was a lot more to the point when he told his followers Matthew 5:29–30 So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Did Jesus mean that we should literally maim ourselves? No, that would seem to be out of step with his teaching, but he often used imagery, metaphors, and allegories to teach. Many times, exaggerating a point to make a point. In this case, he is using Hyperbole (Hi, Per, Bo, lee)
Are there areas of your life that need to be plucked out or cut off to help you run the race, or perhaps even for your spiritual safety?
Are there shows you shouldn’t watch, books you shouldn’t read, music or podcasts you shouldn’t listen to because they take your mind and thoughts to places they shouldn’t go?
Are there places you shouldn’t go because of what they represent or the temptations that might be there? If you struggle with alcohol, then maybe you shouldn’t be hanging out in a bar, or wandering the aisles at NSLC.
If you struggle with gambling, then maybe going to the Casino for a meal or show might be dangerous. If you struggle with lust, then maybe you should avoid the beach or the pool.
Are there people you shouldn’t hang out with because they bring out the worst in you? And maybe you’re thinking, well, Jesus hung out with sinners. Yes, he did, and he brought out the best in them. They didn’t bring out the worst in him.
But ultimately, I can’t make those decisions for you. Only you can.
Let’s keep going, Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
We not only have to prepare for the Race, but We Have to Run the Race
It was Mark Twain who said, “The secret to getting ahead is getting started.”
And that practically perfect nanny, Mary Poppins, who said, “Well begun is half done!”
And this isn’t just any race. It’s the race that God has set before us. It has a start, and that is when we confess our sins to God and ask for his forgiveness.
God’s not looking for a list of everything you’ve ever done wrong in your life. And then there was the time in fourth grade.
Instead, God is looking for an acknowledgement that we know that we are a sinner, that we’ve disappointed him with our behaviour and that we want him to change us.
John reminds us in 1 John 1:8–9 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
So, we not only have to strip off every weight that slows us down in preparation for the race, but we also need to start the race, and once we’ve started, we need to finish the race.
And the race has a finish, Paul wrote in Philippians 3:14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
So, the race finishes when we step into eternity.
And in between the start and the finish is this little thing called life, and during that time, we are called to be obedient. That is the race that God has set before us. Since the baptistry is open, this would be a good time to mention that the first point of obedience in your Christian life is baptism. That’s why Peter said in his sermon in Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”
And Jesus told those who wanted to follow him, Mark 16:16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
Let’s keep going, Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
We are to Run the Race with Endurance
It is here that we discover that not only should we run the race and run it unencumbered, but we need to run the race with endurance.
We are not only called to start the race, but we are called to finish the race.
It doesn’t matter how well you start if you don’t actually finish the race.
Billy Sunday was a professional baseball player who left the game in 1891 to become a preacher. And he wasn’t just any preacher. He was the best-known preacher of his time, someone said that Billy Sunday was the Billy Graham of his day, but the truth is that Billy Graham was the Billy Sunday of his day.
Billy Sunday said, “Stopping at third adds no more to the score than striking out. It doesn’t matter how well you start if you fail to finish.”
Paul reminded the early church in Galatians 6:9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
We will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. If we do give up, we reap nothing—zip, zero, nada. There won’t even be a participation ribbon.
When I was a teenager, I was really good at starting things. I started my ham radio license, I started my scuba certification, I started my private pilot’s license, and I started guitar lessons. But in each of those cases, I didn’t finish what I started. I just quit.
If I hadn’t given up, I would have reaped the harvest of a ham radio license, a scuba certification, my private pilot’s license, and I would be playing guitar with the worship team.
But, because I quit, I never got my ham radio license, my scuba certification, or my private pilot’s license, and I can’t play guitar.
Last Saturday, I drove to Moncton to celebrate the 50th anniversary of my cousin’s ordination as a Baptist minister. I bet there were a lot of people ordained in 1973 who quit along the way.
On Sunday, I drove to Kentville to speak at New Hope Wesleyan Church. They were celebrating Scott Prime’s 25th anniversary as their pastor. There were a number of other Wesleyan Pastors who went to churches in 1998, but they only stayed for a few years.
And by the way, Pastor Marilyn’s brother Dale McDonald celebrated his 40th anniversary as Pastor of Woodstock Wesleyan this year as well.
And on Monday, I drove to Yarmouth Wesleyan church to attend the funeral for Rev Karl Gorham, a good friend of mine who passed away at the age of 90. He graduated from Bethan Bible College in 1954, and for the past 69 years, he pastored and taught in churches in Nova Scotia and South Africa. Karl ran the race with endurance, and he didn’t quit. He finished well. He could say with the apostle Paul, 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
And you might be thinking easier said than done, which leads us to Hebrews 12:2–3 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
It’s here that we discover The Strategy of the Race
You don’t win the race by keeping your eyes on your parents, or your spouse, or on Denn, or Wesley. If we keep our eyes on people, we are bound to be disappointed.
There are any number of new feeds and social media accounts that exist only to expose the failing of Christian leaders, and people have their faith shaken because they’ve had their eyes set on a person, and then that person disappointed them.
Instead, we are told to look to Jesus for our example, and that can only happen when we read his story and when we walk close to him.
How’s your race going? Have you started?