Scriptures to read and ponder

  • Main teaching text - Hebrews 12:1–3 (NIV) —

    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 that was 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.

  • Other scriptures:

    • 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NRSV) — “All things are lawful… but not all things are beneficial.” (used to define “every weight that hinders”). 

    • Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) — God’s workmanship; good works prepared beforehand (the race “marked out” but we must run it). 

    Sermon Recap

    Big Idea — “Eyes on the Prize!”

    • The Christian life is a race (Greek agōn): not a stroll but a contested struggle requiring effort, strain and endurance. 

    Opening Illustration — Focus and Discipline

    • Steph Curry (widely regarded as the greatest three-point shooter) has made 4,000+ threes; behind each public shot are ~1,000 unseen practice shots (≈4,000,000 over ~22 years at 500/day). Discipline, elimination, and focus produce excellence. 

    1) The Arena & the Audience — “Great cloud of witnesses”

    • Hebrews 11 functions like a hall of faith. Their lives testify that God is faithful and urge us on: Don’t give up. Keep running. The finish line is worth it. 

    • Their story becomes our story; all of it is part of His story across generations. 

    2) From Them to Us — “Let us run”

    • The camera moves from the stands to the track. Their witness becomes our challenge and responsibility to run our race in our generation. 

    3) Preparation Before Acceleration

    • Throw off every weight that hinders: not necessarily sinful, but not helpful for the race (1 Cor 10:23). Ask, “Does this help me run?” Travel light. 

    • Throw off the sin that so easily entangles: like vines round the ankles; confession and decisive elimination precede healthy pace. 

    • Run — with endurance: not short bursts but long, steady, rhythmic, patient running across seasons. 

    • Practical illsutration used: screen-time challenge vs Bible time; Bible can be read cover-to-cover in ~80 hours (~30 mins/day → twice per year). 

    • Packing light: Gospel Riders example — reduce to the essentials so nothing hinders the journey. 

    4) The Course — “Marked out for us”

    • Not random: God has prepared good works beforehand (Eph 2:10). Not fatalism: we must run, persevere, and not quit. 

    5) The Focus — “Fixing our eyes on Jesus”

    • Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of faith; He endured the cross with joy and now sits enthroned. Our race is toward Him; He is our goal and finish line. 

    Memorable quotes

    • “Elimination comes before acceleration.” 

    • “The question isn’t ‘Is this allowed?’ but ‘Is this helping me run?’” 

    • “Travel light. Run free.” 

    • “Their witness becomes our challenge.” 

    • “The race of faith is measured not in seconds but in seasons.” 

    • “We are not running away from things. We are running toward Him!” 

    • Churchill: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.” (hook for agōn). 

    • “Eyes on the prize! He is the goal. He is the finish line. He is the author and finisher of your faith.” 

    Questions for discussion

    1. When you hear that life in Christ is a race (agōn), what shifts in your mindset or habits feel necessary right now? 

    2. Which figure from the “great cloud of witnesses” most encourages you at present, and why? How could their story shape your next step this week? 

    3. Identify weights (lawful but unhelpful) in your life. What will you eliminate in the next 7 days to run lighter? 

    4. Where is entangling sin tripping you? What confession, boundary, or accountability do you need to “cut it loose”? 

    5. Endurance practices: what steady, sustainable rhythms (Scripture, prayer, community) will help you run through seasons, not just moments? 

    6. “Race marked out”: where do you sense God’s prepared works for you now? What one obedient action will you take this week? 

    7. Practically, how will you fix your eyes on Jesus each day (morning focus, mid-day recalibration, evening examen)? 

    Further reading

    • Hebrews 11 — the “hall of faith” behind the cloud of witnesses referenced in the sermon. 

    • Hebrews 12:1–3 (re-read slowly in NIV) — meditate on each verb: throw off… run… fix your eyes. 

    • 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NRSV) — reflect on “helpful vs. lawful” as you audit your week. 

    • Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) — journal on the good works God has prepared for you. 

    Prayer points

    • Thanksgiving: Father, thank You for the great cloud of witnesses whose lives point us to Your faithfulness across generations. 

    • Repentance: We confess weights and sins that have slowed us; give us grace to throw them off decisively. 

    • Endurance: Holy Spirit, form in us long, steady, rhythmic perseverance—faith for seasons, not seconds. 

    • Focus: Jesus, fix our gaze on You—the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Recalibrate our hearts when we’re weary or distracted. 

    • Calling: Lead us to run the race marked out for us, walking in the good works You prepared beforehand. 

    • Community: Make LWC a people who help one another travel light and run free—encouraging, correcting, and cheering each other on.