Hebrews 12:13

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Hebrews 121-3
The Start The Race The Finish
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Figurative language

• A figure of speech where one thing represents
  another
• Examples
• Darkness represents sin
• Light represents righteousness
• In this passage, running a race will represent
  the life we should be living

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Hebrews 121-3
Context, Hebrews 11

• Therefore, 121, points back to chp 11
• The previous lesson
• What faith is
• What faith does
• Faith is active and obedient
• Faith involves assurance, conviction and approval

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Hebrews 121-3
Context, Hebrews 11

• Heb 1139-40
• God responded to their faith
• God rewarded those who were diligent in seeking
  Him
• Christians have something better

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The Start

• Heb 121-3
• If others (Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, etc.) had
  an active faith in obedience to God
• Our faith should be no different
• Like runners in a race
• Every race has similarities
• The Start, The Race, and The Finish

Hebrews 121-3
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The Start

• The Start of the race
• You cant just start when and where you want
• A time is appointed for the start
• A place is appointed for the start
• What about in the Christian race?

Hebrews 121-3
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The Start
Repent, and be baptized, Acts 238 cf. Acts
812, 838, etc You cant assume youre in the
race You need to know how and where to start
Hebrews 121-3
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The Race

• Once youve started right
• You still have to run the race
• You have to run according to the rules
• You have to run on the course marked out
• No attempt at shortcuts allowed
• What about our Christian race?

Hebrews 121-3
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The Race
If anyone competes in athletics, he is not
crowned unless he competes according to the
rules, 2 Tim. 25 A truth in all realms of human
endeavor Athletics, education, finance, war,
etc
Hebrews 121-3
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The Race

• Why do we need rules?
• To establish order
• To provide discipline
• To keep us directed
• To generate and maintain unity
• Even in religion, rules are needed
• Some would prefer no rules, or flexible rules,
  but Christ has laid out the rules

Hebrews 121-3
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The Finish

• We are in a marathon, not a sprint
• From baptism until death
• A sustained effort required to make it to the
  finish
• Running a good race doesnt matter if you dont
  cross the finish line
• What about in our Christian race?

Hebrews 121-3
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The Finish
2 Tim. 46-8 I have finished the race The
finish line is the end of our lives
Hebrews 121-3
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The Finish

• Heb 1139-123
• The faithful of chapter 11 ran a race without
  seeing the end,
• but by faith knowing God had a reward for them
• We know the goal
• We have an example (Jesus) who showed the way

Hebrews 121-3
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Hebrews 121-3
The Start The Race The Finish
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