Run Your Race of Faith Well in 2025 Part 2 Hebrews 12:1-3

The writer of Hebrews says, “Let us lay aside of every weight.” The idea is to cast aside or throw anything that is hindering your ability to run. Runners in antiquity would run with very little clothing. Some would even run the race nude. They did not want an excess clothing hindering their ability to run efficiently and effectively.

Since we are running the race of faith, what is the Christian to lay aside or throw off? Once again, there are a couple of layers in our answer. The first layer to consider is throwing off anything that would hinder faithful obedience to Jesus. With this idea, it is not necessarily something that is sinful. It could be a good thing in and of itself, but for you it may become a hinderance. For example, think about food.

Food is a gift and provision from God to his image bearers. On the one hand, He created the body to need food to survive. On the other hand, he created food to be enjoyable. He gave us thousands of taste buds that just get giddy when sweet and savory food enter our mouth. God uses food to minister to us in so many diverse ways. We fellowship with each other over a meal. We celebrate weddings with a feast. We comfort one another with food as we mourn the death of a loved one. One of the greatest moments in our eternal life will be when we sit down to the wedding feast of the Lamb. Food is good, and yet, we pervert food.

January is the season of resolutions. One of the most ambitious resolutions Americans make at this time of year is to eat healthier, be more active, or go on a diet. Why? We need a diet because we’ve allowed food to become a hinderance to our obedience to Jesus.

If Jesus were to put a passion in your heart to bring the gospel to an unreached people group in a mountainous area South America, would gluttony keep you from satisfying that kingdom driven passion? If so, food, which is a good thing, has become a hinderance for you. The writer of Hebrews says, “Lay aside your excessive love for food, get on that diet, and run your race of faith well.”

Maybe you are sitting there saying, “Pastor, that is easier said than done.” Amen. I agree with you. The writer of Hebrews says when we allow our love for food to become gluttony, we’ve entangle ourselves in sin.

The writer of Hebrews says to lay aside all hinderances and sin that easily entangle us. The idea of entangles is something that easily ensnares us or trips us up. Sin, like our foot getting caught on a rope or wire while we are running, knocks us down. It keeps us from running the race of faith.

Sin can be powerfully attractive. Imagine you are a world-class athlete who trained for years to compete in the Olympics. On the day of the final race for your chance to win the gold medal, you wonder over to the javelin throw. You get so caught up in the competition of the javelin throw, you loose focus and are lured away from your race, missing the opportunity of a lifetime. This is how power of the attractiveness of sin can draw us away from running the race of faith well.

Isn’t this what happened to King David? King David was a man after God’s heart. For years he faithfully ran his race well, until he got entangled with lust, and was drawn in by the beauty of Bathsheba. His initial choice to linger and admire led to adultery and ultimately to his downfall.

If we are going to run the race of faith well in 2025, we need to throw away anything that hinders us from running well. We need to address besetting sins that keep us from drawing closer to Christ. Is there a good thing that God has given you, that you have perverted and made into an idol? Is there a sin that seems to grab ahold of you that you seem to have no ability to overcome? Is it an unhealthy relationship with food? Is it irrational fear that looks more like unbelief? Is it lust that draws you into pornography, or unholy thoughts? Do you have a tendency to over exaggerate details or lie to yourself? Are you prone to stirring up strife? Are you a jealous person? Is your faith more like a wave tossed in the ocean than a tree planted by streams of water? Whatever it is, you need to address it. You need to fight for your faith. Thomas Schreiner wise notes,

Hebrews Exegesis

The Christian life is not easy; it takes strength and discipline, just as ardor and determination are needed to run a race.

Running the race God set before you with endurance (1c).

Not only are you to lay aside sin and hinderances to your faith, but you are to run that race God has set before you with patience.

Hebrews 12:1

English Standard Version Chapter 12

let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

The phrase “let us run” suggests that efforts are involved, there is a chance of success or failure, and it emphasizes the importance of moving forward. As a track coach, I would always tell my runners, “You never look back unless you plan of going there.” That is, your race is meant to be forward progress. You don’t look to the left, and you don’t look to the right. Keep you head down and your eyes up look ahead. Furthermore, when the author uses the first-person plural, he invite us all to share in this journey together with him. He is running the race as well as his readers. We must run the race of faith together, and yet, we each have a unique race to run.

The race that is set before me is different than the race set before you, brothers and sisters. Although we are running the race of faith together, my race of faith is a calling to shepherd God’s people, preach his word, and equip the saints for ministry. We are not in competition with each other.

While I was running my 5k, I noted I was being passed by an elderly woman on my left side. By the looks of her, she looked like she had been running 5K’s all of her life. She had obviously discipline her body with diet and exercise, and knew more about running so that she ran efficiently. She ran her race, and she ran it well. It would’ve been a mistake for me to try to run her race. I would not have finished.

In the same way brothers and sisters, we are not to compete with each other as we run. God has each given us a race to run. By faith we will run together, but each of our races are unique. Each of us are gifted to serve the church, community, and home in various ways for the glory of Jesus. Each are vital and necessary to the life and health of the church. Some serves are very public, like preaching and teaching, while others are like your pinky toe covered with a sock and a shoe, they are subtle and discrete. If God has ordained them to be, both the public and discrete ministries are important to Him. He will not only require you to fulfill them, but he will give you his strength to finish well (1 Peter 4:11). It will require endurance and patience.

Dr. Albert Mohler offers a helpful piece of wisdom for us on endurance and our faithfulness to keep running well. Mohler says,

“In typical races the vast majority of people only watch. Very few actually run. In the Christian life, the starting pistol has been fired. From the moment of our salvation until the moment of our death, all are running a race. Paul tells Timothy, “I have finished the race” (2 Tim 4:7). All believers want to be able to say the same. Finishing the race is the product of endurance. God’s elect endure to the end and finish the race set before them.

No believer runs with endurance by his own strength. We are beset with weaknesses. What endurance we run with is entirely of Christ. We only endure because we belong to him. As 1 Peter 1:5 teaches, we are being guarded by God’s power. But this does not mean that we passively endure. God does not honor the saints of the Old Testament because they were passive. They were actively faithful. Likewise, God calls us today to a race that requires active faithfulness.”

God requires you to run your unique race well, with your brothers and sisters help, and the strength God provides, while fixing your eyes on Jesus.

Christian, run the race of faith well by fixing your eyes on Jesus the exemplar and completer of your faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

The writer says, “looking to Jesus.” Everyone who runs a race must keep their eyes on the prize. For the marathon runner, it’s crown and medal at the end of the race. For the Christian, it is Kings Jesus, the founder and perfecter of your faith.

The idea of looking means to not get distracted, but to center your attention on Jesus. Do not let your yes focus on your current surroundings or circumstances. Always be looking forward as the Greek expresses this phrase as a continuous action, or a habitual action.

One of the greatest distractions of the church in my life time, in my humble opinion, has been politics. I am a firm believer that Christians should exercise their privilege to engage peacefully in the political arena. That being said, is it possible we have crossed the line from peaceful engagement to idolatry? How much has American politics consumed the attention and resources of the church? It’s as if we’ve fixed our eyes on political candidates and agendas than we have on King Jesus and His Great Commission.

What you talk about most reveals what you love most. What you love most reveals where you are fixing your eyes the most. Fi we are going to run the race well, we need to fix our eyes on Jesus.

Three reasons why we look to Jesus to run well.

Jesus is the exemplar and completer of your faith (2a).

The ESV translates the text founder and perfecter of your faith, which is fine. A more literal translation might say “source and perfecter” of your faith. I chose to try to capture both meanings with the words “exemplar and completer.”

Different transitions capture the diverse nuance of this word. The HCSB renders the it “source.” The ESV uses the word “founder;” the NIV, NRSV, and NET uses the word “pioneer.” The NLT uses the word “champion.” I think Thomas Schreiner is on to something when he says of this text, “Jesus is the pathfinder for faith, functioning as an example, which also accords with He2:10.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

10 For it twas fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

So in order to capture the essence of Jesus begining the source of you faith on the one hand, and the example by which we follow on the other, fix your eyes on Jesus the exemplar of your faith. He’s not jus the exemplar, he is the one who brings your faith to completion.

So, putting these two ideas together. Jesus the exemplar and completer of your faith. That is, as William Lane points out, our faith finds its point of origination and final development in Christ. Jesus initiates your faith and he finishes your faith. As Dr. Albert Mohler profoundly puts it, “Jesus is both the cornerstone and the capstone. He is the unshakable ground on which our hope and salvation rest. Without him, our faith is futile and we have no basis for belief. If Jesus is not who he says he is, then our faith is in vain (1 Cor 15:14–15). It is not an overstatement to say that the entire Christian faith rests on the validity of Christ’s person and work.”

As the pioneer and champion, founder and perfecter, exemplar and completer of your faith, Jesus is the incarnated God man who came to earth, ran his race perfectly, was crucified on a cross as a substitutionary sacrifice of atonement, raised from the dead three days later, ascended into heaven where sits now at the right hand of the father interceding for the saints, who poured out his spirit to seal and empower his elect to run the race well until they cross the finish line in glory. Keep your eyes fixed on him so you can run your race well, and he will keep his eyes on you making sure you complete your race.

Jesus used joy to endure the cross and despise its shame (2b).

Hebrews 12:2

English Standard Version Chapter 12

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and cis seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

In ancient times, during Greco-Roman athletic events like races, officials would present prizes to the athletes. This was intended to motivate them to compete well and win. In our text, joy was placed before Jesus as he approached the most critical part of his race. The joy before Christ involves perfectly cleansing sinners’ consciences and granting them access to God. Furthermore, this joy is connected with Christ’s exaltation.

The joy of saving and cleansing God’s elect sinners inspired Christ to endure the cross, that is death by crucifixion. He was flogged and nailed to a Roman cross. Crucifixion was intended to be one of the most excruciating, prolonged, and shameful methods of execution. It was reserved for the most heinous criminals. It was so detestable, even Roman citizens were exempt from this horrific practice. Yet, Jesus chose to endure this kind of suffering death.

He despised its shame; that is, he did not elevate his own reputation as something to be preserved or saved. He did not defend his innocence but embraced the cross’s disgrace without casting judgment on those who crucified him, instead praying for their forgiveness and fully entrusting himself to the Father’s justice. The joy of the prize beyond the cross strengthened Jesus for faithful obedience, allowing him to run his race perfectly, even during great suffering and injustice.

Brothers and sisters, your race of faith is going to be tested. You will have trials, tribulations, and even persecutions. Jesus told us we will be hated by the world for being his followers. Paul says we cannot enter the kingdom of God but through trial and tribulations. If you are going to run your race of faith well, you must fix your eyes of Jesus. He is the joy that strengthens you through the suffering. He himself is the joy that inspires you to keep running when the path is filled with rain and mud. Jesus is the joy of the Lord that is your strength, he was for Paul.

Paul’s race was filled with suffering for Jesus. He describes it 2 Cor 11:23-29

English Standard Version Chapter 11

I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. 24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. iOnce I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for pall the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

What sustain Paul through all of his hardship? The joy of knowing Jesus. He says later on to the Corinthians,

English Standard Version Chapter 12

9 But Jesus said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast

He says to the Philippians church, it was the joy of knowing Jesus Christ, his surpassing worth, the goal his his prize, that kept him running well (Phil 3:7-11; 13-14).

English Standard Version Chapter 3

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the

Paul encouraged the Philippians to rejoice always, even during tough times. Why? Because they had the incredible joy of knowing Jesus and his resurrection as their prize! This joy in Jesus would help them run their race well, and it can help you, dear brothers and sisters, run your race beautifully in 2025 too!

Jesus is our Champion who finished His race well (2c).

In ancient Greece and Rome, victorious athletes were awarded a beautiful laurel crown made from fresh laurel leaves, which come from a charming shrub or small tree with evergreen, leathery foliage. Similar to sassafras, laurel is rich in aromatic oil (Musselman, Lytton John). You might know laurel leaves better as bay leaves. While the crown itself wasn’t particularly valuable, it symbolized immense honor and prestige, which were hard to come by in those ancient times. You either had to be born into wealth or earn it through extraordinary feats, whether as a courageous warrior or a celebrated athlete. Champions could emerge from various backgrounds and truly transform their lives. Once the athletic games concluded, the champion had the esteemed privilege of sitting at the right hand of royalty (Albert Mohler).

In verse 2, the author draws a poignant parallel to Jesus. After he completed his race, enduring the cross and overcoming shame, he became our Champion. By his perfect life, death, resurrection, and ascension, He transformed our status from sinner to saint, offering us abundant eternal life. And when he ascended into heaven, he took his place at the right hand of divine royalty, the majestic throne of God, where he intercedes for us right now. Jesus finished his race well.

In light of this, the writer of Hebrews says to consider Jesus in verse 3.

English Standard Version Chapter 12

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

When you grow weary or feel faint-hearted, fix your eyes on Jesus, the exemplifier and completer of your faith, who is your source of strength to continue running until the end. Fix your eyes on Jesus, who shows you how to embrace the joy of knowing Him and the promises of abundant life He offers, allowing you to endure hardship and suffering. Fix your eyes on Jesus, your Champion who finished His race well, who now sits at the Father's right hand, praying for you to run your race with well all the way home.

Related Media

Related Sermons

Earn an accredited degree from Redemption Seminary with Logos.