LET'S LOSE WEIGHT.

Hb. 1-9 discusses sacrifices; 10 addresses the transition; 11 is the Hall of Faith, and 12 speaks of this race or marathon of faith.

I began running with an 85-year-old man who has been a marathon runner for decades. Perseverance in a race requires the correct movements, speed, and the appropriate gear... running is more manageable than walking.

In 2 Timothy 4:7, the Apostle Paul mentions the race he runs several times because it's not a casual walk but a marathon. A marathon has defined objectives and rules, and it's a culmination, a reward…

Chapter 12 begins with 'Therefore,' referring to Hebrews 11, which deals with the hall of fame of faith and the multitude of witnesses who lived by faith... By faith Sarah... by faith Abraham... by faith Abel... by faith... They tested the excellent testimony of living by faith. They ran the marathon of faith that was set before each of them. Now, it's our turn to make the Church's history. We live on the foundation and legacy they left, our forefathers in the faith. And now they have passed the baton of the race to us. Thus, the author of Chapter 11 wrote to us with a sense of urgency about running the race that is set before us.

1. PREPARATION: LET'S GET RID

V.1st Let us rid ourselves of everything that hinders us, makes us slow in the race, and of the sin that easily entangles us (Have you ever seen a runner with excess fat?) To rid ourselves means to throw away... Throw away what? Every hindrance (Nutritionist, only ate pizza once a week). Any hindrance, anything that prevents me or obstructs our progress in the Christian life. Example:

An athlete needs to remove all heavy clothing and accessories and put on a light and proper clothing and footwear... this includes losing weight (excess, fat... without advocating for a specific body type). Because this way, the race becomes easier and more efficient... the same is true in the race of faith.

Note: 'The sin that easily entangles us' - he is not referring to one specific sin, but sin in general. Sin easily destroys us, entangles us, and holds us in its grip... all of us here know which sin or sins are hindering our race of faith... we need to have a healthy 'respect' for sin, not tolerating it, not negotiating with it, but getting rid of it. The question should be different from What's wrong? What's wrong with me? The question should be: Does this make it easier for me, help me to run the marathon for Christ?

2. RUN THE MARATHON WITH PERSEVERANCE -V.1B-7 -

In a marathon, you are only considered to have run the marathon if you cross the finish line.

Perseverance: King James brings the word patience. The faith that falters at the finish line is not genuine. We need to finish the race strong. Professionals cross the finish line whole.

a) There is a race or marathon for each of us... this race is for life... it's not a 100-meter dash or a 42 km... it's for life... we need to know how to manage the time and distance of this race, of this journey. It's like crossing the States... there will be ups, downs, mud, loneliness, cities with people, solitary roads... all of this is part of the program, meaning don't expect that our Christian life will only be miracles, prosperity, and joy (e.g., Dr. Myles Monroe). Important: Passivity in this race is spiritually deadly.

b) Fixing our eyes on Jesus. V.2-4 ...Several studies have proven that what you think during a marathon has a definitive weight on your result. Here, the author warns us: don't run thinking about yourself, your performance, don't run thinking about your problems... run with your eyes, your mind fixed on Jesus: our model, our captain, our leader... author and perfectionist of our faith. While we run, let's only visualize our champion running his marathon, dying on the cross, and reaching the podium in heaven... Jesus' secret was that He ran according to the rules***; He was obedient to the Father in everything. This is the rule... Jesus can now rest on His throne; His marathon is over.

3. TAKE JESUS AS AN EXAMPLE: V.3

Here is an order for us... Think carefully and compare the suffering of Jesus at the hands of sinners... if we meditate on Jesus as our reference, we will not become discouraged. And when do we become discouraged?

1) When we have wrong expectations about the Christian life... when we want the chocolate gospel and when that doesn't happen, we become crying babies…

2) We become discouraged when we overvalue our pains and think that we are the person who suffers the most in the universe. ***That's why we need to look to Jesus.

3) In Matthew 10:24, Jesus tells us that He sends us as sheep among wolves. Sometimes, following Jesus can be very difficult. If Jesus suffered, why do we think we should be exempt from suffering? Jesus made it clear that we would go through tribulations and that the race would sometimes be full of pains (like the suffering of athletes). He did not call us to a playground or a club... He called us to a war, a marathon.

Hebrews 12:4: We need patience and perseverance because we are still far from enduring what Christ endured for us.

V.5-7 speaks about submitting ourselves to the discipline of the Lord. Discipline is one of the most important elements for an athlete. It's impossible to be a marathon runner without discipline... and the best athletes ask their coach for more discipline... Discipline is correction and instruction... So, let's not be too soft and not become discouraged when we are corrected; God's discipline proves His love for us, and His discipline demonstrates that we are His children.

Conclusion 

In this race, we are not competing with anyone; we aim to overcome ourselves to conquer our sins and enemies.