Pastor Todd Marcy discusses the metaphor of life as a race in Christianity, emphasizing the importance of running with endurance and focus on Jesus as the ultimate example of perseverance. He encourages believers to shed burdens and sin, grow spiritually, and support one another in their faith journey. The message highlights that, unlike traditional races, all believers can win by following the right path together.

1. Pastor Todd Marcy
November 14, 2010

2. Did you know
that the Bible talks about us being in a race?

4. Therefore we also, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before
us,2 looking unto Jesus, the author and
finisher of our faith, who for the joy
that was set before Him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and has
sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God. (NIV)

7. OLYMPIC
DAY

10. 50%
35%
15%
OLYMPIC RUNNER
Quit Train but fail Train, Run, WIN

11. Aren’t you glad as a believer in
Christ, we are not in a solo race?
Normally we think of a race as
having one winner and a loser.
Not so with Christianity.

12. Therefore we also, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race
that is set before us, 2 looking unto
Jesus, the author and finisher of
faith, who for the joy that was set before
Him endured the cross, despising the
shames, and has sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God. (NIV)

17. John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and
destroy; I came that they might have life, and
might have it abundantly.
Juan 10:10
El ladrón no viene sino para hurtar y matar y
destruir; yo he venido para que tenga vida, y
para que la tenga en abudancia.

18. Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that
was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NIV)
2 Peter 1:5-8
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral
excellences, and in your moral excellences, knowledge and in your knowledge,
self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance,
godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly
kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render
you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
• Have the right focus and goal
• Add muscle through spiritual growth
• Become disciplined so that you endure
• Be joyful
• Strip away anything that is keeping you back
• Serve together

20. Abel says, turn around Cain run the right way.
Noah says to all the people, turn around run the
right way. Abraham, Moses, Elijah all say run the
right way. Samuel says to Saul, run the right
way. The prophets and the Apostles all say, turn
around and run the right way. Jesus says to us,
turn around and run the right way.

23. Looking to Jesus:
1. Endured the cross
2. Despised the shame
3. Has sat down on the throne of God
IF YOU ARE GOING TO RUN, RUN TO WIN!

25. I would hate to run through this life, go through
all its pain and heartache, get to the finish line
only to find out I was running the wrong race.