1) The document discusses how life is like a marathon race that Christians must endure and finish. 2) It encourages readers to look to Jesus as an example of enduring hardship, as he endured the cross for our salvation. 3) The key is to endure hardship with endurance, patience, and joy, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus as we run the Christian race.

1. A Marathon of Peace
Lesson Text: Hebrews 12:1-3
Maud church of Christ
By Jim Bradshaw
Sunday Evening, July 27, 2014

2. 1. Some People Love to Exercise
2. Some run 10k’s or even Marathon’s.
3. Our life is a Marathon.
1Ti 4:7-8 ESV Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.
Rather train yourself for godliness; (8) for while bodily training
is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds
promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

3. We are Surrounded
Heb 12:1-3 ESV Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud
of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so
closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (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. (3) Consider him who
endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not
grow weary or fainthearted.
 All of those Heroes of faith.
 By the Heavy weights of Life & sin

4. We Look to Jesus
Heb 12:1-3 ESV Therefore, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight, and sin
which clings so closely, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us, (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. (3) Consider him who endured from
sinners such hostility against himself, so that
you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

5. We Look to Jesus
Endurance – (hupomonē) Thayer Definition:
1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance
1a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who
is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and
his loyalty to faith and piety by even the
greatest trials and sufferings
1b) patiently, and steadfastly
2) a patient, steadfast waiting for
3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

6. We Look to Jesus
To Run with Endurance
Jas 1:2-5 ESV Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of
various kinds, (3) for you know that the testing of your faith produces
steadfastness. (4) And let steadfastness have its full effect,
that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (5) If any of
you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without
reproach, and it will be given him.
Endurance – (hupomonē)
Jas 5:11 ESV Behold, we consider those blessed who remained
steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have
seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and
merciful.

7. We Look to Jesus
Heb 12:1-3 ESV Therefore, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight, and sin
which clings so closely, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us, (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. (3) Consider him who endured from
sinners such hostility against himself, so that
you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Endure with Joy

8. We Look to Jesus
Joy is the emotion caused by the expectation
of good.
Hope is the expectation of good. For a
Christian it is the expectation of eternal life.
Only a Christian has true hope and joy.
Endure with Joy

9. We Look to Jesus
Endure to Finish
1Th 4:13-18 ESV But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers,
about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who
have no hope. (14) For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen
asleep. (15) For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we
who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede
those who have fallen asleep. (16) For the Lord himself will descend
from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and
with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise
first. (17) Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we
will always be with the Lord. (18) Therefore encourage one another
with these words.

10. We Must Not Grow Weary
It is easy to get tired in life

11. Gal 6:9-10 ESV And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in
due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (10) So then, as we
have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to
those who are of the household of faith.

12. We Must Not Grow Weary
Heb 12:3 ESV Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility
against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Rev 14:13 ESV And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this:
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed
indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their
deeds follow them!"