This document discusses unloading baggage and hindrances that can prevent Christians from running the race of faith. It identifies things like poor self-image, defeatist attitudes, sin, and unforgiveness as encumbrances that can distract, divide, drain energy and slow one's pace. It encourages readers to acknowledge encumbrances, rely on Christ's strength to lay them aside, and trust that God will enable them to put hindrances down through discipline and decision-making. The conclusion emphasizes that fulfilling God's plan requires laying aside all hindrances and that God will set people free through faith in the Holy Spirit's power to do away with displeasing things.

1. UNLOADING
YOUR BAGGAGES
Ps. Alvin Gutierrez

2. HEBREWS 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great
cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that
hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let
us run with perseverance the race marked out for
us,

3. HEBREWS 12:1-13
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter
of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the
cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God.

4. HEBREWS 12:1-13
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from
sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose
heart.

5. ENCUMBRANCE

6. A POOR SELF-IMAGE.
• Negative comments can cause
us to doubt our value.

7. A DEFEATIST ATTITUDE.
• If we think we’re beaten by our
circumstances, we’ll never try.

8. FEELINGS OF REJECTION.
• Being devalued by others is painful
and leaves us feeling unworthy.

9. PERFECTIONISM.
• Putting off tasks keeps us from
accomplishing our goals.

10. A FEAR OF FAILURE.
• We’ll miss wonderful
opportunities from God if we let
anxiety hinder us.

12. PROCRASTINATION.
• Putting off tasks keeps us from
accomplishing our goals.

13. A LACK OF SELF-CONTROL.
• If we can’t control our impulses,
we’re easily persuaded and led
off track.

14. A LACK OF CONCENTRATION.
• When our minds drift, we can’t
accomplish much.

15. A NEGATIVE ATTITUDE.
• Pessimism has a negative
impact on our work and
relationships.

16. A SUSPICIOUS ATTITUDE.
• Being suspicious of others’
motives keeps us from accepting
love and friendship.

17. INDECISION.
• An inability to make decisions
prevents us from progressing.

18. SIN

19. SIN
• It’s our primary area of weakness.
• It’s one we must continually guard
against because it tempts us most.
• It’s difficult to resist and frequently
ensnares us.
• It divides our mind when we think
about it.

20. SIN
• It hinders our relationships with
others.
• It surfaces when we pray.
• It strikes at our self-respect.
• It hinders our relationships with
God.

21. UNFORGIVENESS.
• When we can’t let go of past hurts,
it damages us and hinders our
relationships with God.

22. A CRITICAL SPIRIT.
• If all we do is criticize, we can hurt
others and ourselves.

23. A JEALOUS SPIRIT.
• If we always desire what others
have, we’re never happy with
ourselves.

24. GREED.
• A desire for more causes us to hurt
others to get what we want.

25. PRIDE.
• God hates it when we are conceited
about our social standing,
possessions, or looks.

26. DECEIT.
• Habitually lying makes us
deceptive.

27. LUST.
• When love is replaced by lust, our
desire is out of control.

28. UNBELIEF.
• Although we may claim to believe the
Bible, too often we’re unwilling to
trust in God to provide for our needs.

29. ANGER.
• Perpetual anger robs us of
happiness.

30. BITTERNESS.
• This is a poison that prevents us
from giving and receiving love.

31. SLANDER.
• Spreading lies about others makes
us malicious.

32. LOVE OF MONEY.
• A continuous desire for wealth
easily trips us up.

33. IDOLATRY.
• Whatever we place before God is
an idol.

34. SIN
• Distract us.
• Divide our minds and send us off
track.
• Drain our energy.
• Slow our pace.
• Cause us to stumble.
• Are destructive.

35. RESOLUTION

36. RESOLUTION
• Admitting to the Lord that we have
an encumbrance in our lives.
• Acknowledging our entangling sin.
• Taking responsibility for the baggage,
no matter where it came from.
• Making a definite decision to deal
with it.

37. RESOLUTION
• Laying it aside because it doesn’t fit us
as Christ’s followers.
• Relying on Christ’s strength to put it
down and walk away.
• Knowing the Lord will enable us to lay
it aside.
• Understanding it is discipline that
determines the outcome of our
decisions and destinies.

38. CONCLUSION

39. CONCLUSION
The Lord has planned the best race for each of us.
However, we can’t win and fulfill His plan until
every hindrance is laid aside.

40. CONCLUSION
We don’t have to carry baggage and continue
failing in our efforts to overcome the sins in our
lives.

41. CONCLUSION
God will set us free if we’ll believe Him, and by faith
in the power of the Holy Spirit, make a conscious
choice to do away with whatever is displeasing to
Him.