Tuesday, January 13, 2009

"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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who 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" (Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV).

IDEA:  To live well means throwing off "everything that hinders" our choices as well as trusting in God's power.

PURPOSE: To help listeners consider how they might throw off what hinders them in their Christian experience.

If you were about to run a marathon and you were told to throw off everything that gets in your way, what things do you think that might involve?
• Excess weight
• Heavy clothes

I. In Hebrews 12:1, the writer urges the reader to "throw off everything that hinders." 

What might that involve in practical life for the readers of this letter?

What might that involve for us?

Could something be a hindrance to one Christian and not to another?

II. Are there some actions that we might take to "throw off things that hinder"? How might you go about that in your life?

We need to be honest with ourselves when things have come up in our lives that are getting in the way of our Christian race.

Are there habits that have cropped up in your life that keep you from racing your heart out for Jesus Christ?

What keeps you from serving your priorities? Admit it.