RUNNING WITH THE GIANTS Part 6 – Jesus
(Hebrews 12:1 NIV) 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.
(Hebrews 4:15 MSG) We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all–all but the sin.
(Hebrews 12:2-3 MSG) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed–that exhilarating finish in and with God–he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
When you don’t feel like you can run anymore…
“Keep your eyes on Jesus”
HOW HE DID IT
1. Forgive everyone who’s trying to ruin your life.
(Luke 23:34a NIV) Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
(Matthew 6:14-15 NIV) For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
2. Help others who are experiencing your same struggle.
(Luke 23:39-43 NIV) One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Isaiah 58:10 NIV) …and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
3. Be sure you’ve taken care of those closest to you.
(John 19:26-27 NIV) When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
4. Realize that until you get to heaven, there are some things you will never understand.
(Matthew 27:46 NIV) About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice… “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
5. Be human enough to acknowledge your need.
(John 19:28-29 NIV) Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.
6. Be assured, there is a purpose and an end.
(John 19:30 NIV) When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
7. Finally, surrender your day to God and let it go.
(Luke 23:46 MSG) Jesus called loudly, “Father, I place my life in your hands!” Then he breathed his last.
(1 Peter 5:7 NLT) Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.