Running the Race

In this Wednesday evening message, Bro. Mike opens in Hebrews 12 and calls the church to take an honest look at how they are running the race of faith. He begins with the great cloud of witnesses from Hebrews 11, reminding us that these men and women of faith are not spectators watching from above, but testimonies bearing witness to the fact that following God is worth it all. From there he moves into the preparation required to run well, focusing on the two things that slow us down: weights and sin. He challenges the congregation that weights are not always sinful things, but anything that keeps us from being fully devoted to God, whether that is laziness, busyness, entertainment, or an obsession with social media. He is equally direct about sin, naming pride, anger, envy, jealousy, and gossip among the pet sins believers too often make peace with. Bro. Mike weaves in a consistent call to spiritual discipline throughout, encouraging men especially to pursue intentional habits of Bible intake, prayer, and time with God. He closes by pointing to Jesus as the ultimate example of one who endured, and challenges every believer to stop making excuses, get off the sidelines, and pursue the higher plane of life that God has for those who give themselves fully to him.