10-19-25 Greater Centennial's Sunday Morning Worship: "Faith To Run Your Race

God is doing a great work in each of us, shaping, molding, and equipping us for the unique race set before us. Sometimes, that work requires God to break us down and rebuild us, using every broken piece for His glory. We must be willing to open our hearts and mouths, asking God to start revival within us, to set us on fire, and to let His work begin in us first. Like King David at Ziklag, there are moments when we must encourage ourselves in the Lord, reminding ourselves that God’s hand is on our lives, even when others can’t see it or when we face discouragement and opposition.

Faith is the foundation of our journey. Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith is not about what we see, but about trusting in what God has promised, even when it’s invisible to the natural eye. Each of us has been given a measure of faith, and each of us has a race to run—our own race, not someone else’s. God has equipped us for our specific journey, providing what we need for every challenge, every valley, and every victory. The stories of the faithful—those who crossed the Red Sea, marched around Jericho, and Rahab who trusted God despite her label—show us that faith is often proven in adversity and in moments when we must be silent, trust, and obey.

Sometimes, God will send unexpected confirmation through others, as He did for me through a stranger who spoke words of encouragement and affirmation. God uses witnesses, both in scripture and in our lives, to remind us that we are not alone and that He is lighting our path. Even when we have been rejected, labeled, or counted out, God’s faithfulness remains, and He can use our past and our pain for His purpose.

Running our race with faith means looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him. Because He overcame, we too can overcome. We are called to lay aside every weight and sin, to run with endurance, and to trust that God is working all things together for our good. No matter what labels others have put on us, no matter how many times we’ve fallen, God’s love and grace are sufficient. He wipes the slate clean, gives us a fresh start, and calls us to walk in freedom and victory. We are winners, not because of our own strength, but because God is on our side and He is doing a great work in us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Work Begins Within: True transformation starts when we invite God to do a great work in us, even if it means breaking us down to rebuild us. We must be willing to surrender every broken piece, trusting that God can use our pain and our past for His glory. Revival and change begin not with others, but with our own willingness to be set on fire for God. [56:13]
• 2. Faith Is for the Unseen and the Uncertain: Faith is not rooted in what we can see or prove, but in trusting God’s promises when the outcome is unclear. The measure of faith given to each of us is sufficient for our journey, especially in seasons of darkness, loneliness, or uncertainty. Our faith is most powerful when we lean on God in our lowest moments, believing He will make a way. [81:27]
• 3. Run Your Own Race: Each person has a unique race to run, equipped by God for their specific challenges and victories. Comparing ourselves to others or trying to run someone else’s race leads to frustration and defeat. God has given us exactly what we need for our journey, and our responsibility is to run with endurance, trusting His provision and guidance. [83:09]
• 4. Silence and Obedience Are Acts of Faith: Sometimes, faith requires us to be silent and trust God’s timing, as with the Israelites at Jericho. There are seasons when God calls us to hold our peace, even in the face of ridicule or misunderstanding, knowing that our breakthrough is coming. Obedience in silence can be a powerful testimony of trust and strength. [87:29]
• 5. God Redeems the Rejected and the Labeled: The stories of Rahab and Jephthah show that God’s grace is not limited by our past, our labels, or the rejection of others. Faith allows us to rise above what people say about us, to embrace God’s purpose, and to become pioneers in our families and communities. God specializes in using those who have been counted out to accomplish great things for His kingdom. [97:09]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [54:20] - God Is Doing a Great Work in Me
• [55:58] - Surrendering Broken Pieces to God
• [57:08] - Praying for Personal Revival
• [61:35] - Encouraging Yourself in the Lord
• [63:23] - Divine Encounters and Confirmation
• [76:19] - Reading Hebrews 11:29–12:2
• [79:52] - The Faith to Run Your Race
• [81:27] - What Is Faith?
• [82:54] - Running Your Own Race
• [84:40] - Crossing the Red Sea by Faith
• [87:09] - The Walls of Jericho and the Power of Silence
• [89:57] - Rahab’s Faith Beyond Labels
• [97:09] - Jephthah: Rejection and Redemption
• [101:16] - What Faith Will Do
• [105:59] - Looking to Jesus, Our Example
• [108:43] - Invitation to Salvation and Rededication
• [114:23] - Prayer for Fresh Starts
• [126:21] - Lay Council Recognition
• [135:09] - Announcements and Closing Blessing

Bible Reading

Hebrews 11:29–12:2 (ESV) —
> 29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.
> 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
> 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
> 32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—
> 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
> 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
> 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
> 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
> 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—
> 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
> 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
> 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
> 1 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.

Observation Questions

1. According to Hebrews 11:29–31, what are some specific acts that were accomplished “by faith”?
2. In the sermon, what did the pastor say about the importance of running “your own race” and not someone else’s? [[01:22:54]]
3. What role did silence play in the story of Jericho, and how did the Israelites show faith through their obedience? [[01:27:09]]
4. How did Rahab’s faith stand out, even though she was labeled and rejected by others? [[01:29:57]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The passage in Hebrews lists many people who acted “by faith.” What does this suggest about the kind of situations where faith is most needed?
2. The pastor shared that God sometimes has to “break us down to build us back up.” What might this process look like in a believer’s life? [[55:58]]
3. Why do you think the writer of Hebrews encourages us to “lay aside every weight and sin” before running our race? How does this connect to the idea of surrendering our broken pieces to God? [[01:18:00]]
4. The sermon mentioned that God uses people who have been rejected or labeled by others. What does this reveal about God’s character and His purpose for our lives? [[01:37:09]]

Application Questions

1. The pastor prayed, “God, if you got to tear me down to build me back up, do what you got to do.” Is there an area in your life where you sense God is breaking and rebuilding you? How can you surrender that area to Him this week? [[55:58]]
2. When was the last time you encouraged yourself in the Lord, like David at Ziklag? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God’s work in your life during discouraging times? [[01:01:35]]
3. The sermon emphasized running your own race and not comparing yourself to others. Are there ways you’ve been tempted to compare your journey to someone else’s? How can you focus on the unique race God has set before you? [[01:22:54]]
4. Sometimes faith means being silent and trusting God’s timing, as with the walls of Jericho. Is there a situation right now where you feel called to be silent and trust God instead of speaking or acting? What would obedience look like for you? [[01:27:29]]
5. Rahab and Jephthah were both labeled and rejected, yet God used them powerfully. Have you ever felt defined by your past or by what others have said about you? How can you embrace God’s purpose and move forward in faith? [[01:37:09]]
6. The pastor shared a story about receiving unexpected encouragement from a stranger. Can you recall a time when God sent someone to encourage you? How can you be open to both receiving and giving encouragement in your faith journey? [[01:03:23]]
7. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. What is one practical way you can keep your eyes on Jesus this week, especially when you feel weighed down or discouraged? [[01:18:18]]