Running the Race of Faith: Encouragement on All Saints Day

Nov 02, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: The Race of Faith Looks Different for Every Saint

The journey of faith is not the same for everyone; some experience visible victories and blessings, while others endure hardship, persecution, and suffering. Yet, all are running the same race, seeking relief and fulfillment in Christ. The Christian life is not measured by ease or difficulty, but by perseverance in faith, regardless of the circumstances. Whether your path is marked by triumph or trial, you are not alone—saints throughout history have walked both roads, and God honors each story. [34:57]

Hebrews 11:32-38 (ESV)
"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—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 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. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 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—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth."

Reflection: In what ways does your faith journey look different from those around you, and how can you honor God in your unique story today?

Day 2: Persevering When You Want to Give Up

Every believer faces moments when the temptation to quit feels overwhelming—whether from exhaustion, discouragement, or the pressures of culture and life. The voices that urge you to give up on faith are not new; saints before you have heard them too. Yet, God calls you to keep going, reminding you that you are in good company with those who have struggled and persevered before you. Your struggles do not disqualify you; they connect you to the great cloud of witnesses who have run before. [41:24]

Reflection: What is one specific area where you feel tempted to give up on your faith, and how can you bring that struggle honestly before God today?

Day 3: God’s Promises Fulfilled in Christ

The saints of old lived by faith in promises they never saw fulfilled in their lifetimes, trusting that God would send a Savior. Now, through Christ, you see the fulfillment of those promises and live in the reality of the new covenant—your sins are forgiven, and you are united with all believers in hope. The story of redemption is not complete until all God’s people, past and present, are made perfect together in Christ. This shared hope binds you to the saints of every age and assures you that God’s promises are trustworthy. [44:38]

Hebrews 11:39-40 (ESV)
"And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect."

Reflection: How does knowing you are part of God’s unfolding promise—fulfilled in Christ—change the way you view your place in His story today?

Day 4: The Power of Christian Community to Encourage

God has given you the church as a place of refreshment and encouragement in the race of faith. Through His Word, sacraments, and the presence of fellow believers, He whispers, “Keep going.” The faithfulness of others—whether in their struggles, perseverance, or simple presence—serves as a powerful reminder that you are not running alone. Your participation in the life of the church is both a gift to you and a source of encouragement to those around you. [50:45]

Reflection: Who in your church community encourages you to keep going, and how can you intentionally encourage someone else in their faith this week?

Day 5: Faith Clings to God’s Promises and Gives Life Meaning

Faith is not merely intellectual agreement but a gift from God that clings to His promises, giving your life meaning, purpose, and hope. Even when the race feels long and futile, faith looks beyond present struggles to the heavenly home that awaits. God’s grace sustains you, and your perseverance is a testimony to His faithfulness. Keep going, for at the end of the race is the fulfillment of all God’s promises in Christ. [52:36]

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."

Reflection: What is one promise of God you need to cling to today, and how can you let that promise shape your actions and attitude as you run your race?

Sermon Summary

Today, we remember and honor all the saints—those who have gone before us in faith, who have run their race and now rest in Christ. Their stories, as recounted in Hebrews 11, are not just tales of triumph but also of struggle, suffering, and perseverance. Some experienced miraculous victories and blessings, while others endured persecution, loss, and even death for their faith. Yet, all were united by a common hope: the promise of God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, even though many never saw that promise realized in their earthly lives.

The Christian journey is likened to a race, and each of us runs a different course. For some, the path is relatively smooth, filled with visible blessings and answered prayers. For others, the way is marked by hardship, doubt, and the temptation to give up. The world, both then and now, often pressures believers to abandon their faith, to see it as outdated or foolish. Yet, the saints of old faced the same voices urging them to quit, and they persevered—not because their faith was perfect, but because God was faithful.

We are reminded that our struggles are not unique. The saints who came before us—Abraham, Ruth, David, and countless others—wrestled with the same doubts, fears, and societal pressures. They clung to God’s promises, even when fulfillment seemed distant or impossible. And now, through Christ, we see the promise realized: forgiveness, new life, and the assurance that we, together with all the saints, will one day be made perfect in Him.

In the meantime, God provides us with encouragement and strength through His Word, His sacraments, and the community of believers around us. The church is our pit stop in the race, a place where we are refreshed and reminded to “keep going.” The faith and perseverance of those around us—whether in moments of joy or in the midst of suffering—serve as living testimonies that inspire us to press on. Our presence, our encouragement, and our shared struggles are God’s way of calling out to one another: “Keep going.” The race may be long and difficult, but at the end awaits our heavenly home, where all God’s promises will be fulfilled.

Key Takeaways

1. The Race of Faith Is Unique for Each Believer The journey of faith is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Some will see God’s hand in dramatic victories, while others will endure suffering and loss. Both paths are valid and precious in God’s sight, and neither is a measure of greater or lesser faith. What unites us is not the ease or difficulty of our race, but the God who calls us to run it. [34:57]
2. Perseverance Amidst Pressure to Quit Every generation of believers faces voices—internal and external—urging them to abandon their faith. Whether it’s cultural ridicule, personal exhaustion, or the sense of futility, the temptation to give up is real. Yet, the saints before us faced the same pressures and persevered, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles and doubts. [42:04]
3. God’s Promises Are Fulfilled in Christ, Not in Our Circumstances The saints of old lived and died with God’s promises in hand, yet many never saw their fulfillment in this life. In Christ, we see the ultimate promise realized: forgiveness and eternal life. Our hope is not anchored in present circumstances, but in the finished work of Jesus, which unites us with all believers across time. [44:38]
4. The Church as a Place of Encouragement and Renewal God has given us the church as a place to be refreshed and strengthened for the journey. Through His Word, sacraments, and the fellowship of believers, we receive the encouragement to keep going. The simple act of gathering together, even when it’s hard, is a powerful testimony that sustains us and those around us. [48:06]
5. Our Faith Inspires and Strengthens Others The perseverance of each believer, whether in joy or suffering, is used by God to encourage the whole community. Our presence, our struggles, and our victories are not just personal—they are a call to others to keep running the race. In this way, God weaves our individual stories into a greater tapestry of faith, hope, and endurance.

** [50:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:44] - Hymn: For All the Saints
[30:16] - All Saints Day: The Heart of the Celebration
[31:02] - Heroes of Faith in Hebrews 11
[32:16] - Running the Race: A Personal Reflection
[33:33] - The Relief of Finishing the Race
[34:57] - Different Paths, Same Faith
[36:47] - Suffering and Persecution in the Christian Life
[38:46] - Is My Struggle Less Than Theirs?
[40:13] - Modern Pressures to Quit
[42:42] - Saints of Old: Our Shared Struggle
[44:02] - The Promise Fulfilled in Christ
[46:43] - The Final Triumph: United with All Saints
[48:06] - The Church: Our Place of Renewal
[50:45] - The Power of Faithful Presence
[52:36] - Keep Going: The Hope of Our Heavenly Home
[53:19] - Confession of Faith
[54:31] - Offering and Connection

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Keep Going: The Race of Faith and the Saints”

Bible Reading

Hebrews 11:32–40 (ESV)
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.

Observation Questions

What are some of the different experiences described in Hebrews 11:32–38 that God’s people went through?
According to verses 39–40, what did all these people have in common, even though their lives looked very different?
In the sermon, what are some modern examples given of things that might tempt us to “quit” or give up on our faith? [[40:13]]
How does the sermon describe the role of the church in the “race” of faith? [[48:06]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the writer of Hebrews lists both victories and sufferings side by side when talking about faith?
The sermon says that the saints of old “did not receive what was promised” in their lifetimes. What does this mean for how we view God’s promises today? [[44:02]]
How does knowing that others before us have faced doubts, suffering, and pressure to quit help us in our own struggles? [[42:42]]
The pastor calls the church a “pit stop” in the race. What does this say about the importance of gathering together, especially when life is hard? [[48:06]]

Application Questions

The sermon talks about how every Christian’s “race” looks different—some have smooth paths, others face lots of hardship. Which do you relate to more right now, and how does that affect your view of God’s faithfulness? [[34:57]]
What are some specific voices or pressures in your life that tempt you to give up on your faith, or to see it as outdated or foolish? How do you usually respond to those pressures? [[40:13]]
The saints in Hebrews 11 kept trusting God even when they didn’t see His promises fulfilled. Is there a promise of God you are waiting on right now? How does the example of these saints encourage or challenge you? [[44:02]]
The pastor mentioned people in the church whose simple presence and perseverance encourage others. Can you think of someone in your life or church whose faith inspires you to “keep going”? How have they impacted you? [[50:45]]
The sermon says that our own presence and encouragement can help others keep running the race. What is one practical way you can encourage someone in your church or small group this week? [[51:21]]
When you are tired or discouraged in your faith, what helps you “keep going”? Is there something you want to try or change to help you persevere? [[52:01]]
The church is described as a place of renewal and refreshment. What is one thing you can do to make church a more encouraging place for others who might be struggling? [[48:06]]

Sermon Clips

“You want to know what All Saints Day is all about? Focus on verses 39 and 40. And if you have to read them like six or seven more times as the service goes on. In fact, I might even ask the the projectionists to leave those that second slide up or that last slide up with 39 and 40 because we're going to get back to them and you'll actually know what what All Saints Day is all about.”

“The writer says, "And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Bareric, Samson, Jeepa, of David and Samuel and the prophets who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 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. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release so that they might rise again to a better life.”

“Others suffered mocking and flogging and even chains and imprisonment. 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, of whom the world was not worthy, wandering about in deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth.”

“And all these, though commended through their faith, they didn't receive what was promised since God had provided something better for us. that apart from us they should not be made perfect. I promise we will go get back to those verses and and unpack them just a little bit.”

“But then you get to the end and you feel this this massive relief. And I know this is true not just of of people like me who really don't like running. Even if you're one of those overachieving types that did the 10K or would do a half marathon or a marathon or those psychotics that do double marathons and and iron man races, even those people, even if they like parts of the race while it's going on, they have to admit at the end of the race when they cross the finish line after minutes or even hours, they have to admit it's nice. It's a relief to finally be done.”

“For some, there will be people that that race and everything goes well. They have no issues. Maybe they even hit that thing that that is called a runner's high and they're actually able to enjoy every single step that they take as they go through the race and and they have no issues. They don't cramp. They don't wind up with any injury. They don't they don't have any setback. Their lungs work and it just seems like by and large the race goes really quite well for them.”

“And at the same time, there will be those who are in the race who like 10 feet in feel the cramp. A quarter of a mile in feel the crispy cream doughnut sitting in the pit of their stomach. Like a half a mile in just say, "I am so done with this. I am so ready to give up on it all." We are all pursuing relief at the end of this life. But here's a reality that is echoed here in the the writings of the writer to the Hebrews. The race looks different for different saints.”

“Abraham was a believer. David was a believer. Isaiah was a believer. Peter was a believer. The Apostle Paul was a believer. And yet, and yet we all have very different stories concerning our lives. Listen to how he exemplifies that. these middle verses. If we want to go back a slide in verse 33, he says, "Who through faith conquered kingdoms and forced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 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. Women received back their dead by resurrection."”

“They get to see the power of God and his work on display day after day, year after year throughout their life. And it just feels as if everything just sort of goes well for them. Yeah, they've got they got their stuff. They've got their their small little their little issues and and obviously they have their sins, but by and large it looks like they lived from like age zero to age 90 and and died a peaceful death in Christ with just seeing all the really cool things that he has to offer them.”

“And yet, the writer says those people had one Christian race and yet there is another Christian race that certainly exists. In the same breath, he says, "But some were tortured, refusing to accept release so that they might rise again to a better life." Some people were actually tortured by the governing authorities and and the governing authorities wanted them to recant their faith. At this time, there's a suspicion that the the letter to the Hebrews was written to a bunch of of of Jewish Christians who trusted in Jesus as the Messiah and were now getting killed for it. The Romans didn't like him.”

“The other Jewish people didn't like him and they were starting to to be imprisoned, to be flogged, to be chained up, to to to be killed, even to lose their job, to lose their income, to be to be derided by the entirety of society. This is the experience of a Christian. Others suffered mocking and flogging and even chains and imprisonment. They were prison imprisoned and beaten for their faith. They were stoned. They were sawn in two. They were killed with the sword. Brutal, brutal killings in the most unimaginable ways possible.”

“So, is that to say that your your Christian experience because you haven't gone through some of those things is is less than or maybe is not is not equal to the Christian experience of the people that he's talking about there as he writes to the Hebrews. No. because we all have something right at that time. All of these things, the the hatred and the mocking, the flogging, the killing, all of those things were in search of one goal. To get these people to just stop, to leave God behind and just be done with Jesus, the Messiah.”

“What's trying to get you to stop? Is it how you're portrayed in our culture? You, yes, you are portrayed in our culture as ignorant as silly little Bible thumpers who who don't really understand reality, but instead are living in the dark ages. Have you gone down those rabbit holes? Have you looked to see what people are saying about our faith? Some of it's good. A lot of it's not all in an effort to get you to just stop. Just just be done with it.”

“And today on All Saints Day if you are battling something that is telling you day after day it is time to be done with your Christian faith I tell you that today you are in good company because the people that were listening did here. The these people battled the exact same things you did. Gideon, Bareric, Samson, Jeepa, David, Samuel, and all of the prophets, every single one of them. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Noah, Ruth, Esther, all of the people that you read about throughout the ages, they battled the exact same things you did.”

“God says to you, "And all these all those people, all these people that came before you, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised." Stop there. All the people that have come before you, Jeffa, Gideon, Barack, David, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ruth, all of these people had been promised over and over again by God himself. I am sending you a savior. I am sending you a savior. Just wait. The savior is coming.”

“By faith, they marched through this life saying, "Okay, God, if you say so." But God never actually made good on on their promise on his promises to them in this life. And that's why he writes and all these although they were commended through their faith did not receive what was promised since God had provided something better for us.”

“And he says the people back then, the people before Jesus, they never even got to see it happening. And now you through the eyes of faith, as you study God's word, you actually get to see this new covenant that I've struck with you. You get to see reality as it now is.”

“There are monsters of the faith that came before you. Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all of these people that you read about in the Old Testament. They all came before you and maybe we would look at them and go, "Man, their faith must have been so much stronger. They must have been so much more important than I ever was." And what God is saying here is that they have not gotten their reward in the fullest. And they will not get their reward in the fullest until you do.”

“But then will come that distant triumph call that that horn will blow and Christ will call an end to everything on judgment day. And then you together with your believing grandma, together with Peter who was killed for the faith, together with Ge uh together with the Apostle Paul, together with Noah and with Ruth and with Esther going all the way back to Adam, you will be called from dust of the earth to be reunited with your soul in heaven.”

“If we are in the middle of the race and maybe for some of us the race is going very well and for some of us we are at the point where where we are ready to be done. The lungs are screaming, the legs are jelly, you have overheated and and you are just ready to give up. Where do we go? right here because this is the place, your church is the place where God has designated for you to receive that that cold drink of water, that that pit stop every seven days as you struggle in this world.”

“Yes, of course, a different circumstance, a different life situation, but they struggled with their same frailties and flaws the same way that every single day you struggle with yours. And we hear God make promise after promise, assurance after assurance, and prove his faithfulness decade after decade to the people in the Old Testament. and we see God do the exact same thing for us.”

“When we hear kids fuss, crying, being disruptive, do you know what that says to us? It says that mom and dad thought it was so important that they wedged their kids out of their bed too early in the morning when they should have been at home in their PJs. And they came to this place because this is the place where they knew they would find encouragement and the grace of God itself.”

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