Running the Race: Devotion and Divine Intervention
Summary
### Summary
Today, we are reminded of the joy that awaits us in heaven if we run our race and finish well. Life is often compared to a race, and sports can serve as a powerful metaphor for this journey. One such example is the Triple Crown Race of Horse Racing, particularly the story of Secretariat, a horse that finished races with remarkable speed and endurance. Secretariat's success was attributed to his unusually large heart, which serves as a metaphor for Christians who develop a big heart of devotion to God. Just as Secretariat finished his races well, Christians with a big heart of devotion can finish their life journey well.
In Hebrews 12:1-3, we are encouraged to run our race with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. The author of Hebrews was writing to Jewish believers who faced many challenges and persecutions. He urged them to stay in the race and look to Jesus and the great cloud of witnesses for inspiration. These witnesses, listed in Hebrews 11, include Joshua, who is a prime example of someone who followed the Lord wholeheartedly.
Joshua's life offers us two key practices to develop a big heart of devotion. First, we must nurture our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Joshua knew Christ personally, as evidenced by his encounter with the captain of the Lord's host in Joshua 5. This relationship was nurtured over time, as seen in Exodus 33, where Joshua stayed in the tent of meeting, overhearing conversations between God and Moses. This deepened his relationship with God, preparing him for moments of crisis.
Second, we must anticipate God's supernatural intervention in our lives. Joshua experienced this when God gave him a unique battle strategy to conquer Jericho. Despite the unconventional plan, Joshua obeyed and witnessed the walls of Jericho fall. This was not a natural occurrence but a supernatural intervention by God. Joshua's earlier experiences, such as the battle against the Amalekites, also demonstrated God's miraculous intervention, reinforcing his faith and anticipation of God's help.
Personal stories can also serve as reminders of God's intervention. For instance, I shared a story from my own life when I was drafted during the Vietnam War. Despite the odds, I became a chaplain's assistant, a role that kept me safe and allowed me to serve God. This experience, among others, helps me anticipate God's future interventions in my life.
In conclusion, running the race and finishing well requires a big heart of devotion to God. This is achieved by nurturing our relationship with Jesus and anticipating His supernatural intervention. Just as Derek Redmond's father helped him finish his race in the Barcelona Olympics, Jesus will come alongside us in our moments of struggle, ensuring that we finish our race together.
### Key Takeaways
1. Develop a Big Heart of Devotion: Just as Secretariat's large heart enabled him to finish races well, Christians with a big heart of devotion to God can finish their life journey well. This devotion involves a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, nurtured over time through prayer, worship, and obedience. [05:55]
2. Look to Jesus and the Cloud of Witnesses: Hebrews 12:1-3 encourages us to run our race with endurance by fixing our eyes on Jesus and looking to the great cloud of witnesses for inspiration. These witnesses, like Joshua, provide examples of faith and perseverance that we can emulate in our own lives. [10:08]
3. Nurture Your Personal Relationship with Jesus: Joshua's relationship with God was nurtured over time, as seen in his encounters with God in the tent of meeting. This deepened his faith and prepared him for moments of crisis. Similarly, we must cultivate our relationship with Jesus through regular prayer, worship, and study of the Word. [15:53]
4. Anticipate God's Supernatural Intervention: Joshua's experiences, such as the fall of Jericho and the battle against the Amalekites, demonstrate the importance of anticipating God's supernatural intervention. When we obey God and trust in His plans, we can expect Him to show up in miraculous ways, even when the situation seems impossible. [27:05]
5. Remember God's Past Interventions: Personal stories of God's intervention, like my experience during the Vietnam War, serve as reminders of His faithfulness. These memories help us anticipate future interventions and encourage us to step out in faith, knowing that God will be with us in our journey. [34:27]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:13] - The Triple Crown Race
[02:00] - Secretariat's Remarkable Race
[03:41] - Secretariat's Final Race
[04:40] - The Secret of Secretariat's Heart
[05:55] - Christians with a Big Heart
[08:06] - Hebrews 12:1-3: Running the Race
[10:08] - The Cloud of Witnesses
[11:58] - Joshua: An Example of Devotion
[13:42] - Joshua's Encounter with Christ
[15:53] - Nurturing a Relationship with Jesus
[19:40] - Joshua in the Tent of Meeting
[21:43] - Personal Story: Trusting Jesus
[23:22] - Nurturing Devotion in Daily Life
[25:23] - Anticipating God's Intervention
[27:05] - The Fall of Jericho
[28:59] - God's Supernatural Intervention
[30:37] - Battle Against the Amalekites
[32:35] - Personal Story: Becoming a Chaplain's Assistant
[34:27] - Remembering God's Interventions
[37:47] - Derek Redmond's Race
[40:02] - Jesus Helps Us Finish the Race
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 12:1-3: "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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
2. Joshua 5:13-15: "Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, 'Are you for us or for our enemies?' 'Neither,' he replied, 'but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.' Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, 'What message does my Lord have for his servant?' The commander of the Lord’s army replied, 'Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did so."
3. Exodus 33:9-11: "As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 12:1-3 encourage believers to do in their spiritual race? How are they to run this race? ([08:06])
2. How did Joshua's encounter with the commander of the Lord’s army in Joshua 5:13-15 demonstrate his devotion and readiness to follow God's instructions? ([15:53])
3. In Exodus 33:9-11, what was Joshua's role when Moses met with God in the tent of meeting? How did this experience likely impact Joshua's faith? ([19:40])
4. What was the significance of Secretariat's large heart in the context of the sermon, and how does it serve as a metaphor for Christians? ([05:55])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does fixing our eyes on Jesus help us to run our race with endurance, according to Hebrews 12:1-3? ([08:06])
2. What can we learn from Joshua's obedience to God's unconventional battle plan for Jericho about anticipating God's supernatural intervention in our lives? ([27:05])
3. How did Joshua's time in the tent of meeting, as described in Exodus 33:9-11, prepare him for his leadership role and moments of crisis? ([19:40])
4. How do personal stories of God's intervention, like the pastor's experience during the Vietnam War, help us to anticipate and trust in God's future interventions? ([34:27])
#### Application Questions
1. Hebrews 12:1-3 talks about laying aside every hindrance and sin. What are some specific hindrances or sins in your life that you need to lay aside to run your race with endurance? ([08:06])
2. Joshua nurtured his relationship with God by spending time in the tent of meeting. What practical steps can you take to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus this week? ([19:40])
3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's supernatural intervention in your life. How can remembering this event help you to trust God in your current or future challenges? ([34:27])
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of anticipating God's intervention. What is a current situation in your life where you need to trust and anticipate God's supernatural help? ([27:05])
5. The story of Derek Redmond and his father illustrates the support we receive from Jesus in our struggles. How can you lean on Jesus more in your moments of struggle and ensure you finish your race well? ([40:02])
6. Joshua's obedience to God's plan for Jericho required faith in an unconventional strategy. Is there an area in your life where God is asking you to trust Him with an unconventional plan? How will you respond? ([27:05])
7. The pastor shared a personal story about becoming a chaplain's assistant. Do you have a "box of remembrance" for God's interventions in your life? If not, how can you start one to help you remember and trust in God's faithfulness? ([34:27])
Devotional
### Day 1: Cultivating a Heart of Devotion
A heart of devotion to God is essential for finishing our life journey well. Just as Secretariat's large heart enabled him to finish races with remarkable speed and endurance, Christians with a big heart of devotion can finish their life journey well. This devotion involves a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, nurtured over time through prayer, worship, and obedience. Developing a big heart of devotion means prioritizing our relationship with God above all else, allowing His love and guidance to shape our lives. This kind of devotion is not developed overnight but through consistent and intentional practices that draw us closer to Him.
In Hebrews 12:1-3, we are encouraged to run our race with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. This passage reminds us that our journey of faith is like a race that requires perseverance and focus. By nurturing our relationship with Jesus, we can develop the endurance needed to finish well. Just as Secretariat's large heart was the secret to his success, our devotion to God will be the key to our spiritual success. [05:55]
Bible Passage:
"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23, ESV)
Reflection:
What specific steps can you take today to nurture your relationship with Jesus and develop a heart of devotion?
### Day 2: Drawing Inspiration from the Cloud of Witnesses
Hebrews 12:1-3 encourages us to run our race with endurance by fixing our eyes on Jesus and looking to the great cloud of witnesses for inspiration. These witnesses, like Joshua, provide examples of faith and perseverance that we can emulate in our own lives. The author of Hebrews was writing to Jewish believers who faced many challenges and persecutions. He urged them to stay in the race and look to Jesus and the great cloud of witnesses for inspiration. These witnesses, listed in Hebrews 11, include many heroes of faith who remained steadfast in their devotion to God despite difficult circumstances.
Joshua is a prime example of someone who followed the Lord wholeheartedly. His life offers us two key practices to develop a big heart of devotion: nurturing our personal relationship with Jesus Christ and anticipating God's supernatural intervention in our lives. By looking to the examples of Joshua and other heroes of faith, we can find encouragement and strength to persevere in our own journey. [10:08]
Bible Passage:
"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." (Hebrews 12:1, ESV)
Reflection:
Who is a "witness" in your life that inspires you to run your race with endurance? How can you draw strength from their example today?
### Day 3: Nurturing a Personal Relationship with Jesus
Joshua's relationship with God was nurtured over time, as seen in his encounters with God in the tent of meeting. This deepened his faith and prepared him for moments of crisis. Similarly, we must cultivate our relationship with Jesus through regular prayer, worship, and study of the Word. Joshua knew Christ personally, as evidenced by his encounter with the captain of the Lord's host in Joshua 5. This relationship was nurtured over time, as seen in Exodus 33, where Joshua stayed in the tent of meeting, overhearing conversations between God and Moses. This deepened his relationship with God, preparing him for moments of crisis.
By spending time in God's presence and listening to His voice, Joshua developed a strong and unwavering faith. We too can nurture our relationship with Jesus by setting aside time each day to pray, worship, and read the Bible. These practices help us to know God more intimately and to trust Him more fully. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we will be better equipped to face the challenges and crises that come our way. [15:53]
Bible Passage:
"Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent." (Exodus 33:11, ESV)
Reflection:
What specific time and place can you set aside each day to spend in prayer, worship, and Bible study to nurture your relationship with Jesus?
### Day 4: Anticipating God's Supernatural Intervention
Joshua's experiences, such as the fall of Jericho and the battle against the Amalekites, demonstrate the importance of anticipating God's supernatural intervention. When we obey God and trust in His plans, we can expect Him to show up in miraculous ways, even when the situation seems impossible. Joshua experienced this when God gave him a unique battle strategy to conquer Jericho. Despite the unconventional plan, Joshua obeyed and witnessed the walls of Jericho fall. This was not a natural occurrence but a supernatural intervention by God.
Joshua's earlier experiences, such as the battle against the Amalekites, also demonstrated God's miraculous intervention, reinforcing his faith and anticipation of God's help. By remembering God's past interventions and trusting in His promises, we can have confidence that He will continue to work in our lives in supernatural ways. When we face challenges and obstacles, we can look to God with expectation, knowing that He is able to do far more than we can imagine. [27:05]
Bible Passage:
"And the Lord said to Joshua, 'See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days.'" (Joshua 6:2-3, ESV)
Reflection:
What is a current challenge or obstacle in your life where you need to trust and anticipate God's supernatural intervention? How can you step out in faith and obedience today?
### Day 5: Remembering God's Past Interventions
Personal stories of God's intervention, like the experience during the Vietnam War, serve as reminders of His faithfulness. These memories help us anticipate future interventions and encourage us to step out in faith, knowing that God will be with us in our journey. Reflecting on past experiences where God has shown up in miraculous ways can strengthen our faith and give us confidence for the future. For instance, becoming a chaplain's assistant during the Vietnam War, despite the odds, was a clear example of God's intervention and protection.
By remembering these moments, we can be encouraged to trust God in new and challenging situations. Just as Derek Redmond's father helped him finish his race in the Barcelona Olympics, Jesus will come alongside us in our moments of struggle, ensuring that we finish our race together. When we recall God's past faithfulness, we are reminded that He is always with us, guiding and supporting us through every trial and triumph. [34:27]
Bible Passage:
"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, 'Till now the Lord has helped us.'" (1 Samuel 7:12, ESV)
Reflection:
Take a moment to reflect on a specific time when you experienced God's intervention in your life. How can this memory encourage you to trust Him in your current circumstances?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "So this is the Word of God. Hear it and learn. Believe it and live. Obey it and you will lay up reward in heaven. And my goal for you today is to be reminded with me that when we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be because we have run the race and finished well." [00:00]
2. "I submit to you today that horses and Christians with a big heart finish well. Christians with a big heart of devotion to God finish this journey, this life well. And I want to encourage you that in this life, when there are many times that we stumble, many times that we fall, many detours and many distractions from the race, if you develop a big heart of devotion for the Lord, you will finish well." [05:55]
3. "The question I would like to answer with you, for you, for us today, is how can you run the race before you and finish well? To answer that question, we're going to be starting in Hebrews chapter 12, a classic passage, where in verses 1 through 3, the writer of Hebrews is going to tell us, he's going to give us a promise. And in that promise, he's going to point to two people. And he's going to say, if you will look to Jesus, and if you will imitate the life of Joshua, you will finish well." [07:45]
4. "Nurture your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Cultivate your relationship with Jesus Christ. It begins, first of all, with knowing Him. Joshua, knew personally the second person of the Godhead. If you have a Bible and you're following with me today, Joshua chapter 5 tells the story of how after Joshua had led the people of Israel over into the promised land through the Jordan, into the wilderness outside of Jericho, that great fortified border city that protected the land of Canaan, Joshua's out there, and he's supposed to lead the people to take the land, and he has no idea what the plan would be." [13:42]
5. "Nurturing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is going to give you a big heart to celebrate for eternity. Not only is it important for you to nurture your personal relationship with Christ, it's also extremely important, like it was for Joshua, to anticipate God's supernatural intervention in your life, to anticipate that God will show up in those moments of difficulty." [26:00]
### Quotes for Members
1. "The author of Hebrews was writing to Jewish believers, Hebrew believers in the first century, who had believed in Jesus as Messiah, Savior. They had placed their trust in him, but they hit roadblocks along the way. They hit detours. Families rejected them. Jobs were lost. They were facing a lot of persecution. And the author of Hebrews was saying, stay in the race, finish the race, look to Jesus, keep looking to him. And you have a great cloud of witness, around you, of people who face the kind of challenges that you will face in this life. And if you look to these witnesses, these examples of the faithful, you can find practices that will enable you to run with a big heart of devotion and finish well." [09:00]
2. "Joshua knew Christ, the Messiah. Joshua knew the second person of the Godhead, who in what theologians call a pre-incarnate appearance of the second person of the Godhead, the Son of Man. This was Christ come down to meet Joshua in the most difficult, challenging moment of his life. God showed up. God showed up for him. And now, he's in a trance. He's in a trance. He's in a trance. He's in a trance. He's in a trance. Notice, you know, the reason I say this is because I know this is not just an angel from heaven come down to give the message. Look what the person says. Joshua's fallen down. He's bowed down before him. The captain of the Lord's host said to Joshua, remove the sandals from your feet for the place where you are standing is holy. And Joshua did so." [15:53]
3. "Here's the promise. Here's the expectation for those who know Christ Jesus and for those who nurture a relationship with him. I don't care what the detour is. I don't care what the stumble is. I don't care what the difficulty is. And we've sung about it already this morning. It's up out of the ashes. He will pick us up. He will be there for us. This is a big heart, a big heart of devotion, nurtured and cultivated." [21:43]
4. "Running the race and finishing well. That's God's desire for all of us. And it comes when we have a big heart of devotion for him. Nurturing that relationship and anticipating his supernatural intervention. In the Barcelona Olympics, Derek Redman was the champion, almost ready to be crowned. And he was already with the gold medal for the 400-meter sprint. He had been the world champ in many competitions for several years. His life dream was to win a gold medal in the Olympics. And he had been injured and couldn't compete in the previous Olympics. But this was his great opportunity. This was his hope. And in the final qualifying race, he was off ahead of everybody else. He rounded the first turn. He was in the backstretch. And in the backstretch, his hamstring tore. And he fell to the track in pain. And all the other runners raced by him. But he had trained for this. This was his goal. This was his life dream. And so he got up. And started hopping on his one good leg to go around and finish the race." [37:47]
5. "And the day may come when you stumble and fall. The day may come when a roadblock or a distraction comes into your life. And you don't know how you can keep going on. And it's in that moment that Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who has already run the race and won in victory, will come up underneath you. And he will say to you, We started this race together. We will finish this race together. Out of the ashes, he will lift you up." [40:02]
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