Run Your Race—Well Hebrews 12:1–3 How Do You Run Your Race Well? 1. Remember Your Cloud of Witnesses “seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses…” • Faith faithfuls who have gone before us (e.g., Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice; Heb. 11:4). • Modern & family examples of faith who finished their course well. 2. Lay Aside the Weight That Holds You Back “let us lay aside every weight…” • Beware of being overcharged with surfeiting, drunkenness, and the cares of this life (Luke 21:34). • Main distraction weights: Anxiety (49%), Ministry issues (37%), Depression (35%), Marriage & Family. 3. Lay Aside the Sin That Besets You “...and the sin which doth so easily beset us…” • Watch out for covetousness and unrighteous desires (Deut. 5:21). 4. Keep Running with Patience “...and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” • Focus on your assigned path, not another's (John 21:21–22: “what is that to thee? follow thou me”). • “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7) 5. Focus on Jesus “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” • He endured the cross and despising the shame for the joy set before Him. • Hymn Reflection: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face…”