You by Design, Part 3

Distance running was one of Paul’s favorite analogies in Scripture for describing what it looks like to follow Jesus faithfully for a lifetime. Following Jesus requires commitment, endurance, practice, pain, setbacks, goals, and time–just like running does. The Bible offers a wealth of wisdom to those who wish to run their race faithfully for a lifetime.

The Joy
The Belonging Co

Glorious Day
Passion

Holy Forever
Chris Tomlin

I Surrender All
The Worship Initiative

Hebrews 12:1-2
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, 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.

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How to Not Suck at “Running Your Race”
Step 1: Look Back

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Hebrews 11:38
…of whom the world was not worthy.

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Training Plan: Level 1
Identify one person you need to thank before this day is over for their godly influence in your life.

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How to Not Suck at “Running Your Race”
Step 2: Look Around

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Hebrews 12:1
…let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely…

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Romans 13:12
The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us CAST OFF the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

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Romans 7:15-20
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

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2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

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Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

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Romans 6:6
We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

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Steve McVey
“God didn’t clear out the cobwebs; He killed the spider!”

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Training Plan: Level 2
Identify one besetting sin that keeps derailing you from your race.

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How to Not Suck at “Running Your Race”
Step 3: Look Ahead

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Hebrews 12:1b-2a
…and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…

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Hebrews 12:2
…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.

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Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.”

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Training Plan: Level 3
For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ.

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