Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel. Why did I just mention all those names? It is because all those individuals, despite their sinfulness, are mention in the previous chapter of Hebrews the chapter that lists the Old Testament heroes of faith. They are people who ran the race before us and received the prize, the ultimate prize, a place in heaven.

We too are running the race. So let us examine this lesson on very personal level. We can use these words from the book of Hebrews as a manual. It shows us how to run. We, first, remember those who have already finished the race. We also rid ourselves the burdens that hinder our running. And as we run, we focus our attention on Jesus, always looking forward to the joy that awaits us.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses," Those words start the lesson for today. As we run, imagine that we are in an arena and all over this arena are banners with the names of retired runners on them, millions of them. Imagine that you can look up and see the names of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and many more. Those names are there to witness to us. As we are running the race looking at those names, their lives of faith flash through our minds. We can recount the numerous Bible stories of their great faith in God. Remember them and be encouraged by the races that they have run.

But also remember that God gave their faith to them. Just as we daily fall into sin, these people also were sinners. They could not believe in God on their own, but God worked faith in their heart. Remember them because God sustained them in the race and brought them to victory.

Yes, remember these great heroes of faith, but let us never worship them or pray to them. They do not go to God for us. They do not strengthen our faith. They have already run their race. They have already crossed the finish line. But we can be encouraged by the love and grace that God gave to them. We can take comfort at looking at those names as we are running the race, because we know that God will shower us with that same love and grace which ultimately keeps us running.

"let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles," That is the second point that God makes in these words. We would not want to run a race with shackles on our legs. We would not think of doing a marathon with a 50-pound weight on our back. That would be foolish. And so we want to get rid of everything that would weigh us down or trip us up as we are running the race. God tells us to get rid of the extra baggage, namely sin, so that we can run the race unhindered.

So what are the things that hinder us? They may not be the same for everybody. A bottle of beer with dinner may be fine for some, but for those who struggle with alcoholism, it is extremely dangerous. Putting in long hard hours at work to provide a comfortable life for your family may not be a big deal, but when it takes you away from God's house for worship and Bible Study it becomes a big deal. Having an active social life may be fun, but when you neglect church and your family because of it, you are being tripped up.

And we are told to throw off "everything" that hinders. Some of these burdens are heavier than others. Some we may enjoy too much. Everyone one us has sin and so it may seem pointless to wage this battle. But God urges us to keep on running. And he urges us to run free with Christ.

That brings us to the next point in the lesson. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." It is always easier to run a race when you know what the goal is and where it is. Almost every day I look out my window and I see two dogs running around and around and around the same tree. As far as I can tell there is no finish line in this silly race. I cannot even see the point of it. People often find themselves running through life in circles with no goals in front of them like those two dogs. They find no point in laboring day after day in the race.

But we, as Christians are different aren't we? We set our eyes on Christ as we keep running the race. In Christ, and only in Christ, can we view the finish line. For he is the author of our faith. He is our leader. He is the one that keeps our faith on track. He is also the perfecter of our faith. Without Jesus, our faith would be worthless. He is the one who lived completely free of the burden and hindrances of sin. He is the one who willingly gave himself up to die on the cross so that the sins which we allow to trip us up would be forgiven. He is the one who rose from the dead on Easter Sunday to give us the sure hope of victory, as we are the running the race before us. Without Jesus Christ, we would just run aimlessly. With Jesus Christ, we are sure to stand in the winners' circle of heaven.

That winners' circle is what motivated Christ carry out his mission. Because Jesus knew the joy of heaven, he endured the cross for us and scorned the shame that came with it. The joy heaven was so overpowering. The joy was so complete that Christ wanted to make sure that we had that joy also. Christ carried out his mission and now he sits in all his glory at the right of God, a position of honor and triumph. It is the ultimate winners' circle. And Christ, our Savior, made it possible for us to experience that joy also.

So may Jesus be your example as you are running the race marked out for you. Fix your eyes on him and think nothing of the crosses of this life. Set you minds and hearts on the ultimate goal of heaven.

If you look at the last words of verse one, you will read, "and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Really those words would be better translated, "and let us keep running with perseverance the race marked out for us." Don't stop along the way to smell the roses of this world. Don't give up running because it seems too difficult. Think of the joy that awaits us. Focus on Christ. Rid yourselves of the burdens and remember those who have finished the race already.

My prayer is that you keep on running in faith. I also pray that I will see every one of you in the winners' circle. AMEN.