Hebrews Part 11:  The Race

Hebrews 12: RUNNING WELL


The writers kicks off chapter 12 by saying as we run the Christian life we are surrounded by crowds. The hero’s of the faith, men and women who ran the same race as us before.   People like Noah who anticipated something, then acted and moved in response built a boat and persevered when mocked in response to faith. These people are watching the present day believers, their legacy cheers us on to take our turn in the same race they once ran.

Their stories of faith are written to encourage us to run well. Let us, let you, let me, let us run our race now. it's our turn to anticipate, act and persevere in response to faith. on. Don’t relax before the tape, stay on your feet until the winning post.

Three Keys to running the race

Key 1: Lay aside.

There are things that need to be dealt with and discarded that will otherwise ensnare or obstruct the athlete.  The things that most often slow us down and get us off track are morally neutral that you wouldn't call sinful but like sin slow us down.

So we need to ask our selves “What robs my affections? What robs my heart from really wanting to know and walk with and experience the fullness of Christ?”  What stirs my affections for Jesus Christ? What stirs me to run well? If it weighs you down, slows you down. Need to lay it aside.

Key 2. Run By Faith

What motivated the hero’s of the chapter 11 to run like they did?  At the very heart of their running they were shrewd investors, they had seen something, been gripped by something that so captivated their priorities that they wouldn’t settle for anything less.  They fixed their eyes by faith upon the ultimate goal and the glorious compensations.

Abraham, by faith, he just got up and left. He didn't even know were he was going. He went because he had seen by faith the city of God, a better country.
Moses: Rejected wealth, status, privilege and power, the fleeting pleasures of sin. Considered reproach for Christ of greater value compared to the treasures of Egypt.

VERSE 36 Others experienced mocking, flogging, chains, imprisonment, stoned, sawn in two, destitute, afflicted, mistreat, by faith in a superior reality. incomparable compensations

Being captivated by a vision is what drives people all around us to achieve their goals. Like the swimmer training for 2012 “Her life revolves around swimming”. These people fix their eyes on an event. For a temporal, passing, fading prize.
You won’t run well if you haven’t become captivated by a superior reality. All you will have is begrudging running, Christianity is not about trying to be good in order to win what you already have as gift. It’s about running according to a growing revelation.

KEY 3: FIX YOUR EYES

When we feel we cannot take another set in the race, we need to consider the race that Jesus ran. What he has already accomplished is the key to us running well. His the author the perfecter of our faith. We can only run as we rely completely on Him. When we stumble, fall, get tangled and weighed down, we need to look to Jesus our wonderful high priest in heaven He triumphed and in His strength and grace and energy so can we.
Jamie Lee, 17/12/2017
Hello
Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Planning your Visit

New to Church?


Welcome! Whether you've just moved to the area, or have lived here all your life, we hope our website helps you to find out everything you want to know about our Church.

 

Some key information about the church...

 

Where & when does the church meet?

The church meets every Sunday at 11:00 am for our Sunday Service. There is plenty of free parking around the CCK building. We are walking distance from Plumstead Train station and local buses. It’s good to get to the meeting 15 minutes early to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee before the service starts.

We meet at the church building in the middle of Plumstead

The address is:

46 Lakedale Road
Plumstead
London
SE18 1PS

You can see a map on our contact us page.

 

What should I expect when I visit the church?

You will receive a very warm welcome particularly from our Welcome Team who will be able to answer your questions and direct you to where you need to go.

Sunday is special because it’s the main opportunity in the week for the whole church family to gather, worship God, enjoy his manifest presence together, minister to one-another, receive encouragement and exhortation from God’s word and be refreshed by God’s Spirit and one-another’s friendship and support.

There will be approximately 45 mins of singing with opportunity for church members to pray, prophesy or read a passage from the bible. After the notices there will be a preach, we take time to understand the bible’s message and how this can teach us about God, about ourselves, about the world that we live in and about what authentic Christian lifestyle looks like in practice. At the end of the preach there is always a chance to respond.

Tea, coffee and biscuits are served after the service where there is plenty of time to meet new people and ask more questions.

 

What happens to the kids at church?

As a family church we are thrilled to have people of all ages involved in our Sunday morning meetings. Typically, after worshiping together for 30 minutes or so, the children and young people will leave for their own activities.

We have a fantastic programme for the kids at the Church for ages 0–14. Children stay with their parents at the start of the service as we worship (sing songs!) together for the first part of the morning. Someone will announce when the children need to go to their programme.

For more information about what happens in the children's work please visit the relevant age groups for you under church life.

Is there a dress code?

No! Please just be yourself and come dressed in your 'normal' clothes.

 

Will I have to join in?

Not at all!
You are free to simply observe or participate as much as feels comfortable for you.

 

Useful Links...

We have more information for you specifically if you…

 

I have more questions, how can I get in touch and ask them.

Please feel free to contact us.