In this season of the Olympics it is only appropriate to explore an athletic topic as a metaphor to our faith. I heard a returning Olympic athlete say that the medal he received four years ago, while wonderful, was the “wrong color.” For this athlete, gold is his standard. Jeremy Camp sings about another high standard in his song, “Christ In Me.”
Join me in exploring Hebrews 12 as we commit to running the race set before us with our eye on the prize. Finishing strong is the only option.
On this episode I discuss:
- Christ as our standard
- How knowing and understanding the stories of heroes of the faith motivates us in our own race – Hebrews 12:1
- That the theme of Hebrews 12 is endurance
- The difference between “hindrances” and the “sin that so easily entangles us” – Hebrews 12:1
- The historical context of Hebrews
- The metaphor of racing and how the culture of the day was big into athletic competition
- Fixing our eyes on our standard – Jesus – Hebrews 12:2
- Looking to Christ, first for salvation (see Episode 103), then as a model for daily living
- Exploring where Christ looked in the Messianic Psalm 16 – Psalm 16:8-11
- Looking forward, not back
- Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – our Bible Interaction Tool Exercises this week are:
- Read in context
- Review the historical context
- Use a commentary (I used Weirsbe’s commentary on Hebrews)
- Follow cross references
Subscribe to More Than a Song in iTunes or Stitcher Radio and never miss an episode! [button href=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-song/id829432908?mt=2″ primary=”false” centered=”false”]Subscribe in iTunes[/button][button href=”http://app.stitcher.com/browse/feed/45801/details” primary=”false” centered=”false”]Subscribe in Stitcher Radio[/button]
If you have never heard this song before, you can watch the official music video on YouTube below.
Additional Resources
Download the single or entire album by clicking the link below.
This Week’s Challenge
At a minimum read Hebrews 11 and 12. Maybe pick a hero of the faith in chapter 11 and go read their story. Ask yourself what training weights you may still have on and cast off those hindrances. Be honest with yourself about any sin that may be entangling you and throw that off as well. Finally, look to Jesus and follow HIS pattern of life that leads to the presence of God and fullness of joy.
