Go the distance..... Balboa style.
Hebrews 12:1–2 — Going the Distance
Yesterday’s sermon emphasized that the Christian life is not a quick sprint but a long obedience in the same direction, borrowing from Eugene Peterson. The world can easily get someone interested in the gospel, but it’s terribly difficult to sustain that interest. Everything in the culture is designed to keep people shallow, lazy, complacent, distracted, bored, and bound—the “squirrel system.” Most people settle for far less than what God intended.
But Hebrews speaks to those who are tired of being sick and tired—those who signed up to go the distance with Jesus.
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Surrounded by Witnesses
Hebrews 12 reminds us that we are surrounded by men and women who walked the walk of faith.
If we’re serious about following Jesus, we should study their lives.
Scripture is the blueprint—the recipe—for endurance (Romans 15:4).
Anyone serious about Jesus should learn from those who endured before us so that we may go from glory to glory.
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Throwing Off Every Weight
We are commanded to strip off every weight that slows us down.
Questions to ask:
What unnecessary weights am I carrying?
What is good but not great—or not godly?
Who or what is slowing me down?
1 Corinthians 6:12 reminds us:
“I will not be mastered by anything.”
Everyone has the same 24 hours—some steward it well, others hide behind busyness to avoid real spiritual work.
“What’s slowing you down?” becomes a spiritual reflection point.
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Dealing With Sin
God brought Israel out of Egypt, but Egypt will always try to pull us back.
Sin works like termites—silent destroyers that eat away over time.
You can look good on the outside and be rotting inside.
Genesis 4:6–7 reminds us that sin wants to master us.
Key truths:
Sin is a lack of trust in God.
Sin is taking matters into your own hands.
Self-care without the Spirit becomes selfishness.
Sin corrodes slowly but surely, unless addressed.
If left alone, it will kill you.
---
Running With Endurance
Endurance means pushing through difficult seasons without giving way.
This requires:
Holy stubbornness
The willingness to embrace the hard
The ability to suffer well (James 1:2–4)
You cannot grow unless your endurance is tested.
Quitting is easy, but God calls His children to overcome.
Declarations matter:
“I was built for this.”
“I will rise to the occasion.”
If you have problems worth solving, you’re living a meaningful life.
Pray for:
Thick skin (not easily bothered)
A soft heart (tender before God)
---
Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
Above all, Hebrews 12 calls us to focus on our Savior.
We need to make time to align with the timing of God.
Jesus is the way—and He is the One who strengthens us to go the distance.
Yesterday’s sermon emphasized that the Christian life is not a quick sprint but a long obedience in the same direction, borrowing from Eugene Peterson. The world can easily get someone interested in the gospel, but it’s terribly difficult to sustain that interest. Everything in the culture is designed to keep people shallow, lazy, complacent, distracted, bored, and bound—the “squirrel system.” Most people settle for far less than what God intended.
But Hebrews speaks to those who are tired of being sick and tired—those who signed up to go the distance with Jesus.
---
Surrounded by Witnesses
Hebrews 12 reminds us that we are surrounded by men and women who walked the walk of faith.
If we’re serious about following Jesus, we should study their lives.
Scripture is the blueprint—the recipe—for endurance (Romans 15:4).
Anyone serious about Jesus should learn from those who endured before us so that we may go from glory to glory.
---
Throwing Off Every Weight
We are commanded to strip off every weight that slows us down.
Questions to ask:
What unnecessary weights am I carrying?
What is good but not great—or not godly?
Who or what is slowing me down?
1 Corinthians 6:12 reminds us:
“I will not be mastered by anything.”
Everyone has the same 24 hours—some steward it well, others hide behind busyness to avoid real spiritual work.
“What’s slowing you down?” becomes a spiritual reflection point.
---
Dealing With Sin
God brought Israel out of Egypt, but Egypt will always try to pull us back.
Sin works like termites—silent destroyers that eat away over time.
You can look good on the outside and be rotting inside.
Genesis 4:6–7 reminds us that sin wants to master us.
Key truths:
Sin is a lack of trust in God.
Sin is taking matters into your own hands.
Self-care without the Spirit becomes selfishness.
Sin corrodes slowly but surely, unless addressed.
If left alone, it will kill you.
---
Running With Endurance
Endurance means pushing through difficult seasons without giving way.
This requires:
Holy stubbornness
The willingness to embrace the hard
The ability to suffer well (James 1:2–4)
You cannot grow unless your endurance is tested.
Quitting is easy, but God calls His children to overcome.
Declarations matter:
“I was built for this.”
“I will rise to the occasion.”
If you have problems worth solving, you’re living a meaningful life.
Pray for:
Thick skin (not easily bothered)
A soft heart (tender before God)
---
Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
Above all, Hebrews 12 calls us to focus on our Savior.
We need to make time to align with the timing of God.
Jesus is the way—and He is the One who strengthens us to go the distance.
