How to Keep Running the Race of Faith | Michael Cariño

How to Keep Running the Race of Faith | Michael Cariño
[This message was delivered during the 59TH Anniversary of the Capital City Alliance Church, Quezon City, Philippines. November 8, 2020]
"We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and [do not] stop trying.” | Hebrews 12:1-3, NCV
Nowhere in the Bible are we promised that the Christian life is going to be easy. Yes, difficulties will come and trials will cross our paths, and often, we will be tempted to quit on God and drop out of the race. That seems to be the idea in the book of Hebrews. These Christians were enduring a terrible time of trial and persecution. In light of that, the writer is trying to encourage these weary, hurting believers to be faithful to the Lord and to continue to run their race.
The author of Hebrews is comparing the Christian life to a race. He is not talking about a short distance race. Instead, he is referring to a marathon. A race that requires endurance, discipline, sacrifice, and preparation. Today we will talk about how to be spiritually fit so we can run the Christian race.
How do we stay in the race? How do we keep running the race of faith?
• Learn from the heroes of faith.
• Lay aside anything that hinders your faith.
• Look to Jesus who keeps on building your faith.
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Michael R. Cariño is a speaker, writer, mentor, teacher, philosopher, theologian, pastor, missionary, and spirituality coach based in Manila, Philippines. He finished Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Far Eastern University, Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies at International Graduate School of Leadership, and Master of Arts in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines. He has spoken to various conferences and seminars on topics dealing with leadership, education, teams, relationships, worldviews, and spirituality. Mike is a pastor at the Christian Bible Church of the Philippines, and an instructor at the International Graduate School of Leadership. He is author of the book "Reasonable Faith: The Role of Intellectual Virtues in the Justification of Religious Belief".
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