Running the Race
Watch or listen to
the full sermon here.
Preached by Pastor Mike Woodard
Follow The Valley Church
Running the Race with Endurance: Lessons from Hebrews 12
When it comes to following Jesus, Scripture often uses the image of running a race. Hebrews 12:1–2 gives us one of the clearest pictures:
“Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
This passage reminds us that faith is not a sprint—it’s a lifelong marathon. And to run well, we need to let go of anything that slows us down.
Laying Aside Sin and Hindrances
The author of Hebrews makes an important distinction: there are sins that entangle us, and there are hindrances that weigh us down.
Sin is any act of rebellion against God. Whether outward or inward, sin disrupts our relationship with Him and keeps us from experiencing His best. Thankfully, through the cross of Christ, our sin is forgiven—but the danger remains if we continue to entertain it. That’s why Scripture calls us to repent, to lay it down, and to move forward with our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Hindrances, on the other hand, may not be sinful in themselves, but they can still rob us of freedom and endurance. These could be unhealthy habits, misplaced priorities, or distractions that steal our focus. Paul said it best: “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.” Just because something isn’t sinful doesn’t mean it helps you run your race.
Sometimes hindrances come in the form of grief, trauma, or loss. Those aren’t things we can simply “get over.” Instead, we’re invited to place those burdens on Christ, trusting that He carries them with us until we feel light enough to move forward again.
Running with Endurance
The Christian life requires endurance. Just like a runner has to shed extra weight to make progress, we too must release whatever is holding us back. Otherwise, we’ll run out of strength long before the finish line.
The good news is that Jesus not only started this race with us—He promises to see it through. He is the “pioneer and perfecter” of our faith. That means He is both the author who began the work in us and the finisher who will complete it.
Jesus modeled endurance when He faced the cross. Scripture says He endured “for the joy set before Him.” That joy was you. He went through the shame and pain of the cross so you could be set free and restored to relationship with Him.
And now, He is seated at the right hand of God—not pacing, not worried, but fully in control. That truth gives us peace when the world feels chaotic and hope when life feels heavy.
So today, ask yourself: What sins do I need to repent from? What hindrances do I need to lay aside? And how can I fix my eyes on Jesus as I run with endurance?
Because what got you here won’t get you there. To reach the next level of faith, we need to trust Jesus, shed the weight, and run the race with endurance.