Hebrews 12:1-2<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reading
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us
lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience
the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before
him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne
of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Truth: There are many things in this world that will hinder you from doing the will of God.
Decision: I will strive to remain free from those things that keep me from doing the will of God.
INTRODUCTION
There are many areas that one can preach about in this passage of the scripture. One is
Witnesses; then comes the title, Weight; and Running with Patience. In verse two we have
themes like Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our Faith. We also have Joy,
Enduring the Cross, and finally, Christ set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We, as Christians, are in a race. To run the race, we must lay aside some things. These
things are called WEIGHTS. The Bible says they (the Weights) \u201cSo easily beset us.\u201d What
does the word \u201cbeset\u201d mean? Surround; Enclose; Besiege; Press from all sides.
Before, I thought beset simply meant to hinder or slow down, but when I looked it up, I realized
this was more serious. There are things in this life that will surround you, close you in, put
pressure on you from all directions, and even lay siege to your life. The world, the flesh, and
the devil are against you. Society, your own selfishness, and Satan are against you.
Think about what you would do if you were to play in a football match in just a minute. What
do you need to do first before playing? You need to change your clothes. The clothes and
shoes you have on would be a hindrance to you. I have never seen anyone who wants to play
a football match and put on \u2018Batakari\u2019 or wrap in clothes. These are traditional dressings in
Ghana but not for playing football. Neither do people put on Agbada, a traditional cloth in
Nigeria nor a suit which is a European wear. These kinds of dresses will be a hindrance to
being effective and playing very well.
You go through life, and things will stick to you if you are not careful. You do not want anything
to keep you from doing what God wants you to do. It is difficult to lay aside a weight once it
has stuck to you. That is why the Scripture admonishes us to be vigilant of weights. \u201cLet us
lay aside every weight, and sin which doth so easily beset us,\u201d. Most of you are young and
relatively free. Your life is not too complicated yet. You are here in this room preparing to serve
the Lord. Some of you are already in the ministry serving the Lord one way or the other. You
are still in the race. You have laid aside some weights and sin. Five to 20 years from now, I
hope the same thing will be said of you, still in the race, still running, still looking unto Jesus,
and still living by Faith. Below are some weights we should watch out for.
(1) The desire to be rich
1 Timothy 6:9-10 says, \u201c9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into
many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love
of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith,
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.\u201d
The Bible is not saying that having money is bad. You could have money, be rich, and even
be a millionaire. If in all your riches you know God and still serve Him, that is not sin. But when
you desire to be rich and you are rich, then you forget about God, that is sin. And let not the
desire to be rich lead you astray to the things of this world and out of the ways of God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We need money, we pay our titles weekly or monthly depending on the nature of our work,
which is money. God commanded us to give our tithes and offerings, read this in Malachi 3:8,
\u201cWill a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In
tithes and offerings.\u201d The family needs money, individuals need money, the organization needs
money, and the church of God needs money. Thank Almighty, who put it in the mind of Pastor
Mark to come to our help to do what he is doing for us. Not only Pastor Mark, but praises go
to all other members both near and far. It is my prayer that God’s promise in Malachi 3:10 will
be your portion in Jesus’ name.
So, you can see we need money, but God doesn’t want us to desire to be rich. To desire means
to long for, at all costs, anyhow, good or bad, evil or blood ways, by fraud means, that is what
God means when He said those who desire to be rich. But instead, let us be content. Read 1
Timothy 6:6-7, \u201c6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into
this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.\u201d Why then are we rushing, hurrying,
worrying, and wanting at all costs to make money, whether by good means or by evil? Let us
watch out for weights.
(2) Marrying the wrong person
Now, if you have married, your wife is in the will of God. No going back, God hates divorce.
It has no place in God’s records. I am speaking to some young men today who are still
single. Choose a woman who will help you in the will of God. Beware of a woman who will
hinder you from doing the will of God. The choice of a mate is so important. You do not want
your mate to be a weight. Men, get some good advice. Look for a woman who loves the
Lord. Look for a lady who does not desire to be rich. Look for a lady who can live by faith.
We have been studying the book of Proverbs which is known as the Book of Wisdom. King
Solomon is the author of most of the Proverbs. We learned he is the wisest man to ever live
on earth apart from Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus Christ is God, and Solomon is a human
being full of wisdom. The Bible says Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings
11:3). At the end of Solomon’s life, he said, \u201cvanity of vanities, all is vanity\u201d (Ecclesiastes 1:2-
18). This is the man who is full of wisdom, the wealthiest man, the man who builds a
Magnificent Temple for God. The Bible says Solomon’s wives turned his heart from the living
God after their gods (1 Kings 11:3-8). His wives and concubines were weights to him.
An example of a good couple is Aquila and Priscilla as it is written in Acts 18:2,3,8. They
expound the way of God to Apollos in the same Acts 18:26. In Romans 16:3-4, Paul thanks
them for risking their lives for his sake. \u201c3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also
all the churches of the Gentiles.
This woman helped his husband to accomplish the work and the will of God for their lives.
They started a church in their house as it is written in 1 Corinthians 16:19, \u201c19 The churches
of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in
their house.\u201d Godly woman, hard-working woman, dedicated woman, \u201ca Virtuous woman\u201d as
the Bible called her (Proverbs 31:10-31). Sarah was listed with Abraham in the Hall of Faith.
(3) Addictions
1 Corinthians 9:27, \u201cBut I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any
means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.\u201d Alcohol, Drugs,
Pornography, Sexual Immorality. Thank the Lord for Pastor Mark, who taught us a sound
doctrine of the Bible back in Nigeria. I think of our Christian group \u2018Single Adult\u2019 that was later
changed to SALT, which means \u2018Single Adult Learning Truth\u2019. We were taught about the truth
of the word of God. I am glad that I have been trained in the ministry by Pastor Dr. Mark
Sigstad.
Are you addicted to something today? I say to you, lay it aside. It will take you out of
the race. Get to a man of God and get the help you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(4) Home
You will be surprised when I say home. By home, I mean the place where you grew up and
the people with whom you grew up. Most of the time, the will of God has you leaving your
parents, friends, and your hometown in order to serve Him.
Abraham left the Ur of the Chaldees (Genesis 11:28, 29, 31, Genesis 12: 1-4).
Jacob left Canaan to go back to Mesopotamia for a wife (Genesis 28-31).
Joseph was carried out to Egypt (Genesis 29-50)
Moses grew up in Egypt and escaped to the wilderness (Genesis 2).
Jonah had to leave Israel and head to Nineveh (The entire Book of Jonah).
Christ left His home in heaven to come and live on this sin-cursed earth.
Peter, Andrew, James John, and Paul left their families and their occupations.
Most often, the will of God takes you from a culture you know and love to a culture very
unfamiliar to you. And in that new culture, you realize even more your need for God. Those
foods from back home that you know and love can be a weight and a hindrance. Many have
the opportunity to travel out of their country, and when they get there, they turn a new leaf in
a negative way. They start smoking, drinking, womanizing, defrauding people, and engaging
in many evil operations that do not please God.
Most often, the will of God will put you in conflict with the will of your family. But if you will by
faith, lay off the weight of your family, then 5,10, or 15 years from now both you and your family
will be so glad you took the decision. Now they may not understand, but eventually, they will.
Now, by laying off your family, I do not mean your wife and children. I mean your parents and
aunts and uncles and cousins.
There are other weights to watch out for that I only have time to mention briefly.
Debt: \u201cthe borrower is servant to the lender\u201d (Proverbs 22:7). Pay off your debt and
\u201cowe no man any thing, but to love one another\u201d (Romans 13:8).
Not taking care of yourself – you only have one body with which to serve the Lord.
Laziness: Proverbs 10: 4-5, (4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but
the hand of the diligent maketh rich. 5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but
he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.\u201d
Fear
Dishonesty
CONCLUSION
Not all of us will be playing football or running in a track event, but the Scripture warns us that
we are to lay aside every weight. We are in a race, not a track and field event, but a race of
this world as pilgrims. Those with understanding obeyed. They were successful. They laid
aside the sins and the weights that tried to beset them. They were content, they married well,
they did not stay addicted, and they left their homes as they were led by God. Abel, Abraham,
Gideon, David, Sarah, Jacob, Noah, Enoch, and many more. They kept their eyes on the prize
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
You can do it,
I can do it.
We can do the same too.
Let’s pray and make a resolution to lay aside the things that weigh us down today and keep
us from doing the will of God.
Amen!!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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