10/05/2026 - Beck Lambert

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV)

1/ Surrounded by a Cloud of Witnesses

Find Your People

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” (Hebrews 12:1, ESV)

Look for people beyond, beside and behind you in your race.

Beyond

The “beyond” people are those with a witness that stirs us to run and finish our race.

Beside

“Beside” people understand your race because they’re running one just like it.

Behind

Don’t underestimate the difference your voice makes to someone who is “behind” you in the race.

Who are you looking to for wisdom?

Who are you sharing life alongside?

Who are you investing in?

Challenge for your week:

Reach out to someone running ahead of you

Spend time with someone you’re running alongside

Make an investment in someone behind you

2/ Lay Aside Every Weight

Bitter or Better

“…let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely…” (Hebrews 12:1b, ESV)

Sin – identify it, seek forgiveness, and walk with Jesus in repentance.

Weight – Consolation and Desolation. Consolation – an inner “moving towards” God and others or Desolation – a “moving away” or sense of separation from God in my life.

Examples of possible “weight” in your race:

Habits or pastimes that aren’t sinful but lead you away from the Lord not towards Him.

Unresolved hurt – carrying something that happened years ago that still slows your pace today.

Overcommitment – saying yes to everything when you’re called to steward your time well.

Comparison – comparing your everyday life to someone else’s highlight reel.

Anxiety – overthinking everything, becoming trapped in your thoughts, being unable to move forward for fear of making the wrong decision.

How we handle weight and sin determines whether we grow bitter or better.

Reflection Questions:

What’s a weight I’m carrying that I need to lay aside?

Are there weights in my life that are resulting in desolation – a moving away from God and not towards Him?

3/ Run with Perseverance

God Uses Every Season

“…and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…” (Hebrews 12:1c, ESV)

Hupomeno – hupo, meaning “under,” and meno, meaning “to remain.” It literally means to remain under a heavy load.

Perseverance during hard times forms our character in ways that ease never can.

Reflection Questions:

What season are you in right now?

What might God be forming in you through it?

Do you need to give yourself grace today — the kind of grace Jesus gives you?

4/ Look to Jesus

He Finished Well

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:2–3, ESV)

Jesus’ best work was His final work. His strongest step was His last step.

Fix your eyes on Jesus, he is the founder and perfecter of our faith.

The One who has persevered will help us persevere.

Reflection Questions:

Who are my people? Who’s beyond me, beside me, and behind me in this race? And what’s one step I can take this week to connect with or invest in them?

What sin or weight am I carrying that I need to lay aside? Examine your life. Is there sin that’s tripping you up on your race? What’s bringing desolation? What’s adding unnecessary weight to the race you’ve been called to? What would it look like to throw it off today? What might need to change so you can become better, not bitter?

What might God be forming in me through my current season? Your race will look different in each season. No matter what part of the race you’re in, can you trust that God uses every part?