and let us run with endurance the race
William MacDonald emphasizes that the Christian life is a long-distance race requiring perseverance and endurance through trials rather than constant mountaintop experiences.
In this devotional sermon, William MacDonald challenges the idealistic view of the Christian life as a series of constant spiritual highs. He encourages believers to embrace the reality of perseverance through trials and routine faithfulness, using biblical examples like Enoch to illustrate enduring faith. MacDonald reminds listeners that the Christian journey is a long-distance race requiring endurance to finish well and receive God's promises.
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“…and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Heb. 12:1, NASB)
Many people have a view of the Christian life that is excessively idealistic. They think it should be one uninterrupted series of mountaintop experiences. They read Christian books and magazines and hear personal testimonies of dramatic events and conclude that this is all of life. In their dream-world, there are no problems, heartaches, trials and perplexities. There is no hard work, no daily routine, no monotony. All is Cloud 9. When they don’t find their life fitting this pattern, they feel discouraged, disillusioned and deprived.
The true facts are these. Most of the Christian life is what G. Campbell Morgan calls “the way of plodding perseverance in the doing of apparently small things.” This is the way I have found it. There has been a full share of menial tasks, of long hours of disciplined study, of service without apparent results. At times the question has arisen, “Is anything really being accomplished?” Just then the Lord would drop some token of encouragement, some wonderful answer to prayer, some clear word of guidance. And I would be strengthened to go on for a while longer.
The Christian life is a long-distance race, not a 50 yard dash, and we need endurance to run it. It is important to start well but what really counts is the endurance that enables us to finish in a blaze of glory.
Enoch will always have an honored place in the annals of endurance. He walked with God—think of it—for 300 years (Gen. 5:22). But we need not think that those were years of undiluted glamor or uninterrupted thrill. In a world like ours, it was inevitable that he should have his share of trials, perplexities and even persecutions. But he did not grow weary in well doing. He endured to the end.
If you are ever tempted to quit, remember the words of Heb. 10:36 NEB, “You need endurance if you are to do God’s will and win what He has promised.”
A noble life is not a blaze
Of sudden glory won,
But just an adding up of days
In which God’s will is done.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Misconception of the Christian Life
- Many expect constant mountaintop experiences
- Reality includes trials, monotony, and hard work
- Disillusionment arises from unrealistic expectations
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II. The Reality of Perseverance
- Christian life involves plodding perseverance in small tasks
- Service may seem fruitless but God provides encouragement
- Endurance is essential to finish well
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III. Biblical Example of Endurance
- Enoch walked with God for 300 years
- Endurance despite trials and persecutions
- Faithfulness leads to honorable legacy
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IV. Encouragement to Endure
- Remember Hebrews 10:36 about endurance
- Noble life is an accumulation of faithful days
- Do God's will to receive His promises
Key Quotes
“Many people have a view of the Christian life that is excessively idealistic.” — William MacDonald
“The Christian life is a long-distance race, not a 50 yard dash, and we need endurance to run it.” — William MacDonald
“A noble life is not a blaze of sudden glory won, but just an adding up of days in which God’s will is done.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Accept that the Christian life includes routine perseverance, not just dramatic experiences.
- Draw strength from God's promises when facing discouragement or trials.
- Focus on steady faithfulness daily as it leads to a noble and honored life in God’s sight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to run the race with endurance?
It means to persist faithfully in the Christian life despite challenges, maintaining steady faith and commitment over time.
Why do some Christians feel discouraged in their spiritual walk?
Because they expect constant spiritual highs and overlook the reality of trials and routine perseverance in the Christian journey.
Who is Enoch and why is he mentioned?
Enoch is a biblical figure who walked with God for 300 years, exemplifying enduring faithfulness despite life's difficulties.
How can believers find encouragement to keep going?
By recalling God's promises and recognizing that small faithful acts accumulate into a noble life pleasing to God.
What is the key takeaway from Hebrews 10:36 in this sermon?
That endurance is necessary to do God's will and receive His promised rewards.