You and I live in a fallen creation that is no longer perfect and not even good. Sin and death have entered the world. Everyone is born with a sin nature in the likeness of Adam. But God has a solution for our sin problem. He offers to you and me the gift of salvation, paid for by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Immediately when you and I ask Jesus to forgive our sins and we receive Him as Lord and Savior, we are saved from the penalty of sin by the death and resurrection of our Captain Jesus Christ.

Someday you and I will be saved from the very presence of sin by the death and resurrection of our Captain Jesus Christ.

Between these two points in salvation, you and I are being saved from the pattern and habit of sin by our Captain Jesus Christ.

In the year 68 A.D. a writer, perhaps Paul, wrote these words to the Hebrews

Hebrews 2: ⁶ But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? ⁷ Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: ⁸ Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

In the beginning, God gave the first man, Adam, dominion over His creation. But Adam disobeyed God and God cursed the ground

⁹ But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. ¹⁰ For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. ¹¹ For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, ¹² Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. ¹³ And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

What is a captain?

Captain = one in authority over others, leader

What does it matter to you that Jesus tasted death for you?

How do the sufferings of Jesus make Him the perfect Captain of our salvation?

What does it matter to you that Jesus is not ashamed to call you brethren?

What does it matter to you that the Captain of your salvation will lead you in this life?

What does it matter to you that the Captain of your salvation has authority?

Our focus – Hebrews 12:¹ 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.³ For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good  plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through  you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti