August 9 2026
Hebrews 12:1–2 (KJV)
“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,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”
Let us pray.
Our gracious Heavenly Father,
We thank You for bringing us together once again in Your house. Thank You for the privilege of opening Your Word. We ask that You quiet every distraction and prepare our hearts to receive what You have for us today.
Lord, some have entered this sanctuary with joy. Others have entered carrying burdens no one else can see. Meet each one where they are. May Your Holy Spirit use Your Word to strengthen the weary, encourage the discouraged, and draw those who do not yet know Christ to salvation.
Hide me behind the cross that Christ alone may be seen.
For we ask these things in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Church, there are moments in life that divide everything into “before” and “after.”
You remember exactly where you were.
You remember the conversation.
You remember the feeling that suddenly came over you.
Life can change in a single moment.
Sometimes it is a phone call in the middle of the night.
Sometimes it is losing someone you love.
Sometimes it is a financial burden you never expected.
Sometimes it is a doctor’s report that changes everything.
I remember one of those moments in my own life.
Before the doctor ever confirmed it, something inside me already knew.
It was cancer.
When the words were finally spoken, my very first thought was exactly what many people would think.
“I’m going to die.”
Now I tell you that because I want to be honest with you.
Sometimes Christians think faith means fear never enters our minds.
That has not been my experience.
Fear often knocks first.
The difference is what happens next.
Almost immediately another thought came.
“I need to pray.”
Church, nothing had changed.
The cancer was still there.
The diagnosis had not disappeared.
The questions were still unanswered.
But my focus began to change.
Instead of looking only at the diagnosis, I began looking to the One who had promised never to leave me nor forsake me.
Look what the writer of Hebrews said.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”
There is the answer.
Not looking at the circumstances.
Not looking at tomorrow.
Not looking at everyone else’s opinion.
Looking unto Jesus.
I wonder how many people have come into church this morning looking everywhere except where God tells us to look.
Some have been looking at their problems.
Some have been looking at their failures.
Some have been looking at the uncertainty of tomorrow.
Some have been looking at the mistakes of yesterday.
Some have become so overwhelmed by life that they have forgotten to lift their eyes to Christ.
The writer of Hebrews knew something about life’s difficulties.
Notice he never promised the race would be easy.
He simply said,
“…let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
Every one of us has been given a different race.
Some races include sickness.
Some include loss.
Some include loneliness.
Some include responsibilities that seem heavier than we can bear.
But no matter what race we have been called to run, the instruction remains the same.
“Looking unto Jesus…”
That is where strength is found.
That is where hope is found.
That is where peace is found.
This past week we’ve talked about interrupted plans.
We’ve talked about the many voices competing for our attention.
We’ve talked about spiritual discouragement.
We’ve talked about speaking gracious words.
We’ve talked about the hurried pace of life.
We’ve talked about comparing ourselves with others.
Every one of those things has something in common.
They all try to take our eyes off Christ.
The world is constantly competing for our attention.
Fear says, “Look at me.”
Worry says, “Look at me.”
Discouragement says, “Look at me.”
Comparison says, “Look at everyone else.”
But the Word of God quietly says,
“Looking unto Jesus…”
Church, I have learned something through the years.
Fear usually speaks first.
But fear does not have to have the last word.
Prayer changes where we look.
When we pray, our circumstances may remain exactly the same, but our perspective begins to change because we are no longer facing them alone.
When I prayed after hearing that diagnosis, I wasn’t suddenly cured.
I wasn’t suddenly free from questions.
But I was reminded that Jesus was still walking beside me.
And if He was walking beside me, then whatever tomorrow held, I would not face it alone.
Isn’t that true for every believer?
Jesus never promised we would never have storms.
He promised He would be with us in the storm.
He never promised every burden would disappear.
He promised to help us carry them.
He never promised we would understand everything.
He simply said,
“Follow me.”
Look again at our Scripture.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.”
He is the Author.
He wrote the story of our salvation.
He is the Finisher.
He will complete what He has begun.
Church, if Jesus is both the Author and the Finisher, why are we so tempted to believe He will abandon us somewhere in the middle?
He won’t.
The same Savior who saved you is the Savior who walks beside you today.
Perhaps you’ve come this morning carrying a burden no one else knows about.
Perhaps fear has been speaking louder than your faith.
Perhaps you’ve been looking everywhere except to Christ.
Today the Lord gently calls us back.
“Looking unto Jesus…”
If you’ve never trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, today is the day to come to Him. Salvation is found in Christ alone. He died for your sins, rose again in victory, and offers eternal life to all who place their faith in Him.
If you’re already a believer but you’ve become distracted by the weight of this world, today is the day to lift your eyes again.
The altar is open. Come as the Lord leads.
Let us pray.
Our gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding us that our hope is never found in our circumstances but always in our Savior. Help us this week to keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus. When fear comes, remind us to pray. When discouragement comes, remind us of Your faithfulness. When life becomes overwhelming, remind us that You have never left us alone.
Strengthen every believer here today, and draw those who need Christ unto Yourself.
For we ask these things in the precious name of Jesus.
Amen.
Church, as we leave this place today, let’s not leave the Lord behind. Take Him with you into your homes, into your families, and wherever this week may lead. May others see Christ in us as we continue walking forward in faith until we gather again.