READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l An avid runner, Pastor Ben began by sharing his experience completing a full marathon 15 years ago. What sustained him through the long race was a simple yet powerful resolve: keep on keeping on. Hebrews 12:1-2, which he memorised and wrote on his bib, reminded him that life is more like a marathon than a sprint.
The journey of life and faith requires mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual endurance. Along the way, there are moments of joy and celebration, but also seasons of discouragement and sorrow. What keeps us going when the road feels long and uncertain is fixing our eyes on the right prize – Jesus. He reminded the church: “We persevere not by our own strength, but by God’s grace.” As the church enters a new season, four lessons from Hebrews 12:1-2 were shared to help us run well.
- KNOW the Race Marked Out for Us (v.1b)
The first question we must ask is whether we are running the right race. It is possible to be very busy and expend much energy, yet move in the wrong direction. As Thomas Merton observed, many spend their lives climbing the ladder of success only to discover it is leaning against the wrong wall. None of us wants to reach the end and realise we have pursued the wrong finishing line. The choices we make each day; what we say “yes” to and what we say “no” to, shape the path we walk and determine the race we are truly running.
Jesus has clearly marked out this race. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus commissions all His followers, not just church leaders, to make disciples of all nations. We run under His authority and with His promised presence. It is not a solo effort, nor an attempt to prove ourselves to God, but a response of obedience to His call. Once we are clear about the race God has set before us, the challenge becomes learning how to keep going when the journey grows long, tiring, and discouraging, and when we are tempted to slow down or give up.
- LOOK at the Champions of Faith (v.1a)
Hebrews 12:1 begins, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…”. One way we grow in perseverance is by learning from the godly men and women who have gone before us. Hebrews 11, often called the “Hall of Faith,” records ordinary people in Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and others who trusted an extraordinary God and were commended for their faith, even though they did not receive all that was promised. This was likened to running a marathon, where many runners “hit the wall” and feel exhausted. During Pastor Ben’s own race, as he passed Marina Barrage and heard the cheers of the crowd, he was reminded of this “great cloud of witnesses”; the saints of the past cheering us on to keep running.
Scripture was given to encourage us. Romans 15:4 reminds us that what was written before was meant to teach us endurance and give us hope. We learn not only from the saints of old, but also from faithful believers today. God has placed godly men and women around us to encourage us and model Christlikeness. Pastor Ben gave thanks for the many “champions of faith” in Wesley Methodist Church; leaders, staff, volunteers, small group leaders, and faithful members whose quiet, sacrificial service inspires us to keep running and spur one another on.
- LAY Aside Every Hindrance (v.1b)
Hebrews 12:1 calls us to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” To run well, we must examine our lives honestly: what distractions, habits, or sins are slowing us or drawing us away from God? Just as athletes carefully manage their training and diet, we must be intentional about what we allow into our lives. As we prepare for the coming year, we need to reprioritise our time and lay aside anything that hinders our walk with God. Where there is sin, we are invited to confess it and receive God’s forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9).
True surrender means depending on God, not ourselves. The Wesley Covenant Prayer, often prayed during Watch Night Services; “I am no longer my own, but Yours…” expresses a life fully surrendered to Him.
- FIX Our Eyes on Jesus (v.2a)
Finally, we are called to fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. He is both the starting point and the finishing goal of our race. Like a runner focusing on markers along the route, we keep going by continually fixing our gaze on Christ.
Jesus endured far more than any hero of faith and faithfully completed the work God gave Him. Challenges in life are inevitable, but the key question is whether we look at ourselves or to Jesus when they come. As the Chief Shepherd, He alone leads us to eternal hope and shows us how to live as faithful disciples.
Parting Words
This was Pastor Ben’s final sermon at Wesley Methodist Church before moving to Living Waters Methodist Church. He expressed deep gratitude to the Wesley family; his home church where he and his children were baptised and nurtured in faith. He thanked all who supported him and his wife, Claire, through his calling and service. Reflecting on his time in the NextGen ministry, he noted that true ministry depends on keeping our eyes on Jesus, not on our own strength.
As he prepares to serve a smaller congregation with a large student mission field at ACS(I), he acknowledged the uncertainties ahead but trusted in God’s perfect plan. He will miss Wesley, a church of “champions of faith,” and looks forward to seeing how God continues His work there.
His final encouragement: fix your eyes on the Chief Shepherd, be strong and courageous, and trust in God’s abiding presence. This is not goodbye, but until we meet again.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
Read Hebrews 12:1–2
a. What words or phrases stand out to you in Hebrews 12:1–2? Why? - Recall Sermon
a. Which of the four points spoke most strongly to you? Why? - Relate Personally
a. What does the “race marked out for you” look like in this current season of your life?
b. Who has been a “champion of faith” in your life?
c. Are there habits, distractions, or sins God may be prompting you to lay aside as you enter 2026?
d. What helps you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus when you feel tired or discouraged? - Commit to Action
a. As you prepare to enter 2026, what is one hindrance you sense God asking you to lay aside?
b. What is one spiritual practice (e.g. prayer, Scripture, community, rest) you want to strengthen to help you run this race well?
c. Who is one person you can walk with or check in on regularly as you keep running this race?
