Introduction:
A.  Hebrews teaches that Jesus is better than the law of Moses. He is a better priest, a better sacrifice.
B.  After a study of faith and the working out of faith in our lives in chapter 11, chapter 12 reminds us of the imperatives in the Christian lives.
C.  It also reminds us of  the great host of heavenly witnesses, who are urging us on in our Christian life and commitment.
D.  These five imperatives are:

I.  LAYING ASIDE THE  WEIGHT AND SIN: (verse 1)
A.  We must lay aside all sin - SIN hinders, weighs down
B.  We get rid of it by confessing it (I John 1:9)

II.  LOOK UNTO JESUS IN FAITH: (verse 2)
A.  Look unto Jesus for Our Course In Life:
    1.  The race is set before us, no doubt about that, vs 1
B.  Look unto Jesus during Our Commitment In Life:
    1.  He loves you
    2.  He longs for fellowship with you daily
C.  Look unto Jesus for Our Courage In Life:
    1.  Let him bare our burdens, let Him work through us
D.  Look unto Jesus for Our Comfort and Rest In Life:
    1.  Life will have four things:
        a.  disappointments
        b.  delays
        c.  deaths
        d.  dangers ….Matt 11:28-30
E.  Look unto Jesus for Our Consolation In Life:
    1.  How many people look to the world and the things of the world for consolation (hope, peace)

III.  LISTEN TO JESUS WITH EARS OF FAITH:
A.  Matt 7:24-27 (read)
B.  At Jesus baptism:  The voice of God was heard and said, “This is my beloved Son, hear ye him.”
C.  John 5:24: The lost need to hear him - you need to listen

IV.  LOVE JESUS, THE AUTHOR, FINISHER OF OUR FAITH:
A.  Bible says: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy might
B.  John 21: Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him
C.  Jesus said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

V.  LABOR FOR JESUS BY FAITH:
 “Run the race with Patience”
A.  A lot of people are saved, they can testify of that, but they never go any further in serious:
    1.  Bible study
    2.  Worship of God
    3.  Service for God
B.  But that right there is what is wrong with a lot of people.
C.  We should be encouraged by these witnesses the writer writes about…They are our cheerleaders, encouraging us to run, Labor in the Christian life.
    1.  There is Moses saying: “Move out in faith”
    2.  There is Abraham saying: “Step out in faith”
    3.  There is Noah saying: “Labor in faith”

ILLUSTRTION: Little girl fell out of bed, her other rushed to her: How come you to fall out of bed?” - “I think I stayed too close to the place where I got in!”
Many Christians today have stayed to close to the place where they got in and stumbled and fell. We need to move on, labor in faith, in the author and finisher of our faith - Jesus Christ.