As we embark on a new year, many of us find ourselves reflecting on our spiritual lives and wondering how we can grow closer to God. The concept of momentum - that force that keeps us moving forward - is crucial in our faith journey. But how do we create, match, and maintain this spiritual momentum?

The writer of Hebrews gives us a powerful image to consider: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

This passage paints a vivid picture of our spiritual journey as a race. But it's not just any race - it's one where we're cheered on by those who have gone before us, a "great cloud of witnesses." These are the faithful who have already completed their earthly journey and now encourage us from the sidelines of eternity.

However, to run this race effectively, we need to shed the things that weigh us down. The writer mentions two types of hindrances: the "weight that hinders" and the "sin that so easily entangles." The weight might not necessarily be sinful, but it's anything that distracts us or prohibits us from moving with God. This could be excessive screen time, overworking, or even good things that have taken an outsized place in our lives.

The sin that entangles is more obvious - those habitual sins that we struggle to break free from. Both of these - the weight and the sin - need to be "thrown off" if we're to run our race with perseverance.

But here's the key: our eyes should be fixed on Jesus. He is both the "pioneer" (the one who has gone before us, showing us the way) and the "perfecter" (the one who will complete the work He's begun in us) of our faith. Jesus is not just the finish line - He's our companion throughout the journey.

So how do we create this momentum in our spiritual lives? For some of us, it might require a push or a pull. Just as Jesus had to encourage His disciples after the resurrection to go and spread the Good News, we too might need that initial push to get started. Remember, the hardest part of any journey is often taking that first step.

For others, we might need to match momentum. This involves finding someone who's running their spiritual race at a higher level than we are and challenging ourselves to keep up. It's about surrounding ourselves with people who inspire us to grow. As Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

Then there are those who have been running at full speed for a while. The challenge here is to maintain momentum without burning out. This is where developing a rhythm of Sabbath becomes crucial. Jesus invites us: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Our rest is not just about taking a day off - it's about finding our rest in Jesus Himself.

As we think about momentum in our spiritual lives, it's important to remember that the goal isn't just to go wide, but to go deep in Christ. It's not about how many activities we can pack into our schedule or how busy we can make ourselves for the Kingdom. Rather, it's about growing in our relationship with Jesus, allowing Him to transform us from the inside out.
This journey of faith isn't always easy. There will be times when we feel stuck, times when we need to pick up the pace, and times when we need to learn to rest in God's presence. But through it all, we're called to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

As we move forward in this new year, let's challenge ourselves to create momentum in our spiritual lives. Maybe for you, that means finally letting go of that sin that's been holding you back. Perhaps it means finding a mentor who can challenge you to grow. Or it could mean learning to rest in God's presence even as you serve Him faithfully.

Whatever stage you're at in your spiritual journey, remember that you're not alone. You're surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses cheering you on. More importantly, you have Jesus - the pioneer and perfecter of your faith - right there with you every step of the way.
So let's throw off everything that hinders us. Let's break free from the sin that entangles us. And let's run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. As we do, we'll find that momentum building in our spiritual lives, propelling us forward in our journey of faith.

May this year be one of spiritual growth and deepening relationship with God for each of us. May we learn to create, match, and maintain momentum in our walk with Christ. And may we always remember that our ultimate goal is not just to run the race, but to fix our eyes on Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith.

If this sermon spoke to you and you’re ready to explore it further, this study guide is for you! Inside, you’ll find key Scriptures, reflection questions, and practical applications to help you grow in your faith. Open it up, dig in, and let God’s Word transform your life!