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, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I have said at weddings that marriage is not a word; it is a sentence…a life sentence. What is true about marriage is also true about confirmation. To the confirmands and to all of you who have previously confirmed your faith in Jesus Christ I tell that you determine the kind of life sentence it will be. It is your choice to be faithful to the vows you have made. It is your choice to renew your vows on a daily basis.

If you choose to honor your vows you will find that your life sentence to Christ will be filled with His love, joy, patience, peace, kindness, gentleness, faithful and self control. Your relationship with God will empower your life. It will be a source of comfort, a source of strengthen, and source praise and thanksgiving.

If you choose to dishonor your vows you will find that your life sentence to Christ will be of no benefit to you. Therefore I strongly urge you to

“Run with perseverance the race marked out for us… fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of fixing your eyes on Jesus. There will be many distractions in your life. There will be people, situations and forces that will try to discourage you. They will seek to draw you away from God. Remember the vows you made today, ‘to be Christ’s disciples, to follow in the way of the Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice and to witness to the work and Word of Jesus Christ.’ This will require you to stay focused and to fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

In the late 1970's, the Detroit Lions had a young assistant coach who never played collegiate or pro football and lacked the physical stature of a NFL football coach. Because of this he was often disrespected and ridiculed. He just kept about his job and worked even harder to earn their respect.

One day he was asked, "Why do you take it?"
The young coach responded, "Because in 15 years, I will be a head coach in this league." He was focused on his long-term goal and was willing to endure the temporary pains.

His name is Bill Belichick the head coach New England Patriots. He is the only coach in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in four seasons. Belichick pressed on toward his goal and is now considered one of the best coaches in the game.

You and I should settle for nothing as we press on in life. Endurance and perseverance are the abilities to look to the future beyond the present and temporary pains. Jesus gives us a perfect example of perseverance. He never lost site of where He was headed. Jesus knew He was in for an exhilarating and glorious finish in and with God. All He had to do was press on in the midst of what the world threw at Him: shame, rejection, ridicule and a cross.

As Christians, we are expected to persevere and endure. We are striving for the same exhilarating and glorious finish as Jesus. The good news is that we have the example set by Jesus. Press on for and because of our Savior

“Run with perseverance the race marked out for us… fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."