Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4
1 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.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, 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.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Today, we want to concern ourselves with the things that hinder our lives. The writer of Hebrews draws some distinction between “everything that hinders” and entangling sins. I am not going to try to draw the lines to define what is sin and what is a hindrance. I’m going to let God take care of that in your life. What we want to do is to help you get rid of things that control your life so you are free to follow God without hindrance.

First: The problem
Drugs, alcohol, tobacco are the obvious. Directly or indirectly, addiction to drugs, cigarettes and alcohol is thought to account for a third of all hospital admissions, a quarter of all deaths and a majority of serious crimes. In the U.S. alone the combined medical and social costs of drug abuse are believed to exceed $240 billion. The problems associated with these addictions are enormous and they are known.

There are others that are less thought of in this regard. There is compulsive gambling. They say that playing the lottery is the tax on those who are poor at math. Gambling addictions are increasing rapidly in America.

There are the problems of the internet. For all the tremendous good on the internet, there is also a darker side, chief of which is pornography. They say there are now 50,000 pornographic websites. But for some people, it is not the content. The are consumed by the medium. They spend hours a day to the neglect of the rest of their lives.

There are video and computer games. Both young people and adults spend their lives there. Instead of advancing in their career or at school, they play life away.

There are eating problems. Some eat too much, or uncontrollably. Others eat too little. Some eat to satisfy the craving of the soul, rather than the body.

There is the problem of sexual twistedness in its 101 forms. Homosexual thoughts. Thoughts of sex with those who are not your spouse.

There is garage saling, or shopping. Some cannot help themselves. They buy what they do not need. They shop compulsively.

Television and movies has become the drug of choice for others. As they watch, they cry, or become joyful. They slip into despair or laugh with abandon. They become sexually aroused or terribly angry. They shout, or they cower in fear. All this, is in response to what does not exist. How different is that from the hallucinating drugger who swats or cries out at imaginary images?

Second, we have the example of Jesus.
We are now in the 40-day period known as Lent. During this time we identify with Jesus who spent 40 days in the wilderness, fasting and being tested by the devil. Jesus was willing to deny his flesh so that he could accomplish his mission.

The themes of these 40 days have to do with spiritual disciplines. We say that if we follow the example of Jesus we will see similar results in our character. We know that the blood of Christ saves us, but that we mature as we pursue the spiritual disciplines of Jesus. He is both our Savior and our example.

Third, this is now an annual event for very practical reasons.
For some, it is the opportunity to celebrate success, to realize that a year ago things were very different in my life and I can be thankful.

For others, it is an opportunity to get back on track. Sometimes people do well for a long time, but then they fall back. Often something traumatic happens which upsets their whole world. Suddenly, the strength they once had evaporates. Problems they long ago had addressed and conquered, in their weakened state, draw them back down. In our Friday prayer meeting, Mary told about winning over drugs, alcohol, and tobacco after she became a Christian. Then, at a wedding, someone spiked the punch with LSD. Even though she did not willingly participate, it so upset her body and soul and she was dragged back into things she had earlier conquered. It took quite a while to climb back out of that hole.

Sometimes people have a relationship go sour, or lose a job, or find themselves greatly disappointed in some one or some thing. The weakness created by those situations sometimes drags people back into things they earlier had defeated. An annual event says you were once free and you can be free again.

Fourth, Today is about the joys of freedom.
I would like for you to think about the great things, the positive things of being free. First, it is wonderful to be in control of your own life and not to be a slave to anything. Second, there are great benefits. Consider this. If you smoke two packs of cigarettes per day, it costs about $6.00 a day. That amounts to about $2,200 per day. If you were to stop smoking today, you could travel with me, every two years to the Holy Land and related spots. This October, we will cruise the Mediterranean. While the fall rains are falling in Seattle, we will be sitting on a cruise ship, sipping iced tea, wearing sun block, and talking about what Ephesus will be like and how much we just enjoyed the island of Patmos. Would you rather get burned by the Mediterranean sun or just smell like smoke? Hang up an Israel tour brochure over your desk where you work. Maybe tape a pack of cigarettes to it.

Clair Nau, one of our elders, used to smoke and drink heavily. He said that he carried a pack of cigarettes in his pocket for a year before he really felt free. When he wanted to smoke, he would take out a cigarette and look at it, then put it back into the pack. He wore out several packs that first year, but it worked for him.

Today is about Hope and Help
This service is not about trying harder. If it were easy, you would already be free. If it were a matter of willpower, the problem would be solved. In my opinion, most of the real struggles you are having are not a matter of willpower or determination. I do think we need to help ourselves. But the fact is, we also need help.

A. We need the help of whatever people and resources that are available. This is why we have invited some people to be with us today and why other ministries are represented with literature. Jireh has coordinated this and I appreciate his help.

B. We need the help of the Church. Today will be a catalyst for change. After today some of you will never fall into that habit again. Others will be motivated, but will fail in the days ahead. You need the church. You need some place to go where your faith can be encouraged and your spirit strengthened. You need some place to be forgiven of your sins and to receive hope for your future.

C. We need the help of God. I believe God helps us in more than one way. He helps us in our Mind and Body.

1. He gives us hope. Hope is a powerful, positive emotion. Others have won their battle, maybe, with God’s help, I can too.

E. God helps us in our Spirit with a gift of faith.

In this context, a gift of faith is the ability to say, who needs that other stuff, I have something better. I don’t have to be a slave to tastes and feelings. I am free. I’m tired of being “dissed.” Disease, discomfort, dysfunction, disdain, despair. Who needs being “dissed”? I have a future, and that is not in it. Why should I spend my life with a whiny loser’s limp?

I’ve spent enough money and years reaching for the tobacco, I’m reaching for the future. I’ve reached for food enough, now I’m reaching for Jesus.

I’ve lifted the glass enough. Now I lift my hands and bless the Lord.

I’ve stuck my finger down my throat for the last time. Now I’m going to stick my finger in the devil’s eye.

From now on, the only shooting up I’m going to do is when the trumpet of God sounds and I go shooting up into heaven.

Prayer:
(Pin your addiction to the cross and kneel for prayer)

Heavenly Father,

We pray that today would be a turning point in these lives. May each of these look back and say that was the day when I became free or when I started on the path of freedom. As we pin the bondages and addictions to the cross, we pierce the wood.

Thank you Jesus, that you let them piece you so that we could be free. You were bound to the cross, unable to escape, so that we could escape our bondages today. By your stripes we are healed and we pray for that healing today.

Restore the years that the cankers have eaten. Restore health, restore vitality, restore strength, restore peace!