"THE FIVE IMPERATIVES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE"-(Heb. 12:1-3)
Hebrews teaches that Jesus is BETTER than the Law of Moses. He is a better priest, a better sacrifice, and has a better promise!  After Paul conducted a study of faith the many bible heroes it produced,king out of faith in
in chapter 11, this chapter reminds us of the imperatives in the Christian Life.  We are told that there are a great host of witnesses who are urging us on in our christian life and commit-ment. (Patriarchs, afore mentioned heroes, friends and relatives who have gone on before?)
Illustration: A little girl fell out of bed, her mother rushed to her, asked:"how come you fell out of bed?"Girl
said:"I think I stayed too close to the place that I got in." That is the problem with many christians today:
they stay too close to the place where they got in, and THAT'S WHY they FALL OUT!!! 
I. LAYING ASIDE THE SIN AND WEIGHT THAT SO EASILY BESETS YOU.
A. We must lay aside-(That means get rid of it!)(Repent)(Confess & Forsake!), By doing this, a person receives Gods Forgiveness, Restoration, & Fellowship.
II. LOOKING UNTO JESUS IN FAITH
A. Look unto Jesus for our Course in life. The race is set before us-(vs. 1)
B. Look unto Jesus for Commitment to Him.-(Daily devotion!)
C. Look unto Jesus for your Courage in life.
Let him bare your burdens & work through you.  Don't try to be courageous in your own strength, even
though that helps. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
D. Look unto Jesus for Comfort and rest in life.
Life will have Disappointments: 2. Delays 3. Deaths 4. Dangers..(Mt. 11:28-30 "Come unto me")
E. Look unto Jesus for Consolation [hope for this life and for the next life]
III. LISTEN TO JESUS WITH EARS OF FAITH
(Mt. 7: 24-27 "He that heareth my word and doeth it...shall be like a house built on the Rock. It will stand.
"He that heareth my word and doeth it not...Shall be like a house built on the sand. It will fall.")
At Jesus baptism: The voice of God was heard saying,  "This is my son, hear ye him."
(John 5:24-"Verily, verily I say unto you, he that heareth my word,
and beleiveth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life
and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from
death unto life.") [Jesus said over and over; "He that hath an ear, let him hear..".]
IV. LOVE JESUS "THE AUTHOR / FINISHER OF OUR FAITH.
The Bible says, "Thou shalt love the the Lord thy God, with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul, and thy neighbor as thy self."   Don't be surprised if Jesus someday asks you if you love Him.  In John 21, Jesus asked Peter: "Lovest thou me?" 3 times!  And Jesus said: "If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments."
V. LABOR FOR JESUS BY FAITH --"Run the race with Patience"-Many people are saved and can testify to that: but they never go any further in serious Bible study, and WORSHIP of God and in Service for Him!
*We should be encouraged by these witnesses the writer writes about!  Remember, the bible wasn't placed in chapter and verse form until the days of Christopher Columbus, so chapter 11 and 12 were mostly intertwined!  These BIBLE HEROES are among our heavenly cheer-leaders, who are encouraging us to run and labor in the Christian life:
1. There's Moses saying: Move out in faith,
2. There is Abraham saying: Move out in faith...
3. There is Noah saying: Move out in faith...(1 Thess. 1:3-"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love which ye ministered unto the saints...")