Running the race

Peter G Kuskie, Australia

 

1 Cor 9:24-27  Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. 25 All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. (New Living Translation)

 

Heb 12:1-2  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.

 

Introduction

 

ü      Prophets, Jesus, Paul took examples from the natural to teach spiritual

ü      I have been thinking about the need for more exercise (though you can tell a man is on the level if his bubble is in the middle)

ü      It is understood that for many of us the option of going for a run is not really there

ü      However we can apply the spiritual principles of the lesson

ü      What can we learn from running?

 

6 Qualities needed for good running

 

         1.  Definite goal

2.     Single mindedness

3.     Self denial

         4.  Patience

5.     Faith

         6.  Follow the rules

 

·        Race is not around a circuit

·        Rut is a grave with the end kicked out

·        Doing same things day in & out – routine not problem if we are growing

 

1. Definite Goal  

 

1 Cor 9:24  Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win.

 

¨      Our race is against ourselves – our old nature

 

What is the prize?

 

1. Know Him Phil 4:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

2. Please God 2 Tim 2:4&5  And as Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army. 5 Follow the Lord's rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize.

3. Become who we were born to be  Phil 3:13&14 No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven..

 

¨      Should be kept before us always

 

2. Single-mindedness

 

ü      I do not run uncertainly 1 Cor 9:26  So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches.

ü      See goals & plan life accordingly

ü      Phil 3:13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

ü      Won’t achieve anything great unless whole heart is in it\

ü      Lack of vision people destroyed  Pro 29:18 Without a vision the people perish

 

3. Self Denial 

 

Mk 8:34&35  Then he called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen. "If any of you wants to be my follower," he told them, "you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. 35 If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life.

 

Lk 22:42  "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine."

 

Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.

 

4. Patience 

 

§         This is not a sprint – it’s a marathon

§         Times when we will have to believe for our 2^nd wind

 

Col 1:11  We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need.

 

Heb 6:12  Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and patience.

 

Heb 10:36 For you need endurance, so that after you have done God's will, you may receive what was promised.

 

¨      I want patience & I want it now!

 

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit  Gal 5:22  But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

 

5. Faith

 

Heb 11:1&6 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. 6 So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who diligently seek him.

 

Jesus committed to us Phil 1:6  And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ

Jesus comes back again.

 

¨      Jesus will not give up on us – let us not give up on Him

 

He gives us all we need 2 Peter 1:3  As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness!

 

6. According to the rules

 

2 Tim 2:5  Follow the Lord's rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize.

 

1. Wait on God Isa 40:31  But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
2. Study word Pro 4:11-13  I will teach you wisdom's ways and lead you in straight paths. 12 If you live a life guided by wisdom, you won't limp or stumble as you run. 13 Carry out my instructions; don't forsake them. Guard them, for they will lead you to a fulfilled life
3. Fellowship Heb 10:24&25  Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.

 

7 deadly distractions

 

                   a. Lukewarm Rev 3:14-16  Write this letter to the angel of the church in           Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen – the faithful             and true witness, the ruler of God's creation: 15 "I know all the things you             do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other!

b.     Doubleminded  - Choose you this day. Jms 1:5-8 If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.

c.      Devil – Armour of God - Eph 6

d.     Temptation – way of escape – 1 Cor 10:13 But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it

e.     Cares – cast them on him – 1 Pe 5:7, Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. Phil 4:6&7 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

f.        

All consuming – seek 1^st his kingdom

         a. Pleasures – only for a season – Heb 11:25  It was by faith that Moses, when          he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25 He chose to share the oppression of God's people instead of enjoying the fleeting   pleasures of sin.

         b. Riches – deceitful – can be poor & obsessed with money  Matt 13:22  Now    the seed sown among the thorns--this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the pleasure of wealth choke the word, and it becomes           unfruitful.

 

Conclusion

 

Promised rewards

1. Reign in life Rom 5:17  For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
2. Eternal life Jn 10:27 & 28  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: ²⁸And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
3. Crown of life 2 Tim 4:7& 8  ⁷I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: ⁸Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

 

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