The Christian Life - A Most Unusual Race

Hebrews 12:1-3

BACK

 

The Christian Life is an unusual race because:

  1. Everyone can WIN

    1. Olympians set personal best records, yet lose by inches or miles, by fractions of a second or minutes. Many sit and weep in defeat.

    2. In the Christian race, you win simply by finishing what you start.

    3. We run only according to our own ability, and are not held in comparison to those of great or lesser ability:

      1. Matthew 25:14-30

      2. 2 Corinthians 8:10-12

      3. 2 Corinthians 10:12

    4. We must run according to the rules - 2 Timothy 2:5

  2. Participants HELP one another

    1. This is not legal in some sports (basketball, football, etc)

    2. Galatians 6:1-2

    3. Hebrews 3:13; 10:24

    4. Special Olympians all stopped to help a fallen participant, and all crossed the finish line together, marching arm in arm.

    5. We must not be competitive in our thinking among brethren or among congregations.

  3. Of the RUNNERS

    1. Not only chiseled sprinters or anorexic marathoners in the prime of life, but the chubby, slow, weak, and physically disabled.

    2. However, we must all prepare and pace ourselves for the long haul:

      1. Acts 20:24

      2. 2 Timothy 4:6-8

  4. Of the UNIFORMS

    1. Today’s athlete’s wear high tech uniforms (new swim gear, etc.)

    2. The Christian athlete wears a suit & tie, a dress, an apron, overalls, blue jeans & t-shirt.

    3. We must remember that, modesty issues aside, what we wear on the outside is not so important as what is worn on the inside:

      1. 1 Timothy 2:10

      2. 1 Peter 3:4

      3. Galatians 3:27

  5. Of the TRACK

    1. In earthly races, runners face similar situations at all times.

    2. In life’s race, the track varies by individual - we all face different potholes, stumblingblocks, and hurdles. For some, the race sees easier than for most, but the deck appears stacked against others.

    3. We must be careful to remember that all face different temptations, and that ease in life does not necessarily encourage faithfulness. Would you want to run the apostle Paul’s race (2 Cor 11:23-12:10)? Or Stephen’s (Acts 7:53-60)? These proved faithful, unlike the Laodiceans (Rev 3).

    4. Our track is anywhere we may be: at home, work, school, in recreation...

  6. Of the SPECTATORS

    1. Hebrews 11 = the "great cloud of witnesses" of Hebrews 12:1

    2. There are no divided loyalties in the audience; everyone is pulling for me to win. No one is hoping for my defeat (Yankees, Gordon).

  7. It offers the Greatest PRIZE

    1. > than Pub. Clearing House & all other sweepstakes combined

    2. No man can offer anything comparable.

    3. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people

      1. Matthew 25:31-34

      2. Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16

      3. Hebrews 13:14

      4. The description found in Rev 21-22 is woefully inadequate

  8. One can fall OUT and Get Back IN

    1. Falling down invariably leads to defeat; quitting ensures it!

    2. In the Christian race, you can get back in after years of being out.

    3. Where are you in your race to heaven?

BACK