Knowing Christ Message 9

Knowing Christ Message 9

Philippians 3:13–14

Run the Race

Me:

1. Confession time.

a. I don’t run.

i. I can barely walk.

b. There are all types of foot races.

i. Fun Runs,

5k Races (3.1 Miles),

10k Races (6.2 Miles),

Half-Marathon Races (13.1 Miles),

Marathon Races (26.2 Miles),

Ultramarathons (Longer than 26.2 Miles),

Trail Running Races (various distances)

c. Olympic races

i. Sprints | 100 | 200 | 400, Middle Distances | 800 | 1500 | 3000, Long Distances | 5,000 | 10,000 | Marathon,

We:

2. Running the race of life!

The Christian life is compared to a race!

i. Acts 20:24 (NIV) — 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Acts 20:24 NIV

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

ii. The Greek description is – “a task or function involving continuity, serious effort”

iii. The good news of God’s grace

Christians, like athletes, are to be single-minded

i. 2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV) — 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

2 Timothy 2:5 NIV

Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

ii. What does it mean by the “the rules”?

iii. No shortcuts

iv. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NLT) — 24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

v. 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NLT) — 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

vi. 1 Corinthians 9:26 (NLT) — 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

1 Corinthians 9:26 NLT

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

vii. 1 Corinthians 9:27 (NLT) — 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.

1 Corinthians 9:27 NLT

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.

Christians, like athletes, are to persevere.

i. Hebrews 12:1 (The Living Bible, Paraphrased) — 1 Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.

Hebrews 12:1 LBP

Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.

ii. We can’t give up!

The reward at the end of the race of life

i. 2 Timothy 4:7–8 (NLT) — 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7–8 NLT

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

God:

Run the Race!

a. The heavenly prize

i. Listen to this passage.

ii. Philippians 3:13–14 (NLT) — 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:13–14 NLT

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

I press on!

i. Life is hard

ii. Some days I just want to head to some Caribbean Island where the sun is warm.

iii. But that’s not the calling is it.

iv. We have been called to this task.

You:

Pick a race.

Fun race

i. You are here on Easter and Christmas

5K race

i. You are a regular attender – You will contribute when asked.

10K race

i. You are a little more serious. You’ve joined the church.

ii. You read your bible.

Half Marathon

i. You are really serious.

ii. You’ve joined the church.

iii. You study your bible you are growing in the Lord you tithe your income.

You invite people to church.

Marathon

i. You have drunk the Kool-Aid

ii. You have a role in the function of the church

You shave the gospel

Ultra-marathon

i. You have given your life to the ministry.

A Measure of Grace.

a. Not all are called to Pastor.

i. I love to watch you move on to the next step.

ii. Move from the 3 miles to a 100 miler.

iii. It requires discipline.

iv. It will require training.

v. It will require perseverance.

vi. It will require faith.

On your Mark, Set, Go!