Finish the Race

In this life we have thoughts and expectations of how we think things should and will go.

In a race you expect the fastest person to win.

In a fight you expect the strongest person to be victorious.

During a test you expect the smartest person to score the highest.

In business you expect the most savvy person to be the richest.

On a job you expect the one who works the hardest to get the promotion.

This is what we call “fair”; but…

How many know that life ain’t fair?

How many know that in this world young people die?

How many know that the wicked sometimes prosper?

How many know that cheaters sometimes do win?

How many know that the innocent sometimes get prosecuted while the guilty go free?

How many know, things ain’t always what we think they should be?

But despite all of this news, despite all we see happening in our world today, despite the ups, downs, and sideways turns, we can still find hope in the Word of God.

This morning I have two passages of Scripture for you. One in the Old Testament and one in the New. Turn with me to Eccl 9:10-11, put a pin there and go to the New Testament book of 1 Cor 9:23-24.

Eccl 9:10 Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom. 11 I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.

1 Cor 9:23 NLT I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

The title of today’s message is “Finish the Race”. In everything we do we must strive to finish the race. Many parents instill in their children to finish what they start.

Quitters never win and winners never quit, even when it gets hard. When it gets hard that’s the time you have to press. That’s the time you have to bear down and push.

When a woman is giving birth, she has gone through nine months of preparation. Her body has gone through changes. Her hormones are in such disarray, she is sometimes unrecognizable. And now she is in labor, the very word labor is synonymous with work; and if all goes well the reward is a healthy baby.

When a woman is in labor, she must push in order for the baby to be born, if she doesn’t push the baby could die or suffer irreparable physical and/or mental defects or she may have to have a c-section.

When God gives us a task to do, we must complete that task, even when it gets hard. There will come a time when you will have to push to receive your reward.

King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived gives us some wise counsel in these verses.

He first tells us, “Whatever you do, do well”. Anything worth doing is worth doing well, because what ultimately ends up happening when you don’t do a job well is you end up doing it again. And now you’ve wasted time and resources. So, “Whatever you do, do well.”

The second thing he reminds us of is that our time here is limited and we don’t have time to mess around and do a job halfway or halfhearted. There is another word I’m sure you’ve heard, but I’m going to leave it right there.

Solomon goes on to say, “For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.”

In other words, do everything you’re supposed to do on this side, (because after you die, and every one will, it is appointed unto man once to die, then comes the judgement), but after you die, there is nothing left to do but to either praise the Lord or regret your decision.

There are those who say things like they are going to party in hell. There’s a commercial with a person saying he is a proud atheist, and people say other things that don’t really make sense. They speak as if hell isn’t real.

But when we read our Bibles we learn nothing could be further from the truth. Matthew clearly tells us in the 13th chapter and 41st verse of his gospel that , 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” That doesn’t sound like a good time to me. How about you?

When this life comes to an end, there is another waiting for us, but in that one all the work, and all the planning will be done. Your knowledge, your wisdom, your education, your connections, your money, your whatever you think you have…none of that will matter.

We must recognize and accept, it is now and it will be then all about the glory of God. Heaven is real and there are some very real things happening there.

In a vision God gave to John, he records these words for us in Rev 4 starting at verse 9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, 11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

Everything is because God created it. Nothing was made that was made that God didn’t create. Now watch this…that includes Satan, who was originally the angel Lucifer and the minister of music in heaven. When he moved his very body created music.

But God is God and above him there is no other, there is no one beside him either. He stands alone as the all seeing, all knowing, all powerful God of everything and he did and does all things well so why would we do less than our best for him.

Work while it is day, for night comes when no man can work.

Make your plan now for where you will spend eternity, because when you die it’s too late.

Gain knowledge and wisdom now, because when you die, there’s nothing left to learn. Get your practice in here.

Practice singing

Practice praising

Practice worshipping

Practice giving

Because when this life is over, when the battle is over, we shall wear a crown, in the New Jerusalem. If you prepared here.

When it’s all over you’re going to have a story to tell. What’s it going to be. Will you tell them how you made it over?

Solomon had seen some things, he said, “I have observed something else under the sun.” Remember, Solomon was the one who said there’s nothing new under the sun. So Solomon says

The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race—sometimes they pull a muscle, sometimes they fall, sometimes they have a bad start, sometimes they are disqualified from the running the race.

The strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. Just ask Goliath.

The wise sometimes go hungry.

The skillful are not necessarily wealthy.

And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives.

At the end of the day, Solomon declares, “It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.”

How many know you were blessed only because you were in the right place at the right time? You did nothing to earn the blessing. There was no preparation, no studying, no money, you just happened to be in the right place, at the right time and you received a blessing.

It was a set up. How many know God will set you up. He’s got a blessing with your name on it and so he will put you

— in the right place

— at the right time to receive it.

Are you ready for it?

And when he does it you need to tell somebody.

Paul says, “I do everything to spread the Good New and share in its blessings.

Who have you shared with lately? Who have you told about the good news of Christ?

Who have you told that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son?

Who have you told that Jesus came to save the lost?

Who have you told that Jesus came to be our perfect example? To show us how to live a sinless life. Oh I know it was impossible for us to do because we were born in sin and shaped in iniquity. But the blueprint is there.

Who have you told that Jesus died for them in spite of their past, knowing they would be in this present moment, to give them a future…and a hope?

Who have you told about the love that Jesus displayed as he hung on that cross?

Who have you told three days later he got up, with all power in his hands?

Who have you told that he ascended back to the Father where he now sits at His right hand interceding on our behalf?

Who have you told that he’s a friend to the friendless?

A mother to the motherless.

A father to the fatherless.

Who have you told that he’s joy in sorrow, and bright hope for tomorrow?

Who have you told he’s a doctor in the sick room, and a lawyer in the courtroom?

Who have you told? Have you told anybody?

Come on somebody. God gave us a command to go ye therefore and make disciples.

How many people have you invited to church?

How many have you prayed with?

How many have you led to salvation?

How many have you encouraged?

How many have you shared how God brought you through your trial and tribulation? Have you told anybody how you got over?

You may not have noticed it in the text in 1 Cor, but first Paul said he spread the Good News, then he shared in its blessings.

You want blessings? Try spreading the Good News of Christ.

Do your best to find common ground with others so they can receive the Good News from you. People aren’t really going to hear you, if they don’t like you.

Meet them where they are and then you can share the Good News of Christ, then they will understand what they need to do, then they may give God their heart.

If you back up to the end of the 22nd verse Paul says, “…doing everything I can to save some.” Some, not all.

Not everyone will receive you.

Not everyone will believe you.

Not everyone will listen to you.

Not everyone will be nice to you.

Not everyone will be saved.

It’s not up to you. Jesus said, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

It’s not you doing the drawing, the driving, the dying, or the saving…it’s Jesus.

Tell them about Jesus and watch the blessings flow. It’s not about name it and claim it. It’s about spreading the Good News of the Gospel.

This Christian journey is also referred to as a race, and Paul says, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?”

Not everyone gets a trophy. Not everyone gets in. Not everyone goes to heaven. There is a prerequisite. Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me. He paid the price, so he has that right. No one else did that for you and no one else could.

In light of that, run to win! Run as hard and as fast as you can. Keep your eyes on the prize and run straight. Don’t look to the left or to the right.

That man may be fine, keep moving forward.

That woman may stroke your ego, keep moving forward.

That shortcut may seem like it will get you there faster, keep moving forward.

The get rich quick scheme may seem like a great deal, but the only one getting rich is them, keep moving forward.

We are running for an eternal prize, one that doesn’t rust, one that doesn’t fade away.

Whatever you do, do it well. You may only get one chance, so make the most of the time you’re given.

Here’s the good news, if you run your race, and you run it to the best of your ability…you will win. You will be in the right place at the right time and when it’s all over, you will receive your crown.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get better, I’m here to tell you this morning or whenever and wherever you may be watching this message, that you’re in the right place and this is the right time.

You’re in the right place because this is where God is, this is where miracles are happening, this is where the Word of God is being preached and taught.

Are you spreading the Good News and in position to receive your blessing? Are you planning and doing your work well or are you doing just enough to get by. If you’re honest with yourself, because God already knows, maybe you’re not even doing enough to get by. Maybe you think you’ll make it in on the prayers of mama ‘nem. This is a journey you have to make on your own.

Are you thinking someone owes you something? So you have a right to not do your best.

Do you have an attitude that says they ought to be glad that I’m even here at all; nobody is paying me for what I do, so they better be happy with this?

How many of you know you will be paid for what you do. 2 Tim 4:8 says “Henceforth 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.”

God gave His best to us in the form of His only Son, Jesus Christ; so why shouldn’t we give our best in service to Him.

God doesn’t owe us, we owe Him and everything we have to give is not enough to pay the debt of love we owe.

There was a commercial about an Olympian named Derek Redmond the announcer says “Derek Redmond didn’t finish in first place in the 1992 400 meter”, the runner is standing getting ready to run.

The gun sounds and the runners take off, but one runner suddenly pulls up in obvious pain. The announcer then says, “He didn’t finish in second”.

The runner is on his knee in tears.

“… or third” he’s laying on the track sobbing,

“… or fourth,” he’s on his back with his hand over his face.

But in the next scene he’s on his feet and he’s hobbling around the track with an obvious muscle pull and tears are streaming down his face in front of millions of people and all of sudden this man fights his way through the crowd and security and runs down on the track and puts his arm around him and is running with him, the announcer says, “He and his father finished dead last, but he and his father finished”.

What is it you need to finish? What race have you begun and you’ve falling down. I know you’re in pain, but you’ve got to get up.

I know it hurts, but you’ve got to press.

I know you don’t want to quit, but you’ve got to finish the race because let me just tell you, if Derek Redmond’s father will do that for his son, what more will our heavenly Father do for us?

I’m here to let you know this morning, God’s already done it. He gave His one and only Son and now all that’s left to do is for you to accept the gift. It’s free and the benefits are immediate.

All it takes is a prayer, Father God, I confess I’m a sinner, please forgive me. Jesus I believe you are the Son of God and that you died for my sins. I believe you rose again and now sit at the right hand of the Father praying for me. Please come into my heart, I give you my life. In your name I pray, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer for the first time, welcome to the family, now find yourself a Bible believing, Bible teaching church.

If you live in the Douglasville, GA area we’d love to see you here at 3500 Hwy 5, Ste 101. Service begins at 10 a.m. and you are welcome anytime.

I would like to make one more appeal. Every Wed we feed anyone who comes and we need your help. We are a small but growing church striving to feed God’s people and we do it for free, but it does cost us. If you are watching this message I’m asking you to give just $10.

I don’t make my request lightly, please know you are sowing into good ground and not only will your seed will be blessed, it will be a blessing and you will be blessed.

How can I say that you may wonder. Because it says in the Gospel of Matthew, “For I was hungry, and you fed me...when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

You can give through CashApp, Givelify, PayPal, Facebook or our website. And if you feel so led consider a recurring gift. $10 buys 80 pounds of food and last month we distributed over 10,800 pounds of food.

When you finish your race, what story will you have to tell?

Let us stand. If you’re here in the sanctuary this morning and you’ve never given your life to Christ, today is a good day to begin your race on the right track.

Maybe you’ve already made that decision but you want to connect with LCC to continue your race.

Rededication