Running the Race To Win
MY ROLE
ASSIST THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
· ADMINISTRATIVE AND MINISTRY OVERSIGHT
· RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATION
· PERSONAL ADVISOR
MY RESPONSIBILITIES
CHURCH PLANTS
PLANT DEVELOPMENT & MATURATION
· ASSIST IN DEVELOPMENT OF PLANT DOCUMENTS
o CONSTITUTION
o POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
o OTHER
· LAY LEADERSHIP TRAINING
· CHURCH HEALTH ISSUES INCLUDING CONFLICT RESOLUTION
· ENCOURAGEMENT, RESOURCE PERSON, AND SOUNDING BOARD FOR MISSION PASTORS
GENERAL MISSION
I. COMMUNICATIONS & EVENTS
INTERNAL (IN HOUSE) COMMUNICATIONS
· MANAGE AND FACILITATE THE FLOW OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MCE OFFICE AND THOSE IN THE FIELD.
· HANDLE INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE PERSONAL AND DIRECT INVOLVEMENT OF THE ED.
· COMPILE INFORMATIONAL REPORTS BASED ON COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED FROM THE FIELD.
EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
· HANDLING SPECIFIC EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS AS ARE ASSIGNED TO HIM.
EVENT PLANNING
· ASSIST IN PLANNING FOR AND CARRYING OUT MCE REGULAR AND SPECIAL EVENTS; ANNUAL MEETING, MCE REGIONAL FELLOWSHIPS, BOARD MEETINGS ETC.
II. PUBLICITY & LITERATURE
PUBLICITY
· DEVELOPMENT, DESIGN, PRODUCTION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL PIECES FOR MCE.
LITERATURE
· DEVELOPMENT, DESIGN, PRODUCTION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCE LITERATURE AND TOOLS FOR USE BY MCE PERSONNEL AND OUR CHURCHES.
III. WEB SITE
· DEVELOPMENT & MAINTENANCE FOR MISSION AND MISSION CHURCHES
IV. RESOURCE NETWORKING
· DEVELOP, MAINTAIN, AND COORDINATE A NATION-WIDE, BROAD-SPECTRUM NETWORK OF MINISTRY AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES THAT CAN BE CALLED UPON TO ASSIST MCE IN THE PURSUIT OF ITS PURPOSES AND GOALS AS THE SITUATION MAY WARRANT.
· ASSIST THE VARIOUS MCE COMMITTEES AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN THE FULFILLMENT OF THEIR ASSIGNMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
V. PUBLIC RELATIONS & PROMOTION
· MINISTRY TO CHURCHES
o PULPIT SUPPLY
o CONFERENCE MINISTRY
· REPRESENTATION AT CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING
o RECRUITING CHURCH PLANTERS
· REPRESENTATION AT IFCA INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL MEETINGS AND OTHER IFCA FUNCTIONS
LINDA AND I LIVE IN DUBUQUE WHERE I MINISTERED FOR 25 YEARS AT DUBUQUE BIBLE CHURCH BEFORE TAKING THE POSITION OF AD IN JUNE 2005.
· TECHNOLOGY OFFICE
o INSTAND MESSAGING
o E-CONFERENCING
o E-COLLABORATION/FILE SHARING
· SUPPORT NEEDS
o GRANT SUPPORT
o THROUGH 2008
o PRIMARY FOCUS WAS ON LL
o CURRENTLY NEARLY 500.00 PER MONTH
· PRAY:
o SUPPORT NEEDS
o SAFETY IN TRAVEL (18,000+ MILES LAST YEAR)
Running the Race To Win – 1 Corinthians 9.24,25
INTRODUCTION:
EARLY IN THE 20TH CENTURY, A CHINESE CHRISTIAN FILLED WITH COMPASSION FOR THE CHINESE COOLIES IN SOUTH AMERICAN MINES, SOLD HIMSELF FOR A TERM OF FIVE YEARS AS A COOLIE SLAVE THAT HE MIGHT CARRY THE GOSPEL TO HIS COUNTRYMEN.
· HE TOILED IN THE MINES WITH THEM AND PREACHED JESUS.
· IT WAS NOT LONG, HOWEVER BEFORE THE STRESS OF THE WORK IN THE MINES OVERCAME HIS RESOURCES AND HE DIED.
· BEFORE HE DIED, HOWEVER, HE HAD BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINING MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED PEOPLE TO CHRIST AND HAD ESTABLISHED THEM IN A LOCAL CHURCH.
· THIS CHINESE MISSIONARY PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF REACHING THE LOST FOR CHRIST.
· HE SACRIFICED EVERYTHING FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST.
THE WORD OF GOD PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON BECOMING EFFECTIVE SERVANTS OF CHRIST AND IN THE PASSAGE I WANT TO LOOK AT WITH YOU IN THE REMAINDER OF OUR TIME THIS MORNING THE APOSTLE PAUL CALLS UPON HIS EXPERIENCES FROM LIFE TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT IS INVOLVED IN BEING A WINNER FOR GOD.
PLEASE TURN WITH ME TO 1 Corinthians 9.24-25
“DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT THOSE WHO RUN IN A RACE ALL RUN, BUT ONE RECEIVES THE PRIZE? RUN IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU MAY OBTAIN IT. AND EVERYONE WHO COMPETES FOR THE PRIZE IS TEMPERATE IN ALL THINGS. NOW THEY DO IT TO OBTAIN A PERISHABLE CROWN, BUT WE FOR AN IMPERISHABLE CROWN.”
THE APOSTLE PAUL HAD A FONDNESS FOR USING IMAGES FROM THE WORLD OF ATHLETIC EVENTS. IN THIS PASSAGE, HE USES IMAGERY THAT WAS SURE TO RESONATE WITH EACH OF HIS HEARERS.
· THE ISTHMIAN GAMES WERE SECOND ONLY TO THE GREEK OLYMPIC GAMES.
· THEY WERE HELD EVERY THREE YEARS IN A STADIUM JUST 10 MILES FROM THE CITY OF CORINTH AND THEY ATTRACTED ATHLETES FROM ALL OVER THE THEN POPULATED WORLD.
· PAUL WAS IN CORINTH (AD 50-52) AND THESE GAMES WOULD HAVE BEEN HELD IN THE SPRING OF AD 51.
PAUL MAKES TWO KEY OBSERVATIONS IN THESE VERSES AND THE FIRST IS THIS:
I. LIFE IS A RACE - WE SHOULD LIVE LIKE WINNERS.
THE LEADING EVENT AT THE ISTHMIAN GAMES WAS THE FOOT RACE AND SO PAUL FIRST DRAWS FROM THAT IN TEACHING US SOME IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT CHRISTIAN LIFE AND MINISTRY.
IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THE COMPETITION, IT WAS NECESSARY THAT CONTESTANTS CERTIFY THAT THEY WERE GREEK CITIZENS. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY WERE QUALIFIED BY BIRTH.
· BEFORE WE CAN ENTER THE SPIRITUAL RACE OUR CITIZENSHIP MUST BE CERTIFIED AS WELL.
· WHEN WE TRUSTED CHRIST, THE CITIZENSHIP WE GAINED QUALIFIED US FOR THE SPIRITUAL RACE PAUL REFERS TO IN THESE VERSES.
· PHILIPPIANS 3:20 “FOR OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN, FROM WHICH WE ALSO EAGERLY WAIT FOR THE SAVIOR, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, …”
AS WE LOOK AT THE EXAMPLE OF THE ATHLETES TO WHOM PAUL POINTS LET US NOTICE FIRST THE EXAMPLE
THEY WERE PASSIONATE PARTICIPANTS
BEFORE COMPETING IN THE ISTHMIAN GAMES, ATHLETES WENT THROUGH 10 MONTHS OF RIGOROUS TRAINING
· NINE MONTHS OF THAT TRAINING TOOK PLACE IN THEIR HOMETOWNS AND THEN ANOTHER MONTH WAS DONE IN THE CITY OF CORINTH.
· THE GREEK ATHLETES WERE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW A SET OF RULES, INCLUDING SOME DIETARY RESTRICTIONS DURING TRAINING.
· ANY ATHELETES VIOLATING THE RULES WERE AUTOMATICALLY DISQUALIFIED.
NOW LET’S FIRST BE CLEAR ON THIS POINT: WE ARE NOT RUNNING THE RACE TO GET TO HEAVEN.
· THE BELIEVER IS IN THE RACE BECAUSE HE HAS ALREADY BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.
· HE IS NOT RUNNING TO ACQUIRE ENTRANCE INTO HEAVEN
· HE IS RUNNING THE RACE TO WIN THE PRIZE … RECEIVE A REWARD.
· THE DISQUALIFIED ATHLETE IN THE ISTHMIAN GAMES DID NOT LOSE HIS CITIZENSHIP; HE DID, HOWEVER LOSE LOST HIS OPPORTUNITY TO WIN THE PRIZE.
SIMILAR TO THE ATHLETES IN OUR MODERN OLYMPIC GAMES, THOSE WHO WERE INVOLVED PURSUIED THE PRIZE WITH GREAT PASSION.
· THEY MADE GREAT SACRIFICES AND THEIR WHOLE LIFE REVOLVED AROUND THIS EVENT. THEY WERE CONSUMED BY IT, DEDICATED TO IT, DRIVEN BY IT.
· THIS IS NOT THE PICKUP GAME AT THE GYM ON SATURDAY EVENING.
· THIS IS NOT THE RECLINER QUARTERBACK WITH A BOWL OF POPCORN IN HIS LAP AND A SODA IN HIS HAND.
· THESE ATHLETES LITERALLY LIVED AND BREATHED THE GAMES AND THEY LOVED IT!!!
A GREAT WEAKNESS OF CHRISTIANIAY AND THE CHURCH TODAY IS THE TENDENCY THAT WE HAVE TO SHOW UP FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE AND SPIRITUAL TRAINING AND MINISTRY ONLY WHEN WE FEEL LIKE IT, OR WHEN IT IS CONVENIENT, OR WHEN IT DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE VALUE MORE HIGHLY.
· TELL ME … IS THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION OF YOUR LIFE A DRIVING PASSION FOR YOU OR IS IT A PASSING FANCY …
· IS IT THE MAIN THING OR IS IT A SIDE BENEFIT
· IS IT THE FOCUS OF YOUR ACTIVITY AND ATTENTION OR IS IT A DISTRACTION FROM WHAT YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT.
· WHAT IS THE PASSION LEVEL OF SALEM BIBLE CHURCH AND ITS PEOPLE THIS MORNING?
· HOW EARNEST ARE YOU ABOUT OBTAINING THE PRIZE?
IT IS ONE THING TO QUOTE ALL THE WONDERFUL PROMISES OF GOD TO PROVIDE FOR OUR NEEDS, TO GRANT BLESSING AND SUCCESS AND VICTORY IN LIFE AND MINISTRY.
VICTORY IS GUARANTEED … THE PRIZE OF THE ABUNDANT LIFE AND SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY ARE GUARANTEED BUT THEY ARE NOT AUTOMATIC AND THAT BRINGS US TO THE NEXT OBSERVATION:
THEY RAN
THE WORD THAT IS USED HERE (τρέχοντες FROM τρέχω) IS A WORD OF GREAT EFFORT AND SPEED. IT CONVEYS RUSHING FORWARD, AS TO A BATTLE … STRIVING WITH EVERY OUNCE OF ENERGY TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL. THIS IS NOT JOGGING … NOR IS IT CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING.
· IT IS A WORD FILLED WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY
· IT IS USED IN A VARIETY OF PLACES WHERE SPEED AND URGENCY ARE CLEARLY INDICATED … FOR EXAMPLE IN JOHN 20.4 WHERE PETER AND JOHN RAN TO THE TOMB AFTER THE REPORTS OF THE WOMEN THAT IT WAS EMPTY. BOTH WERE RUNNING, BUT THE OTHER DISCIPLE OUTRAN PETER AND REACHED THE TOMB FIRST.
ONLY ONE RAN WELL ENOUGH TO WIN
THE EMPHASIS HERE IS NOT ON THE WINNING OF THE RACE BUT IT IS ON THE MANNER IN WHICH THE RACE IS RUN.
· PAUL IS SAYING HERE IS THAT ONLY ONE RUNS WELL ENOUGH TO OBTAIN THE PRIZE.
· HIS FOCUS IS NOT ON VICTORY CIRCLE, BUT ON THE ACTUAL RACE ITSELF.
THAT BRINGS US THEN TO THE EXHORTATION
THE COMMAND - RUN
PAUL OPENED THIS CHAPTER BY SPEAKING OF THE RIGHTS THAT HE HAD AS AN APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST. THIS ISSUE OF PERSONAL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES WAS A BIG ONE FOR THE CORINTHIAN BELIEVERS.
· THEY WERE OBSESSED WITH IT AND IT WAS PARALYZING THEM
PAUL SAYS IN VERSE 22 OF THIS CHAPTER THAT HE IS WILLING TO BECOME “ALL THINGS TO ALL” SO THAT HE MIGHT BE EFFECTIVE IN REACHING SOME.
· HE IS NOT TALKING ABOUT SHIFTING IN THE WIND WITH HIS MESSAGE … BUT RATHER BEING FLEXIBLE IN HIS METHOD AND APPROACH
· AND IF THAT MEANS SETTING ASIDE SOME OF HIS RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES IN ORDER THAT SOME MIGHT BE SAVED … HE WILL DO THAT.
· AND SO HE EXHORTS THEM AND US TO SET ASIDE THE HINDRANCES AND RUN. HE SAYS, "RUN IN SUCH A WAY."
RUN WITH FOCUS – TO OBTAIN THE PRIZE.
THE WORD HERE COULD BE TRANSLATED, "SEIZE, LAY HOLD ON, APPROPRIATE, TAKE FOR ONE'S OWN."
OUR EYES SHOULD BE ON THE PRIZE AND YET FOR MOST OF US, AND FOR MANY CHURCHES, OUR EYES ARE USUALLY ON EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE ELSE.
· IT IS THE PRIZE THAT OUGHT TO CAPTURE OUR ATTENTION AND THAT MEANS THAT WE OUGHT NOT BE WATCHING EACH OTHER.
· RUNNERS ONLY LOSE GROUND WHEN THEIR ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO THE OTHER COMPETITORS.
2 CORINTHIANS 10:12 “FOR WE DARE NOT CLASS OURSELVES OR COMPARE OURSELVES WITHT THOSE WHO COMMEND THEMSELVES. BUT THEY, MEASURING THEMSELVES BY THEMSELVES, AND COMPARING THEMSELVES AMONG THEMSELVES, ARE NOT WISE.”
WHEN WE RUN AGAINST EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF RUNNING FOR THE PRIZE, WE CEASE RUNNING LIKE WINNERS.
· THERE WILL BE TIMES IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AND MINISTRY THAT YOU WILL BE TEMPTED TO LOOK AROUND INSTEAD OF FORWARD.
· YOU WILL BE TEMPTED TO LOOK INTO THE OTHER RUNNING LANES TO SEE HOW OTHERS ARE DOING. RESIST THE TEMPTATION.
· SERVE THE LORD FAITHFULLY AND LET OTHERS BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD ALONE.
ROMANS 14:4 WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE SOMEONE ELSE’S SERVANT? TO HIS OWN MASTER HE STANDS OR FALLS. INDEED HE WILL BE MADE TO STAND, FOR GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE HIM STAND.
JAMES 4:12 THERE IS ONE LAWGIVER WHO IS ABLE TO SAVE AND TO DESTROY. WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE ANOTHER?
RUN ACCORDING TO THE RULES
WHILE NOT EXPLICITLY STATED IN THIS TEXT, IT IS CERTAINLY IMPLIED, THAT WHICH IS EXPLICITLY STATED IN
2 TIMOTHY 2:5 “ … IF ANYONE COMPETES IN ATHLETICS, HE IS NOT CROWNED UNLESS HE COMPETES ACCORDING TO THE RULES.”
THE 1980 BOSTON MARATHON HOSTED THOUSANDS OF RUNNERS, EACH SEEKING THE FIRST PLACE PRIZE. WHEN ROSIE RUIZ CROSSED THE LINE IN RECORD TIME, IT APPEARED SHE HAD WON THE WOMEN'S DIVISION.
· CLOSER SCRUTINY REVEALED THAT SHE HAD FAILED TO PASS CERTAIN CHECKPOINTS ALONG THE WAY.
· SOME FOLKS REPORTED SEEING HER ON A BUS DURING THE RACE.
· ROSIE RUIZ TOOK THE CROSS-TOWN BUS, SPRAYED WATER ON HERSELF, AND CROSSED THE FINISH LINE.
· SHE WAS STRIPPED OF HER PRIZE AND DISQUALIFIED.
· SHE DIDN'T FINISH THE RACE BECAUSE SHE NEVER RAN IT. SHE DIDN'T RUN ACCORDING TO THE RULES.
RICK HENSON, "SERMON ILLUSTRATIONS," PROCLAIM, (NASHVILLE: SUNDAY SCHOOL BOARD, OCT-DEC, 1996) 28
CONCLUSION: IN HIS FIRST OBSERVATION, PAUL POINTS TO THE EXAMPLE OF THE RUNNER IN THE STADIUM AND EXHORTS US TO RUN IN THE SAME WAY THE WINNER RUNS. ONCE WE TRUST CHRIST, HAVING QUALIFIED FOR THE RACE, WE SHOULD RUN LIKE WINNERS. – WITH PASSION, WITH FOCUS AND ACCORDING TO THE RULES. DO WE NOT SEE THIS IN THE APOSTLES OWN LIFE AS WE READ IN PHILIPPIANS 3:13,14
BROTHERS, I DO NOT CONSIDER MYSELF YET TO HAVE TAKEN HOLD OF IT. BUT ONE THING I DO: FORGETTING WHAT IS BEHIND AND STRAINING TOWARD WHAT IS AHEAD, I PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL TO WIN THE PRIZE FOR WHICH GOD HAS CALLED ME HEAVENWARD IN CHRIST JESUS.
THE APOSTLE’S SECOND KEY OBSERVATION IS THIS
II. LIFE IS A RACE - WE SHOULD TRAIN LIKE WINNERS.
BEHIND EVERY ATHLETIC VICTORY LIES EXTENSIVE TRAINING. .
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, EVERY CONTESTANT IN THE ISTHMIAN GAMES UNDERWENT A PROTRACTED TRAINING, SOMETIMES LASTING NEARLY A YEAR.
· DURING THIS TIME HE CAREFULLY AVOIDED EXCESSES OF EVERY KIND.
· A PASSAGE FROM EPICTETUS, THE GREEK STOIC PHILOSOPHER, ILLUSTRATES THIS TEXT SO WELL THAT IT IS CITED BY MOST COMMENTATORS: “WOULD YOU BE A VICTOR IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES? SO IN GOOD TRUTH WOULD I, FOR IT IS A GLORIOUS THING; BUT PRAY CONSIDER WHAT MUST GO BEFORE, AND WHAT MAY FOLLOW, AND SO PROCEED TO THE ATTEMPT. YOU MUST THEN LIVE BY RULE, EAT WHAT WILL BE DISAGREEABLE, REFRAIN FROM DELICACIES; YOU MUST OBLIGE YOURSELF TO CONSTANT EXERCISES AT THE APPOINTED HOUR, IN HEAT AND COLD; YOU MUST ABSTAIN FROM WINE AND COLD LIQUORS; IN A WORD, YOU MUST BE AS SUBMISSIVE TO ALL DIRECTION OF YOUR MASTER AS TO THOSE OF A PHYSICIAN.” THUS PAUL SAYS IN OUT TEXT-VERSE, “EVERYONE WHO COMPETES IN THE GAMES GOES INTO STRICT TRAINING.”
THE CONTESTANTS GAINED AN EDGE BY EXERCISING SELF-CONTROL.
· THE GREEK WORD UNDERLYING THE ENGLISH WORD COMPETES IS THE ROOT OF OUR WORD AGONIZE.
· THIS RACE WAS HARD WORK AND THE CHRISTIANS RACE IS EQUALLY AS HARD AND STRENUOUS.
THEREFORE, SAYS THE AUTHOR OF THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS, “WE ALSO, SINCE WE ARE SURROUNDED BY SO GREAT A CLOUD OF WITNESSES, LET US LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT, AND THE SIN WHICH SO EASILY ENSNARES US, AND LET US RUN WITH ENDURANCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US.”. HEBREWS 12:1
WHILE WE THINK OF THAT VERSE LET’S DELVE INTO IT FOR A MOMENT AND
LOOK AT THE CLOUD OF WITNESSES - WHO IS THIS CLOUD OF WITNESSES? WHY THEY ARE PREVIOUS CONTESTANTS – THESE ARE THE HEROES OF THE FAITH -- THEY ARE ALL WINNERS! –LOOKING AT THEM HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND THE COURSE.
THE PICTURE HERE IS NOT ONE OF THESE FOLKS SITTING IN THE STANDS AND WATCHING US RACE. THE WORD “WITNESS” IS NOT THE WORD “SPECTATOR” … IT IS THE WORD “MARTYR” … THESE PEOPLE ARE BEARING WITNESS TO US THAT GOD WILL SEE US THROUGH. GOD BORE WITNESS TO THEM IN 11.2 AND NOW THEY ARE BEARING WITNESS TO US! YOU CAN MAKE IT … HE WILL SEE YOU THROUGH.
LOOK AT OURSELVES –THE STRUGGLE WE HAVE IS PUTTING OFF THOSE THINGS THAT WEIGH US DOWN AND SLOW US UP.
WINNING THE RACE DEMANDS THAT WE THROW OFF THE EXTRA WEIGHT.
ILLUSTRATION: SUPPOSE YOU COMPETED IN A LOCAL RACE HERE IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS IN JULY.
· RUNNERS ARE LINED UP, DRESSED IN LIGHT RACING ATTIRE.
· SUDDENLY ANOTHER RACER COMES TO THE STARTING LINE. BUT HE IS WEARING A WOOL SUIT, A HEAVY OVERCOAT AND HIP BOOTS.
· IN HIS HANDS HE CARRIES HIS LUNCH AND AN UMBRELLA.
· HIS POCKETS ARE FILLED WITH SNACKS AND VITAMINS.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT HIS STRANGE ATTIRE HE RESPONDS BY SAYING, “I’M RUNNING THE RACE. WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE WHAT I WEAR? IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH A COAT, OR BOOTS, OR VITAMINS? AFTER ALL, THE RACE IS LONG, THE TERRAIN IS TREACHEROUS, AND I MAY NEED THESE THINGS. I'M PREPARED FOR WHATEVER LIES AHEAD."
HOW MUCH OF A CHANCE DO YOU GIVE HIM FOR COMPLETING THE RACE IN A WAY THAT WILL WIN? HE'LL NEVER WIN THE RACE BECAUSE HE’S LOADED WITH WEIGHTS.
WHAT ARE THE “WEIGHTS” THAT WE SHOULD REMOVE SO THAT WE MIGHT WIN THE RACE?
· EVERYTHING THAT HINDERS OUR PROGRESS. THEY MIGHT EVEN BE “GOOD THINGS” IN THE EYES OF OTHERS.
· A WINNING ATHLETE DOES NOT CHOOSE BETWEEN THE GOOD AND THE BAD; HE CHOOSES BETWEEN THE BETTER AND THE BEST.
WE SHOULD ALSO GET RID OF “THE SIN THAT SO EASILY ENTANGLES” (HEB. 12:1, NIV). WHILE HE DOES NOT NAME ANY SPECIFIC SIN, THE WRITER WAS PROBABLY REFERRING TO THE SIN OF UNBELIEF.
· IT WAS UNBELIEF THAT KEPT ISRAEL OUT OF THE PROMISED LAND, AND IT IS UNBELIEF THAT HINDERS US FROM ENTERING INTO OUR SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE IN CHRIST.
· THE PHRASE “BY FAITH” (OR “THROUGH FAITH”) IS USED TWENTY-ONE TIMES IN HEBREWS 11, INDICATING THAT IT IS FAITH IN CHRIST THAT ENABLES US TO ENDURE.
LOOK AT JESUS. DOING THIS KEEPS US FROM BECOMING DISCOURAGED.
· JESUS IS “THE AUTHOR [ORIGINATOR] AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH.”
· WE WERE SAVED BY LOOKING TO HIM … THAT’S WHAT IT MEANS … IT IS TO TRUST HIM.
· IN THIS CONTEXT THE EXHORTATION IS NOT JUST FOR A SINGLE ACT OF FAITH BUT FOR AN ATTITUDE OF FAITH.
JESUS ENDURED FAR MORE THAN ANY OF THE HEROES OF THE FAITH AND SO HE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE TO US OF RUNNING THE RACE.
WHAT WAS IT THAT ENABLED OUR LORD TO ENDURE THE CROSS?
· IT WAS OUR LORD’S FAITH THAT ENABLED HIM TO ENDURE. HE KEPT THE EYE OF FAITH ON “THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM.”
· FROM PSALM 16:8–10, HE KNEW THAT HE WOULD COME OUT OF THE TOMB ALIVE.
THROUGHOUT THIS EPISTLE, THE WRITER EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FUTURE HOPE. HIS READERS WERE PRONE TO LOOK BACK AND WANT TO GO BACK, BUT HE ENCOURAGED THEM TO FOLLOW CHRIST’S EXAMPLE AND LOOK AHEAD BY FAITH.
THE HEROES OF FAITH NAMED IN THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER LIVED FOR THE FUTURE … THEIR FOCUS WAS ON THE GOAL … AND THIS ENABLED THEM TO ENDURE (HEB. 11:10, 14–16, 24–27).
LIKE PETER, WHEN WE GET OUR EYES OF FAITH OFF THE SAVIOUR, WE START TO SINK (MATT. 14:22–33).
CHRIST IS BOTH THE EXAMPLE AND THE ENABLER! AS WE SEE HIM IN THE WORD AND FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE, YIELDING TO HIS SPIRIT, HE INCREASES OUR FAITH AND ENABLES US TO RUN THE RACE.
THE CROWN OF VICTORY AND ITS VALUE
1. PHYSICAL RUNNERS ANTICIPATE A TEMPORAL CROWN.
THE GREEK RUNNER RAN TO RECEIVE HONOR REFLECTED IN A WREATH MADE FROM IVY OR PINE BRANCHES. BEFORE THE WREATH WAS EVEN GIVEN, IT HAD BEGUN TO PERISH.
2. SPIRITUAL WINNERS ANTICIPATE ETERNAL REWARDS
A CROWN OF CONVERTS.
1 THESSALONIANS 2:19-20 FOR WHAT IS OUR HOPE, OUR JOY, OR THE CROWN IN WHICH WE WILL GLORY IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR LORD JESUS WHEN HE COMES? IS IT NOT YOU? INDEED, YOU ARE OUR GLORY AND JOY.
THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - THE REWARD FOR A LIFE OF ACCOUNTABILITY
2 TIMOTHY 4:7-8 I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH. NOW THERE IS IN STORE FOR ME THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH THE LORD, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, WILL AWARD TO ME ON THAT DAY— AND NOT ONLY TO ME, BUT ALSO TO ALL WHO HAVE LONGED FOR HIS APPEARING.
THE CROWN OF LIFE - REWARD FOR A LIFE OF FAITHFUL ENDURANCE
REVELATION 2:10 DO NOT BE AFRAID OF WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO SUFFER. I TELL YOU, THE DEVIL WILL PUT SOME OF YOU IN PRISON TO TEST YOU, AND YOU WILL SUFFER PERSECUTION FOR TEN DAYS. BE FAITHFUL, EVEN TO THE POINT OF DEATH, AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE CROWN OF LIFE.
JAMES 1:12 BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO PERSEVERES UNDER TRIAL, BECAUSE WHEN HE HAS STOOD THE TEST, HE WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE THAT GOD HAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.
THE CROWN OF GLORY - REWARD FOR A LIFE OF SERVICE
1 PETER 5:1-4 BE SHEPHERDS OF GOD’S FLOCK THAT IS UNDER YOUR CARE, SERVING AS OVERSEERS— NOT BECAUSE YOU MUST, BUT BECAUSE YOU ARE WILLING, AS GOD WANTS YOU TO BE; NOT GREEDY FOR MONEY, BUT EAGER TO SERVE; NOT LORDING IT OVER THOSE ENTRUSTED TO YOU, BUT BEING EXAMPLES TO THE FLOCK. AND WHEN THE CHIEF SHEPHERD APPEARS, YOU WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF GLORY THAT WILL NEVER FADE AWAY.
CONCLUSION: THE SECOND OBSERVATION FROM PAUL'S LIFE EXPERIENCE IS THAT WE SHOULD TRAIN LIKE WINNERS. THE CONTESTANTS OF THE GREEK GAMES AGONIZED IN THEIR EFFORT TO BECOME THE WINNER. IT WAS HARD WORK. THE HARD WORK OF OUR SPIRITUAL RACE SEEKS OUT ETERNAL REWARDS AS ITS PRIZE.
· THOSE WON TO CHRIST THROUGH OUR EFFORTS
· THE CROWNS WE WILL RECEIVE AT THE HANDS OF OUR LORD MAKE IT ALL WORTHWHILE.
· IF THE GREEK ATHLETES COULD TRAIN HARD TO WIN A WREATH, HOW MUCH MORE OUGHT WE TO BE ABLE TO TRAIN HARD TO RUN IN THE SPIRITUAL RACE.
FINAL CONCLUSION:
WE HAVE NOTED 2 OBSERVATIONS FROM PAUL'S LIFE EXPERIENCE THAT TEACH US WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A WINNER FOR CHRIST!
I. LIFE IS A RACE - LIVE LIKE WINNERS. THE EXAMPLE OF THE GREEK RUNNERS EXHORTS US TO RUN WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY AND WITH OUR EYES FIXED FIRMLY ON THE PRIZE.
II. LIFE IS A RACE - TRAIN LIKE WINNERS. FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF THE GREEK RUNNERS, WE SHOULD AGONIZE; EXERT GREAT EFFORT TO PREPARE FOR THE RACE. NO LOSS SHOULD BE TOO GREAT, NO PRICE TOO HIGH TO PAY TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE TRAINED FOR THE RACE PROPERLY. THE VALUE OF THE CROWN WE WILL RECEIVE SHOULD DRIVE US. COMPARED TO THE MEASLY, DETERIORATING WREATH OF THE GREEK GAMES, OUR PRIZE WILL LAST FOR ETERNITY.
HORACE PITKIN, THE SON OF A WEALTHY MERCHANT, WAS CONVERTED AND WENT TO CHINA AS A MISSIONARY. HE WROTE TO HIS FRIENDS IN AMERICA, SAYING: "IT WILL BE BUT A SHORT TIME TILL WE KNOW DEFINITELY WHETHER WE CAN SERVE HIM BETTER ABOVE OR HERE."
· SHORTLY AFTERWARD, A MOB STORMED THE GATE OF THE COMPOUND WHERE PITKIN DEFENDED THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
· HE WAS BEHEADED AND HIS HEAD OFFERED AT THE SHRINE OF A HEATHEN GOD, WHILE HIS BODY WAS THROWN OUTSIDE IN A PIT WITH THE BODIES OF NINE CHINESE CHRISTIANS.
· SHERWOOD EDDY, WRITING ABOUT HIM, SAID: "PITKIN WON MORE MEN BY HIS DEATH THAN HE EVER COULD HAVE WON BY HIS LIFE."
CHRIST NEEDS MEN TODAY WHO ARE MADE OF MARTYR STUFF! DARE TO TAKE A STRONG, UNCOMPROMISING STAND FOR HIM!
BILLY GRAHAM, THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS, P. 186.
HOW MANY WILL HE FIND HERE IN SALEM? HE THAT SEARCHES THE HEARTS OF MEN … HOW MANY WILL HE FIND IN THIS ROOM … WHAT DOES HE SEE WHEN HE LOOKS INTO YOUR HEART AND LIFE?
MAY THE SPIRIT OF GOD TEACH US WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A WINNER FOR CHRIST IN THE RACE OF LIFE!