Hebrews 12:1–3 KJV 1900

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

THE CHRISTIAN’S RACE

I. THE CHRISTIAN’S RACE HAS A BEGINNING

Who’s in this race?

To finish the race you must first start the race.

When did this race begin?

1. It begins at the New Birth; .

John 3:3 KJV 1900

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

2. It begins when the Christian offers himself; ,

Romans 12:1 KJV 1900

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

.

3. It begins when a purging takes place; .

2 Timothy 2:21 KJV 1900

If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

2

II. THE CHRISTIAN’S RACE HAS RULES

1. It must be run with eyes on Christ; .

Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

2. It must be run with Heavenly affection; .

Colossians 3:2 KJV 1900

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3. It must be run with shod feet; .

Ephesians 6:15 KJV 1900

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

III. THE CHRISTIAN’S RACE HAS A DEFINITE COURSE

1. It consists in contending for the faith; .

Jude 3 KJV 1900

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

jude

2. It consists in abounding in the Lord’s work; .

1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV 1900

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

3. It consists in holding forth the Word; .

Philippians 2:16 KJV 1900

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

IV. THE CHRISTIAN’S RACE HAS A GOAL

1. The goal is not to become a castaway; .

1 Corinthians 9:27 KJV 1900

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

2. The goal is to fulfill our calling; .

Philippians 3:14 KJV 1900

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

3. The goal is treasures in Heaven; .

Matthew 6:20 KJV 1900

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

V. THE CHRISTIAN RACE HAS A REGULAR SCHEDULE

1. It is to be run in this life; .

2 Samuel 14:14 KJV 1900

For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

2. It is to be run during the day; .

John 9:4 KJV 1900

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

3. It is to be run during the harvest; .

Luke 10:2 KJV 1900

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

VI. THE CHRISTIAN’S RACE HAS HINDRANCES.

1. A hindrance is lack of faith; .

2. A hindrance is lack of love; .

3. A hindrance is unconfessed sin; .

VI. THE CHRISTIAN’S RACE WILL BE REWARDED

1. An Incorruptible Crown for all runners; .

1 Corinthians 9:25 KJV 1900

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

2. A Crown of Life for faithful Christians; .

Revelation 2:10 KJV 1900

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.