Marathons are Better Riding on a Lamb

Introduction

Opening statement:

Are you known as a risk-taker? Someone who would adventure out to doing something dangerous or outright mad so your brain can be filled up with serotonin. I figure if the reward doesn't match the payout, we must not even attempt to go for it. Before we try any risky business, we always ask ourselves, is the reward worth the loss. If the award is worth the potential loss, then we might as well go for it.

I become a risk-taker when it comes to buying 50/50 tickets at the local sports games, not because I think I'm going to win, but the loss of one to five dollars is so low that it's not going to change my life for the better or the worst. Mostly I buy the raffle ticket because the rest of the monetary funds are going to a good cause. So what's the hurt if I lose a couple of dollars?

It would be an entirely different story, though, if someone tried to entice me to gamble everything I had in my checking account into one event, so I could double what I already own. Before the NFL season closed, there were tons of ads for DraftKings popping up on my social media feed. The big news, it now Michigan now allows sport online gambling from the comfort of your home. Now, I don't shun anyone who does gambling from time-to-time, but you won't get my sympathy when you wager tons of money and then lose it all. If you ask me, I would have told you the risk is not worth the reward.

Yet there is a risk I willing to stake my life on every day and that is really a God and he is alive and his name is Jesus Christ. I know there are rewards of having him is great is greater than not believing at all. However, the world is sowing the seeds of doubt to the reward of Christianity. The unbeliever says, there is no life after death, no heaven, nothing greater than living for today. These are the lies from hell. Paul warns us of these kinds of people v.2 those who live according to the flesh rather than living in the spirit.

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh (Phil 3:2).

But speaking about us, the followers of Jesus, Paul says this concerning those who base their rewards in the things of this life and the Law. Compared to Christians, Paul knew nothing of being a decedent of Abraham would give him satisfaction. He describes his past life on how if rewards were based on flesh and the law. He would have had it all.

For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless (Phil 3:3-6).

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead (Phil 3:7-11).

The world's mission is to teach us that suffering for Christ is a loss not worth pursuing. Paul then tells us he gave up everything because God through his son gives us the reward of the resurrected life. He counts everything as a loss to knowing Christ. He lost respect, power, influences, security because he was convinced of the truth that Jesus is God.

Why it matters: Without forsaking everything, there is not eternal life to come without the resurrection. It's the power that defeats death and gives freedom from the grip of sin.

Throwing away everything for something better. Clearing the room so you have space for something better. What Paul gave everything up to follow Jesus and his mission and so should we if the risk is worth the reward.

parable of the hidden treasure

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field (Matt. 13:44).

Main point: Suffering as Jesus now elevates me to the resurrection of tomorrow.

Suffering a loss for Christ is the reward of the resurrection. How do we suffer now, we obtain the resurrection of tomorrow? By struggling to run the race of faith with Christ. (Phil. 3:12-16)

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained (Phil. 3:12-16)

Paul being a Christian for perhaps 25 plus years describes himself as not perfect. We are to hear the call of God and run the marathon. It's not a sprint, but a long run. Mature Christians are to think of life in this way.

What's my main to do:

1. To grow as a Christian you've got in the race. (Become a baptized follower of Christ)

2. To grow as a Christian you've got to have the proper attitude. (Surrender your attitude to God daily)

a. The long-haul attitude: Christian growth is a lifelong process.

b. The "not-having-arrived" attitude: Christian growth requires always moving ahead.

3. To grow as a Christian, you've got to give it the proper effort. (Devote yourself to God's local mission)

Why does it matter: We represent the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Follow the godly, and behave as a citizen of heaven. The loss of everything for Christ is worth it in the end. (Phil 3:17-21) Nothing will compare to the day when all things will be made new.

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself (Phil 3:17-21).

Closing:

Suffering as Jesus now elevates me to the resurrection of tomorrow. The race isn't done alone, God is on our side and will help carry you the marathon. In your weakest hour, know the Jesus coaching you though, and will get you to the day when God returns. His grace is enough. You can really live today, come to Jesus with faith, forsaking your sins, and coming to Christ in the watery grave of baptism so he can raise you to a new life in him.