Run to win the Prize

This past week, a hero of the faith finished his race and went home to be with Christ. We lost a pastor, a dear friend, and a Papaw. But heaven gained another saint. His life was an example to us all of a life well-lived, a life lived for Christ and his Kingdom. Many, if not all, of you heard my thoughts on his passing yesterday at the funeral, but today I want to reflect on the biblical basis for my comfort and encouragement in Papaw’s passing.

Intro

Last October, I had the opportunity to race in a half-Ironman race in Waco, Texas. It was an incredible experience. As God is my witness, I’m not telling you about it this morning to boast, but simply because I have experienced nothing else in my life which so closely parallels the Christian walk as a long-distance endurance race. In fact, Paul and the author of Hebrews also thought it was a fitting metaphor as well, as we will see in Hebrews 12 this morning.

An Ironman race is the ultimate endurance race. It starts with a 2.4 mile swim, either in a lake, river, or the ocean, then the athletes jog a little ways to their bicycles in the transition area. Then they ride 112 miles. After completing that, they rack their bikes back in the transition area and run a marathon—26.2 miles. The whole event is 140.6 miles long and takes the average Ironman athlete around 12-14 hours to complete. The race usually begins around 6 or 7am and the cutoff time for finishing the race is midnight. The race I completed was a half-Ironman (so it was half that distance) and took me about 7 hours.

You don’t just workout occasionally and then show up to an Ironman race. An Ironman race is a grueling race that takes months or years of training and dedication. While the race starts with a swim, in reality, the race starts months before the athlete ever gets to that starting line. Triathletes observe a very strenuous training regimen in order to get into shape for the race, usually logging 8-10 workouts a week for six months or more, and carefully watching what they eat. Things that might distract them or prevent them from getting in their training have to be carefully avoided. It impacts every aspect of their life as they prepare for the race. Many who set out to do an Ironman never make it to the starting line as the months of training takes its toll and their bodies just can’t take it anymore. Many who start the race never finish.

But the ones who do finish all have one thing in common. Throughout all the months of training and the hours-long race, they kept their eyes on that finish line, and they endured to the end.

The Christian life is like an Ironman race. It’s long, its grueling, and its full of transitions from one phase of life to another. Many who sign up for the Christian race never make it to the starting line, and some of those who start never make it to the finish line. But those who do all have one thing in common. Throughout all of life’s trials, all the ups and downs, they keep their eyes on the prize and persevere.

Turn with me in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 11.

We’re going to start in verse 32. The writer of Hebrews has been giving example after example of heroes of the faith who have accomplished amazing things for the Kingdom of God through their faith and perseverance, and now he concludes this famous “hall of faith” with this summary:

Hebrews 11:32–40 ESV

32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by all of these witnesses I’ve just described...”

Hebrews 12:1–3 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Prayer for illumination

In English, this passage seems to have two primary commands— “let us lay aside” and “let us run.” But, in Greek, there is actually only one primary command—"Let us run with endurance!” which is supported by three motivations or means of enduring— “Being surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,” “Laying aside every weight and sin,” and “looking to Jesus.”

As we aim to run our own race with endurance, these three race strategies help us to run better.

Race day strategy #1: We find strength to run the race in the examples of those who have run it before us.

You might wonder, “what in the world could convince someone to sign up for an Ironman race?!?!” Well, for me, it was the inspiration of a couple of people I knew—normal people who signed up for and completed an extraordinary race.

We find inspiration in the lives of ordinary people who have done extraordinary things through the power of the Spirit.

Heb 11

Papaw’s example

We also learn from the bad examples of those who did not run the race well and failed to finish.

Hebrews 12:12–17 ESV

12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

1 Corinthians 10:1–6 ESV

1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.

Race day strategy #2: We find strength to run the race as we let go of unnecessary and detrimental things that drag us down.

We need to embrace Spiritual Spandex!

In ancient Greek athletic competitions, athletes competed completely nude. So when the author of Hebrews says, “laying aside every weight,” he means every weight!

If you go to a modern athletic event, you might be surprised to find that pretty much everyone there is wearing some type of spandex onesie. We don’t go commando nowadays, but endurance athletes do their best to keep their clothing and equipment to a bare minimum.

Bicycles, wheels, helmets, water bottles, all of it are carefully weighed and considered and unnecessary items are eliminated.

The first time I donned a spandex tri suit, I felt pretty awkward. But, after that first race I realized how essential it is. You don’t want to be swimming, biking, and running in basketball shorts. That will not make for a pleasant experience! It slows you down, catches wind and water, and will make you miserable.

Sometimes “good” things can be a distraction or burden to our goal.

A nice home, car, career, and even other people can serve as distractions to our mission.

Even though these things are not evil, in and of themselves, they may not serve God’s purposes.

Ask yourself, “Does giving this thing/person priority in my life advance God’s kingdom or satisfy his commands?”

But an athlete would have to be foolish not to take a good hard look at his own body and eliminate unnecessary weight there, too!

Many external “weights” come into our lives because of internal “weights”—covetousness, idolatry, etc.

Watching what we take into our bodies and minds.

While some things are simply unnecessary weight that slow an athlete down, other things are downright toxic

“You can’t out-train a bad diet.”

Race day strategy #3: We find strength to run the race as keep our eyes on Christ, who waits for us at the finish line.

We look to the example of Jesus, who ran the race before us.

Hebrews 12:2–4 ESV

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

We look forward to the prize

2 Timothy 4:6–8 ESV

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing.

During my half-Ironman race last year, there were many points when I thought I wouldn’t be able to complete the race. There were points during my training when I just got tired and thought, “There are other things I want to do with my time.” Then there was the time I got hit by a car while riding my bike! Two weeks before the big day, I got tendonitis in my Achilles from overexertion during a run.

During the race itself, there were a couple different times when I thought I might not be able to finish the race. The swim was one of those. There were ~2500 athletes at that race, each one trying to swim. I got elbowed in the face, kicked in the face, my goggles got knocked off three or four different times. The water felt like ice—65 degrees—and my wetsuit was a little snug around my shoulders so it made me tired quicker than it should have. I saw people raising their hands around me for the lifeguards to paddle over in their canoes to pick them up. A couple times I thought about swimming over to one of those canoes. What kept me going was that finish line. Knowing that I had come this far, I wasn’t going to quit now.

Then, after I finished the bike portion, I started my run. only a half mile into the 13-mile run course, my legs started seizing up and cramping. I thought to myself, “Well, I’ve got twelve miles to go…this isn’t good.” So I prayed, and I walked, and I stopped and stretched, and I downed gatorade like a thirsty man in a desert, and I prayed some more. And slowly, my legs loosened up and I could run again.

As I got closer and closer to the finish line, I could see the crowds gathered around the finish line. There were 2500 athletes and easily triple that many spectators, so the finish line was loud. You could hear it from miles away. I set my eyes and ears on that finish line and kept on going. Crossing that finish line was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. It was a rush of adrenaline. All that work. All the training, the blood, sweat, and tears, had paid off. I saw my wife and kids and tears filled my eyes.

Conclusion

When I think of Papaw’s passing this last week, I think about what that finish line must have been like! With all the saints gathered around, cheering him on. And Christ himself, seated at the finish line, welcoming him home with those words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” I get emotional when I think of Papaw, but not because of grieving—because I know I’ll see him again. But my tears are tears of joy and pride in him, because he ran the race well. He left such a wonderful legacy. And it makes me determined to live my life and run my race well.

Determined Determined

Determined

by Jason Hill

Determined not to waste a day

Determined not to flit away

My life in shallow, vain ambition

But for his glory and his mission.

Determined to live my life like him

Determined not to give to whim

My precious time and resource

But live my life without remorse.

Determined to follow his example

Of living, loving, joy that’s ample

To bring a smile to all I see

To live my life out just for thee.

Determined to love with all my might

My God and all those in my sight

To seek his Kingdom and his will

To love my God more even still.

Determined not to seek for treasure

For fleeting praise nor sinful pleasure

But for what matters and will endure

For all that’s holy and all that’s pure.

Determined not to waste a life

In anger, bitterness, toil and strife

But by God’s grace, to amend

And his mercy to extend.

Determined to seek and save the lost

Near or far, whate’er the cost

So all I meet can see his glory

‘Til all my life tells of his story.

Determined not to waste a day

Determined not to flit away

My life in shallow, vain ambition

But for his glory and his mission.

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 ESV

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Are you running well? Everyone wants the joy of a good finish line, but only some are willing to do what is necessary to make it happen. Are you running with endurance? Observing the good examples who have gone before you, rejecting the bad? Purging your life of unnecessary weights and harmful sin? And fixing your eyes on Christ? That’s the key to running a good race.