Are You Running The Right Race Or The Rat Race?

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"ARE YOU RUNNING THE RIGHT RACE OR THE RAT RACE?"

Heb 12: 1,2

1Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

E. The Bible describes the Christian life in some interesting ways:

* As on a boat trip across a great sea.

* As a sheep being led by a shepherd.

* As a soldier going to war.

* As a walk but also -

* As a race. (but as a very special kind of race)

I have used running for years as a form of exercise as well as enjoyment. I love going out and just running. However this is not a message that is promoting physical running. When you run - you are alone with your own thought and it is a wonderful time to meditate. I memorize Scripture when I run. I also quote the runners prayer which is found in Isa. 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

So, knowing that the Bible had much to say about running - I begin to pray that God would give me the Spiritual lesson about running the Spiritual race that you can learn from the physical comparison.

T/S LET ME SHARE WITH YOU 8 WONDERFUL TRUTHS THAT GOD TAUGHT ME ABOUT RUNNING THE SPIRITUAL RACE WHILE RUNNING PHYSICALLY - AND THEN BY VERIFYING THOSE THUTHS BY THE WORD OF GOD.

I. RUN IN THE BEST RACE:

2 Tim 2:5Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

Thus my title: "Are you running in the rat race or the right race?" Run a legitimate race: You are running in some race. You are either running in the rat race of the right race. The choice is not to run or not to run. The choice is what race are you going to run in.

Remember this, if you win the rat race – all you are is still a rat.

II. YOU MUST WALK BEFORE YOU RUN.

Example of walking.

Physical running is something we have all done. However, we had to walk before we could run.

Gal. 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

III. RUN LIGHT. (let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us,

Those who train for big races puts on weights on their legs and around their waist. The day of the race that take them off so they will run lighter.

We are to lay aside that particular sin that so easily entangles us. What is your entangling sin??

IV. RUN ANYWHERE.

Go ye into the hiways and hedges . . .

You can run anywhere. In the big city - on a country road - on a track - on a tread mill (boring).

You can go out your front door and run. You don’t need any special equipment. Not basketball where you have to have hoops and a court. It not racket ball that requires a special room - it is not tennis that requires a court and special rackets.

IT IS NOT GOLF - that require a 400.00 driver and a special set of irons and an expensive golf course. (Tiger Woods is hitting the new Nike Irons) However he could tie a pan to the end of a stick and hit the ball better than I can.

Running require you to go and run. Just do it. You would want a good pair of running shoes but after that all you have to do is run.

See, there is no - Well I am not in the right place to run for God - or I don’t have the right equipment to run the race that God wants me to run, or if I was only on the mission field. You can run out your front door and be in the running race that God has called you to run.

V. RUN ENCOURAGED.

(great cloud of witnesses)

Isa 40:31 But they that wait (anticipates) upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.