Life Is Like A Game

LIFE IS LIKE A GAME

2 Timothy 4: 7- 8

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now 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.”

This portion of letter was writeen by Paul to Timothy while waiting for his final execution. This is Paul’s 2nd imprisonment in Rome. Many writers believed that Nero beheaded Paul for his escape-goat of burning Rome.

This text teaches Christians that life is like a game. While we are living under the sun, we are always living like the participants in every game competition.

There are 3 things that Christians should know to succeed in life.

I. YOU NEED TO FIGHT A GOOD FIGHT

A. Your need to fight. “You need to fight to live. As long as you live in this world”

·If you want to have a good life, you need to fight for it.

·If you want a good wife, you need to fight for it.

·If you want a good job, you need to fight for it.

·If you want big money, fight for it. (LIKE MANNY PACQUIAO)

In practical and spiritual aspects of life, this is applicable to us.

“A person who fears is not fit to live”

Like Gary V. song: “SIKAPIN MO, PILITIN MO, TIBAYAN ANG IYONG PUSO, PAGKAT IKAW ANG HUHUBOG …”

Spiritually speaking, the child of God has three foes:

(1) The World or the world’s system. John 17:14

(2) The Flesh. Galatians 5:17

(3) The Devil. I Peter 5:8

This is not just a simple fight, Paul encouraged us to..

B. Fight a good fight. God wants us to be a good fighter.

In wrestling game you can choose what player do you want: To be a good player or to be a bad player. To be a Bida or Kontrabida? Its up to you!

Paul here is a picture of a faithful soldier. Every faithful soldier is called to fight in battle. Paul had fought his battles for Christ and Paul had been victorious through Christ.

He separated himself from the world and gave his total commitment to Christ. He had suffered for Christ. He had fought for the worthy cause of His king. He stayed with his mission and given his time to the very end.

Are you fighting the good fight?

· We have been through some great difficulties! - We have undergone demonic attacks!

· We have been through some dark valleys! - We have spent months under oppression of the enemy! In spite of it all we have fought a good fight!

· We have been wounded and scarred! - We have shed tears and experienced broken hearts. Through it all we have learned that God is faithful!

· We have to learn that “Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.”

· That “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!”

· That “We are more than conquerors through Jesus our Lord.”

The attacks of the devil have been relentless! Paul remembered the past! - Through it all he had fought a good fight!

II. YOU NEED TO FINISH THE RACE

"An artist in Mexico lost his right hand while working on a statue. But he did not give up his work. He learned to carve with his left hand. His beautifully finished masterpiece was called ’In Spite Of’ that became well known throughout the history."

Paul in writing to young Timothy is very straightforward in what he has to say. His words seem to be filled with encouragement and assurance that he can finish the course. 1) 2:1 “Be Strong” 2)2:3 “Endure Hardness” 3) 2:5 “Strive” 4) 2:10 “Endure all things”

Everything that we have done up till now will all be in vain if we don’t finish the race.

· I knew some persons who never tried to finish what they are started: In school, in work, and in almost every area of their lives.

· I also knew many persons who started to be faithful Christians, but today they are gone…

But the Bible encouraged us to continue until the finish line..

Matt. 24:13 “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved”

Heb. 6:15 “Abraham…after he patiently endured, obtained the promise”

Heb. 11:27 “Moses endured as seeing him who is invisible”

Heb. 12:2 “Christ...endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God”

James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation…for he shall receive the crown of life”

James 5:11 “We count them happy which endure”