Illustration: Children’s Talk: Running a race. Share what you have in life with others. Pass the baton to the next person.
God started this race and was at the beginning, He will be at the end also to give you a trophy
Heb 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
By faith Abel: By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
By faith Enoch: he was commended as one who pleased God.
By faith Noah: he became heir of the righteousness.
By faith Abraham: he obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. Isaac and Jacob (also) were heirs with him of the same promise. He considered him faithful who had made the promise.
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets……
Heb 11:39
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.
40: God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
They move into their promise because the Church keeps the faith and the Name of Jesus going.
They are made perfect with us through Grace.
This race is one we are all in together.
In a normal race, compition is the essence.
Illustration: Slide 1
At the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win.
All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry.
The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back.
Then they all turned around and went back. Every one of them.
One girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, “This will make it better.”
Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, the cheering went on for several minutes.
Some people understand life better. And some of these people are called “retarded”.
We must:
· Encourage each other
· Spur others on
· Encourage others to join with us
· Pick people up who have fallen, if possible
· Heal the injured
· Support the weary
· Cast off thing that get in the way Slide 2
Its finishing the race that’s important Slide 3
Jesus told His disciples in Luke 10:23-24
For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."
1 Peter 1:8-13
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the Grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
It was Revealed (ä-po-kä-lü’p-tô to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up) to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
They were not serving themselves
Christians, if they rightly consider their calling, must never settle themselves here, but feel themselves travellers.
A race involves movement.
We all can have a journey with God.
The OT is full of people who didn’t have the Bible, Jesus or Church etc.
They journeyed by faith.
As the Jews travelled through the nations sharing the knowledge of the one God, preparing for Christ’s first advent,
Christians, among the unconverted now, share the knowledge of Christ, preparing for His second advent.
Not only was the future revealed to them, but this also, that these revelations of the future were given them not for themselves, but for our good and for the Good News.
If the Gospel is pressing forward in our community, then evil is.
What are we to pass on? Slide 4
· Godly Character
· Heavenly Power
· A good Role Model
Pass on Godly Character
You can fail in most things but not character.
It’s the backbone by which you stand up straight or bend over and collapse.
People should look at what we want to give them and believe that it’s worthwhile.
Would you take something worthless and of no value?
Who got presents that they were disappointed in?
You wonder what to do with them.
Illustration:
Someone passed on an unwanted gift to their friends who in turn passed it back to the first couple unknowingly. How embarrassing!
People are not interested in something if they do not see it working effectively.
Would you want a defective item?
Pass on Heavenly Power
People should see a message, not hear it only.
We have a visual and sensual culture
Jesus is the most powerful person and has Christians we are to pass on His power
1. Power to transform lives
2. Power to heal
3. Power to set free
Pass on a Good Role Model
To be a good example, you need to see good examples
The Bible is full of them
Observe good examples; read testimonies etc.
What is God’s model? Jesus, the Bible.
We must be above reproach
Demonstrate high integrity
One flaw will weaken the model.
They looked for fault in Jesus.
Frauds of the Church; Jimmy Swaggart, Hillsong musician etc.
These are highlighted by news.
Conclusion
The race began at the beginning of time
Satan tried to sabotage the race
The OT patriots picked up the baton and ran
They passed it to the Church
We are to pass it to the world
What are you passing on?
Keep running for the prize. Slide 5
