Text: 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have
kept the faith.”
Theme: Running this race of faith
Introduction
- In 2015 thousands of runners entered the Comrades marathon.
- I can imagine all the excitement and hype as these thousands of runners lined up at the start of the race.
- There are a few things that make the start of the race very exciting indeed:
• There are television stations from around the world that cover this event and interview runners at the beginning.
• There are race sponsors that hand out free stuff to runners.
• Everyone has trained and envision themselves finishing the race.
• Everyone is happy.
• Besides a handful that get ill before the race and those who cannot make it because of unforeseen circumstances, all runners start the race.
• There is a huge crowd cheering the runners on.
• There are lots of dignitaries present.
• Almost everyone has new gear (running shoes, running clothing) on.
• Everyone has taken the appropriate nutrition in the correct quantities to enable them to endure the race.
- And then the runners come under the starters orders, the gun is fired and the race begins.
- At this point there is huge cheering and there are crowds that line the start that shout encouragement.
- For the first 5 to 6 km the runners are all together.
- Thereafter, the real race begins as the athletes begin to pace themselves according to their training and tactics.
- We can liken the start of the comrades marathon to the watchnight service we have every new years eve.
- The church is full of people, eager to pray themselves into the new year.
- There is a lot of excitement as we all make decisions to serve God diligently in the year to come.
- There are lot of people present at the service and we are excited to enter into a new year.
- As we pray into the new year, we hear the sound of fireworks going off as the world also ushers in the new year.
- For the first month or so all is on track
• We come to church regularly.
• We pray and read the Bible.
• We stay away from the things that cause us to sin.
• We stay committed that THIS year we will be involved in the work of God.
- Then comes February….and the rubber begin to meet the road.
- All the hype of the beginning starts to die off…
- And the falling away begins….
1. The road is lonely
- As the runners of the comrades marathon leave the bright lights of the starting point and as they begin to come to the 5 – 6km mark, the change becomes very evident:
• The big cheering crowd becomes a thin line of supporters.
• There are very TV cameras as most of the media are following the BIG names out in the front.
• Its becomes just the runner, his competitors and the road.
• All the hype has died down and the runner has to get down to the business of finishing the race.
- Likewise with us, all the hype of the new year is long gone.
• The big crowd of the watchnight service is no longer around when we are alone in our homes, or our workplaces.
• There is hardly anyone around most of the time to prompt us along as we serve God.
• It becomes just us and God at times.
• All the hype of making that decision to serve God has died down and we are left with the business of being faithful.
• Although we are all together in unity in the church, each of us will be required to give an account of ourselves…for what we did for God…and for what we didn’t.
- Galatians 6: 4 – 5 says, “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”
- The scripture is very clear: we all have account for our own responsibilities in the Kingdom of God.
- And that responsibilities are ours alone.
- And therefore the road get lonely, because God call each one to their own task and we cannot be cheering you on in your task when we have our own to fulfil.
- And therein also lies a warning…we have to give an account of ourselves.
- If God has given us a task, we have to do it….even when nobody sees.
- Yes, sometimes this road is lonely.
- When you’re at home or at work or wherever.
- And we have to pray…or read the Word….or witness….or pray for someone….or intercede…or evangelise
- And nobody from church is there is back you up…or encourage you….or cheer you on…or pat you on the back
- We must just do it anyway.
2. The road is long
- As the runners in a marathon begin their race, they know exactly what lies ahead.
- They know that the road is long.
- And they begin to pace themselves.
- No-one sprints, because then they will get tired easily and give up.
- So each runners prepares himself physically and mentally for the long road.
- Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us throw off everything that hinders, and sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
- Heb 12:1 encourages us to run with perseverance.
- In this context: perseverance means to endure something that is long and difficult.
- This tells us that our race is life-long.
- There are no detours in the Christian life.
- There are no time outs where we can do as we please.
- On the Comrades route, there are no detours.
- There are no time outs
- The road is long and it is constant
- The key to finishing the race is to remain consistent.
- Because the road is long.
3. The road is difficult
- As the runner runs, he encounters difficulties:
• He encounters hills
• When you run up a hill you use more of your energy.
• Your muscles work harder, and hurt much more.
• The effort places a greater strain on your lungs as your body requires more oxygen.
• Many runners give up when they cannot conquer the hills.
- In this Christian walk, we encounter challenges all the time.
- There will always be hills.
- There will always be difficulties.
- The devil will always attack.
- It is at that time we are faced with the challenge of staying the course or giving up.
- It is at that time we begin to question the Presence and Providence and Protection of God.
- As the marathon runner runs, he experiences fatigue and tiredness.
• The race is long and after a while it takes a toll on the body.
• Muscles start to tire out and energy levels start to drop.
• The runner begins to long for the end.
• Many runners sometimes give up and sit on the roadside waiting to be picked up.
- There is no scripture in the Bible that promises us that this Christian life will not have difficulties, but the Word does promise that we will overcome.
- Sometimes we all get tired.
- We all wonder at times if we must keep on keeping on.
- We all come to a point where we begin to wonder: “What’s the point?”
- This Christian walk is often fraught with obstacles and challenges.
- But we become reliant completely on the Hand of God.
- Lets look at the Word when we feel like this:
- Psalms 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”
- Isaiah 40:29 “He give power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
- Isaiah 40:31 “…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shell mount up with wings like eagle; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Conclusion
- How many of you can identify with me?
- You are tired, weary and need strength to keep on keeping on.
- Many of us have made a commitment at the beginning of the year to serve God much more diligently
- But now we are battling to keep up.
- We have given up
- We are turning back
- And you are saying : “Lord I need you”
- Stand with me as we pray together,
