My wife and I just returned from our home church in Abilene, TX, and while we were there, once again I was moved by what I saw.
1. Last night I was called to the hospital, while there I was reminded of several things: health and the briefness of life.
2. A visit to a county jail or state pen will say things to you: freedom
3. You need to visit a rest home from time to time. Visit with old friends and family. It reminds you of many things.
4. A visit to a cemetery will bring to mind different things to different people.
While I was in the auditorium class, my eyes began to wander around the audience. Remembering the individuals as my eyes saw them, little did I know they were speaking to me. Let me explain.
1. First, there was Bro. Lloyd Phillips. Great Sunday school teacher. He has run the race.
2. Second, was James Peters, good bus driver. The only place he could serve the Lord.
3. Mrs. Tatum, said of Corrine Hansen, still serving.
4. Visited with Doris Walraven, 30 years in the same nursery. Served 3 preachers and raised many kids.
5. That Sunday night, I preached for a young preacher that we had reached his family while there. Had one of our young men sing for him that is now active in full time service, bus kid.
6. Let’s read Hebrews 12:1-2 and let me give you five thoughts concerning the race.
I. What is the Race?
A. Simply put, the race is the Christian life. Just living and serving the master.
1. 1 Corinthians 9:22-27
2. Paul wanted to run a race pleasing to the master.
B. The race automatically begins with the new birth.
1. God gives us a New Nature, a New Man, then He leaves us with the choice of which life we will live.
2. 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
C. Know this: an automatic start does not mean an automatic finish.
1. You must choose to run the race
2. You must choose to live the life, to serve and to follow the Lord
3. Luke 9:23, John 6:66-67; 2 Timothy 4:10
D. All of the verses indicate hard work. Most of us need encouraging in hard work. So, the next thought is:
II. What Encourages us While Running the Race?
The witnesses or the people.
A. Three thoughts concerning the people who are encouraging us.
1. First, those around me, encourage me.
a. Secret pals
Praying sisters
b. The visist home. Multitudes still serving God.
c. The folks that never miss; always here. Giving, serving, you help encourage me in running my race.
1) Mrs. Vermillion
2) Shag and Polly
3) John and Alva
4) Don and Linda
5) The praise service we had Wednesday night
6) Dave and Carol; Jerry and Becky; Earl and Cluda; Larry and his kids.
d. Romans 14:7
2. Second, those counting on me; those depending on me; encouraging me in the race.
a. Hebrews 12:1
b. Luke 16
c. Home missions
3. Third, those that rejoice with me.
a. The greatest rejoicing ever is when souls are saved.
b. Acts 8:7, 39; Luke 15:10
4. This morning if you need encouraging in your Christian race, look around you, listen to the cries of the lost, depending on you.
III. What Keeps Us in the Race?
Patience
A. The one thing God says we must possess to keep us in the race, is patience.
B. Not speed, not style, not class, not power, not ability.
C. Patience: What is it? Strong’s Concordance says patience is the same as “endurance” “consistency”
1. In everyday words, patience is staying power.
D. Let’s read some verses on the word patience.
Luke 8:12-15; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; James 1:3-4
E. And the only thing that will help you finish the race is patience.
Not giving up with every adversity of life.
F. What encourages us in our race? People. What keeps us in the race? Patience. The problems of life produces staying power.
IV. What Hinders Us in the Race?
Priorities
A. This thought is seen in the words “lay aside every weight.”
B. The weights would be the good things we do, but they keep us from doing the best we ought to do. The priorities of life.
1. What takes first place in your life? What is the basis on which every other decision is based on?
2. Matthew 6:33
C. If what you and I are all wrapped up in does not result in the winning of souls, we need to get our priorities right.
V. What Finishes the Race?
A. In every race there is a finish line, and the same is true of the Christian life.
B. First, let me say some have made themselves, false finish lines.
C. The idea of past mistakes and failures. Yes, even intentional sins. Many have said, “I have finished my course.” Not so.
David, Samson, Moses
D. The idea of open denial.
Cursing has ruined me. I am washed up. Not so. Look at Peter
E. Another thought many have used is the thought I have done my part. I have served my time.
1. You cannot finish the race on the success of the past.
2. Bro. Ingram, successful in every area of his life. Spiritual and Financial. He is still serving. He is still running.
F. Let’s let Paul finish our message today with the closing words of his life. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
G. What finishes the race? Death or the Rapture.
H. What will you do with this New Year God has given to us?
Motto of the French Foreign Legion
1. If I stumble, pick me up.
2. If I falter, push me on.
3. If I retreat, shoot me.
