Summary: This is the fifth sermon in a series that brings NASCAR along side spiritual truths in order to call people to keep on learning and growing through the hard knocks of life.

Bible Text: 2 Timothy 2:1-4:5

Series: NASCAR Comes To Church

Title: Rookies, Veterans and Hard Knocks

Topic: Christian Living / Stewardship

Theme: Purposeful Growth in Christian Living / Stewardship of Life Lessons & Skills

Purpose: to be the Holy Spirit’s second witness calling God’s people in my care to keep on learning and growing.

Response: Individuals prompted by the Holy Spirit will pray for his help as they face the hard knocks of life.

Pattern: Parable leading to Textual Exposition

Visual Illustration: Race flags; NASCAR memorabilia; R C car

Introduction:

It’s hard to remember that Jesus did not come to make us safe, but rather to make us disciples, citizen’s of God’s new age, a kingdom of surprise. [Something to Think About]

CITATION: STANLEY HAUERWAS quoted at PreachingToday.com

Jesus told stories called "parables" to bring everyday experiences along side eternal spiritual truths. His goal was to help people like you and me understand God and his kingdom. We’ve been calling the eternal truths his PATTERN FOR LIFE.

Review:

 GOD’S PATTERN FOR LIFE IS LIKE the NASCAR driver who works out everyday -- training hands, feet, eyes and mind to function at his peak on race day. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

 GOD’S PATTERN FOR LIFE IS LIKE the NASCAR driver who studies every rule and decision made by the Racing officials in order to avoid any possibility of being disqualified on race day. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

 GOD’S PATTERN FOR LIFE IS LIKE the NASCAR drivers who focus all their energy on finishing the race. Once the green flag has been waved they forget the qualifying runs. They know the prize goes to the winner and each one is determined to take the checkered flag. As the laps mount, up they try harder and harder to finish the race well because they know Victory Lane is reserved for one who finishes the race first -- no matter how many laps were led by someone else. (Philippians 3:13-14)

 GOD’S PATTERN FOR LIFE IS LIKE the NASCAR drivers who keep a sharp eye out for other drivers who might cut them off and send their cars into the wall. (Galatians 5:7)

 GOD’S PATTERN FOR LIFE IS LIKE the NASCAR drivers who work with their pit crews and other teammates to lighten and tune their cars so that they can have nothing holding them back on race day. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

 These parables show us that we need to choose the Necessary Actions for Superb Christ-like Attitudes & Relationships because living according to God’s pattern for life doesn’t happen by accident. It is something we do intentionally.

 GOD’S PATTERN FOR LIFE IS LIKE NASCAR. Every driver lines up at the Starting Line with one purpose in mind. Every one of them is determined to complete the set number of laps and to cross the Finish Line. Every driver in a race has his/her own strategy for winning the race based on the car they are driving and the skills he/she possesses. The drivers know they must START WELL and FINISH FIRST in order to win. When the Green Flag is flying they concentrate all their thoughts and decisions on running a good race. They will follow the rules or they will face the Black Flag of disqualification. They are focused on doing their very best in hopes of crossing the Finish Line and receiving the Checkered Flag first. And every driver knows the power to win the race is not in his/her own skills, mind or strength. The power is under the hood as the engine converts fuel into acceleration and momentum.

 This parable shows us that we need to pursue a love relationship with God and others. We need to plan and purposefully decide how to realize those relationships in our lives. The more we strive for these things the more we will see our need to pray in order to fill up on God’s power.

 GOD’S PATTERN FOR LIFE IS LIKE the NASCAR driver who refuses to drive the wrong way in a race and who also refuses to drive the wrong vehicle on the track. To do anything else would cost the driver a disqualification. It could even cost him and others their lives.

 This parable shows us that we need to live according to God’s pattern for life. We dare not fall into the trap of thinking any and every lifestyle is acceptable. We must pursue progress in developing the attitudes and actions of Jesus with persevering purpose.

 GOD’S PATTERN FOR LIFE IS LIKE THE NASCAR DRIVER who knows he/she cannot win without a team. It takes a top-notch pit crew to change tires, adjust the car, and fill the fuel tank so fast that the driver doesn’t lose his/her position in the race. It takes a team of drivers, sponsors, owners and designers to win championships. So every driver develops a good team and treats each member well because he or she knows that the team is vital.

 Living God’s way is a team effort. We cannot finish the race without each other. We need each other to share God’s love with those in need. We need each other to share God’s love with those who need a friend -- without trying to get something back from them. We need each other to share God’s love with those in the church.

Today’s Parable:

GOD’S PATTERN FOR LIFE IS LIKE THE NASCAR team owner who knows a very talented ROOKIE driver is no match for a seasoned VETERAN on the track. Experienced drivers have learned many skills the rookies haven’t had a chance to learn. Some of the skills are CONSCIOUS and some seem more like REFLEXES. But all the veterans’ skills have been learned by persevering through the hard knocks of race after race.

There are THREE ZONES in everything. Every driver must go through them to become a champion. Every couple must go through them in their marriage. Every follower of Jesus must grow through them as he or she follows

 The STARTING Line where life seems full of PROMISE and we don’t see the PROBLEMS.

 The STRESS or "Q" Zone where life seems full of PROBLEMS and we don’t see the PROMISE.

 The FINISH Line where the PROBLEMS are solved and the PROMISE is fulfilled.

Thesis:

The skills we need for Superb Christ-like Attitudes and Relationships are developed over time as we learn from life’s hard knocks.

Application: What are the Necessary Actions for Superb Christ-like Attitudes & Relationships?

There are at least two ways to learn from hard knocks.

1) We can learn from the experiences of OTHERS (2 Timothy 3:1-9).

a) We can be warned by a veteran to watch out for their self-inflicted hard knocks.

There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

b) Sometimes we can observe and learn on our own.

2) We can AVOID hard knocks by pursuing the right things. (2 Timothy 3:10-4:5).

a) We can avoid a lot of hard knocks by studying and applying the Bible to our lives.

As for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

b) We can also avoid hard knocks by following the example of veteran followers of Jesus.

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings--what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…

c) We can avoid some hard knocks by simply doing the things we know we should do.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

NEXT STEPS:

Christians are called to follow Jesus’ example and his TEACHINGS. That means we must decide to keep on LEARNING and improving.

Responding to God:

If you would like to speak with God about a need in your heart and life, you are invited to do so. Remember: No matter may have happened in your life, Jesus is ready, willing and able to restore you. He has a place for you in his heart and kingdom. Please, feel free to pray at the altar rail as we sing.