The Greatest Victory Of All Time

(The following is a sermon that was preached at the campgrounds at the Aaron's 499 @ Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday May 4th 2014. It is geared toward NASCAR fans but could be adapted to fit many situations. It is a simple description of the salvation process.)

The Greatest Victory Of All Time

Romans 10:13 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

It is such and honor to be asked to speak to you. I have been very excited about this great opportunity to preach here today.

If I could do what I wanted to do with my life, I would be a NASCAR Chaplain! That way I could still serve the Lord and go the Race every week! I love this sport and I love being around the fans of this sport. And it is great to be here with you. In just a little while the National anthem will be sung, the jets will fly over and someone will say those words “Drivers start your engines”

And at that point the 43 greatest drivers in the world are going to begin a 500 mile battle to win the Aaron’s 499. EACH MAN OUT THERE WANTS THAT VICTORY! If I asked you what was the greatest NASCAR victory of all time you would all probably have a different answer. There are several that always come to mind:

1979 Daytona 500 - Richard Petty talking the win while Cale Yarbrough & Bobby & Donnie Allison were fighting in the infield.

1998 Daytona 500 - After 20 years Dale Earnhardt finally won the 500.

2003 Darlington - Kurt Busch & Ricky Craven crossing the finish line at the same time and Busch winning by 2 one thousandths of a second.

1994 Indianapolis - Jeff Gordon winning the inaugural Brickyard 500.

2000 Talladega - On October 15th 2000 Dale Earnhardt went from 18th to first in 4 laps to win his final race.

Outside of NASCAR…in life there is one victory that is greater than any other. And that is the victory that Christ secured over death Hell & the grave.

Because of man’s sinfulness we were separated from God. We could not get to God so as a result He came to us. - John 3:16 tells us that “God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to save us”.

Let me give you a brief overview of His life:

Jesus was born of a virgin

Lived a sinless life

Performed many miracles

Gave sight to the blind

Made the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak

One night He stilled the raging storm with the words “peace be still”

He fed 5,000 men with a little boy’s lunch

He Fulfilled the prophecies

He was rejected by many - “He come unto His own and His own received Him not” - John 1:11 - But some did receive Him - “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” - John 1:12

As a result of the rejection that He faced He was arrested.

He was falsely tried and convicted.

Then He was scourged and crucified.

He faced the horrific death of a Roman crucifixion.

They stripped Him

They and put a scarlet robe on him.

They jammed a “Crown of thorns” on His head

They put a reed in His hand and then bowed before Him and cried “Hail, King of the Jews”

They spat on Him

They plucked His beard

Then they forced Him to carry His cross to the execution site.

Once at Calvary they nailed Him to the cross.

After several agonizing hours on the Cross Jesus died.

But three days later HE VICTORIOUSLY WALKED OUT OF THAT TOMB and He lives forever more!

That my friend is the “Greatest Victory of All Time” His purpose for coming to this earth was to provide victory for you and me.

He said Himself - Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

There will be one man who will stand in Victory Lane today. But after the “Big One” there may be some who leave Talladega today with a DNF. And that is the last thing these 43 men want.

Friend, if you have never been saved you are facing an eternity in a lake of fire. Hell is real and it is eternal! But because of what Jesus accomplished at Calvary… YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THE GREATEST VICTORY OF ALL TIME for yourself!

Romans 10:13 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

I. The Potential For Salvation – “whosoever”

A. The Opportunity

“Whosoever” means ALL - There are no exceptions! 2 Peter 3:9 ¶The Lord is…. “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”