(A suppliment of our Wednesday eveing service by Roger Nelmes)
“I have become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!
You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.
I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.” (1 Cor. 9:22-27, TM)
In this Amazing Race we are either running after God or we’re running away.
1. Are You In The Race?
Have you come to a place where you have committed your life to Him and this race? Asking Jesus to forgive your sin, to come into your life, and give you the free gift of eternal life, is what gives you entrance into the race. But to stay IN the race you have to commit your life to live for Him. It's a term called sanctification - a daily process by which we allow Jesus to live through us. It's a commitment to not just stop sinning, but to live our lives to serve Him.
2. Are You Running Just to Finish or to Win?
Coaches are paid to train and motivate their player to do thier best to win. If a coach sat his team down right before the biggest game of the year and said, "We've had a good year and I'm proud of you all. Don't worry about winning tonight's game. Let's just try to finish." That coach probably won't have his job come Monday morning. Paul said, “Run to Win.”
Another thing to realize about winning is that it's not just for you. Our responsibility is to help others win as well. In this amazing race we pick up other along the way and help them to obtain the same prize - eternal life.
3. Are You Training Hard?
In the NIV version of verse 27, Paul says, “I beat my body and make it my slave.” Training is discipline. No one likes discipine. It means giving it everything you’ve got! That’s what commitment is. It’s not just when it’s convenient or when it feels good. It’s not just when it’s free or easy. Discipline means sacrificing the good and the better for the best!
Are you IN the race?
Are you running to finish or to WIN?
Are you TRAINING hard?
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