What does it mean to be a Christian Part 3 - Running the Race

Sling and Stone Radio

Part 3: The Christian Race When in a Race, our attitude, faith in our teacher, Endurance, and urgency is different. When the Apostle Paul was near death, he wrote to one of his disciples, Timothy. In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul says “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul Paul also said while writing to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 9:24 “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize.” A. Attitude: As Pastor Todd White says it so well, “I don’t get an attitude, I get gratitude.” The runners who win races never have excuses. You would never hear the winner of a race say, “It’s so hard to run in the rain... its too cold... the other runner made a mean face at me!” No, a winning attitude is one of gratitude. Winning runners are grateful for the challenge, the opportunity to grow, and they focus only on the prize. B. Faith in our teacher (coach): As an athlete trains for a race, so must we train as Christians, and our training is dependent on having a good trainer, teacher, or coach. As Christians, we have the best teacher, the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:5 says, “For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.” (Elaborate) C. Determination: In the same letter that Paul wrote to Timothy about fighting the good fight and finishing the race, Paul talks about enduring the suffering and hard work involved in this great race. “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” 2 Timothy 2:1-10 D. Urgency: Revelation 3:11 ESV I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown John 9:4 ESV We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 ESV This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sean-fooks/message