Practice: Obey 4.2 - December 13, 2009

Practices #4 – Obey
4.2 – Lessons from the Race

Paul makes an interesting analogy for the Christian life.

1 Corinthians 9:23-25 (New International Version)
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Some Lessons We Can Learn From the Race:

1. In Training, You Have to Start at the Beginning.

Jeremiah 12:5 (New International Version)
If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?

• No one who runs a marathon starts out being able to run a marathon.

• Matthew 25 – Parable of the Talents

2. There are no shortcuts to running a marathon.

Galatians 5:6-8 (New International Version)
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

3. Every Runner, in Every Run, Hits the Decision Point.

Character doesn’t come easy.

2 Timothy 4:7 (New International Version)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

• If you stop running, you never get the privilege of finishing.

So What do We Do With That?

Hebrews 12:1-3 (New International Version)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.