Showing posts with label race. Show all posts
Showing posts with label race. Show all posts
Thursday, 1 December 2016
THE CHRISTIAN RACE
MEMORY VERSE: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1
BIBLE READING: Numbers 11-13
Paul, the author of the book of Hebrews, likened Christianity to running in athletics. Hebrews 12:1 says: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Running events are divided by distance into sprints (short-distance), middle-distance, long-distance, as well as by type, which includes hurdles and relays or team races. The Christian race is a long- distance race as such it must be run with patience.
The Christian race and the marathon are similar. For instance, both have a start point and a finish point. We start the Christian race on earth and finish in heaven. There is a prize to be won in both. Revelations 3:21 says: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Both have organisers. Jesus is the organiser. Hebrews 12:2a says: “looking unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our race.” The organisers of both determine the track and the length of the track. Jesus sets the track on which Christians run. He designs the bends, the turnings, the hills, the slopes, etc.
Participants of both have to follow laid down rules. One of the laid down rules of the Christian race is "love your neighbour as yourself" . Mark 12:31 says: “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these greater than these.” You will find it hard to lie to your neighbour if you truly love him. You will find hard to steal if love your neighbour . Do you know that if you truly love your neighbour as yourself you won’t fornicate, commit adultery, oppress people, delay your staff's salary, etc.? Another laid down rule is you must not harbour unforgiveness. Matthew 6:15 says: “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Most importantly, you have to register to participate in both. You have to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. John 3:3 says: “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” “What if I don’t,” someone asked. If you don’t you will go to hell. This afternoon, a brother I had been witnessing to for months complained that I was too hard on him. I asked him a simple question, “you expect me to scream at the top of my voice and call you back if I see you walking towards fire don’t you?” He nodded. I told him that’s what I am trying to do. The rules have not changed. Jesus is the only way!
QUESTION: Have you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and saviour?
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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.
Monday, 26 November 2012
THE RACE
Hebrews 12:1 – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so
great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and the
sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race
that is set before us.
Christianity is a race. Like every race, present at the stadium are the Sponsors, spectators, trainers, athletes and officials. The spectators are always large in number. They include all sorts of people, commentators, past athletes, press men and women, critics, friends and families of the athletes and so on. Once the athletes get to the track, they put themselves in running position and the official blows the whistle; the race begins. This is the exact thing that happens in Christianity. The Sponsor is the Most High God. The Official is Jesus. He decides the criteria to run the race. John 3:3 says except a man is born again, he shall not see the kingdom of God.Romans 10:9 say that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Jesus determines the rule of the race. Matthew 10:38 says anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. John 15:24 says you are My friend if you do what I command you. The trainer is the Holy Spirit. John 14:26 say but the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. The athletes are born- again, spirit filled Christians. The spectators are people who are yet to give their lives to Christ. The price for running the race is a place in heaven and a crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:4 says when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Like every race, only athletes who participate in the race stand a chance of getting the price. The same thing applies to the Christian race. Good works and charitable deeds alone cannot earn you the price. Sleeping in the church or been the friend of the pastor or sponsoring church project can not earn you the price. We need to participate in the race to get the price. Just like it is unacceptable to run on behalf of people, you cannot run the Christian race for anyone – husband or wife, children or loved ones. If you really love them, witness to them so that they can enter in the race and stand a chance. Once the race begins, the spectators begin to give their opinions about the athletes, some good, and some bad. Once you give your life to Christ, people will comment. Some will make fun of you calling you the father of Jesus or mother of Jesus. As a professional athlete, you ignore the spectators and just run. The spectators can say whatever; you know they have decided to forfeit their price. The beginning of a race is the easiest, as one progress in the race, one begins to thirst, become tired or fatigue and at this point many drop out. The worries of life and challenges of life have caused many to drop out of the race. Others while running their race get carried away with the sign boards on the race track and end up falling. The pleasures of life have taken some from the Christian race. There are very few who endure to the last. They are those that receive the handshake from the Sponsors and get their medals. Matthew 24:13 says only those who endure to the end will be saved. It does not matter at what part of the race one quits. It does not matter the speed at which one was before quitting, it does not matter the number of supporter one has. Only those who endure to the last shall receive the crown glory.
PRAYER POINT: Father, this Christian race please help me to endure to the very end.
Christianity is a race. Like every race, present at the stadium are the Sponsors, spectators, trainers, athletes and officials. The spectators are always large in number. They include all sorts of people, commentators, past athletes, press men and women, critics, friends and families of the athletes and so on. Once the athletes get to the track, they put themselves in running position and the official blows the whistle; the race begins. This is the exact thing that happens in Christianity. The Sponsor is the Most High God. The Official is Jesus. He decides the criteria to run the race. John 3:3 says except a man is born again, he shall not see the kingdom of God.Romans 10:9 say that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Jesus determines the rule of the race. Matthew 10:38 says anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. John 15:24 says you are My friend if you do what I command you. The trainer is the Holy Spirit. John 14:26 say but the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. The athletes are born- again, spirit filled Christians. The spectators are people who are yet to give their lives to Christ. The price for running the race is a place in heaven and a crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:4 says when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Like every race, only athletes who participate in the race stand a chance of getting the price. The same thing applies to the Christian race. Good works and charitable deeds alone cannot earn you the price. Sleeping in the church or been the friend of the pastor or sponsoring church project can not earn you the price. We need to participate in the race to get the price. Just like it is unacceptable to run on behalf of people, you cannot run the Christian race for anyone – husband or wife, children or loved ones. If you really love them, witness to them so that they can enter in the race and stand a chance. Once the race begins, the spectators begin to give their opinions about the athletes, some good, and some bad. Once you give your life to Christ, people will comment. Some will make fun of you calling you the father of Jesus or mother of Jesus. As a professional athlete, you ignore the spectators and just run. The spectators can say whatever; you know they have decided to forfeit their price. The beginning of a race is the easiest, as one progress in the race, one begins to thirst, become tired or fatigue and at this point many drop out. The worries of life and challenges of life have caused many to drop out of the race. Others while running their race get carried away with the sign boards on the race track and end up falling. The pleasures of life have taken some from the Christian race. There are very few who endure to the last. They are those that receive the handshake from the Sponsors and get their medals. Matthew 24:13 says only those who endure to the end will be saved. It does not matter at what part of the race one quits. It does not matter the speed at which one was before quitting, it does not matter the number of supporter one has. Only those who endure to the last shall receive the crown glory.
PRAYER POINT: Father, this Christian race please help me to endure to the very end.
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