Running the Race of Your Life “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” {Hebrews 12:1,2} Title Slide—Running the Race of Your Life (Heb.12:1,2)…

Running the Race of Your Life Everyone is invited to run the race. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” {Matthew 11:28-30} Everyone is invited to run the race. (Matt.11:28-30) No one is excluded. God’s invitation is for any who desire to participate. God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34,35).

Running the Race of Your Life In order to run the race, you must enter the race. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” {Romans 10:17} “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” {John 8:24} In order to RUN the race, you must enter the race. Hear God’s word, Rom.10:17. Faith, Jno.8:24…

Running the Race of Your Life In order to run the race, you must enter the race. “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” {Acts 17:30} “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” {Romans 10:10} In order to RUN the race, you must enter the race. (3) Repent of one’s sins, Acts 17:30. (4) Confession, acceptance of Christ as Lord, Rom.10:10…

Running the Race of Your Life In order to run the race, you must enter the race. “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” {Galatians 3:26,27} “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” {Ephesians 1:3} In order to RUN the race, you must enter the race. (5) Baptized into Christ and His death (Gal.3:26.27; Rom.6:3,4). Understanding that every spiritual blessing can only be found IN CHRIST—Eph.1:3.

Running the Race of Your Life All must run on the established track or be disqualified. “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.” {Joshua 1:7} All must run on the established track or be disqualified. Josh.1:7—one must RUN on the right track and according to ALL the rules.

Running the Race of Your Life All must run on the established track or be disqualified. “…All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” {Matthew 28:18-20} All must run on the established track or be disqualified. Matt.28:18-20—one must RUN on the right track and according to ALL the rules.

Running the Race of Your Life All who run the race must abide by its rules. “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” {Matthew 7:21} All who run the race must abide by its rules. (2 Tim.2:5) Sadly, many try to enter this race and make up their own rules as they go. Such folks are running in vain.

Running the Race of Your Life All who run the race must abide by its rules. “And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” {2 Timothy 2:5} All who run the race must abide by its rules. (2 Tim.2:5) Sadly, many try to enter this race and make up their own rules as they go. Such folks are running in vain.

Running the Race of Your Life You must run the race until it’s finished. “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” {Galatians 5:7} “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” {Galatians 6:9} You must run the race until it is finished. (Gal.5:7; 6:9) One must be in for the long haul—it’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon. Only those who finish this race can expect to win the prize. Quitters cannot receive the prize.

Running the Race of Your Life You must run the race until it’s finished. “That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” {Hebrews 6:12} “... Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” {Revelation 2:10} You must run the race until it is finished. (Gal.5:7; 6:9) One must be in for the long haul—it’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon. Only those who finish this race can expect to win the prize. Quitters cannot receive the prize.

Running the Race of Your Life As you run—remain focused on the finish line. “But Jesus said to him, No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” {Luke 9:62} “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” {Philippians 3:13} As you run—remain FOCUSED on the finish line. (Lk.9:62; Phil.3:13) Many things in life can cause us to be distracted and lose sight of the final goal. We must set our spiritual focus on the goal—HEAVEN.

Running the Race of Your Life CHRIST Will Judge the Race “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” {John 12:48} The Final Judge—(Jno.12:48; Rom.14:12; 2 Cor.5:10)—The Lord will have the final say concerning the race we’ve run. Romans 14:12 2 Corinthians 5:10

Running the Race of Your Life There is a prize for all who endure to the end. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” {2 Timothy 4:7,8} There is a prize for ALL who endure to the end. (2 Tim.4:7,8)

Running the Race of Your Life There is a prize for all who endure to the end. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” {1 Corinthians 15:58} There is a prize for ALL who endure to the end. (1 Cor.15:58)

Running the Race of Your Life There is a prize for all who endure to the end. “Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” {Philippians 2:16} “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” {1 Corinthians 9:27} There is a prize for ALL who endure to the end. (Phil. 2:16; 1 Cor.9:27)

Running the Race of Your Life Are you in the race? If not, why not enter today? Don’t be left sitting on the sidelines when the judge comes. Summary—Invitation…