The Life and Death Race

The Life and Death Race  How many people daily remember that they are running a life and death race? -The Heavenly race is seen today by many as just “going to Church” etc Earthy races Competitive races (e.g Marathon, Car) Charity races (e.g, Race for Life ) Fun/Adventure races (Great Wall race) Vs Heavenly race Unlike the other races, the Heavenly race is a “one-time race” hence there is no re-run It is a Life or Death race!  Realising the type of race you are running will influence your attitude and determination not to lose the race.

Characteristics of a Race Heb 12 v1-4: Every race has an organiser : GOD ALMIGHTY “ “ a start location: Earth “ “ a finish location: Heaven or Hell “ “ a start date : Birthday “ “ an end date : Day of death “ “ rules : BIBLE “ “ Crowds/Fans : JESUS and the, host of Heaven, the devil “ “ a Prize : Crown of Life in Heaven or gnashing of teeth in Hell

Training for a Race 1 Cor 9 v24-27 Not everyone is in a race to win it e.g. fancy dress runners

Training for a Race Today Christianity is no longer an “all competitive” race but it is more like a marathon with both serious competitors and those just running/looking for fun but will only be rejected in the end. Our Saviour JESUS talked about sheep and goats, wheat and tares – which one are you?

Training for a Race Are you serious in winning this race? Be ready for months/years of hard training and sacrifice in all weather and conditions Be ready for sweat and pain? Be ready for long patience and endurance You MUST have a strict training regime (restricted diet, sleeping etc) You MUST have a target in terms of fitness level You MUST perfect your skills (your prayer life, holiness etc) You MUST have a trainer (Pastor, Spiritual Father/Mentor etc) You MUST have a routine assessment of your progress

Running a Life and Death Race Any wise person in a life and death scenario makes all effort to ditch every weight (good or bad) in order to save their life Eg when a fire alarm sounds people are advised to leave everything behind in order to save their life 1 Cor 9 v24-27 V24: We are all in the same race, in the same exam hall i.e. no isolated races V24: We are encouraged to run to win Vs aimless runners who are rejected V25: You MUST control/restrict yourself in all things V26: You MUST have an aim - Through the devil’s deception, today many Christians have many business ideas, plans and strategies but they have no ideas, plans or strategies for running to enter Heaven - Lots of Christians are beating the air – hence their Christian walk becomes tiring You MUST make steady progress – have a weekly, monthly and yearly check of your progress to avoid failure (Heb 5v12)

Running a Life and Death Race Heb 12v1-4 V1: Be mindful that GOD and the host of Heaven are watching you all around as “witnesses” v1: Be mindful that your enemy the devil is also watching as a “witness” ensuring that you fail – ready to offer you bread and butter! V1: You MUST lay aside every weight, especially that sin that easily gets you! V1: Run with patience V1: The race set before us – this implies that we MUST run this race

The Prize Heb 12v1-4  V2: Looking unto JESUS – this is the key to winning - Like athletes this means that we need to always focus on the final destination -This implies that we should copy JESUS’ mindset (Phil 2v5-10) V2: We need to remember the prize of winning Vs the risk of failure so as not to be discouraged V3-4: We are encouraged to keep fighting even unto blood while resisting sin i.e. don’t just cave in to sin as it will cost you your life!

Heaven the blessed hope 1 Cor 2 v 9: Eye have not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which GOD hath prepared for them that love him:

May the LORD bless you as you keep HIS word Amen