TOPIC: THE RACE THAT SET BEFORE US

TEXT: Hebrews 12:1-3

Introduction: A Race is usually competition between runners, horses or vehicles to see which is fastest in covering a set course. However in relation to the Christian race, it is not about competing with others or who is the fastest. A Christian is not to be anxious, and subject to fretting. He does not need to be unnecessarily aware of surroundings because he has a lane and he is running his race. He is not to worry about anyone or anything. Look . . .he doesn’t even need to care about who gets to heaven first. He doesn’t need worry about what the world or anyone else says or does. All that needs to be done is get clarity about what God has in store for you. The word of God tells us to look back on the testimony and witness of those who came before us and, drawing on that “cloud of witnesses”, drop everything, hindrances and every sin that holds us back. Then God tells us to run – with perseverance – the unique race that God has specifically marked out for each one of us. Whether as individuals or as a ministry, endurance is required to the end. May God grant us the grace to persevere and endure to the end with favorable rewards in Jesus name.

1.The race is not new: There are generally two categories of people that have run the race. The first set consisted of Old Testament saints, called heroes of the faith highlighted in chapter 11 of Hebrews. The second set include those from the 120 gathered in the upper room and were baptized in the Holy Ghost and the multitude of saints that have been brought into the kingdom through them up till the present day. They had challenges, went through these challenges and we read of their testimonies. For some of them the race was a walk and for some it was a run. Whichever God determined for each one was the important thing. No two people ran the same race. The bible tells us that the battle is not to the swift or the battle to the strong but time and chance happen to them all. The same is true for us today. As a ministry or as individuals, we do not compete with anyone and so we are focused on the mission of setting the captives free that God has placed in our hands. Everyone is to stay in their own lanes but run it diligently and with endurance, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Faith is the name of the game for we walk by faith not by sight. By nature, God does not grow tired or weary and so, He gives strength to the weary and increases power of the weak. The bible enjoins us to run the race with fear and trembling. We may sometimes feel and be frustrated, but the bible encourages us “though the youth may grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings as eagle, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. The witnesses of old knew this fact and so we too are enjoined to emulate them by depending on God. Jotham knew this and knowing what punishment befell his father, he decided not to offend the Lord in His race. We have examples to guide us on and nothing is new.

2. The race requirements : (a) Supplies: Everyone or ministry has a commission and thus need supplies for the mission. The assignments in the body are different and so are the needs. The supplies for each mission and the race before each are thus different. Just as you need supplies in the physical races such as athletes need nutrients to build muscles, gas in cars, hikers need to take survival kits,  the spiritual race need supplies of faith, discipline, obedience, word, hope, love, endurance and perseverance. We should only take things relevant to our calling and mission. (b). Scope: The scriptures warn “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you. So should it be with individuals and missions. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ, we who are many, are one body, and each member belongs to one another (1Cor. 6:3-8). “The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ”. Furthermore, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part” Eph. 4:1-16). The emphasis here is the “work of each individual part” and so each person should squarely face the gifts and calling God has placed in them instead of roaming. Jotham left the priests to do their portion in the Temple without interference. (c) Mastery: 1Cor. 9:24-27 give us another requirement of racers and this is mastery of the race. Jotham the good things his father did and avoided the bad. He ran his race as a king and at the end did not fall as the three preceding kings before him. Gaining mastery in any field require discipline if we want to arrive at our destination. It means running with a goal, plan and focus. It means running with a plan directed by God. Mastery involve goals breathed by God and pursued, and according to Matt. 24:13 with endurance. (d) Endurance. It is sticking to the plan despite obstacles, hindrances and persecutions. Jotham grew powerful because he directed ways to stick with the ways of God. There are hindrances that can make one fail meeting requirements and these include sin, competing with others, lack of perseverance, not fixing eyes on Jesus,  opposition, scorn shame;(2Tim.3:10; Jn. 15:19). God is saying that we should not grow weary, don’t lose heart but throw off every sin and encumbrance that can hold us back but consider and look unto Jesus who is a perfect example. He for the reward, endured death on the cross, scorned its shame and was elevated to the right hand of God. Let us strive to adhere and keep the requirements.

3. The race rewards – One great promise made to us is that where Christ is, He wants us to be. If we know him as Lord and Savior, already we are spiritually seated with Him in the heavenly places at the throne of power. Our salvation is the beginning of our race, we are temporarily, provisionally saved and on the way to our eternal salvation. One day if we endure to the end, overcoming hindrances, obstacles, sin and trusting and living righteous, Jesus promises He will meet us with rewards (Rev. 22:12-15). Paul encouraged Timothy to fight the good fight  of the faith (1Tim6:12),  James encourages each believer to get rid of moral filth and the evil so prevalent these days and embrace the word planted in them (James1:21-23). Wisdom of the preacher advises that better is the end of a matter than its beginning (Eccl. 7:8). Jotham’s ancestors started well but ended poorly, Judas ended badly. Heaven is only guaranteed if you live righteously to the very end. May God help us to endure to the end and receive our rewards from the Lord. Our race will not be in vain in Jesus name.