an award winning finish of the christian race sunday, march 2, 2008 pastor w.j. jackson

An Award Winning Finish An Award Winning Finish Of The Christian RaceOf The Christian Race

Sunday, March 2, 2008Sunday, March 2, 2008

Pastor W.J. JacksonPastor W.J. Jackson

Scripture Text: Scripture Text:

Hebrews 12:1, 2 (NIV);Hebrews 12:1, 2 (NIV);

2 Timothy 4:6 – 8 (NIV)2 Timothy 4:6 – 8 (NIV)

Hebrews 12:1, 2 (NIVHebrews 12:1, 2 (NIV))

Vs. 1Vs. 1 - Therefore, since we are - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for perseverance the race marked out for us. us.

Hebrews 12:1, 2 (NIVHebrews 12:1, 2 (NIV))

Vs. 2Vs. 2 - Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the - Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of down at the right hand of the throne of God.God.


Vs. 6Vs. 6 - For I am already being poured out - For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. come for my departure.


Vs. 7Vs. 7 - I have fought the good fight, I have - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. finished the race, I have kept the faith.


Vs. 8Vs. 8 - Now there is in store for me the - Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his but also to all who have longed for his appearing.appearing.

Introduction Introduction


A.A. Paul’s reflection on his life while Paul’s reflection on his life while awaiting certain death.awaiting certain death.



Vs. 6Vs. 6 - For I am already being poured out - For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. come for my departure.


Vs. 7Vs. 7 - I have fought the good fight, I have - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. finished the race, I have kept the faith.


Vs. 8Vs. 8 - Now there is in store for me the - Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his but also to all who have longed for his appearing.appearing.

B. Paul characterizes the Christians’ B. Paul characterizes the Christians’

journey of life, as a “race”.journey of life, as a “race”.

2 Timothy 4: 72 Timothy 4: 7

2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)

I have fought the good fight, I have I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. finished the race, I have kept the faith.

C. Today’s compelling question: C. Today’s compelling question:

How do we run the Christian race with How do we run the Christian race with the kind of faithfulness that wins God’s the kind of faithfulness that wins God’s approval?approval?

I.I. Run Smart! Run Smart!

A.A. Lessons from the Olympic Games.Lessons from the Olympic Games.

1. Physical preparation. 1. Physical preparation.

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. marked out for us.

I Corinthians 9:24, 25 (NIV)I Corinthians 9:24, 25 (NIV)

Vs. 24Vs. 24 - Do you not know that in a race all - Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.prize.

I Corinthians 9:24, 25 (NIV)I Corinthians 9:24, 25 (NIV)

Vs. 25Vs. 25 - Everyone who competes in the - Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last we do it to get a crown that will last forever. forever.

Hebrews 12:1 (NLT,2004)Hebrews 12:1 (NLT,2004)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has run with endurance the race God has set before us. set before us.

I.I. Run Smart! Run Smart!

A.A. Lessons from the Olympic Games.Lessons from the Olympic Games.

2. Mental preparation. 2. Mental preparation.

I Corinthians 9:24 – 27 (NLT, 2004)I Corinthians 9:24 – 27 (NLT, 2004)

I Corinthians 9:24 – 27 (NLT,2004)I Corinthians 9:24 – 27 (NLT,2004)

Vs. 24Vs. 24 - Don’t you realize that in a race - Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!gets the prize? So run to win!


Vs. 25Vs. 25 - All athletes are disciplined in - All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. eternal prize.


Vs. 26Vs. 26 - So I run with purpose in every - So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.step. I am not just shadowboxing.


Vs. 27Vs. 27 - I discipline my body like an - I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. disqualified.

II.II. Run Patiently Run Patiently

(with perseverance and endurance).(with perseverance and endurance).

Hebrew 12:1 (NIV)Hebrew 12:1 (NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. marked out for us.



A.A. Because each runner’s race is unique.Because each runner’s race is unique.

1. There is great variation in the 1. There is great variation in the length, difficulty, and required pace length, difficulty, and required pace for each race.for each race.

2 Timothy 4:7b (KJV)2 Timothy 4:7b (KJV)

2 Timothy 4:7b (KJV)2 Timothy 4:7b (KJV)

““I have finished my course”. I have finished my course”.



B. Because God has carefully “marked B. Because God has carefully “marked out for us” a race that he has out for us” a race that he has equipped us to run. equipped us to run.

Hebrew 12:1b (NLT)Hebrew 12:1b (NLT)

Hebrew 12:1b (NLT)Hebrew 12:1b (NLT)

““And let us run with endurance the race And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” God has set before us.”



C. Because so many others, both past C. Because so many others, both past and present, bear witness of the fact and present, bear witness of the fact that God will see you through. that God will see you through. Hebrews 12:1 (NLT,2004)Hebrews 12:1 (NLT,2004)

Hebrews 12:1 (NLT,2004)Hebrews 12:1 (NLT,2004)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has run with endurance the race God has set before us. set before us.

III.III. Run Focused. Run Focused. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the authorLet us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author

and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy

set before him endured the cross,set before him endured the cross,

scorning its shame, and sat down at thescorning its shame, and sat down at the

right hand of the throne of God.right hand of the throne of God.

III.III. Run Focused. Run Focused. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

A. A fixed focus on Jesus will reveal:A. A fixed focus on Jesus will reveal:

1. An example of enduring faith 1. An example of enduring faith

Hebrews 12:3 (NLT)Hebrews 12:3 (NLT)

Think of all the hostility he endured from Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. weary and give up.

Hebrews 4:15 (KJV)Hebrews 4:15 (KJV)

For we have not an high priest which For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

John 19:30 (KJV)John 19:30 (KJV)

When Jesus therefore had received the When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, vinegar, he said, It is finishedIt is finished: and he : and he

bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

III.III. Run Focused. Run Focused.


2. The encouragement that Jesus 2. The encouragement that Jesus usedused

to remain energized to remain energized

Hebrew 12:2 – 4 (NLT)Hebrew 12:2 – 4 (NLT)

Hebrew 12:2 – 4 (NLT,2004)Hebrew 12:2 – 4 (NLT,2004)

Vs. 2Vs. 2 - We do this by keeping our eyes on - We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. God’s throne.

Hebrew 12:2 – 4 (NLT,2004)Hebrew 12:2 – 4 (NLT,2004)

Vs. 3Vs. 3 - Think of all the hostility he - Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. won’t become weary and give up.

Vs. 4Vs. 4 - After all, you have not yet given - After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.your lives in your struggle against sin.

Psalm 16:7 – 11 (NIV)Psalm 16:7 – 11 (NIV)

Vs. 7Vs. 7 - I will praise the LORD, who - I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. instructs me.

Vs. 8Vs. 8 - I have set the LORD always before - I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.will not be shaken.


Vs. 9Vs. 9 - Therefore my heart is glad and my - Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, secure,

Vs. 10Vs. 10 - because you will not abandon me - because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. One see decay.


Vs. 11Vs. 11 - You have made known to me the - You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.at your right hand.

III.III. Run Focused. Run Focused.


3. The Spirit of Christ, our champion, 3. The Spirit of Christ, our champion,

who perfects our faith who perfects our faith

Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)

Hebrews 12:2 (NLT, 2004)Hebrews 12:2 (NLT, 2004)

We do this by keeping our eyes on We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and Jesus, the champion who initiates and

perfects our faith. Because of the perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.God’s throne.

An Award Winning Finish An Award Winning Finish Of The Christian RaceOf The Christian Race

an award winning finish of the christian race sunday, march 2, 2008 pastor w.j. jackson

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