Temple Baptist Church - 12-3-2025
1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 12:1-2
Introduction: Along with our text, I want to read these corresponding verses.
Hebrews 12:1-2 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, (2) 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
A. In our text for tonight, Paul likens the life of the child of God to a race to be run.
1. When we think of racing, our minds often go to NASCAR. Typically, such a race is long, 400-500 laps. I am not a great NASCAR fan (NASCAR is an acronym for Non-Athletic Sport Centered Around Rednecks), so I often cheat when watching one of their long races.
2. The only thing that matters is the last 10 laps or so. There is an old saying, “I said all that to say this.” The last 10 or so laps, “said all that to say this.” The winner is not the one who started in the lead, as there are numerous lead changes over that distance, not to mention the crashes that can occur along the way.
3. Not every race car that starts will finish, nor will every race car be first. BUT it is vital for every driver to “finish!” The same with running a Marathon, which is a standard distance of 42.195 kilometers or approximately 26.2 miles.
4. Thus, it is with the Christian’s life as not everyone will come in first place, but everyone needs to finish their own particular race.
5. I once ran distance races but never ran against another competitor. I ran against the clock and my endurance. An old saying that works here is “You do you!” My race, my distance, my endurance, my body, my time are mine, not yours!
B. The word “race” is only found 4x in your Bible. Twice in the Old Testament and twice in the New. In these four mentions, we see biblical guidelines for running “the race that is set before us.” In these four mentions of “race,” we find:
1. We find Strength. Psalms 19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. (Our race requires strength.)
2. We find Chance. Ecclesiastes 9:11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. (We do not know what lies ahead for each of us. Our race requires endurance.)
3. We find Prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. (Our race requires results.)
4. We find Individuality. Hebrews 12:1 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, (Our race is personal.)
C. There are several things mentioned in our text that define each of our races. These are essentials for running and finishing.
1. We See Participation – Saved people only! “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all?”
a. “All.” Like it or not, you began your race of life in one of two places, but all are on the Start. This race becomes much easier when we understand that God saved us to serve, not to be served. We saw that last week. Not every believer runs their race because they either think it is unnecessary or unimportant.
b. In worldly races, you see a handful of participants with 100,000 observers. In days gone by, we had the 70/30 rule, 75/25 rule, and 80/20 rule, and now we have the 90/10 rule. The 90/10 rule means that 10 percent of believers do 100 percent of the work, while 90 percent do relatively nothing.
2. We See Positioning – Starting Blocks or Starting Line. Starting Blocks, if you do not intend to run far or for long. Starting Line, if you are in it for the long haul. The starting blocks have been laid, but not all intended runners place their feet in them. When we get saved, the “gun” sounds and the race begins.
3. We See Potential – There is a prize to be won because there is work to be done. God intended every member of the Church to do their work according to the talent given to them. God has given to each of us a peculiar work to be done for the completion of the whole building of God. Not all have the same measure of faith or opportunity, but ALL have a work to do within the body of Christ.
4. We See Preparation – Hebrews 12:1 – “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” Before starting the race, weights and sins need to be laid aside. Paul said, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection.” Laying aside weights means temperance, while laying aside sin means holiness. There is much pre-race preparation, such as diet, exercise, and endurance-building. Here, we find the importance of a holy, separated life in God's sight.
5. We See Patience – “and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Running the race but leaving the results to God. We do our work and trust God to do His. Life’s race is a long one with many ups and downs. Tribulation worketh patience, patience experience, experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed. Too many hit a rough place in the road of life and quit. Hang in there!
a. The Enduring of Patience - Romans 5:3-4 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
b. The End of Patience - James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
6. We See Prize.
a. We See A Perpetual Duty. “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of or faith”
1) In Christ, we find our Salvation. Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
2) In Christ, we find our Strength. John 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
b. We See A Personal Delight– “who for the joy that was set before him”
1) The Joy of our Life - 1 Peter 3:10-11 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: (11) Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
2) The Joy of our Lord - Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
c. We See A Permanent Desire. “endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”
1) Our Present Problems - 2 Corinthians 4:16-17a For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment …
2) Our Permanent Pleasure – 2 Corinthians 4:17b-18 worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
7. We See a Perilous Possibility. “lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” “Castaway” means to be disapproved, put on a shelf, to become unusable!
