The Christian Race

The Christian Race
Hebrews 12
Philippians 3:1-14

Sermon by Jack Nazary - Colonial Hills Church 1966, 1968;
Fellowship Baptist 1994

Introduction: The Christian life compared to:
Putting off old clothes and on new
Fighting the good fight of faith
Following Jesus
Walking in the Light
Running a Race

1. The Christian Race
-a new race
-a race in which there will be testing
-a race with challenging opportunities
-a race with adequate provisions: faith, God's help, encouragement, & interest, The Bible, Holy Spirit's power and wonderful Christian examples of yesterday and today.
-a race with many uncertainties ahead: wealth, health, friendships, honor, etc.
-a race with wonderful certainties such as: Jesus Christ - the same, Church - the gates of heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1 - "For we know that if our earthly house"), Love, Hope, Faith.

Christian warfare - a certainty
Enemy is - the prince of the power of air
Press toward the mark
Run with persistence

II. The Christian race has much to offer.
1. It furnishes us with a beginning again.

I wish there was some wonderful place
In the land of beginning again
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches
And all our poor selfish grief
Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door
and never be put on again

2. It furnishes safeguards that human hands cannot provide. We will have trials, conflicts, losses, and disappointments, but he can make all things work together for good.

3. The privilege of earning eternal rewards

III. Some incentives for running the race well
1. The purpose of God for me
2. The host of witnesses
3. The needs of men
4. The glory of God
5. The love of Christ constrains

IV. Some unnecessary things that need to be discarded.
1. weights
2. sins
3. lack of purpose
4. eyes off the world
5. "Those things behind"

V. How to run this race well - Hebrew 12
1. According to God's instructions
2. With eyes upon Jesus - 12:2
3. With patience - endurance - 12:1
4. With assurance of wonderful victory - 12:12