“GOING FOR THE GOLD”

Heb. 12:1-3

We are all in a race---the human race….and to some degree the “Rat race”—as well as the Presidential race----All Americans are ---

But as believers, we are in another race---and in that race—we should GO FOR THE GOLD!!

I Cor. 9:24-27 & Job 23:10

The Christian life, the life of faith, is pictured as a “race.” Paul uses the METAPHOR of a MARATHON!

This race is to be run BY faith and IN submission to God's Spirit!

Not FOR salvation-already accomplished on the cross—but IN service to the Saviour!

All these signs “GO GREEN” well I say GO GOLD!!!

I. MOTIVATION There is ENCOURAGEMENT to run

(“seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses…” ).

Faith is always meant to move. This is what we saw in chapter 11. Faith always has feet!

God has not saved you to sit as spectators in the stands!

God has not saved you to tiptoe down the track!

You are in the race, even if you are standing still! You won’t WIN but you are IN !

This CROWD called a CLOUD = “witnesses” where we get the word “Martyr” from.

{ Who? Heb 11 !! --a gallery of the greatest “gold medalists” }

They’ve Run Their Race - , Received Their Reward - Revealed That God Is Reliable !

They have PASSED THE BATON on to US!

II. PREPARATION There are ENCUMBRANCES to reject

A. WEIGHTS that ENCUMBER

* Those runners wouldn’t run with an overcoat on….. for All the tea in …China!

The WEIGHT is NOT NECESSARILY something WRONG or WICKED! “lawful but not expedient”

Maybe it’s a HOBBY, or a HABIT that is a HINDERANCE…..anything that doesn’t HELP!

B. WICKEDNESS that ENTANGLE "Beset us" - to place itself around.

Sin CANNOT CONDEMN the believer but it can CORRUPT!

The weight is the unnecessary things, and the sin is the unrighteous things.

Faith enables …..but unbelief tangles.

III. CONTINUATION The ENDURANCE to remain

(“let us run with PATIENCE the race that is set before us…” )

Faith is not only essential to enter the race, but it is essential to be able to endure the race!

* Last Friday, Michael Phelps beat Milorad Cavic by 0.01 seconds. He had lost the race, it was virtually over, but Cavic decided to finish by reaching for the wall off the strength of his legs. Phelps pushed one last time, and the last half stroke propelled his arms forward. That one last push was heard around the world!

Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy,”

2 Tim. 4:7. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith."

PAUL gave his ALL!!!

Vs

Æ- This year----2 guys disqualified because they crossed the line!!!!!!!!!!!

IV. CONCENTRATION There is EMPOWERMENT to revitalize

In every sport -focus is the key—Tennis, Volley ball, Pole Vaulting-Basketball GOAL

"Only he who can see the invisible can do the impossible."

Æ- We are not to focus on the crowd but on Christ!

He is our example and empowerment.
The Christian life commenced with a look to Jesus, and it will culminate with a look to Jesus. In the in between time it is to be continued with looking to Jesus!

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" Col 3:1, 2

We rest in HIM! We look to Him to win the race!! “Christ IN YOU”

---therefore Christ is RUNNING THIS RACE THROUGH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Olympic Opening ceremony was amazing—but it can’t compare to our entrance into eternity!!!

INVITATION:

This Olympics , like all others, has been marred by corrupt judging-- especially in gymnastics and boxing…but JESUS our JUDGE Heb 12:23