| Larry Hall - July 14, 2007 |
the biggest race
Tonight, I will try to share the message of Jesus to you. The whole gospel seems foolish to men who don't
believe. But for us who believe, He uses the preached word to save us.
What is the gospel? It is Jesus Christ and Him crucified, when He left the earth, He left this message of
redemption in the hands of men.
JESUS used stories to portray truths. There's a kids’ movie that I believe has some basic truth in it. It's
about a race. Please have an open heart and allow God to speak to you through this simple cartoon and
what is said following (Larry played a clip from the movie Cars where the main character had an
opportunity to win but decided to help another car who was running his last race to finish the race.)
THE RACE OF LIFE is not a sprint or a dash. YOU can compare life's race to a marathon. It's not a drag
race, but a 500 mile challenge. It's a race of endurance, it may take on different forms, but this race
takes a lifetime to complete.
• In a sprint, you race against others. YOU want to find out who is the best or the
fastest. Your focus is on others and yourself, who can reach the temporary goal first.
• When you think of the Olympics, you may think about different record holders
of temporary victories. I remember the name Jesse Owens only because I've seen
a few clips of him. He ran in the earlier part of the 20th century.
• More recently, there are great racers such as Carl Lewis and I can't even
remember the last winners in the Olympics. Because it's temporary and doesn't
really matter.
• The race of life is different. For one thing, the goal isn't temporary, it's an eternal
goal we are pursuing, it takes a lifetime to complete this race.
• Which race will you run. Life's temporary pursuit of things, or the race to reach Jesus?
• The world hasn't joined in. Some have believed the gospel and joined in the race.
But not everyone gets into this race.
If you got anything from the movie clip, you'll remember how the young race car
helped the older, beat up car finish the race. NOT only do we think of ourselves, but
we need to encourage and push others to the finish line. What Paul put into life
mattered more than what he got out of life. It's a way of thinking.
Some things, such as trials, we have no control over. We just have to persevere.
But we can control what we allow into our hearts. AGAIN to start the race, but not
finish it would be a sad story. I don't want it said about me.
But God will allow you to confess your sin, and He will forgive you. He wants you
running the race. He knows you’re not perfect. That's the reason He had to die in
your place. GET RID OF MORAL FILTH and EVIL. Then, humbly (maybe the hardest
thing to do) accept the word.
• The sad thing is that some join and run for a time, but drop out. Some start out
well for Jesus, but the years take their toll. They don't see that victory is just around
the corner.
• My message to you who are discouraged about your Christian walk is: "Consider
it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know
that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work
so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
• MAYBE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE MESSED UP TOO MANY TIMES! I give up! I'm not good enough. God
doesn't care about me. I THINK HE'S FORGOTTEN ME.
• God is a God of love. He cares about you. He's saying, get up. Keep running the race. I'm
perfecting you through your trials. Trust me. Trust me. I win bless you if you will PERSEVERE.
• "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he
will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12
THERE MAY BE OBSTACLES IN THE RACE. THERE MAY BE THINGS THAT HAPPEN THAT SLOW YOU DOWN.
DON'T LET THEM STOP YOU. DON'T DROP OUT.
In Acts 20, Paul was telling the Ephesians farewell. I'm following the Spirit. The Spirit allowed him to know
that this was going to be a dangerous journey, it may be his death.
Paul didn't give up. He wanted to run the race and complete the task of helping others. He wasn't trying to
come in first. He wanted to finish the race and help other's finish the race.
CONCLUSION
I WANT TO END ON A COUPLE FAMILIAR PASSAGES FROM PAUL.
"DO you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to
get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown
that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." I Cor. 9:24-27
IF YOU REALLY WANT THE PRIZE, HOW DO YOU RUN? Is that the way you run? Do I run like I want a
crown of righteousness? I hope this convicts you tonight. It is convicting to me. How have I been
running? I don't want you to feel bad! I want you to make it to heaven. I don't want any of us to give up
too soon. THE world trains for things with severe strictness for a temporary reward. OUR reward lasts
forever.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. NOW there is in store for me
the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day- and not
only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. " II Timothy 4:7-8
believe. But for us who believe, He uses the preached word to save us.
What is the gospel? It is Jesus Christ and Him crucified, when He left the earth, He left this message of
redemption in the hands of men.
JESUS used stories to portray truths. There's a kids’ movie that I believe has some basic truth in it. It's
about a race. Please have an open heart and allow God to speak to you through this simple cartoon and
what is said following (Larry played a clip from the movie Cars where the main character had an
opportunity to win but decided to help another car who was running his last race to finish the race.)
THE RACE OF LIFE is not a sprint or a dash. YOU can compare life's race to a marathon. It's not a drag
race, but a 500 mile challenge. It's a race of endurance, it may take on different forms, but this race
takes a lifetime to complete.
• In a sprint, you race against others. YOU want to find out who is the best or the
fastest. Your focus is on others and yourself, who can reach the temporary goal first.
• When you think of the Olympics, you may think about different record holders
of temporary victories. I remember the name Jesse Owens only because I've seen
a few clips of him. He ran in the earlier part of the 20th century.
• More recently, there are great racers such as Carl Lewis and I can't even
remember the last winners in the Olympics. Because it's temporary and doesn't
really matter.
• The race of life is different. For one thing, the goal isn't temporary, it's an eternal
goal we are pursuing, it takes a lifetime to complete this race.
• Which race will you run. Life's temporary pursuit of things, or the race to reach Jesus?
• The world hasn't joined in. Some have believed the gospel and joined in the race.
But not everyone gets into this race.
If you got anything from the movie clip, you'll remember how the young race car
helped the older, beat up car finish the race. NOT only do we think of ourselves, but
we need to encourage and push others to the finish line. What Paul put into life
mattered more than what he got out of life. It's a way of thinking.
Some things, such as trials, we have no control over. We just have to persevere.
But we can control what we allow into our hearts. AGAIN to start the race, but not
finish it would be a sad story. I don't want it said about me.
But God will allow you to confess your sin, and He will forgive you. He wants you
running the race. He knows you’re not perfect. That's the reason He had to die in
your place. GET RID OF MORAL FILTH and EVIL. Then, humbly (maybe the hardest
thing to do) accept the word.
• The sad thing is that some join and run for a time, but drop out. Some start out
well for Jesus, but the years take their toll. They don't see that victory is just around
the corner.
• My message to you who are discouraged about your Christian walk is: "Consider
it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know
that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work
so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
• MAYBE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE MESSED UP TOO MANY TIMES! I give up! I'm not good enough. God
doesn't care about me. I THINK HE'S FORGOTTEN ME.
• God is a God of love. He cares about you. He's saying, get up. Keep running the race. I'm
perfecting you through your trials. Trust me. Trust me. I win bless you if you will PERSEVERE.
• "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he
will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12
THERE MAY BE OBSTACLES IN THE RACE. THERE MAY BE THINGS THAT HAPPEN THAT SLOW YOU DOWN.
DON'T LET THEM STOP YOU. DON'T DROP OUT.
In Acts 20, Paul was telling the Ephesians farewell. I'm following the Spirit. The Spirit allowed him to know
that this was going to be a dangerous journey, it may be his death.
Paul didn't give up. He wanted to run the race and complete the task of helping others. He wasn't trying to
come in first. He wanted to finish the race and help other's finish the race.
CONCLUSION
I WANT TO END ON A COUPLE FAMILIAR PASSAGES FROM PAUL.
"DO you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to
get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown
that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." I Cor. 9:24-27
IF YOU REALLY WANT THE PRIZE, HOW DO YOU RUN? Is that the way you run? Do I run like I want a
crown of righteousness? I hope this convicts you tonight. It is convicting to me. How have I been
running? I don't want you to feel bad! I want you to make it to heaven. I don't want any of us to give up
too soon. THE world trains for things with severe strictness for a temporary reward. OUR reward lasts
forever.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. NOW there is in store for me
the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day- and not
only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. " II Timothy 4:7-8
"For the message of the cross is
foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are
being saved it is the power of
God. " I Corinthians. 1:18
"For since in the wisdom of God
the world through its wisdom did
not know him. God was pleased
through the foolishness of what
was preached to save those who
believe." I Corinthians 1:21
"Therefore, get rid of all moral
filth and evil that is so prevalent
and humbly accept the word
planted in you, which can save
you. " James 1:21
"However, I consider my life
worth nothing to me, if only I
may finish the race and
complete the task the Lord
Jesus has given me --- the task
of testifying to the gospel of
God's grace. " Acts 20:24
foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are
being saved it is the power of
God. " I Corinthians. 1:18
"For since in the wisdom of God
the world through its wisdom did
not know him. God was pleased
through the foolishness of what
was preached to save those who
believe." I Corinthians 1:21
"Therefore, get rid of all moral
filth and evil that is so prevalent
and humbly accept the word
planted in you, which can save
you. " James 1:21
"However, I consider my life
worth nothing to me, if only I
may finish the race and
complete the task the Lord
Jesus has given me --- the task
of testifying to the gospel of
God's grace. " Acts 20:24
Being a Christian is a pursuit! It's not a pursuit of
things or accomplishments! It's pursuit of Jesus
Christ, in this life no* and to comet It's the pursuit for
a REWARD. Salvation is a gift. But if we run well,
Christ has rewards for us.
The reason I say that is because I don't want to just
narrowly get into heaven. I want to pursue Jesus and
run with all my heart!
The Lord enjoys when we pursue Him. He wants to be
praised, and He wants to be pursued.
The Apostle Paul, one of the greatest men that ever
lived, said, "Oh that I may know Him". He wrote most
of the New Testament and started the most churches.
But he said I don't know you enough. How can I say,
I know Him and I've pursued Him enough already? I
CAN'T!
Paul compared this pursuit of Christ and the reward
He has for us as a race. It's the biggest race, the
longest race. If you're not in it, tonight, I hope you
join in!
things or accomplishments! It's pursuit of Jesus
Christ, in this life no* and to comet It's the pursuit for
a REWARD. Salvation is a gift. But if we run well,
Christ has rewards for us.
The reason I say that is because I don't want to just
narrowly get into heaven. I want to pursue Jesus and
run with all my heart!
The Lord enjoys when we pursue Him. He wants to be
praised, and He wants to be pursued.
The Apostle Paul, one of the greatest men that ever
lived, said, "Oh that I may know Him". He wrote most
of the New Testament and started the most churches.
But he said I don't know you enough. How can I say,
I know Him and I've pursued Him enough already? I
CAN'T!
Paul compared this pursuit of Christ and the reward
He has for us as a race. It's the biggest race, the
longest race. If you're not in it, tonight, I hope you
join in!
I want to use this disclaimer, only
because I don't have it together. The
opinions expressed tonight are not those
of the speaker, but the word of God. God
wants us to care about eternal pursuits
and helping others finish the race with us.
It's not a race against others, but to
Christ.
DON'T ALLOW THE OBSTACLES TO STOP
YOU.
The imperfect car or man can allow things
into his/her life that shouldn't be there, it
may be sin. It may be pride, I can run
this race on my own without any help.
YOU probably can't get rid of the
obstacles. But you can get rid the pride
and selfishness that gets in the way.
because I don't have it together. The
opinions expressed tonight are not those
of the speaker, but the word of God. God
wants us to care about eternal pursuits
and helping others finish the race with us.
It's not a race against others, but to
Christ.
DON'T ALLOW THE OBSTACLES TO STOP
YOU.
The imperfect car or man can allow things
into his/her life that shouldn't be there, it
may be sin. It may be pride, I can run
this race on my own without any help.
YOU probably can't get rid of the
obstacles. But you can get rid the pride
and selfishness that gets in the way.
Are you living in a way that's
either preparing for the
coming of the Lord or your
death, we have only one
chance to live life. Both His
coming and/or our death are
unpredictable to us.
LIVE in a way that you can be
assured like Paul, I'm ready to
die.
This reward from God is not
only for a giant like Paul, but
for anyone longing for His
appearing.
The Lord, the righteous Judge,
will personally award you and
me with the crown of
righteousness if we persevere.
KEEP RUNNING!
either preparing for the
coming of the Lord or your
death, we have only one
chance to live life. Both His
coming and/or our death are
unpredictable to us.
LIVE in a way that you can be
assured like Paul, I'm ready to
die.
This reward from God is not
only for a giant like Paul, but
for anyone longing for His
appearing.
The Lord, the righteous Judge,
will personally award you and
me with the crown of
righteousness if we persevere.
KEEP RUNNING!
New Life Fellowship | 90 West Thornton Street | Akron, OH 44311 | 330-379-9073 | e-mail