Finish Your Race (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
Gary McManus, 07/05/2015Part of the New Life series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
July 5, 2015 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (p.1180 / p. 1199)
The Bible and sports; yes, there are references.
The Bible is not REALLY talking about sports.
The Bible is talking about our life in Christ
(See 1 Corinthians 9:25, Hebrews 12)
Paul says following Jesus requires strict
training!
The ancient Olympic games began
700 years BEFORE Jesus.
The Apostle clearly saw in running an image
of what spiritual life is like He applies that
image TO HIMSELF!
(Also Galatians 5:7)
Running was and is a test of strength and endurance.
There is preparation for a race. (See Ephesians 6:15)
The Gospel prepares you.
(See Matthew 7:14 and Isaiah 52:7)
The race (or run) of lilfe
is not about speed, is it?
“Llife is not a contest.”
What is the Lord watching?
. . .
. . .or the finish line?
"I fought. . . "I finished".
All the finishers get a crown;
not just the winner. . .all the finishers!
------ remember-----------
More on 2 Timothy 4:7
“Finishing well” is a goal of every Christian.
We are all well aware of high profile Christian
leaders and Christians who “crashed and burned.”
The Bible mentions a few also.
1 Timothy 1:18—20 mentions the fight of a
battle for faith. But not everyone is able to
survive (or, at least, their faith does not
survive). So, we all want to finish (the race
of living for Jesus) well.
-------------------------------
Ever give much thought to Isaiah 40: 31?
[. . .But those who WAIT on the Lord / worship!
will renew their strength. ] Amen.
------
Don Piper, author of 30 Minutes in Heaven,
says that he and many others ask the question:
”’How am I going to live without my old life?’
This turns into ‘How am I going to live my
NEW life?’ Then we discover the path God
is ‘setting before us.’” (Hebrews 12:1)
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