THE RACE

Mar 12

Finishing the Race is very important, not how fast, not 1st or 2nd, not quitting but FINISHING! 2 Timothy 4 In our text, the apostle Paul is penning his last words before he would die a martyr for Christ. The aged apostle had many battle scars from a life that was dedicated to serving the Lord Jesus Christ (stoned, whipped, beaten with rods, three times shipwrecked, imprisoned, etc.). But notice what he says in verses 6-7, at the end of his life. “I have finished my course.” The word “course” literally means “race.” It was not unusual for Paul to liken the Christian life to a race. He did this in other places in Scripture also. The Indianapolis 500 is said to be the biggest spectacle in racing. It is not the Indianapolis 20 or 50, but 500! It is a 500-mile race. It is a race of endurance. Every driver wants to finish his course. The Christian life is the same way. It is not a 50-yard dash; it is a marathon. Just like the race here in Indy, endurance is the key. 2:3, 10; 3:11, 4:5. Some Christians start out well, but then they give up and quit. They run out of gas. There won’t be any trophies given out for the driver leading lap #1. Christian, you must finish your course. Finish the race. All of us will trip and fall and make mistakes. But the question is, will you get up and keep going? Will you stay in the race, or let Satan knock you out of the race? Maybe you are fighting discouragement today. Don’t give up! How can we finish the race? Let’s look into 2 Timothy 4 and see. First, look for Christ’s appearing. vs. 1, 8. Sometimes when family comes in from out of state I am in anticipation. Do you know what I kept doing? I kept looking for their appearing. I had the window blinds open, and I would walk by and look, and look, and look, until I saw their appearing. Christian, somebody very special is coming and will appear, and that person is none other than our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus is coming! Where is He coming from? “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven…” How is He coming? “…with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.” What is going to happen when He returns? “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air…” What happens after His return? “…and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Are you looking for His appearing? Do you love His appearing? Paul said that there is a crown of righteousness to all those that love His appearing. vs. 8. If you know that somebody could show up at your house at any moment, what do you do? You make sure the house is clean and that you are ready. In the same way, if we live every day in expectation of Christ’s appearing, it will cause us to live pure and holy, and be ready to meet Him! It will keep you in the race!>>>pt