HOW TO WIN THE GOLD IN THE CHRISTIAN RACE

TEXT- HEBREWS 12:1-17

INTRODUCTION

A TRACK STAR WAS TO APPEAR IN COURT AS A WITNESS.  "ARE YOU ON THE TRACK TEAM THIS YEAR?" THE JUDGE ASKED.  "YES, YOUR HONOR." REPLIED THE STAR.  "WHAT DO YOU RUN?" ASKED THE JUDGE.  "THE 200-YARD DASH." RESPONDED THE RUNNER.  "HOW FAST ARE YOU?" ASKED THE JUDGE.  THE RUNNER SQUIRMED IN HIS CHAIR, THEN IN CONFIDENCE SAID, "I'M THE BEST AND FASTEST RUNNER OUR COLLEGE EVER HAD."  THE COACH OF THE TRACK TEAM HEARD ABOUT THIS STATEMENT AND WAS SURPRISED BECAUSE THE RUNNER WAS NEVER A BRAGGER.  FINALLY, OUT OF CURIOSITY THE COACH ASKED THE RUNNER WHY HE HAD MADE SUCH A STATEMENT.  "I HATED TO SAY IT COACH," THE RUNNER SAID, "BUT I HAD NO CHOICE.  I WAS UNDER OATH."

WITHIN THE BIBLE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS COMPARED TO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS WHICH WE CAN RELATE TO TODAY.

FOR INSTANCE, PAUL COMPARES THE CHRISTIAN LIFE TO A SOLDIER IN 2 TIMOTHY 2:3-4.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS ALSO COMPARED TO A SLAVE IN ROMANS 6:17-18.

ANOTHER WAY IN WHICH PAUL OFTEN SPOKE OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE WAS AS A RUNNER IN A RACE.

1 CORINTHIANS 9:24; "DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT THOSE WHO RUN IN A RACE ALL RUN, BUT {ONLY} ONE RECEIVES THE PRIZE? RUN IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU MAY WIN."

THIS EVENING MY TEXT IS FOUND IN HEBREWS 12:1-17 AND THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS, "HOW TO WIN THE GOLD IN THE CHRISTIAN RACE."

WHAT IS THE GOLD?

THE GOLD MEDAL IN THE OLYMPICS REPRESENTS THE AWARD FOR THE BEST PERFORMANCE AS AN ATHLETE.

THE GOLD IN THE CHRISTIAN'S LIFE REPRESENTS THE REWARD WE WILL RECEIVE FROM THE LORD FOR BECOMING A MATURE CHILD OF GOD AND PERFORMING OUR BEST.

PHILIPPIANS 3:14; "I PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS."

AS WE EXAMINE OUR TEXT THERE ARE SEVEN PRINCIPLES I WOULD LIKE US TO NOTICE THAT WILL HELP YOU TO WIN THE GOLD IN THE CHRISTIAN RACE.