run the race to win

Winning the Christian Race…Winning the Christian Race…

• God Wants Us to Win the Race!God Wants Us to Win the Race!

• We must set aside the sin… run with We must set aside the sin… run with endurance the race that is set before us endurance the race that is set before us and always look unto Jesus… and always look unto Jesus… Heb. 12:1-2

• To finish the race faithfully is to win it! 2 Tim. 4:7-8

• Are you running the Christian race?

– If so, How are you running it now?

God Tells Us To…God Tells Us To…

• Reach Forward with Persistence Phil. 3:13

– Too many live in the past, thinking on things that have already happened.• Lay aside every weight, that would slow or

hinder the Christians’ race.– As Christians we must emulate Paul and forget

those things which are behind. 1 Cor. 11:1– We can win the Christian race, IF we reach

forward to what lies ahead and look unto Jesus!

God Says…God Says…

• Apply Yourself with Purpose

Phil. 3:14 BBE “I go forward to the mark, even the reward of the high purpose of God in Christ Jesus.” – Many Christians lack purpose. They drift along

without thought of advancing the kingdom of God. Jn. 9:4; Lk. 19:10

– We should take inventory of our spiritual life, set goals for overcoming weaknesses and live with purpose! Prov. 16:9; 3:5-6; 1 Cor. 10:31

God Instructs Us To…God Instructs Us To…

• Conquer Evil with His Power! Rom. 8:37

• The old serpent is constantly trying to destroy God’s people. 1 Pet. 5:8

• When their faith is tested, some Christians give up in despair. 2 Tim. 4:10; Lk. 8:13

• You can win the race with God’s strength!– Through prayer, the promises, and participation

in God’s work we can be more than conquerors! Eph. 6:10, 13

God Lovingly God Lovingly Encourages Us To…Encourages Us To…

• Endure Hardness with Patience 2 Tim. 2:3

• Some try to get to heaven on the flowery beds of ease. Mt. 7:13-14; Heb. 6:12– This lack of patience and endurance brings

them to disappointment. – If we win the Christian race it will be because

we trusted God and kept on keeping on when it got tough. Mt. 24:13

To Win the Christian R-A-C-ETo Win the Christian R-A-C-E• You must:

– R-each forward with persistence– A-pply yourself with purpose– C-onquer evil with God’s power– E-ndure hardness with patience

• Become a faithful Christian today!– Hear and Believe Rom. 10:17– Repent Acts 2:38– Confess Acts 8:37– Be Baptized Acts 22:16