Getting Ready To Win
2 Timothy 4:1-8
INTRO: The Olympic Games will start soon. There has been much ballyhoo made about them for a good while. China is determined to showcase them for their advantage. The Olympics have long been a tool for political grandstanding. Let us lay aside all that and concentrate on the task of the runner and compare it to our plight in our Christian Race. When we look at the athletes we see greatness in their performances. Their abilities are hard to imagine. Their accomplishments are often unbelievable. I want to take time today to talk on Getting Ready To Win and compare our running the race for the Lord to a great race in this life such as the Olympics.
Before I start, I want to mention a name. Roger Bannister. Does that mean anything to any of you? It is a name I can recall. The first man to run an official sub four-minute mile. May 6, 1954 at Oxford, what was considered by many as impossible Roger Bannister did it. With the help of two great competitors, Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway, Bannister ran a 3:59.6 minute mile. This did nto happen easily, nor without great cost. Running is not always easy – er, it is never really easy when we push to do our best. It is worth it though.
Some are just blessed it would seem, and others must really work hard to do their best. Let me share a story of another great runner, Glenn Cunningham.
Born in Elkhart, Kansas, Cunningham was nick-named the "Kansas Flyer", the "Elkhart Express" and the "Iron Horse of Kansas".
Cunningham's legs were very badly burned in a schoolhouse fire when he was eight. Floyd, his brother died in the schoolhouse. The doctors recommended amputating Glenn's legs, but his mother wouldn't allow it. The doctors predicted he might never walk normally again. He had lost all flesh on his knees ands shins and all his toes on his left foot. Also, his transverse arch was practically destroyed. However, his great determination coupled with the hours of massages given him by his parents, enabled him to gradually regain the ability to walk, and proceed to run. It was in the early summer of 1919 when he first tried to walk again, roughly two years since the accident. He was a great man with a positive attitude as well as a man of strong faith in God. His favorite Bible verse was Isaiah 40:31. "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." He was also a good role model for everybody. - Wikipedia
His time of 4:06.7 in 1933 was remarkable considering his past injuries. Let’s face it is a great time for almost anyone. But the idea here is not to do a great time for anyone, but for ourselves. We need to do our best for the Lord. Cunningham could have sat on the sidelines. All those around him could have excused him, yet he chose to excel for the crown that was set before him. Are you willing to do your best. No matter the hardships and work that is before you?
Paul, in 2 Timothy 4 knew he was in a race. It actually was a race for his life too. He was doing his best to win, his best to do well, his best to help his friends and those he come into contact with win their race too.
Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 9:24-27 we are in a race.
1 Cor. 9:24-27 24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
The author of Hebrews reminds us to run our race with the Lord's help.
Heb. 12:1-3 1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
But it is Paul's writing in 2 Timothy 4 I want to use today. Paul was summing up his race for the Lord to his "son in the ministry," Timothy.
2 Timothy 4:1-8 1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
If we are to excel for the Lord like the Olympians, then we need to prepare for our race. We then must participate in the race, and last we will receive our reward.
Let us get started…
First we need to…
Consider all things - Do we want to take advantage of this? Are you looking at the big picture? Are you weighing the decisions correctly?
"5But watch thou in all things…" - vs. 5
It is the…
Chance of a lifetime
Our ticket is paid
Our ticket is at the "will call window"
Our ticket is ours to choose (or deny)
Not only is it a great opportunity, it is the…
Choice of a lifetime
Most important choice we will make
Lasting choice
Our choice
I do not know about you, but for me, it comes from…
Craving something better
To glorify the Lord
To help others
To win OUR race
Also, we need to not only consider all things we need to…
Continue on
"…endure afflictions…- vs. 5
We should…
Care for competition (the Lord's ways)
A desire for winning
A plan to get ready
If we compete we certainly need to…
Cease a hurtful life - Heb. 12:1-3
Let go of hurtful weights
Give up harmful sins
Reap the benefits
Change our routine - 1 Cor. 9:24-27
For the Lord - Are you living for the Lord?
For yourself - Should you be living for the Lord?
For others - Can you help others live for the Lord?
Are you ready to run?
Are you running to win?
Are you playing around?
Are you getting ready to serve the Lord?
Are you serious about serving God?
Are you preparing for what God wants you to have?
Are you saying yes or no?
Are you watching or running?
Are you winning or losing?
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church – 062908am - modified from 0829204am