Successful Christian

Successful Christian  (June 28, PCC)
Junrey Belando

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Philippians 3:12-3:14 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Jas 1:2-4 - 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (NIV)

Introduction

What is a “successful Christian”? Who will hear the words, “well done good and faithful servant?”
Will it be the one that stops sinning? Will it be the elders or those on the board? Will it be the pastors of the mega-churches? Who can expect to hear those words of highest praise, “well done good and faithful servant?”            Will you?

If the Christian life is a race – my question this morning – are you running the race to finish it? Are you preparing yourself, your family, your spouse, and your children to finish the race? I will never forget what Pastor Frank told the principal sponsors of the newly wed couples Malou and Ardianno last May 26 right before they got married—it was their spiritual responsibility to guide the newly weds to walk in Christ. Last Sunday night as well, when we went to our Brother Patrickson’s house, he was admonished about his responsibility for his son, Patrick Lou Hynes. And for all of us right here, it is  our  duty to make sure we are  in church, active in fellowship and growing in our relationship with God.

ILL. The 1992 Summer Olympics featured two tremendously heart-rending moments. American sprinter Gail Devers, the clear leader in the 100 meter hurdles, tripped over the last barrier. She agonizingly pulled herself to her knees & crawled the last five meters, finishing fifth - but finishing, nevertheless. Even more emotional was the 400 meter semifinal in which British runner Derek Redmond tore a hamstring & fell hard on the track. He struggled to his feet & began to hobble, determined to complete the race. His father ran from the stands to help him off the track, but Derek refused to quit. He leaned on his father, & the two limped to the finish line together, accom-panied by the deafening applause of the thousands assembled there that day. (John E. Anderson, "What Makes Olympic Champions?" Reader’s Digest, February 1994, p. 120)

I like to hear stories about people who won't give up. Quitters aren't much of an inspiration, but people who stay with a commitment even though the going gets tough are a source of inspiration to us all.

Sometimes I think we get the idea that we should be running this race, but we’re in it all alone – Actually the opposite should be true – the church should be a place of confession, encouragement and love – people who are willing to run beside you in this Christian life. Really the goal of the church should be to take those who are inactive runners and help them – start or start up again, and then run beside them. Unlike church league softball this isn’t about winning this is about finishing.

I don’t want you to quit – I don’t want you to walk off the track, I don’t want you to look around, make excuses or get discouraged. Yet I know the very nature of the Christian life – it’s sometimes easier to walk off the track than it is to keep going. Church, I’ve been there in my own Christian life – at different stages ready to walk off the track. I’ve had good friends – men I would trust with anything, walk off the track, away from Christian service. My prayer for you this morning – is that we together would keep running this race that is the Christian life – and although discouragement might come our way – although challenges might present themselves – we would keep running, to finish.

Are you running the race to finish it?

Turn with me if you have your Bibles to (Advance) Hebrews 12:1-3 (Read)

I see three things this morning – three things that will encourage you to keep running – your Christian life – Remember the goal is long term.

I. Look Behind you (1)

98% of the time when you are running a race this is not the proper thing to do. In fact the quickest way to lose a foot race is to look behind – take your eyes off the finish line and put them on those who will only pass you if you slow down.
a. We should look to our past – for encouragement
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…
i. We can receive hope and encouragement
1. From those who have gone before us
2. Those who remained faithful and did things because of their faith.
3. Those who suffered loss, and kept going
4. Those who had excellent victory because of their faith.

II. BE PREPARED FOR THE STRUGGLES THAT WILL COME

The second piece of advice from the writer of Hebrews is to prepare for the struggles you will face. He says, "...let us throw off everything that hinders & the sin that so easily entangles, & let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
ILL. As I read the words, “…the sin that so easily entangles…” I think of the old Tarzan movies. When I was a boy Johnny Weismueller was Tarzan, & in almost every movie there was a scene where Tarzan, with his knife between his teeth, jumped into the water & swam to the rescue of Jane or boy or whoever was in the water. Then the music would intensify & you knew that at some point something bad was going to grab him. Oftentimes it was an enormous octopus. At first you could just see its eye. Then a tentacle would suddenly reach out & wrap around his ankle. But that’s no problem. Tarzan can get loose from that. But then here comes a second tentacle. It would grab the other ankle. Then another tentacle & another one, & soon he is all entangled & can’t get loose. Is this the end of Tarzan? Oh no. Remember that knife in his teeth. Somehow he is able to grab it & start cutting off the tentacles, & soon an inky cloud comes out of the octopus. And Tarzan is free!

The writer of Hebrews says that sin is just like those tentacles, & that we must throw off "...the sin that so easily entangles, & …run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

ILL. Now I'm obviously not a marathon runner. But marathon runners tell us that there are two critical times in the race. The first one is at the beginning. When you begin to run you feel so good, & the temptation is to run too fast too soon, depending upon your own strength & skill to pull you through.

The second critical time in a marathon is at the half way point. You suddenly realize that you still have as far to go as you've already run & your strength is giving out. Runners call it "hitting the wall." You've come to the end of your endurance & you're not sure you can put one foot in front of the other anymore.

To keep that from happening in your life remember this promise, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, & lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, & He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
If you’ll trust Him, He will be the source of all you need to finish your race.

III. FIX YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

 The final piece of advice is this, Fix your eyes on Jesus. Listen again to a part of vs’s 2 & 3, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author & perfecter of our faith… Consider Him… so that you will not grow weary & lose heart."
Jesus was opposed. Jesus was persecuted. And yet He stayed the course. He ran the race. He paid the price for our sins.

Every Christian needs to hear this because it's so easy to quit. It's so easy to say, "I don't have to do this anymore." But the writer of Hebrews says, "Fix your eyes on Jesus. He's the author & the perfecter of our faith," & one day each one of us will stand before Him as our judge.

The  writer of Hebrews says, "Fix your eyes upon Jesus because the only hope we have is our hope in Him."

So run the race with patience. Don't lose heart. Don't become discouraged. Don't quit. Keep on running the race that has been set before us.

This morning if you're not a Christian, we invite you to come to Jesus & accept His mercy, His love, His grace, & His sacrifice on the cross. We offer you the opportunity to begin a whole new life in Him. Will you come as we stand & as we sing together?