The race that is set before us

Part III

 

August 31, 2008

By Pastor Young Joon Park

 

The Beijing Olympic Games are over now.

During the past 17 days, the greatest athletes from around the world gathered together from each country to compete against one another to get to the top.

 

I really did not watch the games, so I do not have much to say about it.  I do know that it was one of the finest games and that there were many exciting moments from around the world.

 

These Olympic Games birthed many of the finest and best athletes from around the world.

 

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Summary last Message (I)

 

I. We are in the Race

  1. We have witnesses for our race.

        Hebrews 12:1

  2. Our goal is to be on top

        Philippians 3:12-13

        Proverbs 29:18

       One Glory Church Vision

       Fulfill the Great Commandments

1.      Loving relationship with the Lord

2.      Loving relationship with our neighbors

1)     Mercy ministry

2)     Discipleship Ministry

  3. Our work

        Philippians 3:14

I Peter 5:4

I Corinthians 9:25

 

II. Our Reward (5 Crowns)

1. The Crown of Rejoicing (Exultation) - for the Fruit of Evangelism

    I Thessalonians 2:19-20

2. The Crown of Glory- for leaders

    I Peter 5:4

3. The Crown of Righteousness- for all Christians who wait for Him

    II Timothy 4:8

4. The Crown of Life- for all who have gone through trials

    James 1:12

      Revelation 2:10

5. The Crown of Joy- the fruit of Disciples

     Philippians 4:1

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Summary last Message (II)

 

III. Before the race

  A. You have to be selected for the race.

    1. You are chosen men and women of God

       1) John 15:16 – for fruit

       2) I Peter 2:9 – for the Kingdom of God

       3) Ephesians 1:4 – for holiness

    2. The requirements for the chosen ones

       1) Matthew 25:23 – Faithful One and a reward

       2) Matthew 25:26,30 – unfaithful one and a reward

 

B. We have special Trainers for the race

    1. The Holy Spirit

John 14:26

    2. Jesus Christ

         Matthew 28:20b

    3. Father God

        Hebrews 12:9

    4. Church

Ephesians 4:11-12

1) Spiritual Parents

      I Corinthians 4:15 – father

      I Thessalonians 2:7 – mother

       2) Leaders

      I Peter 5:5-6

       3) Family in Christ

      Hebrews 10:24

      Proverb 27:17

 

C. We need to be in training for the race

  1. I Corinthians 9:25a – exercise

    2. Hebrews 12:11 – discipline is needed for the race

    3. I Corinthians 9:27 – protection from the fall

    4. Luke 9:23 – training daily

        I Corinthians 15:31

 

   D. The vision for the race

 

     1. Our destiny is related to eternal things without any exception.

Genesis 1:27-28

     2. We will get certain results depending on how we live on earth – eternal life or destruction

          Romans 8:13

     3. Your work for the Lord will not be in vain.

I Corinthians 15:58

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We are going to face eternal things

 

Muslim – two weeks ago one woman suicide bomber detonated herself in the middle of a crowd.

We keep hearing about the suicide bombers continually. They believe that they will be in heaven and they will have an exciting life after they fulfill their mission to kill people.

 

This is a great deception- wrong doctrine!

 

Right after they kill themselves, they will find themselves in hell instead of heaven that was promised to them. Then they will realize that there is no turning point at all.

 

We heard the tragic news the week before (last Thursday) in France. The French airline, which carried passengers to the Canary Islands for vacation exploded right after take off. Almost 200 lives were spared from this accident.

 

Among these passengers, some of them will be rejoicing and spending their eternal life in Heaven.  But some of them will be in eternal torment in hell.

 

People are not interested in eternal spiritual things, and because of their ignorance they focus too much on worldly things for many reasons. The bottom line is that whether we like it or not we are going to face eternal joy or eternal regret.

 

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IV. During the race

 

To be part of the Olympic Games for 17 days, athletes spend many years training almost everyday of their life.

 

About the training and commitment

One pianist – after the performance – people praised him – some one said, "you have a natural talent." – he said, "No, it is not the talent. I have practiced playing the piano more than 10 hours a day throughout my entire life."

 

 

Heb 12:1-3

1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

 

A. We have to start well.

 

1. Good foundation of support

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us"

It is very important to start well.  In some cases ministries start off double minded, or have very selfish reasons, or have a worldly mindset.

Many cases turn out bad.

Whatever we do we have to do the Lord's way, and we have to hear from the Lord.

 

 Starting very well does not guarantee finishing well. So we have to work diligently and continually. I would like to share about this area today.

 

Good example #1

Saul (1 Samuel 11:15)

So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.

 

Bad example #2

Absalom (2 Samuel 15:6)

Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

 

2. We have to guard our life from sin

"let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us"

The field and track events – the athletes wear light sport wear, and as little as possible. In Ancient Olympic Games the athletes were naked who ran the race because they did not want any extra weight or hindrance from the sports wear.

 

The cloth is the symbol of hindrance and sin in our life.

1) Every encumbrance

This is not about sin, but there is a possibility to build up sin if we do not handle this area very well. Like watching TV is not a sin, but if you are addicted to TV, then it becomes a sin issue later. Encumbrances are the things that hinder what you are going to do.

This does not create any problems to the public, but on a personal level you cannot finish what you are supposed to do on time.

It will not be a public issue, but it will become a personal issue.

Time management, money management, many different kinds of activities, bondage with relationships or activities…

We really need to be free from any kind of bondage, and also we need to be available to the Lord all the time.

 

2) Every sin

Any kind of sin issue in our life we have to get rid of.

We need to check our life and see if there is some sin issue that we have not dealt with.

Our church is a very small congregation, so we need to get rid of uncomfortable relationships among us. People have different opinions and judge one another.

I do not want to see any of these kinds of judgments among us. We have to deal with this area thoroughly and not treat it casually.

 

One big sin issue in the church is gossip. We should get out from this pit.

The root issue of gossip is bitterness. God warned us about this area.
Hebrews 12:15

See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;

This bitterness does not just affect the people who have this issue, but this bitterness is like a disease that spreads quickly and brings great destruction in the church.

 

 The sin issue has to be brought to the feet of Jesus.

 

2 Corinthian 7:1

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

 

3. We have to commit our life to the race

 "and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us"

In Marriage life – no commitment – divorce or destroys the family

In business – no commitment – no success

In race – no commitment – no reward

How about your commitment?

 

B. We must move toward the goal according to the rules.

 

   1. Fixing our eyes on Jesus

   "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfected of faith"

Philippians 3:13-14

13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

      1) Forgetting what lies behind

          Each of us comes from different backgrounds. We have successes and failures. Everyone has different experiences. Sometimes we operate in our lives according to our experiences. Some people have had bad experiences, and reject all prophetic words that God has released. …

We do not need to live in the past any more.

Our past is old and gone, so we do not need to go back.

Our past is not going to change our life or help our life.

   We can only use our past as an example in a positive way.

This is not going to help focus our eyes on Jesus at all.

We have to deal with it thoroughly and remove it from our life.

 

      2) Reaching forward to what lies ahead

Track athlete - he runs toward the goal, so he has to open his eyes and fix his eyes on the goal and keep running forward, then he will reach the goal.

The runner should not focus on mistakes made in the past, but focus on what he is doing right now.

 

Boxer – he has to watch his opponent's face. And he has to hit the right place. If he does not focus on him, he will hit the air or the opponent would hit him.

 

Our focus must be on Jesus Christ alone. Do not hang around and find out what happens to others. We do not have time to wander around. Let God handle other things, but we need to keep focused on the Lord.  This is what God has called us to do and step forward to what doors God has opened for us.

 

   2. We have to race according to the rules

"who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

When we are in the race, we have to follow the course alone.

2 Timothy 2:5.

Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.

If you have 800-m track – then you have to stay on the track lane alone and run, but you cannot get off the track and take a short cut. Maybe you can reach the goal line earlier than others, but you are not going to qualify as a winner.

 

C. The Requirements for the race

 

   1. We have to do our best through Jesus

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Our Lord Jesus Christ broke through all hardships with the victorious life even though He had tremendous persecution. He is our banner and our victory.

 

   2. We have to finish well

      2 Timothy 4:7

   I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

 

Good example

King David

Apostle Paul

Billy Graham

 

Some people were angry regarding Todd Bentley's problems.

They denounced all the miracles and wonders of the Lord.

If it is true, then we need to remove the Proverbs from the Bible, because the Proverbs were written by King Solomon who did not finish well at all, and he denied the Lord and worshipped the devil. But we believe that Proverbs is the Word of the Lord.

We have to throw the bath water out, but not with the baby.

 

Bad example

King Saul – greedy

King Solomon – sexual sin

2 other evangelists – slidden back

 

During Billy Graham's time there were 2 famous Evangelists who did well by powerfully preaching the gospel and impacting the people's hearts. Their ministries were way beyond that of Billy Graham's. I tried to retrieve their names, but I could not find their names.

One person was a backslider, involved in sin, and denied Jesus Christ before he died.

And the other person was a backslider, lived carnally, and died lonely.

We remember Billy Graham, but we do not remember the other two evangelists.

Everyone knows about Billy Graham who finished his race well.

We are all witnesses for him.

 

That is why Jesus Christ warned us about this 2000 years ago

Matthew 7:22-23

:22 " Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'

23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

 

Finishing well does not happen automatically.

We have to fight the good fight. It means that we have to walk by faith in Him and keep pressing on through the Holy Spirit continually.

 

Are you ready to be in unity and be a family of One Glory Church in the Lord?

Let's finish the race together until our Lord Jesus Christ comes.

 

V. After the race

 

  A. Our crown can be taken away from us if we do not hold on to what we have.

 

Revelation 3:11

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

 

After the reward ceremony, some athletes were stripped of their reward.

Sweden's Ara Abrahamian – wrestler – during the ceremony he took his bronze medal , and dropped it on the floor with anger because of the results of the game. So IOC made a decision to punish him and take his reward.

 

People attend these games to receive a reward, but somehow they lose their purpose and they receive consequences for their actions.

 

satan never gives up to destroy us until we are out of his hand.

 

     1. satan is against us with anger

I Peter 5:8-9

8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

 

 

Our enemy does not just manifest himself as a raging lion, but also he manifests as an angel of light.

 

     2. satan deceives us as an angel of light

2 Corinthians 11:14

No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

 

Colossians 2:18

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize.

 

The spirit of Jezebel, the spirit of Religion, the spirit of Python, the spirit of Absalom, the spirit of antichrist …are working in the Body of Christ.

It is very hard to detect the enemy, because it resembles the anointing from the Lord.

 

That is why God gave us discernment by the Holy Spirit.

 

We need to be aware of the spiritual warfare and stand against it, because it is a serious matter than what we are able to understand.

 

B. Do not let our race be in vain.

 

Galatians 2:2

I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain.

It is very important to share and evaluate with leaders when we do ministry.

We have to align with leadership for the ministry.

 

C. We give all the glory and honor to the Lord alone.

I Corinthians 10:31

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

 

John 17:5, 10, 24

5 "Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

10 and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them.

24 "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

 

 

Conclusion

 

1. Luke 12:32 – God's plan

    Do not be afraid, little flock,

    for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

 

2. I Timothy 6:11-12 – Our godly life

    11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith,

       love, endurance and gentleness.

    12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were

       called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

 

3. I Corinthians 15:58 – commitment

    Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the

     work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

 

4. Philippians 3:14 – we have the reward

    I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

5. Daniel 12:3 – Glory

    Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of

     heaven,

     and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.