The Election Count – Part 13
The race
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore 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,
We have a race set before us. But it is not a fleshly race. We do not wrestle flesh AND spirit. We do not race fleshly AND spiritually.
It’s a race. And as with a race, there is the possibility that we may WIN the race.
It’s just one race. It’s just one day. It might feel like a long time, but its just a little time. It may be race, but like a marathon, to win it requires training, patience and mastery.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [run to obtain what? Eternal life? No… but the prize, the crown!] 25 And 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. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But 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.
We run a race. But the race is not to succeed in this world. It is not to retire with the most money, or experiences, or accomplishments. It is not to make a mark on this world, or leave a legacy for our children. It is not to get ahead in this world. It is not to make this world a better place. It is not to make this country a safer and better and more loving place. It is not to Make America Great Again. It is not to strive more than all the other countries of the world to make America First. That may be Donald Trump’s race. That may be America’s race. Man’s race. But it is not our race.
We run a spiritual race, to win a spiritual prize: an incorruptible crown.
Now that may not be super enlightening to you. Maybe you’ve heard all these things, seen all these passages before. You might get that at any church on any Sunday in this country. But its still vague isn’t it? You can say that, and still preach that we run the spiritual race by serving in the community, and donating to charity, and running a soup kitchen, and being a loving parent, a diligent worker, giving your children a good education, building a profitable business, or a non-profitable business, building houses for the homeless, fighting for justice. How do you know that’s not right? We haven’t seen enough Scripture yet to say otherwise. I haven’t shown you anything yet that explains the race.
What is “the race”? What is it not? How do we know? It could be anything really, right? Just work hard! Just get your business done well, and quickly, and don’t give up, don’t stop running, don’t stop working!
But thankfully, I can show you more. I can show you that those types of sermons would be garbage piles of lies. I can explain “the race” to you. Because Paul leaves no confusion as to what “the race” is, and how “the race” is run.
Our race that we run, is TO TESTIFY THE GOSPEL of the Grace of God.
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course [my race] with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul’s concern, much more than for his own life, was to have finished his course. He ran to finish HIS course. He ran to finish his ministry. To Testify the Gospel of Grace… to the Gentile churches where the Lord sent him. This was Paul’s course. The one set before him.
That was His course, and ours… is different, but it’s for the same goal. It has the same finish line, and it’s run in the same place. Our course, is ALSO in the Gospel. The purpose of the “the race set before us” is not to GET saved. Rather, it is TO TESTIFY THE GOSPEL so that many others may get saved. And if we run that race, and win it, we will receive a prize.
How do we win? By rejecting this world and testifying the gospel.
Philippians 3:13-15 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark [I run to the finish line] for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
This was Paul’s race, his course, which he was chosen to run. A course of a high calling. Mine is similar, but not the exact same course. Yours is as well. We all have our own course, but we should all be like minded.
Because Paul wins his race, doesn’t mean I lose mine! Because I win my race, doesn’t mean you lose your race. We are on different courses. You win your crown by running and winning your course, the race that is set before you, while I will run my course, the race that is set before me, to win my prize. And we can both win / get crowns! But we both must run, BY TESTIFYING THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD. That is the only way to run it – Scripturally.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But 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.
Many believe this passage says that Paul could lose his salvation, and that he was striving against his flesh to not lose his salvation. But there is no proof of that private interpretation. The word “castaway” does not appear anywhere else in the Bible. So you can’t say for sure that a castaway is a lost person.
What is more conclusive is that the context of the passage is not “obtaining salvation”, but rather it is obtaining or winning rewards. Paul is speaking from his desire to be in the winner’s circle; champion’s ring. In the Master’s ring of honor, with those Masters that also won prizes; these are crowns of mastery.
Different courses, but all of our courses have the same purpose: to serve the Lord in the testifying of the Gospel. Your job is to contribute to souls being won with the gospel, however The Lord has enabled you and put upon you to do!
Maybe that is by preaching from a pulpit, or preaching by door-knocking, or warning and witnessing on the street or standing in line at the bank or supermarket. Maybe its just testifying to each of your friends and family in a one-on-one setting. Maybe its by arranging a meeting between your friend and your Pastor. Maybe its by arranging an opportunity for your Pastor to preach the gospel to your whole family at a wedding or funeral. Maybe that is simply by supporting those that do go forth and preach. For the wives, maybe its staying by the stuff, keeping the children safe at home while the preachers are out preaching. Maybe its training others to preach, and raising your children to understand and preach the gospel. Maybe any or all of these things.
(But if there is no preaching the gospel, testifying the gospel of the grace of God, there is no “running”.)
So the question you need to answer for yourself is, how can I run “the race”, “my course”, by testifying the gospel of the grace of God?
Maybe we have different courses, but we all run the same WAY. Because there is only ONE WAY. Jesus is The Way.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
We ought to get people in The Way of the Lord (Christ) that they may be saved, and then strengthen them to run their race, all the way to the Father / the finish line! You run in The Way. You run in Jesus. He is The Way. He is the beginning, the middle and the end of The Way. Jesus is your course, Jesus is your race.
Living a pretty good life is not running the race. Being a good Christian is not running the race. Managing soup kitchens and charity programs and non-profit organizations, and being a good parent, and being a diligent worker, and being an honest person, is not running the race.
The race is in The Way. And the Way is Jesus. The Way is the gospel, the way is eternal life. We ought to labour, work, RUN, in eternal life. RUN in Jesus. But RUN, with patience!
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And 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.
This race is about THE MASTERY. The crown won by the winner of the race, is a Crown of Mastery.
If you want to be a Master in heaven, you need to be a servant here. You need to be humble here.
You need to be Temperate here. This is what a Master, an expert, must be. Diligent and not distracted. Not easily discouraged. Not faint hearted. Calm. Patient. Focused. Not fearful.
A master doesn’t freak out about small things. He is experienced. Well-trained.
The master of a craft (a master baker, tailor, electrician, engineer, scientist, doctor, gymnast, quarterback, etc.) doesn’t have other hobbies. He doesn’t party and get drunk. He doesn’t waste his time. He uses every bit of it to perfect his works. He has one addiction: his craft. “they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints”.
We need to be Patient! You don’t run a marathon without patience. You don’t walk! No you RUN. But you run calmly… you run as fast as you can, but with temperance, with patience.
If you want to have mastery in Heaven, you need to be temperate in all things (eternal life). Temperate (calm, patient, focused, experienced) in testifying the gospel of the grace of God. This is how you ought to run.
The best runners don’t run marathons without good training and coaching. If you’re serious about The Mastery, then its time for you to get trained, and focused, and to start running to the Lord. Its time to “run the race” to win the prize. Its time to master testifying the gospel.
Maybe that is practicing your presentation of the gospel. Maybe that is practicing your opening, your warning. Maybe that is getting over your fears of warning members of your family or friends. Maybe that is getting over your fears of warning a complete stranger. Maybe it is getting over your fears of even offering a meeting with another soul-winner. Maybe it is studying the doctrine so you are confident in answering some of the most common questions you might get. Maybe it is all of this.
But this is what a Master runner does. He focuses, and trains himself, and practices, and labours, and then when he runs, he wins! It’s time to be a Master of your craft.
But how do I do it? How do I run? How do I win the prize? … again, its no mystery … you win souls!
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God
Paul’s singular focus, rejecting this life, was to finish his course of testifying the gospel of the grace of Jesus Christ.
And when he had done it, when he had “ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears”, being “pure from the blood of all men”, and “was ready to be offered” (die for Christ) then Paul was able to say that he HAD finished his race! Likewise, You can be assured to win the Master’s Crown, by warning every single person that God leads you to. Every one that God gives you the opportunity and responsibility to warn. Warn them all, and thus win many to the Lord.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: [nothing moved Paul from continuing to run the course] 8 Henceforth [from now on – now that I have worked my whole life and didn’t stop believing the gospel, and didn’t give up preaching it… henceforth, what? Henceforth I am saved from wrath and I get to go to Heaven? No…] 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.
This race is not about obtaining salvation. His race is about obtaining a prize, a reward for fighting the fight, for diligently doing the work of the ministry, for testifying the gospel of the Grace of God.
This crown of righteousness is not given for being born a son. But rather for running and winning the race. For becoming a master. A master of the gospel.
We need to run the race, striving to WIN it. Striving for the prize. Striving to become masters.
But this is a spiritual race. It is not carnal. It is the opposite of carnal. The things of this world, and what the flesh desires and strives for desires, are contrary to running the race. You can’t run both races.
Ephesians 2:2-3 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
The flesh has its own course. Its own race. Its own way. And the unsaved walk in that way. This way is not THEY WAY (Jesus), but the wide and broad way that leadeth many to destruction. The way of the American dream. The way of working and striving and fighting for a better place in this world. The way of world peace. The way of self righteousness. The way of striving for honour and praise of men. Running for a reward of men, and not of the Lord.
This is the way the world walks. And the way that your flesh still desires to walk.
And THIS is why Paul says:
1 Corinthians 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly [with flesh]; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But 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 flesh wars against the Spirit. You need to wrangle it and bring it into subjection. You need to fight against it. Weaken it!
A castaway – Paul was not going to lose his salvation. But he could lose his crown of mastery.
This is the race we run: to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
We run this race, temperately, patiently, but speedily and diligently, to receive a prize.
A crown of righteousness. A Master’s crown.
Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Turn many to righteousness. Win many souls. Win your race. Be a Master. And shine as the stars for ever and ever.
Feb 7 2021
The Election Count – Part 13
Downloadable Word document:
The Election Count – Part 13
The Election Count – Part 13
The race
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore 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,
We have a race set before us. But it is not a fleshly race. We do not wrestle flesh AND spirit. We do not race fleshly AND spiritually.
It’s a race. And as with a race, there is the possibility that we may WIN the race.
It’s just one race. It’s just one day. It might feel like a long time, but its just a little time. It may be race, but like a marathon, to win it requires training, patience and mastery.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [run to obtain what? Eternal life? No… but the prize, the crown!] 25 And 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. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But 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.
We run a race. But the race is not to succeed in this world. It is not to retire with the most money, or experiences, or accomplishments. It is not to make a mark on this world, or leave a legacy for our children. It is not to get ahead in this world. It is not to make this world a better place. It is not to make this country a safer and better and more loving place. It is not to Make America Great Again. It is not to strive more than all the other countries of the world to make America First. That may be Donald Trump’s race. That may be America’s race. Man’s race. But it is not our race.
We run a spiritual race, to win a spiritual prize: an incorruptible crown.
Now that may not be super enlightening to you. Maybe you’ve heard all these things, seen all these passages before. You might get that at any church on any Sunday in this country. But its still vague isn’t it? You can say that, and still preach that we run the spiritual race by serving in the community, and donating to charity, and running a soup kitchen, and being a loving parent, a diligent worker, giving your children a good education, building a profitable business, or a non-profitable business, building houses for the homeless, fighting for justice. How do you know that’s not right? We haven’t seen enough Scripture yet to say otherwise. I haven’t shown you anything yet that explains the race.
What is “the race”? What is it not? How do we know? It could be anything really, right? Just work hard! Just get your business done well, and quickly, and don’t give up, don’t stop running, don’t stop working!
But thankfully, I can show you more. I can show you that those types of sermons would be garbage piles of lies. I can explain “the race” to you. Because Paul leaves no confusion as to what “the race” is, and how “the race” is run.
Our race that we run, is TO TESTIFY THE GOSPEL of the Grace of God.
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course [my race] with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul’s concern, much more than for his own life, was to have finished his course. He ran to finish HIS course. He ran to finish his ministry. To Testify the Gospel of Grace… to the Gentile churches where the Lord sent him. This was Paul’s course. The one set before him.
That was His course, and ours… is different, but it’s for the same goal. It has the same finish line, and it’s run in the same place. Our course, is ALSO in the Gospel. The purpose of the “the race set before us” is not to GET saved. Rather, it is TO TESTIFY THE GOSPEL so that many others may get saved. And if we run that race, and win it, we will receive a prize.
How do we win? By rejecting this world and testifying the gospel.
Philippians 3:13-15 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark [I run to the finish line] for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
This was Paul’s race, his course, which he was chosen to run. A course of a high calling. Mine is similar, but not the exact same course. Yours is as well. We all have our own course, but we should all be like minded.
Because Paul wins his race, doesn’t mean I lose mine! Because I win my race, doesn’t mean you lose your race. We are on different courses. You win your crown by running and winning your course, the race that is set before you, while I will run my course, the race that is set before me, to win my prize. And we can both win / get crowns! But we both must run, BY TESTIFYING THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD. That is the only way to run it – Scripturally.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But 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.
Many believe this passage says that Paul could lose his salvation, and that he was striving against his flesh to not lose his salvation. But there is no proof of that private interpretation. The word “castaway” does not appear anywhere else in the Bible. So you can’t say for sure that a castaway is a lost person.
What is more conclusive is that the context of the passage is not “obtaining salvation”, but rather it is obtaining or winning rewards. Paul is speaking from his desire to be in the winner’s circle; champion’s ring. In the Master’s ring of honor, with those Masters that also won prizes; these are crowns of mastery.
Different courses, but all of our courses have the same purpose: to serve the Lord in the testifying of the Gospel. Your job is to contribute to souls being won with the gospel, however The Lord has enabled you and put upon you to do!
Maybe that is by preaching from a pulpit, or preaching by door-knocking, or warning and witnessing on the street or standing in line at the bank or supermarket. Maybe its just testifying to each of your friends and family in a one-on-one setting. Maybe its by arranging a meeting between your friend and your Pastor. Maybe its by arranging an opportunity for your Pastor to preach the gospel to your whole family at a wedding or funeral. Maybe that is simply by supporting those that do go forth and preach. For the wives, maybe its staying by the stuff, keeping the children safe at home while the preachers are out preaching. Maybe its training others to preach, and raising your children to understand and preach the gospel. Maybe any or all of these things.
(But if there is no preaching the gospel, testifying the gospel of the grace of God, there is no “running”.)
So the question you need to answer for yourself is, how can I run “the race”, “my course”, by testifying the gospel of the grace of God?
Maybe we have different courses, but we all run the same WAY. Because there is only ONE WAY. Jesus is The Way.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
We ought to get people in The Way of the Lord (Christ) that they may be saved, and then strengthen them to run their race, all the way to the Father / the finish line! You run in The Way. You run in Jesus. He is The Way. He is the beginning, the middle and the end of The Way. Jesus is your course, Jesus is your race.
Living a pretty good life is not running the race. Being a good Christian is not running the race. Managing soup kitchens and charity programs and non-profit organizations, and being a good parent, and being a diligent worker, and being an honest person, is not running the race.
The race is in The Way. And the Way is Jesus. The Way is the gospel, the way is eternal life. We ought to labour, work, RUN, in eternal life. RUN in Jesus. But RUN, with patience!
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And 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.
This race is about THE MASTERY. The crown won by the winner of the race, is a Crown of Mastery.
If you want to be a Master in heaven, you need to be a servant here. You need to be humble here.
You need to be Temperate here. This is what a Master, an expert, must be. Diligent and not distracted. Not easily discouraged. Not faint hearted. Calm. Patient. Focused. Not fearful.
A master doesn’t freak out about small things. He is experienced. Well-trained.
The master of a craft (a master baker, tailor, electrician, engineer, scientist, doctor, gymnast, quarterback, etc.) doesn’t have other hobbies. He doesn’t party and get drunk. He doesn’t waste his time. He uses every bit of it to perfect his works. He has one addiction: his craft. “they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints”.
We need to be Patient! You don’t run a marathon without patience. You don’t walk! No you RUN. But you run calmly… you run as fast as you can, but with temperance, with patience.
If you want to have mastery in Heaven, you need to be temperate in all things (eternal life). Temperate (calm, patient, focused, experienced) in testifying the gospel of the grace of God. This is how you ought to run.
The best runners don’t run marathons without good training and coaching. If you’re serious about The Mastery, then its time for you to get trained, and focused, and to start running to the Lord. Its time to “run the race” to win the prize. Its time to master testifying the gospel.
Maybe that is practicing your presentation of the gospel. Maybe that is practicing your opening, your warning. Maybe that is getting over your fears of warning members of your family or friends. Maybe that is getting over your fears of warning a complete stranger. Maybe it is getting over your fears of even offering a meeting with another soul-winner. Maybe it is studying the doctrine so you are confident in answering some of the most common questions you might get. Maybe it is all of this.
But this is what a Master runner does. He focuses, and trains himself, and practices, and labours, and then when he runs, he wins! It’s time to be a Master of your craft.
But how do I do it? How do I run? How do I win the prize? … again, its no mystery … you win souls!
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God
Paul’s singular focus, rejecting this life, was to finish his course of testifying the gospel of the grace of Jesus Christ.
And when he had done it, when he had “ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears”, being “pure from the blood of all men”, and “was ready to be offered” (die for Christ) then Paul was able to say that he HAD finished his race! Likewise, You can be assured to win the Master’s Crown, by warning every single person that God leads you to. Every one that God gives you the opportunity and responsibility to warn. Warn them all, and thus win many to the Lord.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: [nothing moved Paul from continuing to run the course] 8 Henceforth [from now on – now that I have worked my whole life and didn’t stop believing the gospel, and didn’t give up preaching it… henceforth, what? Henceforth I am saved from wrath and I get to go to Heaven? No…] 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.
This race is not about obtaining salvation. His race is about obtaining a prize, a reward for fighting the fight, for diligently doing the work of the ministry, for testifying the gospel of the Grace of God.
This crown of righteousness is not given for being born a son. But rather for running and winning the race. For becoming a master. A master of the gospel.
We need to run the race, striving to WIN it. Striving for the prize. Striving to become masters.
But this is a spiritual race. It is not carnal. It is the opposite of carnal. The things of this world, and what the flesh desires and strives for desires, are contrary to running the race. You can’t run both races.
Ephesians 2:2-3 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
The flesh has its own course. Its own race. Its own way. And the unsaved walk in that way. This way is not THEY WAY (Jesus), but the wide and broad way that leadeth many to destruction. The way of the American dream. The way of working and striving and fighting for a better place in this world. The way of world peace. The way of self righteousness. The way of striving for honour and praise of men. Running for a reward of men, and not of the Lord.
This is the way the world walks. And the way that your flesh still desires to walk.
And THIS is why Paul says:
1 Corinthians 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly [with flesh]; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But 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 flesh wars against the Spirit. You need to wrangle it and bring it into subjection. You need to fight against it. Weaken it!
A castaway – Paul was not going to lose his salvation. But he could lose his crown of mastery.
This is the race we run: to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
We run this race, temperately, patiently, but speedily and diligently, to receive a prize.
A crown of righteousness. A Master’s crown.
Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Turn many to righteousness. Win many souls. Win your race. Be a Master. And shine as the stars for ever and ever.
By Pastor • Christian Life, Soul Winning • 0