Running the Race to Win

Date: 26 July 2008
Speaker: Pastor Derek Dunn
Venue: City Harvest Church

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.

If you don't run, you can never win.

Along the race of life as you follow Jesus, there lies many difficulties and obstacles. But amidst all these, we shall emerge victorious.

2 Timothy 4:6-8
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

At the beginning, you are full of energy and excited. But as you go on, some get tired, some due to the lack of proper stability, they fizzle out.

Don't lose faith!

1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

Philippians 3:14
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 4:19
Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

For radical changes, you must go through radical pain. Trials shape you into a better person. We need to develop consistency.

Why people fall away?
- Dehydration (of the Holy Spirit)
- Falling and getting hurt
- Burning out and exhaustion
- Losing sight of the finish line

5 keys to finishing the race of life:

1) Know what fills and drains your tank. (people, activity, thoughts)

2) Understand the law of balance in life.

Daniel 5:27
TEKEK: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting;

3) Lead and serve out the Rest.

Exodus 20:9-10
Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.

Psalm 127:2
It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Take time out to re-focus.

4) Find your lightning rod. (people who are spiritually matured)

Proverbs 11:14
Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

5) Discipline your daily devotions.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20
“Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.

Daily bathing with SOAP.
S- Scripture
O- Observation about it
A- Application
P- Prayer for your life

Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation! Selah

Have daily encounters with God.