“Olympic Gold, Running a Race called Patience” Sermon 02/09/14 by Pastor Richard Daughtridge of Hagerstown Maryland at Jacob’s Church near Fairfield, Pennsylvania.

Pastor Richard Daughtridge

“Olympic Gold,  Running a Race called Patience”  Sermon 02/09/14  by Pastor Richard Daughtridge of Hagerstown Maryland at Jacob’s Church near Fairfield, Pennsylvania.

Rev. 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Life is described in the Bible as a race. We know that in this race we call life there are no shorts cuts to the finish line. We as a church and as individuals desire to finish well.

We have the greatest coach. He has already played on this playing field and has won the Gold. Now he cheers us along liked a father cheering and supporting his children.

The success of this race however is not measured in points. Life’s success is not decided in dollars, the number of friends we have, how big our church has becomes, or even how religious we act, but rather what we become as individuals.

It’s important that we work together as a team but today I want us to ask the question, how am I doing in the race?

We all are all one small part of the whole Body of Christ and our finish individually and personally is important. We want to honor our Heavenly Father and give to him our best game.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

What things work together?

So Run!!!!! They are off !!!

1 Cor. 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Drop the weight!!!

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,

Who are these witnesses watching us from heaven?

Noah built a boat.

Abraham started a family.

Sarah had a baby.

Moses led an enslaved nation to freedom.

What does all this have to do with me?

The race that they had to finish had many similarities with the challenges we face in life. I’d like to share a few ways they are similar to ours.

Common Coach
Common Oppositions
Common Failures
Common Dreams
Common Fears

Their finishes however were not common. They were extraordinary.

How do we finish well?

1. Dress for the game.

Rev. 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

2. Prepare for the game.

1 Cor. 9:25 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.

3. Listen for the plan from Coach.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

4. Become a team player.

1 Cor. 12:18-20 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. [19] And if they were all one member, where were the body? [20] But now are they many members, yet but one body.

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.

2 Tim. 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: [8] Henceforth 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.

So Run!!!!!