Sermon Central
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The Athlete Knows That When He Runs That There ...
Contributed by Jerry Pawloski on Mar 9, 2005 (message contributor)
The athlete knows that when he runs that there is the crown of victory that he is striving for. He drives himself for that one moment when the crowds are cheering him and he stands where many want to be, but are unwilling to sacrifice for. Paul says here is this man who takes on this discipline to have a fleeting perishable moment of glory. He is pushed by the goal, but what of us who are called to a far greater goal. We seek a greater “crown” than one of pine or laurel. But we do not run. Is the reason that we don’t run because we forget what the crown is? Jesus told of the value of the Kingdom in Matthew:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and went and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field and get the treasure too ! And again the kingdom is like a pearl merchant who was on the look out for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it.” ( Matt. 1: 44 - 46)
The goal, the treasure, the pearl, the lasting crown is worth our efforts!
Life is not a game without lasting consequences. Life is a proving ground where we prove who we are, whom we trust, and what we cherish. Eternal life, the upward call, the crown of righteousness, all these hang on what our life says about who we are, whom we trust and what we love. It is what we are running for.
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A Young Man Had Been Promoted To An Important ... PRO
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Nov 1, 2004
A young man had been promoted to an important position in his company. He’d never dreamed he’d be in such a position, much less at such a young age. So he went to see the venerable old timer in the company, and said, "Sir, I was wondering if you could give me some ADVICE." The old timer came back ...read more
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Do You Ever Feel Like Robert Orben Who Said, ... PRO
Contributed by Pat Cook on Nov 15, 2004
Do you ever feel like Robert Orben who said, “Sometimes I get the feeling the whole world is against me, but deep down I know that’s not ...read more
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This Is A True Story, About A German Artist Named ... PRO
Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 18, 2000
This is a true story, about a German artist named Albrecht Durer and one of his famous drawings, "The Praying Hands." Durer’s Father was a goldsmith and apprenticed him in his early years to learn the family trade, but Durer loved painting and really wanted to be a painter. So his father ...read more
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Perhaps You've Heard Of Watchman Nee. Watchman ... PRO
Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Nov 13, 2003
Perhaps you’ve heard of Watchman Nee. Watchman Nee became a Christian in mainland China in 1920 at the age of seventeen and began writing in the same year. Throughout the nearly thirty years of his ministry, Watchman Nee was a unique gift from the Lord to the church. Though imprisoned for his ...read more
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An Artist, Seeking To Depict On Canvas The ... PRO
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Nov 1, 2004
An artist, seeking to depict on canvas the meaning of evangelism, painted a storm at sea. Black clouds filled the sky. Illuminated by a flash of lightning, a little boat could be seen disintegrating under the pounding of the ocean. Men were struggling in the swirling waters, their anguished faces ...read more
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