RUN THE RACE -- KEEP YOU EYES ON THE PRIZE
I Corinthians 9:24-25
Let us pray -- Lord, the task of preaching your Gospel is once again in my keeping and I commit myself to do it the best that I can. Clear my mind of distractions, warm my heart with compassion, and fill my soul with faith in your goodness and power. Speak to me that I may speak for you. Speak through me that I may speak to those who wait to hear your word. Save me, Lord from fearing so much my own frailty that I forget your mighty power. Help me to trust in your care and providence. Let me speak the words, which I believe that you have given me. May I decrease while you increase in Me? Right now Lord I ask that you remove self, I ask that you remove pride and may the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight. O Lord my strength and my redeemer. This is my prayer, Amen.
Please stand and turn with me in your Bibles to I Corinthians 9:24-25
“Know ye not that they who run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”
“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”
I will read the translations of Contemporary English Version. It reads:
“You know that may runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever. I don’t run without a goal. And I don’t box by beating my fist in the air. I keep my body under control and make it my slave, so I won’t lose out after telling the good news to others.“
You may be seated.
A message for everyone
There are those who call this world we live in the Rat Race of life. As humans we get up, go to work, race around, and seek to gather all the riches that seem to be around us. Some people in this life are motivated by Power. Power over others, power over self. To control rather than being controlled is there hearts desire.
Others seek wealth above all else. Money, diamonds, precious metals, real estate: the more wealth they have the more satisfied they become. Others run a race for beauty, to satisfy their pride. Some people run for fame, to be well known and loved. All of these things have one thing in common though: they do it to obtain a corruptible crown. Today, I want to ask you FOUR simple questions, First one: "What race are you running? (REPEAT) Second question: Will you race give you eternal happiness, or will it only lead you to a corruptible crown?”
“Know ye not that they who run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.“
“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.”
I will use as a subject this morning
RUN THE RACE -- KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE (REPEAT)
A message for everyone
Bear with me for a moment as I try to set this story up for those of you who may not be familiar with the situations that were taking place in the city of Corinth.
You see -- The Apostle Paul wrote his epistle to reveal the problems, pressures, and struggles of the Church in Corinth. Corinth was one of the most important cities in Greece during Paul’s day. Not only was it the bustling hub of worldwide commerce but also was most known for it’s degraded culture and many idolatrous religions.
The church in Corinth was suffering from factions (clicks), lawsuits, immorality, questionable practice, and abuse of the Lord’s Supper and Spiritual gifts. You name it and the Church in Corinth suffered from it. So Paul writes to correct these problems and to give the Corinthians a message of hope.
And, that’s my attempt today, as I preach this my first sermon here at Monument of Love. My attempt is to give you with a message of hope -- a message of encouragement as we Monument of Love Baptist Church prepare ourselves for the work that the Lord is about to embark on us.
I feel that a message of hope is not only needed here at Monument of Love but also in our African-American communities and especially in the black churches.
A message of hope is need because when I look into some of the eyes of our youth - I see despair, when I look into some of your eyes I see anger and confusion. A message of hope is need, because in our communities some of our people -- have lost their joy. To put it another way I would say that -- their wood is wet; your wick is to short; transmission is leaking; some of your engine has thrown a rod. To make it simple -- I would say that our black communities are suffering because our fire has gone out.
A message for everyone
So let us look at the text once again 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
"Know ye not that they who run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."
"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."
Here in our text -- we see the Apostle Paul comparing himself to a racer in the Ancient Greece, Isthmus games. The Isthmian games are what inspired today’s Olympic some 2,000 years ago. Paul uses this analogy of these games to get his point across to the Corinthians.
Those of you who have ever had the previous of being a member of a track team will agree that it is never easy to run a race, No -- its never easy to run a race, especially if you do not have confidence in the track you’re running on.
Now-a-days professional runners will often go to the racetrack a few days in advance of their big race. They get out on the track (stretch) and, test the track surface looking for dips that might slow then down when it counts. Doing this check allows the runner to become familiar with the track, because knowing that the track inside and out helps the runner to get ahead of his competitors.
Now have said all of that, my third question to you this morning is: "Are you on the right track in your like?" (REPEAT) A last but not least, I ask you: Have you taking the time to check your track for dips, rock, hurdles and anything else that might slow you down?
You know -- sometimes the problem aren’t that we are on the wrong track of life, but the problem sometimes lies with us competing in the wrong race, altogether. You see -- weighing 400 pounds does not automatically qualify you for the 400-meter hurdles. You may want to consider sticking to the shot-putt.
Now -- BACK TO THE LESSON
"Know ye not that they who run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."
"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."
You know -- Only the best athletics make it to the Olympics. To make it one must be totally qualified not only physically but also mentally. This qualification will require months and months of intense training. But all of this dedication -- all of this hard word and commitment to excellence by the runner, mind you, is for a corruptible crown.
The Apostle Paul speaks of the winner receiving a crown made out of olive branches. A corruptible crown that starts to whither the moment it’s placed on the champion head. But Paul encourages the Corinthians to seek an incorruptible crown -- A crown that will never wither, a crown that will never, ever fade away.
A message for everyone
Those of you familiar with sports -- know that the fastest race in track and field is the 100-meters. There are those who can run this distance in just under 10 seconds. In this race -- every step is crucial -- every second is precious. One simple mistake can mean the difference between gold and silver. One itsy, bitsy mistake can mean the difference between qualifying and being eliminated. That’s why, one of the first things taught before completing in this event is to never, ever -- look to your right and to never, ever look to your left.
I see some of you looking around and saying to yourself -- I WONDER WHY REV. PARKS. Well I’m glad you asked and guess what, I’m going to tell you.
You are taught to never look to the right and to never ever look to your left because it slows you down. You are taught to look forward and to keep your EYES fixed on the finish line. You are taught to keep you eyes on the prize.
You know -- the example of the runner is a lesson that we can use in life today. Which is -- when you a running in the race of life. I say, when you’re running in the race of life. Don’t slow down, looking to your right, worried about what somebody else is doing. Don’t slow down, looking to your left, listening to all of the gossip that’s going on around you. But, Keep yours eyes on the finish line. Keep your eyes on the prize.
The Apostle Paul gives us yet another lesson on running over in Philippians -- were he says:
"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, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Here Paul is telling us -- to forget the ground that we have covered in the race. He is saying don’t waste your time over the past. Don’t waste time looking to your right or looking to your left, worried about the circumstances; worried about the detractions that might come in your way. Paul is telling us not to get caught up in the moment.
I reminded here of Peter -- the night when him and the disciples were caught in the storm at sea.
You’ll know the story -- you see -- shortly before sunrise on the night after Jesus had performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes. The disciples went out on boat in Sea of Galilee. And the Bible tells me that a storm arose, and Jesus after He had finished praying saw that His disciples were in trouble and He went out to them, walking on water. Peter saw Him and got caught up in the moment and said "Lord if it be thou, bid me to come unto thee on the water."
And the Lord said Peter -- come, but one thing first Peter, if you come, you have to keep you eyes on me. So the scriptures tell us over in Matthew the 14th chapter that Peter got out the boat and walked on the water. But all of sudden, Peter took his eyes off the Lord -- I don’t know, maybe he got caught up in the moment or maybe he start thinking that he could do it all by himself but whatever the reason, when the winds started blowing. Peter took his eyes off the Lord and started looking to the right -- I said when the winds started blowing, Peter -- instead of keep his eye on Jesus looked over to his left and got caught up in the circumstances -- and started to sink.
The lesson learned from this story is that when you take your eyes off Jesus -- you’ll don’t here me, -- I said, when you take your eyes off Jesus. The only place for you to go is down -- the only thing that you will do in life is sink. So, don’t be like Peter, caught up in the moment - caught up in your circumstances but -- Run the race -- and Keep your eyes on the Prize.
I’m reminded here of a story - that I’m quite sure that all of you are familiar with. The story of Betsy, the mule.
You see -- there was a farmer who had a mule name Betsy. Betsy worked hard for the farmer all the days of her life. Then one day the farmer went down to Tunica, Mississippi -- and won big on the nickel slot machines than he went out and bought himself one of those big John Deer Tractors and he didn’t need old Betsy to till his garden. So Betsy sat idle and grew old -- and the farmer decided that he didn’t want her around anymore. But, he wasn’t man enough to shoot old Betsy in the head as they do cattle in their old age. So he decided to dig a ditch. And he climbed up in his new tractor and pushed old Betsy in. As he started to shovel, filling the hole with dirt. He wasn’t man enough to watch as he tried to bury poor Betsy alive. So he turned his back and proceeded to shovel, filling the hole with dirt.
But old Betsy - I say -- But old Betsy, down in that hole look up as the dirt came down on her head and she just shook it off and stomped it under her feet. Meanwhile, the farmer keep pitching the dirt -- but old Betsy keep looking up & shaking it off & stomping it down. When the farmer finished with the dirt, he turned around and there was old Betsy staring him in the face.
Point of the story is -- when obstacles come in your life; when friends forsake you and try to shovel the dirt of life over your head; when family members turn their backs on you. When brother and sisters in the church refuse to help you. Mothers, when your kids don’t want to listen to your instructions. Kids -- just when it seem that nothing is going your way and when it seems that your parents or any adults for that matter just don’t listen to anything you have to say. JUST REMEMBER to keep your eyes on the prize. Just remember to look up to Jesus -- and -- shake it off -- and -- stomp it under your feet.
**********START**********
I’m reminded of some examples of Old Testament Saints who keep their eyes on the prize. I reminded of the 3 Hebrew boys - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who was dumped into the fiery pit by Nebuchadnezzar because they refused to bow down and worship a golden image. Kids -- let this be a lesson that just because everybody else is doing something doesn’t make it right for you to do it. My Bible tells me that anyone who defied the king’s order was to be thrown in the fiery furnace. But wait -- I say But wait The bible also says that before Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were sent to the furnace, they assured old Nebuchadnezzar that their God was able- --
I say they assured the king that their god was able of seeing them through. The king heard this and ordered that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual and he tied them up and throw them in. But I’m glad the story does end there.
You see -- when Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace after he had thrown them in, he saw not three but four men walking around in the fire untied and unharmed and He said that the fourth man looked like the son of the god.
I’m reminded of Job, who was diseased, bankrupt, wounded close to death, discouraged by his wife, forsaken by friends. But through all of his troubles he keep his EYES on the prize. Through all of Job’s struggles he said: "Though he slay me yet will I trust Him."
I am reminded of King David who was at his best, not sitting on his throne wearing robes of purple and gold, but rather in the twenty-third Psalm, passing through the valley and shadow of death. When he cried out, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; the rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in presence of mine enemies.
I’m reminded of my Savior -- My savior, My Redeemer, God’s only begotten son, the second person of the trinity, Mary’s baby, Jesus, who prayed best while he hung bleed and died on Calvary, for you and for me. During His time of pain and suffering He prayed not for himself but for those responsible for his crucifixion when he said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Jesus keep his eyes on the finish line. Our Savior keep his eyes on his Father in Heaven.
Church, I came to tell you today to Run the race -- and Keep your eyes on the prize. Don’t get caught up in the moment -- when problems come in your life. Just, Look to Jesus. Don’t run to another church, but run to Jesus. Don’t look for any man to solve your problems. But, look to Jesus.
I tell you Church -- we need to start looking to Jesus. We need Jesus in our homes, we need Jesus on the street corners, and we need Jesus on our jobs. We need Jesus in the schoolhouse. We need Jesus -- in our hearts to control and regulate our lives. We need to look to Jesus -- in our Servitude; we need to look to Jesus in our solitude; we need to look to Jesus in our gratitude;
I’m I right about it.
I came to tell you to, Run the race -- and Keep you eyes on the prize. Because it’s time, in fact it’s past time; church its already time; it’s right now time -- to get our business fixed with Jesus.
Now here is a message to all of you faultfinders out there -- to all of you trouble starters and excuse makers. I tell you that this is our year, and we are not going to allow you to stand in our way. You can either get onboard or get ran over. To all you who think you know how to run a church. I came to tell you that it’s time for you to stop trying to pull of the roots of your failures -- in somebody else’s garden. It’s time for you to stop trying -- to find your faults in everybody else. Just run your race and stay in your own lane and keep your eyes on the prize.
A messages to the parents - don’t get caught up in the moment, don’t get caught up in the circumstances. I know your kids don’t want to obey. You have raised that boy or girl the best you could -- they are grown now and they have to live and answer to God for themselves. Don’t be discouraged because you have done your part and the best that you could do. Just remember to run your race and keep your eyes on the prize.
Women, when that man just flat out refuse to come to Church and repent of his wick ways and get his life on the right track. Don’t worry about it -- you just tell him no ringy not dingy and you just run your race and keep your eyes on the prize.
I tell you Deacon Petigrew don’t worry about being the only deacon, just go ahead and deac the Lord is sending help soon, just run your race; and keep your eyes on the prize
Pastor, when people assemble against you and say you don’t know what you are doing -- when they say you don’t know how to run a church -- when that say that you had no business pasturing a church so soon. I tell, just remember that God called you, and He is the only one you have to answer to. When criticisms comes -- Look to Jesus and shake it off and stomp it up under your feet. Run your race and keep you eyes on the Lord.
I tell you church -- Keep your eyes on Jesus -- the bridge over troubled waters. Keep your eyes on Jesus the bread in a starving land. I say, keep your eyes on Jesus the way maker - Because he can make a way out on no way.
Keep your eyes focused on Jesus. Stayed of Jesus -- the redeemer, Focused on Jesus -- the Good Shepherd, who seek and saves the lost. Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a retch like me, I was lost but now I’m found I was blind by now I see.
Keep you eyes, focused on Jesus, the Wonderful, Counselor, Jesus - The mighty God, Jesus - The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, Jesus - The Lily of the Valley, the Rose of Sharon, The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Jesus my all and all.
Is that all right?
I don’t care what it takes. I don’t care if I stain every nerve in my body. I don’t care if I pull every muscle or use every once of my strength. I’m going to press on to the mark of the high calling because my future depends on it. In fact -- I’m running for my life. I’m running for eternal life. I’m running because I want to see Jesus. I running because when this old dusty race is over -- I say when this old dusty race is over; I shall see his face; I say when this race is over -- I will receive my incorruptible crown.
When it’s all down here (repeat)
I’m going to put on my robe and tell a story of how I made it over.
I came to tell you to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Don’t turn to you right -- don’t turn to the left -- don’t let nothing (repeat) or nobody slow you down. Just, Press on -- Press on -- Press on and follow Jesus; don’t worry about what everybody else is doing just press on (repeat); and follow Jesus. Run the race -- and Keep your eyes on the Prize
Is that alright (repeat)
Say yea (repeat)
Keep you eyes on Jesus; Mary’s baby; God’s only begotten son; Keep your eye on Jesus - the chief Corner stone.
Run the race (repeat) and keep your eyes on the prize.
*****STOP*****
Church we need to stay focused on Jesus -- this is our year. The Lord’s getting ready to do something in this corrupt country of ours and I believe it going to start right here in the Mid-South, the Bible Beltway. I believe that He is going to use this church as one of his crutches of evangelism. The Lord did not bless us with this huge facility for 100 Saints. Church, we need to be ready when that calls comes to run the race, not half heartily, to fight the fight, not beating or fist in the air, but running to win -- seeking the knock out blow for Christ.
The doors of the church are open. If there is someone out their who has not accepted Christ as their personal Savior. You can do that now by getting up from where you are and come down these aisles and giving me your hand and God your Heart. I extend to you the invitation to unite with this church or some other church in this area.
Is there is someone that is willing to run the race of life with his or her eye stayed on the Lord.
If there be any man, boy, women or girl willing to take off the shackles of old and put on the new to become a new reborn servant of Christ, you can do that by coming down this aisle and committing your whole self to Jesus.
Seek the Lord before it gets too late
Tomorrow is not promised -- Tomorrow might be to late
Jesus said Rev. 3:20
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me."
The invitation to Christian discipleship is yours. Want you come
