INTRODUCTION - SO MUCH OF THIS WORLD'S GOODS THAT WE STRIVE TO WIN ARE TRANSCIENT AND EASILY SPOILED

• Paul likened the Christian life to running a race- Acts 20:24- hard, detractions, must finish
• He was deeply serious about the discipline of his body- it must be enslaved-or it will enslave
• In the day of "Easy Believeism" we need to reexamine our Christian Conviction-discipline

Do we really desire worthwhile goals, or are we chasing soap bubbles?

I. GET INTO THE RACE !!

In the world today too many are satisfied with spectator sports- vicarious enjoyment is cheap

THERE ARE MANY WHO ARE NOT IN ON THE ACTION TODAY - I Cor 4:8,9

• The spectators in the grandstand- may be noisy, quarrelsome, gambling, drinking, froth
• Then there are the half-pints that run around inside the track acting important -many jobs
• And also there are those who follow the crowd to reap fringe benefits- pick-pockets

NO AMOUNT OF ENERGY CAN WIN THE CROWN IF YOU ARE NOT ONE OF THE CHOSEN

• The noise and excitement- cheers, fine decorations, great uniforms, even thrown coke bottles
• The speed demons who run inside the track- or dash the last 25 yards with the champ no-winners
• Life is a long race- and is quite serious- to be run foolishly, with wasted effort-

THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO BE A PARTICIPANT - A GLADIATOR - AND ON THE TEAM THAT WILL WIN

• Declare your intentions- fly your colors, let the world know which side you are on!
• Check the program to see if you are on the starting line-up Rom 10:9,10
• Sign up with the racing Judge- or check in with the Referee -Tell the Lord you mean business

Spectator sports are good only if you cannot make the team- Bench on field has better view

II. RUN TO WIN!! Heb 12:1

The greatest curse of this age is our will to win has been tricked out of us! Shame!

IN THE OLD OLYMPIC GAMES THE PARTICIPANTS HAD TO TRAIN 10 MONTHS BEFORE THE GAMES

• To lay aside every weight- The Body had to be trained where all fat gone hardened
• The easily besetting sin abandoned- popular entertainment had to go- in training meant a lot
• Run with patience the basic conditioning for a contest takes time- are you willing?

THE PARTICIPANT MUST LEARN WELL THE RULES OF THE GAME - Phil 3:4 - THE OLD GREEK RULES

• Trifle Not- Be earnest
• Delay not - Opportunity short
• Err not- the path is narrow
• Divide not your attention - one goal before your eyes
• Relax not your effort- finish the course before you
• Faint not- the prize is glorious- victory sweet

THE WINNER IN ANCIENT TIMES RECEIVED A CROWN THAT REMINDED HIM OF HOW FICKLE SUCCESS IS

• The Olympian Crown-Wild Olive Pythian-Laurel; Nemean-Parsley; Ishmian-Pine - all perished
• These crowns would decay in seconds reminding that popularity is transient- glory fades
• But the Christian crown is Eternal- II Tim 4:8- Bible mentions 10 crowns- Rev. 3:11-stolen

Once our crown is won- our life is finished for the Lord- it is eternal, never to fade

III. MUST STRIVE LAWFULLY !! - II Tim 2:5

Satan tries every cursed trick in his book to get us to make a miss step, and lose our prize

THE RUNNER MUST BE FREE FROM CIVIC AND PERSONAL DISHONOR - One of ancient rules-

• Dishonor in his city, his family, and especially in his own personal actions could disqualify
• Paul feared being put on the shelf- a castaway- I Cor 9:27 and he fought his body black & blue
• Paul regarded his Body as a Mortal Enemy - to be subdued - controlled - trained - used, or perish

THE RUNNER MUST HOLD THE TORCH HIGH - Phil 2:16

• Earthly runners might run for personal or civic glory- to carry news of war, earthly victory
• But the Christian runs for one reason - to deliver the light carried in the torch- GOSPEL
• If you run in the flesh -you will fail! But - Matt 5:16 - let your light shine - brightly!

THE RUNNER MUST CROSS THE FINISH LINE - II Tim 4:7,8 - To fall one step too soon is FAILURE

• So many jobs are left unfinished by fickle minded people, the Lord's work very shoddy
• Some start well, but shallow winded; some refuse to train, & run only last lap -NO WIN
• But it takes real discipline to run well and finish the course for the Lord Jesus Christ

But this is the only way to truly enjoy the Christian life- be a participant! run well!

CONCLUSION - ARE YOU IN THE RACE? AND ARE YOU SEEKING THE RIGHT CROWN? GOD HELP YOU TO DO SO!

• Don't be fooled into being a dropout on life - you have only one chance - accept Christ!
• Make sure that you are seeking the incorruptible crown with your life- not soap bubbles
• Then put all you have into your training, and your running for God! All the way!