Run the race of faith

1corinthians 9.24 – 27
24 Do you not know that those who run in the stadium all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
25 And everyone who competes exercises self-control in all things. Thus those do so in order that they may receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.
26 Therefore I run in this way, not as running aimlessly; I box in this way, not as beating the air.
27 But I discipline my body and subjugate it, lest somehow after preaching to others, I myself should become disqualified.

2 Timothy 2 . 5  And also if anyone competes he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

Introduction

Paul used the image of running race – the marathon.
Marathon is a race running for more than 42 Kms or more than 26 miles.
The image is from Greek culture

Paul is encouraging the believers to strive to reach a goal

The story of the hirelings

Luke 15:17 - And having come to himself, he said, How many hirelings of my father have a superabundance of bread, and I here with hunger am perishing! (YLT)

Lost and Found

Luke chapter 15 is a chapter of ‘lost and found’

Jesus says three parables with the theme of lost and found

1.      Parable of the lost sheep

2.      Parable of the lost coin

3.      Parable of the lost son

Jesus was explaining why he is rejoicing with sinners.

He equates the gathering to a group of ‘lost and found’

Jesus was trying to communicate the joy in heaven when a lost is found

To illustrate the situation He tells three parables

The three parables

Luke 15

The first parable is about the lost and found sheep

The second is about the lost and found drachma

The third is about the lost and found son

LESSONS FROM A FARMER

James 5:7 - Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil, being patient concerning it until it receives the early and late rains.

1.    Faith in the laws of the Lord

Genesis 8: 21, 22

21      And Yahweh smelled the soothing fragrance, and Yahweh said ⌊to himself⌋, “⌊Never again will I curse⌋ the ground for the sake of humankind, because the inclination of the heart of humankind is evil from his youth. ⌊Nor will I ever again destroy⌋ all life as I have done.

22      [As long as the earth endures⌋, seed and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will not cease.

       Laws of sowing and reaping

       They are universal and unchanging

       Even if one does not believe, or disagrees, universal laws does not change

       Our arguments cannot change them

       We are bound to live by the laws

How to face challenges

Running away only increases the distance

(The following motivational message is based on the David and Goliath incident in the Bible)

Running away from a problem only increases the distance between you and the problem. It does not solve any problem.

I too agree with many present day motivators that perception and description can create a difference. How we perceive a situation and how we describe a situation is very important in overcoming or conquering the situation. The perception has a key role. The description continues the perception. You may solve, overcome and conquer the situation according to your perception and the description of that perception.

Roman soldiers and death in harness

“Die in harness” (death in harness) means to die with armor on; to die while actively engaged in work or duty.

This phrase is often used to refer to Government or Non government servants who die while in active service.

The phrase has roots in Roman culture and tradition.

In ancient Roman culture, all soldiers were dedicated as bridegrooms to the goddesses of war. They were not permitted to marry or have a family. They were 24x7 soldiers. Once they joined the military service, they discarded all ties with their family. All of them were unmarried young men.