When preparing for a marathon, there is a goal that is set in the runner’s mind months prior to the actual race. Much preparation, exercise, and sacrifice has been paid for by the athlete. The several hours of the race will be the pay off for all the training that was put in. The marathon runner has to note the proper diet, running shoes to wear, type of training, and the proper coaching to be a successful runner. The main goal for the marathon runner is crossing the finish line.

As we read in the passage to Timothy, Paul was also running a race. His wasn’t a physical marathon, but in many ways it was comparable. So today we’re going to look at a bit of Paul’s journey and some other texts in scripture that point us towards how to train for our own spiritual marathon. How do we best prepare to run the race well and to cross our own finish line some day?

SERMON MANUSCRIPT

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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. Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia

2 Timothy 4:5–10

When entering into Marathon, there is a goal that is set in the runner’s mind months prior to the actual race. Much preparation, exercise, and sacrifice has been paid for by the athlete. The next several hours of the race will be the pay off for all the training that was put in.

The marathon runner has to note the proper diet, running shoes to wear, type of training, and the proper coaching to be a successful runner. The main goal for the marathon runner is “Crossing the finish line.”

As the day of the actual race is coming, the marathon runner is in full training, but has to actually slow down the amount of running in order to be healthy enough to run the race. He needs to make sure he is getting enough sleep, the right foods, and cut his running to approximately 50 percent the final week of the race.

At this point, it is noted that in the mind of the runner “doubt” kicks in. “Did I train enough for the race?”, “Am I going to finish the race?”, or “Will I place well in the race?”

Fighting the Good Fight

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

2 Timothy 4:7

The Apostle Paul compares Christians as a soldier, husbandman, sufferer, student, vessel, and a servant.

I have fought a good fight: Every Christian is going to have to fight their own spiritual battle. It may be their own fleshly desires, it may be a trial that God has to put them through, or it may be a trial that someone else puts you through. Regardless of the fight, you will come out victorious with your hands raised up in the air.

I have finished my course: The Apostle Paul said to “Walk by faith and not by sight.” Finishing what has been started is the key to our spiritual success. It’s not time to throw in the towel, but to stand up and take another step for Jesus.

I have kept the faith: Our faith is the one thing that no man can take away from us. It is tried on a daily basis, but faith has become embedded in our hearts and will carry us through every physical and spiritual battle.

Too many times loneliness, a feeling of being unloved or unwanted can consume our soul. We are not alone, Jesus is right there to lift us up.

The Word of God is:

• A light unto our path
• The gate to heaven
• A guide for youth
• Comfort for the aged
• Food for the hungry
• Water for the thirsty
• Rest for the weary
• Hope for the unbeliever
• Salvation for the sinner
• And Grace for the Christian

Finish His Work

Jesus saith unto them, ‘My food is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work’

John 4:34

My food is to do the will of him: When a cyclist competes in a race, he is given a small cup of water to keep him going. That same cup of water can be compared to drink at the altar for the Holy Ghost.

To finish his work: The work that is called is to spread the gospel, be in prayer for others, and a servant unto the house of God. God has called each one of us to a specific duty to accomplish. God places us and uses us the same way a chess player uses his pieces during a game of chess, strategically.

The Fivefold use of the Word:

• Hold it: Hide it in your heart that we may not sin against God
• Study it: Minister to your self through study of the word
• Apply it: Put it into action
• Rightly divide it: Don’t let false doctrines come our way
• Preach it: Take the gospel to the streets, your work place, to our families

Laying Aside Every Weight

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,

Hebrews 12:1

Lay aside every weight: This takes an examination from our selves. To look what’s going on inside.

Only God and our selves know what is weighing us down. It will take prayer to get even further down to diagnose the spiritual dryness or callousness that can be affecting our souls.

Let us run with patience: The marathon runner has to pace himself to run the long distance. He has to be careful not to start too fast that he may tire too quickly. And he must not start off too slowly that he falls behind.

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”

1 Corinthians 9:24

The Apostle Paul is comparing the born again Christian to the marathon runner. The word rendered “patience” rather means, “perseverance.”

We are to run the race without allowing ourselves to be “hindered” by any “obstructions,” and without giving out or fainting in the way. Encouraged by the example of the multitudes that have run the same race before us. We are to persevere as they did to the end.

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:14

The race that is set before us: When the marathon is about to begin. The course laid out for the runners. The map is already in place.

The same thing for the Apostolic Born Again runner. God has placed a spiritual map before us to follow.

The marathon runner follows cones, pylons, and other signs to keep his direction. The Christian needs prayer, the word of God, and an outpouring of the Holy Ghost to follow the path God has laid before him.

Looking Unto Jesus

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus: Those who ran were to keep their eyes fixed on the mark of the prize; they must keep the goal in view. That they should place all their hope and confidence in Christ, as their sole helper in this race of faith. That they should consider him their leader in this contest and imitate his example.

Finisher of our faith: Signifies, a general, captain or leader. The reference is to judge in the games, one whose business it was to admit the contenders, and to give the prize to the conqueror. Jesus is here represented as this officer; every Christian is a contender in this race of life, and for eternal life. The heavenly course is begun under Jesus; and under him it is completed. He is the finisher, by awarding the prize to them that are faithful unto death. He is the finisher, awarding and giving the prize at the end of the race.

Set down at the right hand: Exalted to the highest place of dignity and honor. Jesus endured the most severe sufferings to which the human frame can be subjected, and the form of death which is regarded as the most shameful. So during all the severe trials to which you are exposed on account of your belief, patiently endure all-for the glorious rewards, the happiness and the triumph of heaven, are before you.”

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you

1 Peter 1:3–4

Forgetting Those Things

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,

Philippians 3:13

This one thing I do: Paul had one great aim and purpose of life. He did not attempt to mingle the world and religion, and to gain both. A man will accomplish little who allows his mind to be distracted by a multiplicity of objects. A Christian will accomplish nothing who has not a single great aim and purpose of soul.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Philippians 1:6

Forgetting those things which are behind: When running to secure the prize, he would not stop to look behind him to see how much ground he had run over, or who of his competitors had fallen or lingered in the way. He would keep his eye steadily on the prize, and strain every nerve that he might obtain it. If his attention was diverted for a moment from that, it would hinder his flight, and might be the means of his losing the crown. So the apostle says it was with him. He looked onward to the prize.

It was the single object in his view, and he did not allow his mind to be diverted from that by anything—not even by the contemplation of the past. He did not stop to think of the difficulties which he had overcome, or the troubles which he had met, but he thought of what was yet to be accomplished.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:1

Reaching forth: stretching out after the things in front, with hand and foot, like a runner in a race the body bent forward. Christians are humbled by the contrast between what they are and what they desire to be. As Christians, we should always strive to reach to higher stage of holiness, deeper revelation of the word, stronger sensitivity of moving with the Spirit of God.

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

1 Peter 4:16

Pressing Towards the Mark

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14

l Press toward the mark: (Press: to pursue) As he who was running a race did. The “mark” means properly the object set up at a distance at which one looks or aims, and hence the goal, or post which was set up at the end of a race-course, and which was to be reached in order that the prize might be won. Here it means that which is at the end of the Christian race—in heaven.

For the prize of the high calling: The prize we are running for is; Is the crown of rejoicing, the crown of righteousness, the crown that is incorruptible, the crown of glory, and the crown of life

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