Latest / Journey Elgin / Sunday Message 9/6/26- Get in the Race!

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Sunday Message 9/6/26- Get in the Race! · Journey Elgin

• Phillip Thomas: All right. So it's I I decided to we you know the last couple of weeks ⁓ we've been talking about the relationship between Christians and Jews. And and I'm I'm sure you notice this because I try to make this clear. One of the things that I'm doing right now, especially kind of with the theme of this, we're in the end times now, which again as a reminder, the moment Jesus came out of the tomb, the end times had started. Right. So I'm not sitting here claiming that, you know, we we ha only have seven years to go, right? But I do believe things have changed. There are some different things that are going on. And one of the things that I'm trying to do is, and we see this all through scripture, is make sure you're not deceived, right? Don't allow false teachers to deceive. And there's so many ideologies out there right now that That are pulling us in all kinds of different directions. And I think it's important for us to be prepared so that we are not deceived, so that we are checking everything. And by the way, we are entering into times where you will have two very faithful Christians that that truly love the Lord that will have totally different viewpoints on things. And it is hard. Most are not intentionally deceiving. But we are in a place where deception abounds. And and so whenever I was talking about the relationship with Christians and Jews, there's there's growing movement within Christian circles of of kind of a theology that that if we're not careful, it leads to having really bad ⁓ perspectives and treating Jews very poorly. We need to be careful with that, right? We don't need to be deceived. and and we're gonna be talking about some more of the ideologies out there that we need to be careful of that I I have no doubt they're already kind of in the water table ⁓ of of what's going on in the country. The ideologies of Marxism, the ideologies of Islam, right? And notice it is an ideology. We're gonna be talking about those as well. We've talked about them before, but just kind of continuing to make sure. that we do not get to deceived into what ⁓ this the spiritual battle is doing. It is going to try to draw us away from Christ. And so I was thinking about that and something just popped up with it being Labor Day and everything, there's that that passage that says, Do not we will not labor in vain. Right. And I I started just thinking about that idea of of running a race because I feel at times exhausted. As I'm looking at what's going on in the world, trying to connect that with what the Bible says, and then trying to figure out a way how to convey that to the congregation to you in a responsible way that points people to God, that is true, right? And that can be exhausting at times because it's there's so many opinions out there. There's so many ⁓ different ideologies that that we're up against. And ⁓ and I just started Saying, man, there's times you just grow weary. You're and and the temptation is is then it's like, well, wait, I thought God said his burden was light. I thought, I thought we were supposed to be just filled with joy and happiness and rainbows and butterflies and and every isn't that isn't that why I became a Christian? Right? Is because I wanted that. And here's the reality: is because of the culture that we've grown up in, that all of you have grown up in. It is has has been leaning towards a basic biblical understanding of the world. Right? And so for a long time here in this country, you would be could be born, and more than likely your parents, they were either one of those parents that were at the door of the church every time it was opened, or they were there maybe once or twice a month, or maybe they were even there just what is it? The really bad C C and E Christians, right? Christians ⁓ for Christmas and Easter, right? which by the way, is better than not a C and E Christian, right? So let's not get too too hard on anybody. But but what's what ⁓ the the point is is that no matter where you were in that faithfulness to church, you you kind of you you absorbed a basic biblical Christian worldview because that's what our country was. So there's a lot of times there are people that are Christians just because that's how they've been raised. Right? Now that there's nothing wrong with that. I was raised that way. But there does have to become that time where you make that decision personally, right? That yes, this isn't just my parents' faith. I'm going to choose to believe in this. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he died and rose again, has paid for my sin. And and now I'm going to live in response of that moving forward. You do have to make that choice. But a lot of people, it was a fairly easy choice to make. It was an easy choice for me to make, right? Because I was blessed with a mom and dad that that modeled Christ's love to me. We we went to church all the time, right? It was just a normal thing. ⁓ there are there are also ⁓ y you know, those who who come to to faith. Because maybe they were at a retreat or they were ⁓ at a revival or you know, they you know, like Billy Graham did some wonderful things, right, with his evangelistic style. So they walk the aisle, right? They're con con convicted. And maybe maybe it's out of a little bit of fear, right? You can you can err on everything. You can either preach way too much about hell or you preach too little about hell, right? But maybe it was in the midst of a Preaching on a lot about hell, and people are like, you know, I d don't really want to go there. So, you know what? I'm I'm gonna make this commitment. Right? That can be extremely valid. That can be 100% real. However, I think a lot of times we have become Christians in in our culture and we haven't fully understood what that really is going to mean. It doesn't mean life gets easier. It actually It actually can mean that life gets more difficult because all of a sudden you have to be wrestling with what is real and what is not, what is true and what is not. And and and what's happening now is our culture is moving rapidly away from those biblical kind of principles that that were around when most of us were growing up. It's not that way anymore. And so now being a Christian means you have to actually believe things that the culture doesn't. And that's not that's not comfortable, right? That makes us uncomfortable and we don't really know how to express that. And and we see there are people who express that in very ungodly ways, right? And and so it's like we're we're now in this tension. And and I I think we need to remember that God God didn't hide this reality from us. We kind of lived in a culture that allowed us An easy road to Christianity. But that is not the biblical model. And so I'm going to read quite a few ⁓ scriptures today, none of them really long, but one of the continued themes that you see is running a race. Here's some different verses. The first one is in 1 Corinthians chapter 9, verses 24 through 27. So it says, Do you not know that in a race all the runners run? But only one receives the prize. So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath. But we are imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly. I do not box as one beating the air. I love that example. Lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. So what is Paul saying? He's saying this is a race now. So once you've entered into the race, which that is that moment that you've made a decision to follow Christ, which I think that is why it is important to recognize you're not a Christian just because your family was a Christian. You're not a Christian because your parents were really good Christians, or your grandparents or your great grandparents. You become a Christian when you join the race. Right. And you have to choose to join that race because you recognize who you were, right? A a sinner that needs saving. And you recognize that Jesus Christ is the one who has done that. And so now in response to that, you are striving to live your life for him. You d it's it doesn't mean you're going to be perfect, but it means that's the race that you have now joined. And ⁓ I love how it says people don't join the race not to win the prize. Right. So you should run as if trying to win the prize. Listen, it doesn't say though that everybody's going to win the prize, right? Like it this isn't a competition. But we once you get into the race, you need to run your race. And I can remember because you we had to, we had to run track. You know, I I played football and basketball and golf and all the different things. Well, in the spring, ⁓ they made you run track, right? Small town. There are no rules that you can't practice whenever it's above ninety three degrees or if there's lightning right next door. You just kept practicing. I and ⁓ and and so we would I would have to run track. I I was a decent athlete. I horrible track person. Just absolutely horrible. Couldn't none of the things that I did could I do very well. But I tried hard. And ⁓ And you know, they would tell you, you you have to just learn to run your race, you know, run your race. And and so we were in a the mile relay. I would get stuck in these horrible races, right? Like, put me in the hundred, right? Yeah, I'm gonna get smoked, but it's gonna be over quickly. Right? You you you put me in like the eight hundred and the quarter, I'm gonna get smoked and going to be miserable while it happens, right? So of course I get get ⁓ the mile relay, which so you have to run ⁓ a full quarter. Right. And so I remember running and I'm running and there was this one guy, I I I can say his name, Vance Milligan. I can't remember believe I remember his name. He was about six, seven. ⁓ he was from Water Valley, so he was the d just down the road. He was actually an excellent basketball player. But from our perspective, he probably is a really nice guy. If you're listening, I'm sure you're a really nice guy. We all thought he was a jerk and couldn't stand it. Right? had nothing to base that on except, you know, you played basketball against him and and he destroyed us. So so he's running and I'm running and ⁓ and all of a sudden I I feel him coming up right b beside me and I could tell who it's gonna be, right? And or who it is. And I I was like, I'm not letting this guy beat me. Right. And so I mean, I'm just giving it everything I possibly can. And I think at the very end Because he had a really big nose. He nosed me out. Right. And and and and and it I was disappointed. But what was interesting is the coach came up and he said, That's the best race you've ever, ever run. Right? Why? Because I just was running the race trying to win. Right. I wasn't running the race because they made me do it so I could play football the next year, right? I was running the race and I was actually trying to win. And even though I didn't technically win, that wasn't really the the the overall point. That is that's what Paul is saying. Hey, once you get in the race, recognize you're in a race and run to win. Right? Being a Christian is not a passive pursuit. Right? The days of being able to be just culturally Christian, man, that that's behind us. We need to be engaged. We are now part of the race. Philippians chapter 3, verses 13 and 14 says, Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own, made it my own, but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. So he's saying, don't just forget about the past. You know, your sin has now, you have been forgiven. Right. So that applies for now. So when you mess up and you're beating yourself up, no, put that behind you. You're still running the race. Keep going. Right? And ⁓ and that that we all will receive that prize, right? That prize is eternal life with Christ, right? And so stay engaged in the race. ⁓ that this really kind of shows the beginning of the race and the end of the race through Paul's eyes. Acts twenty, verse twenty four. But I do not account my life of any value, nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I receive from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. This is at the beginning of Paul's ministry. So he is seeing here's what I'm looking forward to. I just want to be faithful. I want to run the course that God has set for me. And that's going to look a little bit different. Not all of you are going to be called to be a Billy Graham. Not all of you are going to be called to do what Paul did or to be a pastor. In fact, most are not. Most are called to live their life for Christ, to be that light in the world where they are, where God has them, right? Whether He's gifted you to be a doctor or no, there's no lawyers. With whether ⁓ whether whether he's been gifted you to do all no matter what it is, ⁓ raise cattle, right? W work at QT. It doesn't matter. You can he's calling you to run your race there. Right? And sometimes that may change. You change careers, you change places, there's life changes, but you're still running the race. And then this is at the end of Paul's life, Second Timothy four, chapters seven through eight. Verses seven through eight. I have fought the good fight. I have what? Finished the race. I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on this on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing. All right, so that is one of the last things that Paul wrote that we have. And and he so he knows he's getting getting close to the end of his life, right? And he says, I have finished the race. Right. He doesn't even he's not looking back on all his successes and ⁓ look, I was able to start this church and that church and I remember whenever the nine hundred and forty third soul was saved because I was preaching really well, right? He doesn't do that. He just says, You know what? I'm I finished the race. I remain faithful. You know it He could just as easily go back and start thinking about all the places that he messed up, right? That he didn't do what he should have done. But no, forget what's behind, looking forward to what's head. It's about running the race, reckon recognizing that you are in one. And that is something that's very important for us today as Christians. It is we no longer have the luxury of being complacent. We need to get engaged in the world around us, right? ⁓ because now someone born into this culture, there's not a guarantee that they're going to hear the gospel. There's not a guarantee that they're going to see that modeled. Right. In fact, many of the institutions that used to kind of be supportive of the church's message now are completely against the church's message. And that's it's a it's a different world. We need to recognize that we are in the race. Now, what does that race entail? Just really quickly. It let's just say this it's not a one hundred meter dash that just has a moment of pain and then it's over. No, it's like a hamster treadmill that is going at night when you're trying to go to sleep and it just keeps you It never stops. That's the race that God has called us to join. He doesn't hide that. We have sometimes pretended, ⁓ this is just a nice little stroll. No, no, here's how the race is talked about in scripture. Matthew 24, verse 13. But the one who endures, does endures have a really positive connotation to you? It shouldn't because enduring is means there's going to be things that are going to make this hard. So we have to endure. But the one who endures to the end, runs the race, will be saved. Right? James 1 12, blessed is the man, James, he will drive you crazy. If, you know, he these are the things that we don't really want to hear. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial. For when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life. Which god has promised to those who love him. Well, wait, James, why do I have to d endure the test? Why I've already accepted this. Let's just have the ending. Nope, that's not how life works. You you will endure tests. Right? Revelation two, verse 10 do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. That's that's a tough path to run. And guess what? Not all of you are going to be called to run that path that may lead to death, but you may. Are we prepared for that? Are we prepared because we are running our race no matter where it may lead us? We are going to stay running the race. Then in a ⁓ Hebrews 10, 35 through 36. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward reward, for you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what is promised. Right? He will give us the endurance, but we have to ask, we have to desire it, we have to want it, right? We have to want to stay in the race. Galatians 6 9. And let us not grow weary of of doing good. Why does it say that? Because sometimes we grow weary. And you're you're like, you know what, I've done a whole lot of good, Lord, and problems just keep happening. Why aren't you holding up your end of the deal? Because that was a deal that we made, not that God shared with how life works. God is saying, no, you just continue to do good no matter the outcome. And so don't grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap. If we do not give up. Right. It's hey, yes, something great is coming. Stay engaged in the race. James again, one, verses two through four. Counted all joys, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. Well, this James guy is like sadistic, right? Like, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Right? It's this process. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. You notice where hope is? It's on the other side of endurance and steadfastness. Right? That as we ⁓ endure, as we engage in the race of life, God will give us hope. He will pour out his blessings, but that does not mean that the challenges will not come. ⁓ Colossians one twenty one through twenty three says, And you who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he is now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him. If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard. Which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. So continue in the faith, stable, steadfast, one step in at a time. Right? You're gonna look around and there may be people that it looks like, man, how's that guy still going? Well, because they're at a different place in their life, right? Right? And God is calling them to do something different. And so maybe they're running faster. Guess what? There's gonna be a time in their life. Where they're slowing down to a crawl because they are overwhelmed and they're walking through the valleys. But don't get off the race, right? The race includes the green pastures. It includes the valley. We need to prepare ourselves for that. And and and we have been We've had the luxury of thinking that, hey, we can just be Christians and that life is just going to continue on the way that it's always continued on, and we just we we don't have the challenges that ⁓ that others do because we believe in Christ. No, we are actually moving back to the setting that all of this was written in. They were all in a more pagan society trying to live a life of Christ. That was a 100 degree opposite of the pagan culture. Sadly, our culture is moving now more towards the pagan culture. So, Christians, it's going we are going to be living counter that culture more than we used to. And we're not used to that. And we need to be reminded that no, the God who gave them the strength to transform the pagan culture of Rome is the same God who will give you the strength. to endure. I want to close with the last verse. It's Hebrews chapter twelve, verses one through three. Skip down just a just a little bit. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that He has set before us. Looking to who? Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and And is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinner such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or faint hearted. That's how we run the race is we keep our eyes on him, the one who has already endured the cross, the one who walks with us in the green pastures, and then is na helps us navigate the darkest valleys. That is where we put our focus. When we feel ourselves growing weary, remind yourself of that. Look to the one who is the finisher and the perfecter of your faith. He will give you the strength to endure. He will give you the strength to overcome, and ultimately we will receive the prize of eternal life in him. Let's go to him in prayer. Say to him.