2. CONTESTANTS: “Us”
We are the players on the field. Some day we too shall lay aside our equipment and sit in the stadium to cheer on the young folks. But today for a brief shining moment, the spotlight is on us. This is our battle.
We are all on the same team. Contestants with each other, not in competition.
3. THE CONDITIONING
If we are to win this battle, run this race, we must:
a) Lay aside every weight. A neutral word meaning anything that holds you back or slows you down.
b) Lay aside every sin which easily entangles us. These are bad things that can destroy you.
Mickey Mantle watched as Nolan Ryan took care of his body, trained in the off season and played on into his mid-40s. Mantle had goofed off, abused his body, missed his rest, defiled God’s temple and had to retire in his 30s.
4. THE CONTEST
“The race”—This is the word Paul uses in 2 Timothy 4:7 for “fight.” An athletic contest. Could be a fight, a race, etc.
“The race set before us”—We do not choose our games. The coach does. We face whatever foe he decides.
“Run with patience” —The idea is steadfastness, persistence, endurance.
We’ve seen coaches hold out good players until the other team is tired, then run in “fresh horses” and defeat them. Napoleon used to do this with his troops.
Boxers sometimes go for a quick knockout, use up all their energy in early rounds. The opponent conserves his strength and is still strong in the late rounds.
Some of us are fighting the wrong battles, those of our choosing. Even if the fight is against abortion, pornography, sin, etc., etc., if it’s not God’s battle for you, it’s a mistake.
5. THE COACH
“Looking unto Jesus.” “Fixing our eyes on Jesus.”
He is the coach and owner and general manager. Our all in all.
Saturday morning, Coach Mike Ditka was asked what a player goes through to prepare for a Super Bowl. “Oh, he has it easy. All he’s got to think about is himself. The coach is the one with the hard job—he has all the responsibility for the whole thing.”
I want you to remember this. Jesus is your coach, and the responsibility for the game you’re in is His. So, look to Him.
Yesterday, watching our school’s girls in a basketball game, I noticed something odd. When the coach would yell at them on the court to get their attention, to try to suggest something or to move one over, as soon as he started yelling, the girls would yell back, defending what they were doing or had just done. That’s a mistake. He’s trying to help you. Be quiet and listen.
This “Coach” knows whereof He speaks …
He endured the cross. He endured hostility of sinners against Himself. But He succeeded. He is now at the right hand of God.
So, hear Him. Consider Him. So that you may not lose heart and quit.
