If you are a racer or a fan at the Lubbers Cup this weekend we at EFC want to welcome you. And we hope you win your race!
Did you know the Bible says you are in another sort of race? “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize!” The Bible is talking about the race of life. And the finish line ends with God when your life is over. Listen to how the Bible says it: It is appointed for all men to die once and then face Judgment. When you cross that final “finish line” will you have won? That’s why we are out meeting you. We want to make sure you win this race
Would you train, diet, sweat, bleed and push yourself to compete in a game where it was impossible for you to win? Maybe, if you were Rudy. But why do that? Everyone wants to win and trains believing they can win. Whether by talent or hard work we’re hungry for victory. The Bible knows this about us, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown…Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly or fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that…I myself will not be disqualified for the prize”
Here’s the thing about the race of life: no one can win. But we’re in the race nonetheless. Yet we can’t win. Our race may be “better” than someone else’s but that’s not the way it works. We’re not measured by the standard others set. We’re measured by the one set by God. And He’s perfect. So no matter how hard we work at being a good person the Bible says that our idea of good and God’s idea of good aren’t the same. His is way higher. Too high, actually. For instance, somewhere the Bible says, “All have sinned and all fall short of the glory of God“. In another place it says, “If we say we are without sin we lie and the truth is not in us.” Still again it says, “All our righteousness is as filthy rags“.
The theme throughout the Bible is that we have fallen way short of God’s standard. In a way we’ve lost the race before we have even finished it. The reason is because of sin. We’ve all got it. It encumbers us in the race, like another verse says, “let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
So what can you do? We want you to know that there is another way to win. Well, the Bible says it’s the only way to win. And, it’s a way that doesn’t require a lifetime of moral sweat. It requires God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Here’s the best part: He’s already won it for us. He lived the perfect life – the only human life God approved. At the end of this perfect life Jesus died on the cross. Except it was in your place. He did that because He was taking your sins on Himself. He suffered God’s wrath for your penalty. He did. Not you. So you don’t have to.
Why?
Because He loves you. Read that sentence again. Have you ever heard the most famous Bible verse? “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”
You can win this race right now. You aren’t promised long life so why wait? What else could be more important? Jesus said “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?” Forget attending Church. That’s good, but you won’t win by attendance. Forget being a good moral person. That’s good, but, it won’t bring the win.
There is only one thing you have to do. There is only one thing you can do: Put your faith in Jesus Christ. You have to believe that He is God’s Son who died for your sins on the cross and that God raised Him from the dead. The Bible says that if you do that today, then today your sins will be wiped away and you will have eternal life. You will have won.
If you want to talk or have any questions you can contact our pastor, Justin.
We invite you to explore our website for more information. Several sermons are suggested below:
I Am Saved
The Gospel
Do Not Go To Hell (Part 1)
Do Not Go To Hell (Part 2)