Introduction: Paul used sporting events to describe the spiritual life. He especially used the foot race. Believers are compared to runners in a race. Are you ready to run so that you may obtain the prize?

1. THE COURSE (Acts 20:24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
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1. There is a Course for the Believer
2. Each Course is Personal – “my course” (2 Corinthians 4:1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
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3. The Course Can be Finished
2. THE CROWD (Hebrews 12:1Wherefore 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,
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1. They Challenge us by their Testimonies
2. They Cheer us with their Encouragement
3. THE CONTROL
1. Temperate in All Things (1 Corinthians 9:25-27 [25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [26] I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: [27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
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2. Run the Race with Patience (Hebrews 12:1Wherefore 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,
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4. THE COMPETITION
1. Run to Obtain the Prize (1 Corinthians 9:24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
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2. Lay Aside Every Weight (Hebrews 12:1Wherefore 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,
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3. Don’t Look Behind You (Philippians 3:12-13 [12] Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger. [13] Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.
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5. THE CHEATS
1. Those Who Run in Vain (Galatians 2:2And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
   See All...; Philippians 2:15-16 [15] Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! [16] Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD's right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.
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2. Those Who Run Unlawfully (2 Timothy 2:5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
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3. Those Who Quit the Race (Galatians 5:7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
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4. Those Who become Castaways (1 Corinthians 9:27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
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6. THE COMPLETION
1. By Looking Unto Jesus (Hebrews 12:2-3 [2] 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. [3] For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
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2. The Joy Set Before Us (Hebrews 12:2Looking 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.
   See All...; Acts 20:24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
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3. By Finishing the Course (2 Timothy 4:7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
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7. THE CROWN
1. The Prize (1 Corinthians 9:24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
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2. The Mark (Philippians 3:14Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.
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3. The Masteries (2 Timothy 2:5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
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4. The Crown (2 Timothy 4:7-8 [7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: [8] 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.
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Conclusion: How are you living your life? Are you simply surviving? Or, are you going for the gold? We should ask David when facing Goliath: Is there not a cause? Get off the sidelines and get in the race. We have a race to run for our Lord!