Dear God, show us in Your Word what this life is all about. Give us faith to put our trust in Jesus. Help us follow Him through every difficulty until our race is won. Amen.
Some of you who have actually competed in athletic races are familiar with the words: Runners, take your marks – set – and then the crack of the starter’s pistol! You remember the anxiety, the intensity, and the desire to explode off the starting line. In many cases months or years of training were put to the test in a matter of seconds.
Centuries ago the early Christians were familiar with the Greek athletic games. They saw in those contests many things that corresponded to a much more important race – the race of faith. It is that race that I would like to talk about today. Faith is a gift of God that transforms us. It shows us what this life is all about. It enables us to know God, to believe in Him, and to follow Him. However there is a lot that stands in the way of faith: sin, temptation, and even evil itself.
Today God is calling you to this race. The following words were written by a man who probably never competed as an athlete. He was, however, very familiar with athletics, and he compared athletic races to the race of faith. These are the opening words of the 20th chapter of Hebrews: “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Most of us are spectators when it comes to athletics. But all of us are called to the race of faith – the race of faith in Jesus Christ.
We have a young man in our congregation from Ethiopia. When he lived in his former country he managed a Christian bookstore. In the area where he lived there were people who vigorously opposed the Biblical teaching of Jesus Christ. They did not mind if you watered down the Bible and said Jesus was a prophet. But if he were to say that Jesus is God’s Son and the only Savior from sin, he would be met with a barrage of verbal attacks. In their anger they would throw stones and break the windows. Finally there were threats of violence and death. This young man had a choice to make; “Do I tell the truth and suffer?” or “Do I please the enemies of Jesus and stop telling the truth?” He chose to tell the truth without compromise. His wife knew that he would either go to prison or be killed, so she urged him to seek protection in America. Now for two years he has been separated from his family.
All over the world there are Christians who are suffering this kind of pain and difficulty. How do they do this? How would we endure this if we were faced with such challenges? Athletes face the problem of pain. In fact the word for “race” used in the verse I read before is the Greek word “agon.” This is where we get the word “agony.” Runners in the race of faith are also going to know pain of many different kinds. One of the worst kinds of agony for the Christian is rejection, ridicule, and persecution. But the writer of the Book of Hebrews says, “Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” Followers of Jesus can look to Him who endured the fanatical rage of unbelief – taking it with Him to the cross in order that He might overcome it. Jesus died in persecution, but then He rose from the dead to show that all attacks against God and His people are only temporary. They cannot outlast or overcome the enduring love of God.
In the race of faith we are bound to run into resistance and ridicule. People who don’t want to be saved – those who are satisfied with a life of sin – resent anyone or anything that challenges their way of life. In our nation there is a growing trend to remove any references to faith from the public sphere. “Faith,” they say, “should be a private matter.” But isn’t that a clever way of really saying, “Your faith should be a private matter.” On the other hand they say, “The belief that there is no God…,” which is certainly a kind of faith, “this is really the truth.” As frustrating and even agonizing as this might be, it shouldn’t come to us as a surprise. Again and again God’s servants ran into this problem. But they looked to Jesus, “the Author and Finisher of our faith” and continued running despite these obstacles and frustrations.
One good example is Stephen; he was the first disciple of Jesus to be killed for his faith. Stephen was a deacon. You might say he was a member of the Committee for Social Ministry. He, along with six other men, were chosen to see that the physical needs of the other disciples might be met; but some did not like the good things Stephen was saying and doing in the name of Jesus. They argued with him but could not stand up to his wisdom. So they seized him by force, put him on trial, and carried him out of the city and stoned him. Through all of this Stephen kept his eyes on Jesus. The Bible says Stephen died gazing into heaven, looking to Jesus.
Are you faced with challenges to your faith? You might be a youth in junior high or high school. Classmates may be trying to get you involved in immorality or alcohol abuse or some other sin. When you resist, you’re put down. Are you a college student? Have you heard a professor ridicule Bible-believing Christians, accusing them of less than average intelligence? Are you being challenged with unethical practices in the workplace, such as lying to customers or stockholders? When you question these practices, do your superiors question your loyalty to the company and the future of your career? These are all serious challenges to the faith God has given us in Jesus Christ. Yet the Bible reminds us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses – those who have run the race of faith before us. Over and over again it is clear that Jesus can and will lead you through such challenges.
There is another competitor that makes the race of faith difficult – this competitor is the burden of our own personal sin. We may have every intention of running the race, but our indifference to the accumulation of sin in our life is a serious problem. We know as Christians that God forgives sins. We sin constantly and must daily confess our sins to God. But God’s forgiveness is never an excuse to disobey God willingly. Indifference to sin creates two problems for the Christian. First of all, this attitude, if it continues unchecked, can undermine our faith altogether. Secondly, it certainly encumbers our life with unnecessary burdens that slow us down and make the race of faith very difficult.
The writer to the Hebrews reminds us that God disciplines us for the race of faith. He says, “My son, do not despise the discipline of the Lord…for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He receives.” On the one hand the Lord challenges our sinful thoughts, words, and actions with His Word. In Revelation 3:19 Jesus says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” These words were spoken to the lukewarm Christians in Laodicea, and they are spoken to us to keep us from drifting away from Him. On the other hand God allows us to feel the temporary consequences of sin so that we might avoid the permanent consequences of losing the race of faith.
Years ago my football coach not only taught us what to do, he trained us with discipline. When we made serious mistakes we were punished with extra wind sprints. He didn’t do this because he liked to make us feel pain. He did it to help us avoid much more serious pain and failure when we were in the real game. In the same way God allows us to feel the temporary consequences of our own sin or even the consequences of living in a fallen world with all of its problems so that we might be disciplined and trained – exercised in our Christian faith.
Les had been suffering from diabetes for years. Both legs were amputated above the knee. He was bound to a wheelchair and could rarely get out of his house. But these circumstances could not diminish Les’s cheerful disposition and his good faith in God. Les would tell me several times a year, “Pastor, you know the Bible says that ‘God disciplines every son He loves.’ I just wish He wouldn’t love me so much.” Les was a special person. Every physical difficulty that he endured was accepted because he knew that God only intended it for his ultimate good.
In our modern Olympic Games, there is probably nothing more inspiring to me than the awards ceremonies. I can only imagine what it must feel like to stand on a platform with a gold medal hanging around your neck while your national anthem is played. From that moment on those athletes will be remembered in the record books, not only as competitors in the Olympic Games, but as gold medal winners. What an honor!
The writer of Hebrews however, tells us about a much better conclusion to the race of faith. “God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness….” Did you hear the outcome of the race of faith? Holiness and righteousness. Holiness and righteousness are far better than any gold, silver, or bronze medal. St. Paul also reminds us of the eternal implications of the race of faith. He says, “Every athlete exercises self- control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” Holiness and righteousness mean that we are completely free of the power of sin. It is sin that brought death into this world, but it is Jesus Christ that destroys the power of sin and gives us eternal life.
The 2004 Olympic medals have two very important images imprinted on them. On one side is the winged goddess Nike, the mythological goddess of victory; on the other side is the image of the eternal flame. Around the flame are inscribed the opening words of an ancient Greek poem that was written to honor a wrestler named Alkimedon. This victory poem is interesting because it also demonstrates the ancient Greek quest for immortality and victory over pain, suffering, and disaster.
All people ancient and modern have a quest for immortality. We know in our hearts that there must be more to life. Somehow there must be a victory over death and evil; but it is sad to say that most people are looking for that victory in the wrong place. They look to humanity. They look to themselves. Better political systems, improved education, advances in science and medicine are the modern saviors. These are all fine ways to improve our societies and living conditions; but they will offer no victory over sin, death, and the devil.
God wants to enter you into another race – a race in which the victory over sin and death is assured. In this race of faith we look to Jesus, who by His own obedience, suffering, death, and resurrection, has overcome all opponents. God trains us along the way and encourages us through every difficulty. Even now He shares with us His own holiness and righteousness so that we can be free of guilt, of every haunting regret, and of the fear of defeat before the forces of evil.
Some of you are not sure if you have faith. You’ve heard about Jesus and are aware of Christianity, but you know that doesn’t necessarily mean you have faith. However, you might have come to the point in your life in which the path you’re on appears to be a dead end. You’ve run the race of education, of work, of relationships, but something still seems to be missing. Jesus interests you, intrigues you. Could He really be the answer to man’s quest for immortality? Could immortality be connected to holiness? And is holiness something that God gives me by trusting in Jesus – for the forgiveness of sins? Get to know Jesus in the Bible, and I think you’ll come to believe that Jesus is the One to look to.
There are other listeners to this message who are struggling with doubts. You have believed in Jesus. Perhaps your whole life has been a great race of faith. You’ve endured the agony of persecution as well as the struggle to remove the excess baggage of personal sin. But maybe there’s been a recent shock in your life. Something has hit so hard it threatens to shake your faith in Jesus. The Letter to the Hebrews was written especially for people in this situation. As we look to Jesus we are assured that He is the “Author and the Finisher” of our faith. Our faith did not begin by our own efforts. God called us by His Holy Spirit through His Word. Perhaps you were brought to faith as an infant in baptism and you’ve never known a time in which you didn’t believe in Jesus. Others may have discovered later in life that God had called them to the truth in Jesus. Either way faith is a miracle. But as the life of faith goes on, it is important to know that the end of our faith, the finish to the race of faith, will also not depend on our efforts. From beginning to end, this race and our life is in Jesus’ hands. He will give you the victory. Amen.
O Lord God, we all long for the victorious life. But all around us we see defeat. In our own hearts we know too well the failure of sin that leads to death. Yet, when all seems lost, we see that there is One who has risen from the grave. We see Jesus who resisted every temptation. And, best of all, You promise us forgiveness and life in Him. Bring us into this ultimate race of faith. Keep us in the race. Strengthen our hands and feeble knees. Lead us in the victory of Jesus, who brings us life and immortality. Amen.
Lutheran Hour Mailbox (Questions & Answers) for August 29, 2004
Topic: Understanding
ANNOUNCER: Now Pastor Ken Klaus responds to a listener’s comment; I’m Mark Eischer.
KLAUS: Hello, Mark. And a hello to our listeners.
ANNOUNCER: A listener has this comment for us: “I want to understand more about God. I really don’t understand church and I don’t like attending it. I’m far from understanding the Bible; I would like a book that just explains things.”
KLAUS: Impressive challenge. Let’s deal with it line by line. First, “I want to understand more about God.”
ANNOUNCER: That’s certainly a good thing.
KLAUS: Yes, a good thing, but at times a frustrating thing. No matter how you cut it, understanding is difficult when it comes to the Lord.
ANNOUNCER: Why is that?
KLAUS: God is so far beyond the comprehension of our puny little brains, it’s the equivalent of an ant trying to understand quantum physics. Actually, its more than that. When we talk about God, we’re talking about Someone who has the power to create something out of nothing, who knows our every thought, our every action, and at the same time, is coordinating the entire universe. The Bible tells us His ways are beyond ours. His thoughts, beyond ours. We try to understand the Lord and that’s good, but ultimately we need to ask the Lord for a greater faith, a greater trust in Him who is beyond understanding.
ANNOUNCER: So in the final analysis, our relationship with God is one of faith. Moving on to the second part of our listener’s comment, she says, “I don’t understand churches, and I don’t like attending them.”
KLAUS: That quite possibly is a continuation of the original thought. Churches can be pretty intimidating. There are customs and ceremonies, all kinds of things happening which can be pretty confusing to the uninitiated. Nevertheless, it is in churches that we receive the Sacraments and hear the Word of Christ. It’s where we find fellowship and support among God’s people; where our questions are answered. As far as attending a church, I would encourage the listener to find someone – a Christian that they trust; ask them to take you to worship. Then afterwards, ask about what you heard and saw and experienced. You will find them, I think, eager to help, and you won’t feel so alone when you go in to worship.
ANNOUNCER: The next part of our listener’s comment is, “I’m far from understanding the Bible.”
KLAUS: I don’t know any serious scholars who feel differently. The Bible comes from the mind of God. He gave the writers of the various books, the very words they were supposed to record. In the Bible we have everything we need to be saved, but it still comes down to human beings using human words to describe the Divine.
ANNOUNCER: And finally, our listener says, “I want a book that just explains things in a way I can understand.”
KLAUS: Sort of a condensed Bible.
ANNOUNCER: Something like that.
KLAUS: You know, condensed Bibles have been tried.
ANNOUNCER: And how did they do?
KLAUS: The authors ended up leaving stuff out.
ANNOUNCER: What kind of stuff?
KLAUS: God’s stuff. There are parts of Scripture that can be overwhelming, hard to get through. If you read Scripture from cover to cover, you’re going to run into names that practically defy pronunciation. But that doesn’t mean that we should cut out anything that God has put in. God had a purpose for everything. His purpose might not make the Bible easy reading, but there is a purpose. Having said that, I’d encourage the person to do some selective reading. Start with one of the Gospels, like the Gospel of John. Work in the Psalms, read some of the Epistles. They are easier going for the novice reader.
ANNOUNCER: Isn’t there some kind of book that could take the place of the Bible, like a shortened, easy to understand version?
KLAUS: Thank you, Mark, for answering the question to which I know you already have the answer. No. There is no shortened Scripture. Any book which tried to shorten Scripture would be the product of a human being, and have all the failings and shortcomings of a book produced by a sinful human being. Now, our listener needs to stick with the Scripture – the Bible. But there are pastors and laypeople who have the gift of teaching. They have the ability to make some of these hard passages easier to understand. I would encourage the listener to search out such a person. Find a church where the whole Bible is considered to be, and explained, as the God-given errorless Word of God.
ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Klaus. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.