What Race Are You Running?
We understand that you are here to see the horse races, especially the grand daddy race tomorrow – the Kentucky Derby. But what race are you running? The rat race? The keeping up with the Joneses race? A religious race? The fast track race at work? What race are you running?
Yes, horses are majestic creatures. I like to see them run. But I don’t gamble and I don’t believe in gambling. But horses are magnificent creatures. Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword. The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting (Job 39:19-25).
Horses are majestic creatures that were made by God. They are beautiful animals. They are strong and fast. They are really something to see. The race will be quick today. Most of you will wait around mainly for the big race that last merely minutes. I really like watching horse races, especially the tight races.
But I ask you again, what race are you running? Are you running the race that matters? Are you running the only race that matters? Are you running the race for Jesus Christ? Are you surrendered to Him? Paul says that we are to run the race that matters.
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
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. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 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 (1 Corinthians 9:19-27).
Run To Win
The apostle Paul tells us that we should run the race and run it to win. We run the race to submit to the Lordship of Jesus. We run the race to please our Lord, to live a life pleasing to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. True followers of Jesus are running the race to see others join the race too. We want to see lost souls saved because Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
But folks, you can’t be in this race unless you have entered into it. You win this race by losing. You lose yourself in Jesus Christ. You repent and surrender your life to Jesus Christ our Lord. If you have never been born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God, let alone enter into it. If you are not a repentant sinner who has fallen at the feet of Jesus, then you are not even in the race yet! You can’t win if you don’t enter.
I’m not talking about a health, wealth and prosperity gospel. No, I’m talking about the Gospel that our blessed Lord preached. Jesus said unless you repent, you will likewise perish. He also said repent and believe the Gospel. Oh, if you have never turned from your sins and turned to the risen Savior, then you are still lost, you are still spiritually dead in your trespasses and sins. Guess what? Dead men can’t win the race. You must be born again. You must confess and forsake your sins. You must stop trusting in yourself and trust in Christ alone.
You need to put your faith in Jesus because He is the only Savior. We all have a sin problem. Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden and each and every one of us mere mortals have sinned too. We’ve all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Our sin separates us from God. None of us are righteous. None of us are right with God on our own.
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one (Romans 3:9-12).
We have all sinned against the great Creator God; against the great God of Heaven and earth. Listen to this list of sinners and see if you are on this list. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Still not convinced? Jesus said that all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone (Revelation 21:8).
I hope you are tracking with me here and understand that you are a sinner. You have sinned against Almighty God and there is nothing that you can do to save yourself. You can’t clean yourself up good enough for God to accept you. None of us meet His perfect, righteous and Holy standard. You can’t undo a single sin. Do you realize that if you tell a lie right now to your friend; you tell them a lie and maybe immediately you confess that you have lied. Do you realize that you can never undo that lie? Do you understand that you cannot take that lie back? You cannot erase a single little lie, let alone all the sins that you have committed your whole life.
Folks, I hope you understand the desperate situation that you are in. God is Holy and you and I are not holy. We have sinned against God. There’s nothing that we can do to save ourselves. That’s why you need to turn from your sins and turn to Jesus. Even though we have all rebelled against God, He still sent His only begotten Son to save wretched sinners like us. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Dirty Rotten Sinners
The bad news is that we are all dirty rotten sinners. The good news is that God sent His only Son to rescue vile sinners like us. Jesus walked this earth a little over 2,000 years ago. He did what none of us could do. He never sinned. Not one time! He never sinned in His thoughts, words or actions. He always obeyed the will of God the Father. Then He laid down His life as a ransom for many. He took the punishment that you and I deserve.
He was beaten with 39 lashes across His back, ripping his skin apart and exposing His nerves, muscles and bones. Before that a crown of thorns was pressed upon His head and He was beaten in the face by the Roman soldiers. He was beaten beyond recognition. Then He was nailed to that old rugged cross. His hands and feet were pierced. Jesus hung on that cross for six long grueling hours.
This was no pleasure cruise. This was no walk in the park. Jesus suffered severe, unimaginable physical pain. But on top of that excruciating pain and even worse than the horrible torture that He suffered, He also endured God’s wrath over sinful man. He was separated from God for the first time ever. Do not foolishly think that God is not angry over yours sins. Psalm 5:5 says that God hates all workers of iniquity. Psalm 7:11 says that God is angry with the wicked every day.
Jesus, the perfect, sinless Son of God took the wrath of God that you and I deserve. Christ died on that cross. He was buried and rose victoriously from the dead. Jesus defeated sin, death, Hell and Satan. He’s alive! My Savior lives and God offers everlasting life to each and every person who repents and puts their trust in Jesus. Oh, do this today. Nothing is more important than where you will spend eternity.
You can be late getting to the race. Come on over here and talk to us. You can wait a few minutes before you head to the track. Come to Jesus. Turn from your sins and turn to Jesus. Put your trust in Him. Surrender your life to Jesus. Oh, do this today and be saved.
Please don’t miss this. All of that wrath that God poured out upon His precious Son is only for those who repent and put their faith in Jesus. If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, then God’s wrath still abides upon you! He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him (John 3:36).
This should shake you to your core. God is angry with you. Your sins have separated you from God. If you die in your sins, that separation from God’s love will be for all of eternity in a very real place called Hell. You will not be partying in Hell. You won’t be laughing it up with your friends. It is a place of torments. It’s a place where the worm never dies and the fire is never quenched. They have no rest in Hell, day or night.
Oh, don’t continue racing down that broad road to destruction. Repent and believe the Gospel. Turn from your sins and surrender your life fully and completely to Jesus. Do this today. Today is the day of salvation. Come to Jesus and be saved. Come to Jesus and receive everlasting life. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:3).
Stop running races that don’t matter. Flee from your sins and run to Jesus. Come to Jesus and He will in no wise cast you out. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37). Come to Jesus and be saved. Repent and surrender your life to Jesus Christ our Lord. You “win” eternal life by losing yourself in Jesus. Submit to His Lordship. Confess and forsake your sins. Repent and trust Jesus. Don’t put this off. Tomorrow may be too late. 150,000 people die every day. One day will be your turn. Don’t wait until you are one day too late. Turn from your sins and Run to Jesus, while you still can.
(This message was lifted up outside Churchill Downs on May 6, 2016)