For example, The Indy 500. Many of us watched the big race! It is a National tradition that originates at an Indiana tradition!
Perhaps the best part is the festivities happen before the race.
- The lining up of the cars (based on the pole standings).
- The military salute of those we honor as heroes.
- The singing of the our National Anthem and other ceremonial activities.
- But, more importantly is the Hoosier Salute :: For many year sang by Jim Nabors — “Back Home Again in Indiana” (Sang since 1946.)
History is important. (Wikipedia reports.)
Did you know? The tune was introduced as a Tin Pan Alley pop song of the time. It contains a musical quotation from the already well known "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away", as well as repetition of words from the lyrics: candlelight, moonlight, fields, new-mown hay, sycamores, and the Wabash River.
Since 1946, the chorus of "Back Home Again in Indiana" has been performed during pre-race ceremonies before the Indianapolis 500.
During the song, thousands of multicolored balloons are released from an infield tent. The balloon release dates back to 1947, and has coincided with the song since about 1950. ** From 1972 to 2014, the song was performed most often by Jim Nabors. ** He admitted to having the song's lyrics written on his hand during his inaugural performance, and occasionally his versions altered several of the words.
The winner of the Indy 500 is forever immortalized in the Hall of Fame - a hall for heroes for Champions.
No surprising — the race car driver is popularized but the race car engine is where the race really defined what is best and championed! (Honda or Chevrolet?)
From Torque News :: “Honda has won more Indianapolis 500 races than any automaker: 10 wins.
Honda has had more starts at the Indianapolis 500, leading all other automakers: 301 starts.
Honda has completed more race laps at the Indianapolis 500 than any other carmaker: 50,019 laps completed.
Honda has competed in 15 Indianapolis 500 races.
Honda has powered 10 drivers to the Borg Warner trophy, emblematic of the Indianapolis 500 championship.”
**We remember the winners and everyone else blurs into obscurity.
IndyCar Series | |
Most wins (driver) | A. J. Foyt (4) Al Unser (4) Rick Mears (4) Hélio Castroneves (4) |
Most wins (team) | Penske (18) |
Most wins (manufacturer) | Chassis: Dallara (22) Engine: Offenhauser (27) Tires: Firestone (81 |
The Bible tells us that there is a spiritual race. All who participate (in Christ) win the prize. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Read the text with me ::
Hebrews 12:1-2
Heading: God’s Discipline Proves His Love.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Thus reading points out very interesting concepts that I would like to share with you today. These are concepts that I think we can apply to our every day lives, as well as into the life of the church.
One of those concepts relates to you, and I as individuals that are growing in our faith. The other relates to those “not yet“ individuals that we encounter every day. One is internal while the other is a focus that is at the heart of the life and purpose of the church!
We endure in the race to win eternal life, because of what Christ did for us! For those who are willing to receive His grace – forgiveness of sin and become part of those that join the voices of those that cheer — the Saints that surround the runner!
- We who are in the race.
There’s a reason why you and I sit here today. Likely it’s because there was someone who poured themselves, made an investment into you. They believed in you. It could be that these for parents, or teachers, or coaches, or other relatives, or even other community people.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?
So run to win!
All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”
When we run the race we are told to run in such a way that we compete to be win — we compete against ourselves for the prize! This race is run for the sake of Christ - who alone is worthy of our efforts.
**Think back to those who spent time with you when you were young. Who are they?
They believed in you! (They are the crowd talked about in the Hebrews passage.)
Hebrews 12:1 :: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith….
**Christ, by His generous grace gave so they you may have faith!
I can think back when my sons played Football at Eastbrook. Their theme was —
“What we do here today echoes for eternity!”
This is an incredible thought! What I also enjoyed was the opportunity to see how the coaching staff lead with integrity! They demonstrated a strong faith through Christ!
Hebrews 11:1-3
Title: Great Examples of Faith
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”
Everyone of the patriarchs (& matriarchs) that are listed in Hebrews 11 (& throughout the Bible) are profoundly influenced by the work of God - enacted through their faith. It is because of Christ that we too can join the list of those who had faith!
Turn back one page in your Bible and you’ll see that list.
Hebrews 11:1-3.
Title::Great Examples of Faith.
“(1) Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
(2) Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.”
(3) “By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”
Pentecost is a remarkable celebration for the church. It is the day we celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit that descended upon the world and those gathered in prayer. It marks the 50 days since Christ’s resurrection! It is recorded in Acts 2.
"Pentecost is a celebration of God... a celebration of God's power... a celebration of God's desire to empower us and to dwell within us." - Mark Hart
To live a Pentecost life means ::
- Waiting upon God.
- Finding our Calling in Christ.
- Engaging with God through the Holy Spirit at work within us!
- It is understanding the anointing we have through the POWER of God at work in us.
- It mean a purifying (as with fire) that removes those things that are not according to His Will.
- It means power and life!
We run the race ::
… to win the prize of the high calling that God would have for us.
…AND…
… so that others may find faith too!
We have a responsibility to share the hope we have in Jesus with others - especially family. I am alway shocked when I fear that we will leave our children’s religious choices up to them - let them decide.
There are many reasons people don’t go to church. - Well, excuses….
What if we took that belief and applied it to sports?
Perhaps you’ve seen the social media post. It is meant to be humorous. “12 reasons Christians don't attend sporting events.”
- The coach never came to visit me.
- Every time I went, they asked for money.
- The people sitting in my row didn't seem very friendly.
- The seats were very hard.
- The referees made a decision I didn't agree with.
- I was sitting with hypocrites they only came to see what others were wearing!
- Some games went into overtime and I was late getting home.
- The band played some songs I had never heard before.
- The games are scheduled on my only day to sleep in and run errands.
- My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up.
- Since I read a book on sports, I feel that I know more than the coaches, anyway.
- ** I don't want to take my children because I want them to choose for themselves what sport they like best. **
The next point refers to our responsibility to share Christ with others!
2. We plant trees (that we will never enjoy the shade of).
I love to plant trees that are marked by tradition and something the grandkids can see long after I have departed.
We all run the race - not just for ourselves! We run so that others may also find faith through my faithfulness!
We turn our attention to Hebrews 12:1 where it references the crowds of witnesses. It’s the spectators, the fans, and those who are cheering on their champions; this is referring to.
We do this for others.
We run for those that I may call the “not yet“ group. These are individuals that have not yet come to faith in Christ. These are individuals that we may be investing ourselves into for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. These are the ones that we might define as the least, the last, the lost.
There is only one purpose of pentecost; that is to effectively evangelize lost souls.
Ephesians 2:8-10
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
— GOOD THINGD GOD PLANNED FOR US LONG AGO! —
Hebrews 12:14-15
Title: A Call to Listen to God
“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”
I love the quote I read this week:
“It’s not that he can’t do it and needs us to do it but that he can do it and wants us to do it. (With Him)
“The Gospel going forth brings us joy and sharing it with others is the invitation to align our hearts with the heart of God and what he wants and who he is.
“This does two things: it takes the pressure off of us freeing us to love out of freedom and to serve in joy, and gives us confidence that God will finish what he starts and he will be who he always has been and always will be. Faithful.” (Bailee Glass shared this at the Staff Retreat 2023)
This task of faith is not a burden we bear but it gives life.
Psalms 81:6 reads ::
“Now I will take the load from your shoulders; I will free your hands from their heavy tasks.”
You and I are needed!
Our neighbors need us.
Our friends need us.
Our family needs us.
- Our children and grandchildren.
** You and I can be the cheerleaders, the encouragers, the Hope-filled ambassadors,… The cloud of witnesses brothers.
Closing ::
What race have you entered?
Who are you cheering on?
Will you endure to win the prize of eternal life?
As you depart today, be mindful of the race that is marked out for you! Run with perseverance!
Also, remember those “not yet” in the faith. Comfort and care for them with all humility and grace.
As you read the scripture, read it as though it were a prayer in apply to your life.::
Hebrews 13:2-3
“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.”
Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
