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‘If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.’

(2nd Timothy 2:5)

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Just as in sport, so it is in the Christian life:we cannot be successful

unless we compete according to the rules.

Rules for running the Christian race

1. You’ve got to be in it to win it

Rules for running the Christian race

“Follow me.”

1. You’ve got to be in it to win it2. Be committed

Rules for running the Christian race

“Some people think football is a matter of life and death.

“I don’t like that attitude.

“It is much more serious than that.”

(Bill Shankly, English football manager)

“Winning isn’t the most important thing.

“It’s the only thing.”

(Vince Lombardi, American Football coach)

‘I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.’

(1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

1. You’ve got to be in it to win it2. Be committed3. Train hard

Rules for running the Christian race

‘Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever.’

(1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

1. You’ve got to be in it to win it2. Be committed3. Train hard4. No pain, no gain

Rules for running the Christian race

‘Endure hardship with us’

(2 Timothy 2:3)

1. You’ve got to be in it to win it2. Be committed3. Train hard4. No pain, no gain5. Have a true aim

Rules for running the Christian race

‘One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.’

(Philippians 3:13f)

Holy Trinity’s Vision of 2020

A church that reaches out with confidence, in God's power, growing more like Jesus Christ loving one another, serving our networks and local communities, so that, by 2020, there are multiple congregations established or grafted from Holy Trinity

1. You’ve got to be in it to win it2. Be committed3. Train hard4. No pain, no gain5. Have a true aim6. Be a team player

Rules for running the Christian race

‘You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.’

(1 Corinthians, 12:27)

1. You’ve got to be in it to win it2. Be committed3. Train hard4. No pain, no gain5. Have a true aim6. Be a team player7. Follow your leader

Rules for running the Christian race

‘Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.’

(Hebrews 12:2)

1. You’ve got to be in it to win it2. Be committed3. Train hard4. No pain, no gain5. Have a true aim6. Be a team player7. Follow your leader8. Strive to achieve your Personal

Best

Rules for running the Christian race

‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’

(2nd Timothy 4:7)

1. You’ve got to be in it to win it2. Be committed3. Train hard4. No pain, no gain5. Have a true aim6. Be a team player7. Follow your leader8. Strive to achieve your Personal

Best9. No cheating!

Rules for running the Christian race

“Whitewashed tombs”(Matthew 23:27)

1. You’ve got to be in it to win it2. Be committed3. Train hard4. No pain, no gain5. Have a true aim6. Be a team player7. Follow your leader8. Strive to achieve your Personal

Best9. No cheating!

Rules for running the Christian race

‘Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.’

(2nd Timothy 4:8)