Once again, I’d like use a parable through which to look that these five verses – we have a parabolic lens.
In 1908 the a new kind of race was introduced to the Olympic Games, and since then it has taken several forms. I’m talking about the“relay race” in track and field. There are also relays in swimming, but let’s think about these running races. In the last Olympics there were five different track and field relays – men’s, women’s and mixed. There were two sprint relays, where the men run as fast as possible for 100 meters each – 4×100. And there were the 4×400, where each runner runs about a quarter of a mile – once around the track. In the 4×400 there is a men’s race, a women’s race and another with both men and women. Usually, the United States wins all these races, but in the last Olympics, Canada won the men’s 4×400.
Before we get into our scripture, let me point out just a few other things about the relay race. For example, I doubt that rules permit deliberate tripping, gouging or bashing heads with the batons. Within each team, the coach decides who is going to run and what their order will be. It could be that the runners don’t like their position – someone might want to start or be the finisher. But it doesn’t matter – they don’t have the opportunity to make that choice. It is a team race, and the third runner is just as important as the last runner, even if he is slightly slower. Every team has their own uniform, and both the officials and the observers know which team is which. At the start of the race, the lead runner is holding a baton, which he must pass to the second runner, who exchanges it with the third, and finally it goes on to the fourth. Often, the receiving runner is already moving down the track when he gets the baton. In the 4×400 relay the baton must be exchanged inside a 20 meter area or the team is disqualified. And if the baton is dropped at any point that team is disqualified. In the 4×400 relay, the second, third and fourth runners, can look back and watch the baton go into his hand. But in the 4×100, the exchange is “blind” – the runner has to keep looking forward, while the baton is slapped into his waiting hand. And one more thing: even though it is said that the Olympics are “friendly” games, that may not be true. No one can say politics weren’t a major part of the 1938 Berlin Games or the 1980 games in Moscow. And when the medals are awarded, they are always counted by countries. In the Olympics it is country against country, and some countries are even banned from participating. So the runners in our 4×400 might be entirely Jews, or Muslims, Christians or atheistic Communists. Some may be hated by others, and if it wasn’t the Olympics, they might be at war with each other.
Now, let me start in the middle of our scripture – in the middle of this paragraph.
In verse 16, Paul says – “That I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not RUN in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.”
For the sake of the lesson, let’s picture, our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Coach of the team. It might be argued that He was the very first off the starting block, and that illustration would work. But let’s just say that Christ won a three year marathon before the institution of the first relay. And now He is the Head Coach, as the most respect runner of all time. He has coached before, and He is still coaching your team along with many others as well.
For this particular race and team, He chose Paul to be the lead runner. He was first after the gun was fired. Paul heard a voice in the Hebrew tongue which said, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” – Acts 26. Eventually, under the direction of his Divine Coach, Paul ran all the way to Philippi. There he passed the baton to a small group of Christians, whom he helped teach how to run.
But now, after running through Berea, Thessalonica and Corinth, starting other track teams in those cities… Now, he is in Rome – semi-retired – laid up as if he had a debilitating injury. (I read something the other day which may or may not be true, and I don’t know how to verify it.) The author said that Paul was less sure of his deliverance from prison in this letter than he was in some of his other church epistles. That certainly was not true of his letters to Timothy, where he seemed to be quite sure of his execution. The writer said that Paul was hopeful for his release, but wouldn’t have been surprised if he died in Rome.
For the sake of argument, let’s say that author was right, and the Apostle’s ministry was about over. Paul had already handed the baton to his teammates in Philippi, and exhausted he stepped off the track. He tells them, “Run with all your might, and obey the rules of the race.” Verse 16 – “That I may rejoice at the finish line – in the day of Christ – that I have not run in vain.” Verse 17 – “Yes, my part of the relay is over, and I may be offered on the sacrifice and service of your faith, but I rejoice with you all – I rejoice with the entire team.” Verse 18 – “And I assume that you also will rejoice with me.”
“Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.” If I need to be more explicit, Paul was saying that even if his ministry was finished, he was filled with joy at the way the race was continuing to go.
With his Jewish background, even though you and I, or the Gentiles in Philippi, might not recognized it… “Offered upon the sacrifice” speaks of the pouring out of wine over some of the Old Testament sacrifices. For example in the daily sacrifice, both in the morning and in the evening… “And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil, and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.” It was called an “oblation.” Paul looked at himself as that drink offering. He was ready to pour out his life’s blood.
In verse 18, both “joy” and “rejoicing,” are mentioned as if there is a difference between them. There is. “Joy” is what you’d expect it to be, but the word “rejoice” speaks of offering someone due congratulations. Going back to my illustration, even if Paul had run so hard… even if he had given so much… that he was at the point of death through exhaustion, he wanted the team be happy and to share mutual congratulations. “Hey, brethren we have RUN the race. In the sight of our Coach we have WON the race.” Perhaps this is as good a place as any to introduce Hebrews 12:1 – “Wherefore 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, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”
But let’s not forget that there are RULES to this race.
We aren’t running to be seen by the crowd – the innumerable company of angels Hebrews 12 refers to. We aren’t running for the applause or the cheers of the onlookers. And we aren’t running primarily for the “stephanos” – the victor’s crown. We aren’t running so that we might feel good about ourselves. Brethren, we are running for the glory of our Coach – the Lord Jesus Christ. So no matter what other runners do in their efforts to win, we are responsible to follow our Coach’s rules. It is for the smile of the Coach that we run, and therefore we must run according to His Coaching.
Verse 14 – “Do all things without murmurings and disputings.” When Paul says, “all things” what sort of all things does he mean? Obviously, it could refer quite literally to everything we do. But still, the athlete in the midst of his race isn’t going to be reading a book, playing video games or buying snack food. He is going to be running. Primarily, Paul is thinking about carrying out our Christian duties without murmuring or disputing. Murmuring or disputing?
Here are four runners, all chosen by the coach to run in this race. Or maybe there are eleven or twelve. One may think that he ought to start the race, because he is the fastest out of the blocks. And another may think since he is the quickest sprinter he ought to be the one to break the tape at the end of the race. But it is not for the disciples to be murmuring and disputing within the team about who should be greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. And even more, they shouldn’t be disputing with the Coach. This word “disputing” is translated “doubting” in I Timothy 2:8. The moment we start quarreling with the Coach or our teammates… The moment we begin to doubt the wisdom of the Coach, even if it is only within our own minds, the successful conclusion of this race will be in doubt.
Verse 15 – “That ye may be blameless and harmless… without rebuke.” As runners in this relay, we have several responsibilities: First, we are to receive the baton, and this is something which happened when we were saved. Then, we are to join the team, the first Baptist Church of Philippi, or wherever. No relay race has ever been one by a single runner. It is all about the team; we need the team. And yet, we as individuals are to run as hard as we can before handing the baton to the next runner – generation. Our job is relatively simple, and that is what the word “harmless” suggests – simplicity. The time to debate with the runners of other teams is before or after the race. But during the race, we are to run. And sure, we are to show kindness or hospitality toward other runners, but not during the race. Remember the bleachers are full of spectators, the sidelines have the judges and our Coach is watching. Make sure that you are blameless when running your leg of the race. Make sure you are carrying the right doctrinal baton – the true gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Be sure you are running the direction you’re suppose to run. “Wherefore 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, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” Make sure there is no reason to be rebuked. Yes, the opposing team may be angry with your victory, even with your style of running – that’s to be expected. But don’t give anyone the opportunity to rebuke you for anything but righteousness’ sake.
You are the sons of God, verse 15. You are wearing the uniform of the Son of God, the King of Kings. There are other team members wearing the same livery. But the other teams are not. Not the Catholics; not the Mormons, not the Hindus or the Muslims. Oh, and it is all right to get a little of your own blood on your jersey, but there is no room for any mud. “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke.”
This is important especially considering the arena in which we are running. “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation…” The world in which we are to run for Christ, is not a friend to Christ. And the runners against whom we are competing – politicians, atheistic scientists, agnostic educators and religious leaders – are not excited to see you inching ahead of them, especially while running a righteous race. In the light of the competition, it is all the more important to run properly and for the Coach’s glory. And even if He should ordain that we only run half a lap rather than a complete circuit, let’s joyfully do it for His pleasure.
“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Why are we wearing this uniform? For the Lord’s glory. Why are we running this race? That, as lights in the world, we might bring glory to the Lord.
Or to put it another way, we are “holding forth the word of life.” The baton in our hands is a lot more than just a stick – a piece of wood – a hollow piece of plastic pipe. We have received, and we are holding, not only the glory of our Saviour, but the very life He has to offer. We need to be the best we can be, because the lives and the souls of other runners and the souls of the spectators of our lives depend on us.
I will conclude with Paul’s words in verse 15 – Brethren we are to “shine as lights in the world; holding for the word of life” for all to see.