A sermon preached by the Reverend Dr. Royal Kemper
on Sunday, August 19, 2007
at Abington Presbyterian Church, Abington, PA. 

The Runner

When the British film, Chariots of Fire, was released in 1981, it received an enthusiastic response. The movie won four of the seven Academy Awards for which it was nominated, including Best Picture. The movie is based on the true story of two British athletes who are competing in the 1924 Summer Olympics. Their names are Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, who is better known as "The Flying Scotsman." They are to run in the 100 meter race which is scheduled for a particular Sunday. Eric Liddell declines to run on a Sunday due to his Christian convictions. He is then allowed to compete in the 400 meter race instead.

Eric's sister, Jenny is firmly convinced that he is too occupied with running to concern himself with their mission, which is to work as missionaries in China. In his way of thinking it is to glorify God. Nevertheless, Eric tells her that he feels inspired and offers this comment:

At a church service on Sunday, Liddell quotes Isaiah 40:31:

The main thrust of the text from Hebrews 12:1 and 2, suggests that we are on our way toward a goal. The author borrows imagery from the sports field in track and field, and exhorts us to "run with perseverance" the race that is set before us. That goal is the fulfillment of Jesus Christ's work which he has accomplished for us, when he ascended to his Father in heaven after the resurrection. The mission to be accomplished by us is to carry the good news of the gospel through out all the earth.

We are admonished to run this race as a multitude of witnesses surround us. What's more, we are to run the race that has been given us in our life time with all its ups and downs. Moreover, we are not to wait for a more pleasant time to run, but, to accept the time and place given us, with full understanding that it may be difficult and be filled with hardships. Our sight is to be fixed on Jesus if we, the runner, is to endure the race to the finish, for in him we see the reasonableness of life. Jesus is described as "the pioneer and perfecter" of our faith. The word translated from the Greek is archegon, which means "the one to whom we owe our origin," " the one who initiates a new course of action," and sets the example most worthy to be followed. Jesus endured the cross, setting aside his suffering, and because of his resolution to follow God's plan, is given the position of honor at the right hand of God, similar to a deputy or vice-regent, carrying out God's will here on earth as he does in heaven. "Picture-language" is used here, to denote that Jesus is in company with the Father in the position of authority ruling over the affairs of heaven and earth. A given location is not the issue, the function of his responsibility is the concern.

Now, we ask a pressing question, 'just how does one live a life worthy of being a disciple of Jesus, using the imagery of running a race, with our goal set on Jesus' position now being at the right hand of power with the Eternal God?'

The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews begins chapter 12 with these opening words:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witness, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1,2)

When the author challenges us to run with perseverance, we may need some help in understanding exactly what he means. In short, to persevere is to establish a steady, persistent mood in our run for the finish. St. Paul, in writing to the congregation in Rome, commended them "never to flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. (Romans 12:11) To be persistent is to keep one's eye fixed on that goal, not allowing any distractions from keeping our attention fixed on Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of our faith."

One cannot help but notice the similarities in word structure between the phrases found in the Epistle to the Hebrews and Paul's Letter to the Romans. Perhaps the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews was an ardent follower of Paul, or one who was well versed in Paul's thought and understanding. Paul did not attach his name to the Letter to the Hebrews, as he did the letters which bear his name.

Of further note is the admonition Paul gives his audience in Rome that could appropriately be applied to the readers of the Letter to the Hebrews. For instance, in Romans, chapter 12, verse 12, Paul gives further guidance in the practice of "running the race with perseverance". Here we are introduced to another Greek word, charismata, which means "graciousness", or "grace full." Here is what he says:

Rejoice in hope,
be patient in suffering,
be constant in prayer.

These are the characteristics of one filled with God's grace. Let us take them in order.

Elsewhere, Paul writes that "hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given us." (Romans 5:5).

The writing in Hebrews shows us that hope is seen as faith which projects into the future and provides consistent element of vital necessity for the Christian. Hope is an outlook on life - its opportunities, its possibilities, its demands for those who see their own life's experience in the light of a divine plan and purpose. Hope should be natural for those who know that a great destiny is theirs. In the meantime they are under discipline but even now they are made aware that they are surrounded by the proofs of God's good news.

Next, Paul commends us to be patient in tribulation, or, as we might say, suffering. Paul has boldly proclaimed that the sufferings we endure are the basis for rejoicing, that even adversity can work for our spiritual good for those who in all things cooperate with God. However, faith is no guarantee that we shall be delivered from misfortune. It is the promise that in the midst of misfortune we shall be sustained. There is no magic formula to suggest that we are immune as Christians from disasters, whether on a personal or national scale. Despite the physical misfortunes, God will sustain us and strengthen us, for God is firm in his conviction that he cares for his people. His covenant binds us in a friendship that is beyond human understanding.

Prayer becomes the ground swell for the very life-blood of the Christian. Prayer is that effort where the Christian communes with the eternal God. The hymn-writer said that prayer is "the soul's sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed." It is the very fiber that sustains the Christian in their walk with God as they "run with perseverance the race that is set before them, looking unto God the Author and finisher of their faith."

Again, Paul is seeking to plant in the heart of every devote follower of Jesus the kind of relationship that issues from a transformed life. Early on in the 12^th chapter of Romans, (12:2) he states clearly that we are not to be conformed to this world, but "be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good, and acceptable and perfect." Prayer is of crucial importance in the life of the one who follows Jesus as his disciple.

Thomas Toke Lynch has captured this theme for us in this hymn: