The theme of 2020 is the race of life - to win the heavenly prize (1 Corinthians 9:24)

2020 New Year Message on Tuesday 31 December 2019 by Pastor Justin

If you can recall the message from 2018, we are to be lowly and humble, to live a life worthy of our calling (Eph 4:1-3). Although we have been here at Little Road for a little less than a year, it feels like 5 years because of the power-packed activities we have come together to fulfill the work of our ministry (Col 4:7).

Expect more opportunities to serve the Lord. 2020 will be a year of victory and reward. We are entering into an exciting year. 

The theme of 2020 is the race of life - to win the heavenly prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24 - Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

When you run in a race, you run with an attitude to win. You need to step out by faith. Christian life is a life of race. When you body is tired, you rest. But your spirit man cannot rest. Your spirit man must always be alert, be joyful 24/7, 365 days a year. 2020 will be a year of determination, endurance, faith, victory, reward and single-minded obedience. The reward God gives us is your endurance, your right, your run. Only do one fight. The good fight of faith. Run with an attitude to win. We need to have obedience. 

2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

John 17:4 - I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

1. Run the race of life, to win the heavenly prize by forgetting those things which are behind us. The past is gone. 

Do not let the past hinder you. But do not forget the blessings from God. What you should forget are bad things, hurtful things.

Philippians 3:13 - Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.

Philippians 3:15-16 - All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

2. Run the race of life with endurance and discipline, looking ahead, for the future is ahead.

Many of us are experience tribulations and trials. But we look forward. How? Look to Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:12 - If we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us.

Hebrews 12:1-2 - Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It is a reward to those who run with endurance, with discipline and suffering for Christ.

2 Timothy 4:8 - For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.

3. Run the race of life with self-control and with aim

Run with a T.A.G. - target, aim and goal. Run the race with aim, purpose and direction. We have to do two parts of the great commission - preach the gospel and make disciples to teach all that Jesus taught.

  1 Corinthians 9:26-27 - Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Proverbs 25:28 - Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.  Every year, God gives us a blank canvas for us to paint. Forget about the past. Focus on the blank canvas. Just focus on the starting line.