GO FOR THE WIN
2 Timothy 2:5
Paul used words from Athletes contest; he used words from the barracks.
Paul thought that he was engaged in the greatest game, the greatest
enterprises and the greatest adventure in the face of this world.
Athletes train for years to prepare for a race,then in matter of seconds, it all
over with those many years of preparation condensed to a single moment
of truth. If an athlete is victorious, they have proven to self and spectators.
The years of effort have not been wasted.
Life is an event greater than any ‘sporting event’ and we are all its
participants.
Life is similar to the race a life of an athlete- there will be years of training,
setbacks and heartaches.
We need to persevere – God will arrange a demonstration of our strength in
one of life’s many events,
It will be a moment of truth- OUR TURN TO FACE THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE.
Its time to show the world what the window of opportunity to say or do the
right thing at the exact moment when it’s a most needed. Usually these
situations pop up unexpected or unannounced – HOW WE HANDLE THESE
OPPORTUNITIES DEPENDS ON OUR MINSET PREPAREDNESS.
TO HAVE OUR MINDSET PREPAREDNESS WE NEED TO HAVE:
1.THE RIGHT FOCUS
Paul focus is on the goal, which the Lord has set for him, Therefore, he does
not think about his past, rather he was like a dedicated runner in a foot race
with his body bent over, his hand outreached, his head fixed forward, never
giving a backward glance and his eyes fastened to the goal.
Indeed the dedicated runner does not look backward and thus lose his
stride momentum and focus; rather, he strains every muscle as he keeps his
eyes fixed on the finish line and achieving of his anticipated goal.
“HIS GOAL IS TO KNOW CHRIST FULLY, WETHER IN THIS LIFE AND OR THE
NEXT”
He reasserts with strong conviction his all-consuming life directing goal.
2. THE READINESS FOR FIGHT
Attitude of the athletes:
a. Speaks of discipline:
Sports really taught me discipline, and they taught me to just drive on
through life.- Mark Hopp
The race is full of obstacles
The number of hours an Olympian train average Olympian trains 4 hours per
day, 310 days per year, for 6 years before succeeding, that translate into
more than 7,000 hours of training for an event that may last less than 60
seconds.
The single most important principle for running the race toward a spiritual
champion: “SPIRITUAL REFORMATION IS NOT A MATTER OF TRYING
HARDER, BUT A TRAINING WISELY”
Paul encourage his young protégé timothy to TRAIN YOURSELF IN
GODLINESS, speaks of self-control in everything in other words DISCIPLINE
yourself into Godliness.
CHALLENGE:
Discipline yourself for the right purpose- tinarung nga mga butang,
kaajuhan sa kinabuhi- 1 Tim.4:7-8, (GODLINESS IS PROFITABLE FOR ALL
THINGS)
b. Be DILIGENT TO DEVELOP CERTAIN HABITS IN LIFE
Priorities in life must know and not to neglect.
Putting first the right and the first thing in life.
Priorities in life:
One of the big pressure points in life can be the issue of priorities.
Priority means: THE STATE OF HAVING THE MOST IMPORTANT UR
URGENCY.SOMEBODY OR SOMETHING THAT IS RANKED HIGHLY IN TERMS
OF IMPORTANCE OR URGENCY.
What is important to us determines what we do and even how we do it. It
defines who is important in our lives which will determines the time and
effort we put into people.
THE BEST PRIORITY IN LIFE IN ORDER TO HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE LIFE- IS
THE RIGHT RLATIONSHIP WITH GOD, KNOING GOD IN EVERY DAY OF LIFE.
 c. Persevere:

After Paul uses the analogy of a soldier, he continues to call Timothy

to perseverance in the faith by using the metaphor of an athlete. In
Greco-Roman times, Olympic athletes were required to enter a
gruelling ten-month training period. This training required an
incredible amount of physical and mental endurance. The athlete
would also have to constantly rehearse the rules of the contest, lest
he be stripped of his crown for cheating or breaking the rules.

Breaking the rules in athletics results in disqualification and

disgrace—just look at Lance Armstrong or Barry Bonds. I had been
thinking about entering the Tour de France, but then I found out that
they banned blood-doping and the local pharmacy didn’t carry “the
cream or the clear,” so I decided against it.

Like athletic competitions, the Christian life and ministry

requires adherence to certain rules regarding attitude, conduct, and
belief. Those who persevere in the grace and truth of Jesus Christ will
receive their reward on Judgment Day. Those who try to claim the
prize without a commitment to faithful obedience will be disqualified.
A fair and true Christian life requires great perseverance. Are you
competing according to God’s rules? Or are you trying to cut corners
in your faith?

3. THE RESULT IS RIGHT FIGHT