Pastor Boniface Mwangi,
The ambassador of Christ
Theme: Running the Kingdom Race Faithfully to the End
Introduction: Our Identity in Christ (Who Are We?)
Church of God, before we talk about running, we must understand who we are.
Colossians 1:13 (NIV)
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.”
This scripture gives us our identity.
We were delivered → meaning we were in danger
We were under the power of darkness → meaning sin, bondage, ignorance, fear
We were conveyed/transferred → meaning we were moved intentionally.
We were brought into the Kingdom of God → meaning a new life, new rules, new purpose.
👉 Every believer must know Jesus, not just by name, but by experience.
There are two kingdoms:
The kingdom of darkness.
The Kingdom of God.
Every person is in one or the other — there is no middle ground.
When God saved you, He did not just forgive you — He enrolled you into a Kingdom Race.
What Is the “Race” in the Christian Life?
In the Bible, the word race is a spiritual picture.
It describes:
Our journey of faith.
From the day we receive Christ.
To the day we finish our life on earth.
Christianity is not standing still.
Christianity is movement.
Christianity is progress.
1. The Race Is a Journey With a Clear Goal
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
“Let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.”
This race is not random.
We are running:
Toward heaven
Toward pleasing God.
Toward the crown of eternal life
Explanation:
No serious runner runs without knowing the destination. Likewise, a believer without vision becomes careless.
In December, many believers lose focus:
“This year is already over”
“Let me relax”
“Next year I will be serious”
But God says: 👉 Finish what you started.
December is part of the race.
2. This Race Requires Endurance, Not Speed
Matthew 24:13 (NIV)
“But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
In God’s race:
It is not about excitement
It is not about fast beginnings
It is about finishing well
Christians face:
Trials
Temptations
Persecutions
Weariness
Delays
Yet we keep going.
December Application:
Many people run well in January. Few run well in December.
👉 God is pleased with believers who remain faithful when the year is ending.
3. There Are Rules to Follow in This Race
2 Timothy 2:4–5 (NIV)
“Anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.”
The Christian race is not lawless.
The rules are:
Obedience
Holiness
Faith
God’s Word
Explanation:
An athlete cannot change rules because he is tired
A soldier cannot entangle himself with civilian life
In the same way:
A believer cannot lower standards because it is December
A Christian cannot compromise because “everyone is doing it”
👉 Holiness is not seasonal.
4. Discipline and Preparation Are Needed
1 Corinthians 9:24–27 (NLT)
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
Paul compares the Christian life to athletic training.
Athletes practice self-control
Athletes train daily
Athletes sacrifice comfort
Spiritual Discipline Includes:
Prayer
Reading the Word
Fasting
Fellowship
Righteous living
December tests discipline:
Late nights
Too many gatherings
Reduced prayer
Loose living
👉 You don’t finish strong accidentally — you finish strong intentionally.
5. We Are Not Running Alone
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
Church, this is our great encouragement.
Jesus started this race.
Jesus finished this race.
Jesus understands pain, rejection, temptation.
He endured:
The cross.
Shame.
Suffering.
And He finished.
👉 If Jesus finished, you can finish.
The Holy Spirit strengthens us.
The Church supports us.
Jesus leads us.
6. There Is a Reward at the Finish Line
2 Timothy 4:7–8
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race…”
There is:
A crown of righteousness
Eternal life
God’s approval
Christianity is not wasted effort. Nothing done for Christ is lost.
The Race Is Full of Battles
1 Corinthians 9:24
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
This is a spiritual race.
There are:
Discouragements.
Delays.
Complaining.
Spiritual attacks.
Fatigue.
Temptation to look back.
Being chosen does not remove battles.
Old Testament Illustration: Israel in the Wilderness
Numbers 21:4–9
4 Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea[a] to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient with the long journey, 5 and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!”
6 So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died. 7 Then the people came to Moses and cried out, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take away the snakes.” So Moses prayed for the people.
8 Then the Lord told him, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!” 9 So Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!
Israel was:
Delivered from Egypt.
On the way to the Promised Land.
But:
They became impatient.
They complained.
They murmured.
Results:
Serpents came.
People were bitten.
Joy disappeared.
Progress slowed.
👉 Complaining weakens spiritual strength.
The Solution: Look to God, Not the Problem
God told Moses:
“Lift up the bronze serpent.”
No medicine.
No running away.
Only looking up.
👉 Victory came by faith and obedience.
New Testament Fulfilment: Jesus Lifted Up
John 3:14–15
14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.
Jesus is our:
Healer
Strength
Focus
Finish line
When attacked — look to Jesus
When tired — look to Jesus
When discouraged — look to Jesus
👉 Those who look to Christ finish strong.
How to Finish Strong (Take-Home for December)
a) Stop Complaining — Start Trusting
Complaining delays destiny.
Trust releases grace.
b) Stay Focused on the Prize
Eyes on Christ, not circumstances.
c) Keep Moving Forward
God heals people who keep walking.
d) Remember the Reward
This race ends in glory.
Declaration Over the Church
Church, receive this:
You will not faint on the way.
You will not die in the wilderness.
You will finish your race strong.
You will rise above discouragement.
Grace is upon you.
RUN WELL.
RUN FAITHFULLY.
FINISH STRONG IN CHRIST.
Amen 🙏
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