PRESS TOWARDS THE MARK. Keep running the Christian race and do whatever it takes to win.
Visiting minister, Pastor Garcia Jarvis, recently gave this word of encouragement to those gathered at People’s Pentecostal Church in Kirtons, St Philip.
Speaking on the subject Set Your Focus OnThe Finish Line, his sermon was centred around the church’s revival services’ theme, Maintaining Fitness Throughout The Journey.
Though Jarvis’ message was filled with anecdotes which brought peals of laughter from his listeners, its seriousness could not be missed.
He said while it was possible in the natural to practise running on a course before the actual race occurred, this was not the case in the Christian life, since individuals must rely heavily on the Holy Spirit in order to run with understanding and complete the journey.
“In the gospel race, some of us have not gotten weary but others have started and stopped. To those who have stopped, I hope you will be revived again. God is able to keep us from falling and ensure we reach the finish line but we must have the desire to do so.
“We must have the goal to get to the finish line. Therefore, we should take up our cross and start to run with patience. We have to lay aside every weight and sin that so easily besets us, and run with patience the race that is before us. We must drop off those things which slow us down; those bad habits which handicap us. If you want your ship to come to shore, you must lighten your load,” Jarvis added.
He said in the gospel race everyone must run to obtain the prize by setting the goal to do so.
“You will face problems, but endure afflictions like a true soldier and do the work of a minister.”
He added that the Christian race was not for the swift but those who endured to the end.
“You must fight the good fight of faith and keep on the firing line. Obey the instructions of the coach. There will always be obstacles in your way. The enemy and circumstances will be thrown your way to stop you from reaching the mark, to frustrate you, but like Paul we must forget what is behind us and press on to the mark for the prize of the high calling of God.”
Jarvis also noted that neither suffering, tribulation, distress, famine, nakedness, peril nor sword should separate us from the love of Christ.
“In all these things we are more than conquerors. You can only say you are ready to offer up your body if you have finished the race.”
Before bringing his message to an end, Jarvis reiterated the need to run to obtain the goal and to press on in order to hear the words “well done”.
Apart from the melodious voices which shouted forth praise and worship, special ministry was rendered in song while members of the congregation shared personal testimonies and Bible verses.
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