RUNNING ANCHOR

"So the last shall be first..." (Matthew 20:16)

Think of the speed of a Carl Lewis or a Michael Johnson, the latter running a hundred meters in less than ten seconds. It is exciting every four years watching the speedsters compete in the Olympics. But such sprints are over so quickly that they can be missed if you blink your eyes. The relay is what grabs my interest, four men working together with blocks and baton giving their all for the good of the team for a half mile or a mile. As Maxwell wrote, teamwork makes the dream work. Paul used the Olympic simile often; "So run that you might obtain", "You did run well, who hindered you that you should not obey the truth?", "Run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus..." This race that begins in grace ends in space. For some it is a wind-sprint, like Stephen who was martyred while still young. Others like John tackle the marathon and live out the whole of their days. But both ran, breathed hard and went home with strained muscles and joints.

The success of the "forerunner" is vital (Hebrews 6:20). Jesus ran first and ran well. The pass of the baton is next in importance. We are to teach the Word to our "sons, and our son's sons" (Deuteronomy 4:9). Each generation has responsibility to the long relay. But my focus in this message is the anchor man. The fourth man in the relay must be a cut above the rest. The coach normally places the fastest of the fast in that pivotal position. If the anchor holds a lead he must maintain it but if the team has fallen behind runner number four bears the burden of catching up and passing. It is a position of trust and confidence. Jesus saved the best wine for last. And He has placed you and I as last that shall be first. Runners in these End of Times have a special anointing. Our legs have been primed. Those who preceded us have not fumbled the baton. This is no time for a flub up. The test is yet to come but the best is yet to come.

The stopwatch is ticking. The grandstands are filled. "Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1). The first shall be last and the last shall be first. Prophetic chronology flips celebrity backwards. Responsibility is even. Runners two and three are no less vital to the clock than the first and the last. I suppose the anchor position is hardest on the nerves, because he stands in the wings waiting. "And who knows whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14) We are positioned for such a time. Every muscle has to be pumped with spiritual steroid. We must know the lane we are to fill, what our calling and mission is. Elijah passes the mantle on to Elisha, Moses to Joshua, Paul to Timothy. It is an hour for exertion, exactitude, fortitude, drive. Our focus is not the grandstand but the goal-line. Sin, we can't. Win, we must. Paul wasn't beheaded so we could waltz through the finish tape. The saints of past ages carried the baton with honor and often a bloody grip. Our hour has come, the fourth man. Don't drop the ball. And if we run well it will end well. You who are last will walk through the gate first.

Audio Sermon Downloads