Topic: Medals, Trophies, and Awards
Text: Philippians 2:9-11
Key verse: Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, – Philippians 2:9
The winning mindset is about medals, trophies, and awards. Everyone loves the glory of being celebrated, and feels the pain of losing. There are several kinds of honour one can get in the race of life, one honour fades over time and the other which is eternal.
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 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. – 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Notice how Jesus responded when the people decided to honour and make him a king on earth.
When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!”When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself. – John 6:14-15
Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” – John 18:36
Jesus was not seeking earthly honour, even though he had earned it by his actions among men. He was focused on the honour of the Father rather than that of men.It is like a man to seek honour, recognition, and accolades, be careful how you feed that desire, Cain couldn’t manage it well, it cost him a lot.
Accumulation of multiple awards, medals, and trophies of silver or gold on earth does not necessarily translate to heavenly rewards.Father God rewards and compensates those who fulfil His mission for them.
I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. – John 17:4
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, – Philippians 3:12-13
Apostle Paul seems to have a clear knowledge of what his mission on earth was, so he never allowed the milestones to distract him from continuing to pursue. At another time he wrote about having completed the task.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:7-8
A winning mindset is sustained by a clear vision of the goal. Do you know what God has called you to do? Are you there already? Have men denied you the medals for some of the races you have completed? Cheer up! The earthly accolades have an expiring date, but the one the Father gives is eternal. Heaven\’s record and assessments are always accurate.
As we conclude this subject, l want you to see how great a reward Jesus received from the Father, no human honour could have rivalled it, it is still speaking from generation to generation.
Wouldn’t you live to pursue such an honour? What price are you willing to pay to have dominion on earth and in heavenly places?
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declares that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:9-11
We always win when we give it the best in us and compete according to the rules. Run to win!
May the Lord enlighten your eyes to see how the mind of Christ will guarantee you win beautifully in your marriage, family life, career, and ministry.
Blessings
Roses&Thorns