The relay race, the race is not given unto the swift or to the strong, but he that endures until the end!~
“Can you pass the baton of leadership in this spiritual relay race?”~
Brothers and sisters, Ministry is like a relay race, in a relay race every runner in the relay race is running their own purpose in that race, but the race is not given unto the swift or to the strong, but unto him that endures until the end!~
But every runner in a relay race is placed in that race according to their purpose, according to their strength, and the main purpose of the relay race is to win the race as a team, not as an individual, for the main purpose of the runners is to win the race as a whole!~
A relay race is based on the speed of the runners, and the strategy used in setting up a 4 person relay team is second fastest, third fastest, slowest, then the anchor which is the fastest. Each segment of the relay or the distance run by one person, is referred to as a leg.
“The baton, the gift of leadership!”~
Each runner must hand off the baton to the next runner within a certain zone, usually marked by triangles on the track.
In sprint relays, runners typically use a “blind handoff”, where the second runner stands on a spot predetermined in practice and starts running when the first runner hits a visual mark on the track.
The second runner opens their hand behind them after a few strides, by which time the first runner should be caught up and able to hand off the baton.
Usually a runner will give a signal or loud sound, such as “Stick”, and they repeat it several times for the recipient of the baton to put out his hand.
In middle-distance relays or longer, runners begin by jogging while looking back at the incoming runner and holding out a hand for the baton.
A team may be disqualified from a relay for, Losing the baton, dropping the baton, making an improper baton pass, false starting, Improperly overtaking another competitor, preventing another competitor from passing, improperly crossing the course, or in any other way interfering with another runner.
Brothers and sisters, only people who have leadership qualities are qualified to run in a relay race, for the quality of a man or woman being a real leader is when they can decrease in life, so someone else who is greater than they are can increase!
The character or quality of a real leader is when they see greatness in someone else who is less than them, and they can mentor them, teach them, and possibly compel them to become great or even greater than themselves!~
“Can you pass the baton of leadership in this spiritual relay race?”~
Brothers and sisters, ministry is like a relay race, and Just like all the runners in a relay race have purpose, we all have a purpose in ministry also, and our purpose in ministry is to win the race as a whole!~
It does not matter who is the fastest, who is the most gifted, or who is the most talented, for the ultimate purpose of ministry is the to win the race as a team, for the race is not given unto the swift or the strong, but he that endures until the end!
Brothers and sisters, John the Baptist and JESUS are great examples of this spiritual relay race, and what true ministry is among true believers!~
For John the Baptist was a great leader before JESUS came on the scene, and John’s ministry was a great ministry before JESUS came on the scene!!
But when John the Baptist saw JESUS coming to be baptized by him in the wilderness, John the Baptist said, behold, “The Lamb of GOD who takes away the sins of the world, “I MUST DECREASE SO HE CAN INCREASE!”
And at that very moment John the Baptist was imprisoned, and immediately the ministry of JESUS CHRIST became the way, the truth, and the life!~
And neither John the Baptist of JESUS was concerned about greatness, being great, or who is the greatest, for they both had one purpose in ministry, and that was to fulfill all righteousness, by doing the will of GOD at all cost!~
“The relay race, Ministry, the race is not given unto the swift of the strong, but he that endures until the end!”~
(John 3:26-36) And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
For John was not yet cast into prison.
Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with you beyond Jordan, to whom you barest witness, behold, the same baptizes, and all men come to him.
John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
He that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and heareth him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
HE MUST INCREASE, BUT I MUST DECREASE.
He that comes from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth: he that comes from heaven is above all.
And what he has seen and heard, that he testifies; and no man receives his testimony. He that has received his testimony has set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God: for God does not give him the Spirit by measure.
The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.
He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that does not believe the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.
“I must decrease so someone greater than I am can increase, this the gospel of JESUS CHRIST, this is true ministry!”~
(Luke 7:19-30) And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to JESUS, saying, Are you he that should come?
Or do we look we for another? When the men were come unto JESUS, they said, John Baptist has sent us unto thee, saying, Are you he that should come? Or look we for another? And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
Then JESUS answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things you have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
And when the messengers of John were departed, JESUS began to speak unto the people concerning John the Baptist, What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. But what did you go out in the wilderness to see?
A prophet? Yes, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which shall prepare your way before you.
For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
(John 14:12) JESUS SAYS, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Brothers and sisters, JESUS lived every word he spoke, and just as JESUS promised the disciples, that they would do greater works than him, the disciples did greater works than JESUS, just as JESUS promised them!
For JESUS ministry only lasted 3 years, and JESUS only ministered in Jerusalem, and the surrounding cities of Jerusalem!
But JESUS raised the disciples to be so great, that they carried the gospel of JESUS CHRIST around the world, and set the world on fire with the truth gospel of JESUS CHRIST!~
Brothers and sisters, JESUS is the example of what a true leader is, for a true leader can see greatness in people who cannot see greatness in themselves, and he can mentor them, teach them, and possibly compel them to become great or even greater than themselves!~
“Can you pass the baton of leadership in this spiritual relay race?”~