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2. Text ‘If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.’ (2nd Timothy 2:5)

4. Just as in sport, so it is in the Christian life: we cannot be successful unless we compete according to the rules.

5. Rules for running the Christian race

6. Rules for running the Christian race • You’ve got to be in it to win it

9. “Follow me.”

10. Rules for running the Christian race • You’ve got to be in it to win it • Be committed

11. “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. “I don’t like that attitude. “It is much more serious than that.” (Bill Shankly, English football manager)

12. “Winning isn’t the most important thing. “It’s the only thing.” (Vince Lombardi, American Football coach)

13. ‘I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.’ (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

14. Rules for running the Christian race • You’ve got to be in it to win it • Be committed • Train hard

16. ‘Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever.’ (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

17. Rules for running the Christian race • You’ve got to be in it to win it • Be committed • Train hard • No pain, no gain

19. ‘Endure hardship with us’ (2 Timothy 2:3)

20. Rules for running the Christian race • You’ve got to be in it to win it • Be committed • Train hard • No pain, no gain • Have a true aim

22. ‘One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 3:13f)

23. Holy Trinity’s Vision of 2020 A church that reaches out with confidence, in God's power, growing more like Jesus Christ loving one another, serving our networks and local communities, so that, by 2020, there are multiple congregations established or grafted from Holy Trinity

24. Rules for running the Christian race • You’ve got to be in it to win it • Be committed • Train hard • No pain, no gain • Have a true aim • Be a team player

26. ‘You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.’ (1 Corinthians, 12:27)

27. Rules for running the Christian race • You’ve got to be in it to win it • Be committed • Train hard • No pain, no gain • Have a true aim • Be a team player • Follow your leader

29. ‘Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.’ (Hebrews 12:2)

30. Rules for running the Christian race • You’ve got to be in it to win it • Be committed • Train hard • No pain, no gain • Have a true aim • Be a team player • Follow your leader • Strive to achieve your Personal Best

32. ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’ (2nd Timothy 4:7)

33. Rules for running the Christian race • You’ve got to be in it to win it • Be committed • Train hard • No pain, no gain • Have a true aim • Be a team player • Follow your leader • Strive to achieve your Personal Best • No cheating!

37. “Whitewashed tombs” (Matthew 23:27)

38. Rules for running the Christian race • You’ve got to be in it to win it • Be committed • Train hard • No pain, no gain • Have a true aim • Be a team player • Follow your leader • Strive to achieve your Personal Best • No cheating!

40. ‘Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.’ (2nd Timothy 4:8)