BANQUETS & TROPHIES

Pastor Todd Christopherson
Mid American Stock Car Series
February 2, 2012

It is that time of year in which there are banquets and the season trophies get handed out. They are always a fun time to get together with the racing community.

As I reflect on them this year, I think about two things, first the trophies. During the race season I have seen guys give away their trophies. Bobby Wilberg often does that at MIS. I happen to have the fun of winning a faster pastor race this year and I gave my trophy to the guy that finished second (maybe should not have doored him coming to the line).

We go into high schools and see the trophy cases filled with those “days of glory”. Successful individuals but mostly filled with teams that succeed as a group. Racing is a team sport and that is where the credit lands at banquet time. Many names are mentioned not just the driver.

As a Christian, I think about the trophies too. God’s Word talks about crowns (trophies). Five crowns are mentioned. There are 5 all together (Imperishable, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25; Rejoicing, 1 Thessalonians 2:19; Righteousness, 2 Timothy 4:8; Glory, 1 Peter 5:4; Life, Revelation 2:10). Here is the cool thing about trophies (crown) in Heaven. They go back to the one that gave them and the one that deserves them. Revelation 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, KJV

Second, I think about the Matthew 22:1a-2 Jesus saying: 2 "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. God talks about a banquet here but it is ONLY for those who are saved. I hope you do not miss out on that. Have you turned to Him in repentance? Have you admitted to your sin? Have you turned from your sin? Have you cried out for forgiveness? I had to do that. I was deep in sin and in great need. I would not admit that for many, many years but there was a point that I saw my sin, my need and that Jesus alone could save me. I hope you join me, ok forget me, join Jesus, God the Son, the Creator at His table in Heaven.

Thanks and hope to see you at a track soon and have a great day racin’ in the SONshine,

Todd