There's something powerful about understanding that our lives are meant for more than just getting by. We're not simply existing, waiting for Sunday to roll around so we can check the "church attendance" box. We're running a race—one that requires intentionality, sacrifice, and an unwavering focus on what truly matters.

The Weight of Fingerprints

Think about fingerprints for a moment. When you touch something, you leave a mark. Your hands have been places, done things, created impact. The question isn't whether you'll leave fingerprints on this world—it's what kind of fingerprints will they be?

Fingerprints of compassion. Fingerprints of service. Fingerprints that show you've actually been working, striving, and pouring yourself out for something greater than your own comfort.

If your life has no fingerprints—no scars, no dirt under your fingernails from the hard work of faith—then what exactly are you doing with what God has given you? Salvation is free, absolutely. But what comes after salvation is a journey of purpose, of building something eternal, of earning crowns that you'll one day lay at the feet of Jesus.

The Crowns We're Running For

The Bible speaks of several crowns that believers can earn—not for salvation, but as rewards for faithfulness, endurance, and service. These aren't about pride or competition. They're about living a life so sold out to God that when you stand before Him, you have something tangible to offer back.

The Crown of Life: belongs to those who endure. James 1:12 tells us, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." This is the martyr's crown—for those who remain faithful even when it costs them everything.

Around the world right now, believers are being persecuted for their faith. In the Middle East, China, and Nigeria, Christians are literally giving their lives because they refuse to deny Jesus. While we may not face that level of persecution yet, we still face trials. We face betrayal, disappointment, and circumstances that test whether we'll stand firm or compromise.

The Crown of Righteousness: is for those who keep their hope alive even when the world is upside down. It's for the person who cries out to God all night, uses up an entire box of tissues, pours their heart out over their mistakes—and then gets up the next morning and chooses faith again.

The Crown of Glory: is reserved for those who shepherd others—pastors, teachers, mentors, and leaders who sacrifice themselves so others can grow. These are the people who wake up thinking about how to help someone else get cleaned up spiritually, who invest in discipleship, who care deeply about the spiritual health of those around them.

The Crown of Rejoicing: belongs to the soul winners. This is the crown you earn when you look someone in the eye and ask, "Do you know Jesus?" It's the crown for those who don't wait for people to come to church but instead take Jesus to the streets, to their workplaces, to their neighborhoods.

The Cost of Following Jesus

Here's the uncomfortable truth: if following Jesus doesn't cost you anything, you're probably not really following Him. Real faith requires sacrifice. It demands that you put aside your own agenda, your own comfort, your own reputation.

The House of Bread vision—a place where people can come, smell fresh bread, drink coffee, and spend time in prayer—represents this kind of costly obedience. It's about creating spaces where the spiritually hungry can be fed, where those starving for meaning in a dark world can find sustenance.

But creating such spaces requires fingerprints. It requires showing up, serving, and sometimes getting your hands dirty. It means being there on a Saturday to hand out groceries to families who are afraid to leave their homes. It means bagging food on Monday nights for migrants who need help. It means actually living out the gospel, not just talking about it.

When the World Betrays You

Betrayal is inevitable. Every hand that went up in that room when asked about betrayal tells the same story—we've all been hurt by people we trusted. But here's the freedom: when you understand that the real enemy isn't the person who betrayed you but the spiritual force behind them, you can pray differently.

"Father, they know not what they do."

When you can pray for the freedom of the person who hurt you, you're earning crowns. When you can show compassion to the one who abandoned you, you're growing in spiritual maturity. When someone curses you and you respond with kindness—even when everything in your flesh wants to fight back—you're becoming more like Jesus.

Living With Eternity in View

We're building resumes for the kingdom to come. God is establishing a government, and those who are faithful now are being prepared for roles then. This isn't about floating around heaven doing nothing. It's about being entrusted with real responsibility in God's eternal kingdom.

But you can't build that resume with one foot in the world and one foot in the faith. You can't negotiate with God about how much control He gets. It's all or nothing. Either He has complete access to your life, or He doesn't really have you at all.

The Power of the Blood

At the communion table, we remember that Jesus' body was broken and His blood was shed for us. This isn't just a religious ritual—it's a powerful reminder that without His sacrifice, we are nothing. The blood of Jesus is more than enough to forgive every sin, heal every brokenness, and resurrect every dead thing in our lives.

When we plead the blood over our families, our circumstances, our struggles, we're accessing the most powerful force in the universe. That blood saves, heals, and delivers. It's the only thing that can truly transform a human heart.

What Will They Say at Your Funeral?

One day, people will gather to remember your life. What will they say? Will they talk about how much money you made, how successful you were, how comfortable your life was? Or will they stand up, one after another, and testify about how you loved them, served them, pointed them to Jesus?

The goal isn't to be perfect. We all fall short. We all have moments when we respond in the flesh instead of in the Spirit. But the trajectory of our lives should be clear—we're running toward Jesus, not away from Him.

The Invitation

So here's the question: What needs to be cut off? What relationship, habit, or distraction is keeping you from running your race with excellence? God isn't asking for perfection, but He is asking for wholehearted devotion.

Take a deep breath. Let the noise in your brain settle. Ask God to search your heart and show you what needs to change. He's as soft as a whisper, but His voice carries the weight of eternity.

The race is on. The finish line is ahead. And when you cross it, may you hear those beautiful words: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

What crowns will you lay at His feet?

If this sermon spoke to you and you’re ready to explore it further, this study guide is for you! Inside, you’ll find key Scriptures, reflection questions, and practical applications to help you grow in your faith. Open it up, dig in, and let God’s Word transform your life!