Run the Race and Pass the Baton

Passage:  2 Timothy 2:1-2

Focus: “And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (v. 2)

Among the highlights of the Summer Olympics for me are the relay races. Every sport requires discipline and commitment, but there is something special about the relays. It isn’t enough to be able to run like the wind. Winning the gold in a relay race requires control and the discipline to work as a team. One misstep into another team’s “transfer zone” means disqualification of the whole team. Drop the baton and a life of dreams and hard work is gone.

It doesn’t happen often, but occasionally a team loses because one member fails to pass the baton within the prescribed zone. Unfortunately, failing to pass the baton happens too often in the body of Christ. Every believer needs a Barnabas and a Paul in his or her life . . . someone to learn from and be challenged by. It is equally important that every believer have a Timothy. Each Christian needs to take what they have been given and pass it along. Pastoral couples have a special responsibility and opportunity to do this.

God had taught Paul the wonderful truths of the gospel. Paul passed the baton to Timothy and now it was time for Timothy to pass the baton to someone else. And he was to pass it in such a way that it could be passed on to others. This ought to be the goal of every person in ministry. 

What will happen if we fail to pass the baton? The thought causes Paul’s words to echo in my mind, “How shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). Brothers, are you preparing someone to continue the mission of the Great Commission? Sisters, are you preparing a young woman who will stand side-by-side with her husband in Kingdom work? Are you, together, preparing the next generation of godly couples? And are you doing it in such a way that they can pass the baton on to other faithful couples?

W. A. Criswell was the longtime pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, and the founder of The Criswell College. When I graduated in 1996, I was given a gold torch pin and a framed story of “Dr. C’s” first effort to stand up and speak for the Lord. It wasn’t a powerful sermon, but when he sat down, one of the godly men of his church stood and said, “That was a fine start.” At that moment Criswell said that he knew the baton had been placed in his hand . . . and he has faithfully passed it to thousands of others. In fact, even though he has long since gone to be with Jesus, Dr. Criswell continues to pass the torch today through the school. That torch pin is a reminder of the great gift and awesome responsibility each graduate has.

Run the race and pass the baton!

“Brothers, are you preparing someone to continue the mission of the Great Commission? Sisters, are you preparing a young woman who will stand side-by-side with her husband in Kingdom work? Are you, together, preparing the next generation of godly couples? And are you doing it in such a way that they can pass the baton on to other faithful couples?”