An Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at Creekwood  

One Word

Dying from exhaustion, he fell before a stunned audience, whispering only one word.  That single word was the last he ever spoke.  The breath that uttered it was the last he took.  What message was so important that hills and valleys didn't deter Phidippides that day in 490 B.C.?  Why did he wear himself out on the road from Marathon to Athens ?  What one word was sacred enough, vital enough, and glorious enough to claim his own life?  "VICTORY!"  The Athenians had defeated the Persian army in a battle at Marathon, a small town about 26 miles from the city of Athens .  Phidippides' legendary feat inspired the modern-day "marathon"  but his message inspires the soul.*

Sam Dilbeck writes: "Phidippides sacrificed his life to spread the word of VICTORY.  However, it was but ONE WIN in ONE BATTLE in ONE WAR in ONE AGE.  Since his marathon, many wars have raged, with no lasting peace.  Five hundred years later [after Phidippides' marathon run], Jesus traversed the road to Calvary and sacrificed His life to accomplish true and lasting victory.  It is the ULTIMATE TRIUMPH over the ULTIMATE ENEMY in the ULTIMATE WAR for ALL AGES!  It inspires the heart and saves the soul."

How is it that Jesus' DEATH  provided VICTORY?

Jesus' death on the cross provides: VICTORY OVER SIN.  Our sin puts us at hostility with God (see Isaiah 59:1-2; James 4:4).  However, Jesus paid the price for our sins by dying on the cross on our behalf.  "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness."  By His stripes, WE can be healed, and forgiven (1 Peter 2:24).

Jesus' death on the cross also provides: VICTORY OVER DEATH.  Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection assures us of our OWN resurrection at His second coming (read 1 Corinthians 15).  Based upon this assurance, the Apostle Paul writes of the hope of Christians: "So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this MORTAL has put on IMMORTALITY, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in VICTORY.'  'O Death, where is your sting? O Grave, where is your victory? ' The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ
(1 Corinthians 15:54-57).

YOU can share in this VICTORY over SIN and DEATH through YOUR FAITH – a faith that trusts God (Hebrews 11:6), repents of sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confesses Christ (Romans 10:9-10), is baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), and continues to follow God for the rest on one’s life (1 John 1:7).

Are YOU sharing in Jesus' victory?

God bless you!

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

* From Sam Dilbeck.  Note: The story of Phidippides may be the conglomeration of incidents in the lives of two historical figures: Phidippides and Eukles.  However, the story above has persisted and is the basis for the modern-day marathon.

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