2012

Running the Race…Think about running a marathon. What are some of the words that you would use to describe the experience?

Running the Race…Now using those words describe where you are in your “race” as a Christian.

“Everyone one of us is either going through something hard, just came out of something hard, or is about to go through something hard.”

“Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and the wrong. Sometime in your life you will have been all of these.”

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Romans 5:3-5

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

“You were running well, who hindered you from obeying the truth.”

Galatians 5:7

“You were running well, what hindered you from obeying the truth.”

WHAT HINDERED YOU?

1. Discouragement

The Answer: REJOICE

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”

Phil. 4:4

WHAT HINDERED YOU?

1. Discouragement

2. Distractions

The Answer: FOCUS

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

Phil. 4:8

WHAT HINDERED YOU?

1. Discouragement

2. Distractions

3. Disinformation

The Answer: STUDY

“The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Phil. 4:9

WHAT HINDERED YOU?

1. Discouragement

2. Distractions

3. Disinformation

4. Discontent

The Answer: SPIRITUAL GROWTH

“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”

Phil. 4:11-12

WHAT HINDERED YOU?

1. Discouragement

2. Distractions

3. Disinformation

4. Discontent

Winning the Race…

1. Press OnPhil. 3:12-15

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Winning the Race…

1. Press OnPhil. 3:12-15

2. PrioritizePhil. 3:18-19

“For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.”

Winning the Race…

1. Press OnPhil. 3:12-15

2. PrioritizePhil. 3:18-19

3. Picture the PrizePhil. 3:20-21

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”

REALLY ONLY ONE CHOICE TO MAKE…

QUIT

or

DON’T QUIT

At Some Point…You WILL start feeling sorry for yourself…

YOU CAN’T QUIT

At Some Point…You WILL face a greater challenge than you have ever faced…

YOU CAN’T QUIT

At Some Point…You WILL think you are completely on your own…

YOU CAN’T QUIT

THERE WILL BE NUMEROUS

STRUGGLES, BUT…

“I can do ALL things through

Christ, who gives me strength”

Phil. 4:13

DON’T QUIT…

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT,

KEEP THE FAITH,

FINISH THE RACE!