You Were Born To Win. Are You Wining?

You Were Born To Win. Are You Wining?

Win the Christian R-A-C-E

there are a number of question we ask ourselves frequently. These vary from:

“Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus” (Heb. 12:1-3).

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Eyes on Jesus! (12:1–3)

1. Let Us Run the Race! (vv. 1–2)

(a) Encouraged by those who have run it before us (v. 1a)

(b) Laying aside all hindrances (v. 1b)

(c) Running the race set out before each one (v. 1c)

(d) Keeping our focus on Jesus (v. 2a)

(1) The pioneer and completer of our faith (v. 2b)

(2) The one who endured the cross for the joy before him and despised its shame (v. 2b–c)

(3) The one now seated at God’s right hand (v. 2d)

2. Consider Jesus! (v. 3a)

(a) Who endured such hostility (v. 3b)

(b) So that you do not grow weary (v. 3c)

I. R-each Forward with Persistence

“… reaching forth unto those things which are before”

(Phil. 3:13).

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

A. Some Christians live in the past. They spend much time dwelling on things that have already happened.

B. As Christians we must emulate Paul and forget “the things which are behind” (v. 13).

C. We can win the Christian race by persistently “reaching forth unto those things which are before” (v. 13) and “looking unto Jesus”

(Heb. 12:2).

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

II. A-pply Yourself with Purpose

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God”

(Phil. 3:14)

14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

A. Too many Christians lack purpose. They simply drift along aimlessly without thought of advancing the kingdom of God.

B. If we win the Christian race we must look to the future, making plans that will glorify the Lord.

C. We should take inventory of our spiritual life. Then, setting goals for overcoming our weaknesses, we should live with purpose.

III. C-onquer Evil with God’s Power

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Rom. 8:37).

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

A. Today’s world is filled with sin and evil. Satan is constantly trying to defeat God’s people.

B. When their faith is tested, some Christians give up in despair. They fail to make use of God’s conquering power.

C. We can win the Christian race with divine strength. Through prayer, the promises, and participation in God’s work we can be “more than conquerors.”

IV. E-ndure Hardness with Patience

“Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”

(2 Tim. 2:3). - 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

A. Some Christians try to go to heaven on flowery beds of ease. Their lack of patience and endurance brings them to disappointment.

B. A good soldier must endure hardship. He must press forward even when the going is tough. We must “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” also.

C. If we win the Christian race, we must be patient when testings and trials come. We trust God and keep on keeping on

Matt. 24:13

13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

As children and as his soldiers he has not left his alone. Christ his leftist the greatest companion we can ever have in this world. His spirits are dwells in US, guides us teaches us, and empowers us to win this race of life.

It is appropriate that we reflect on how the Holy Spirit moves and works through Believers in power to facilitate a Wining Life

The Person of the Holy Spirit is also refered to as the Spirit of God.

His primary role in the life of each one of us who believes is to transform(transforming power) our character and empower us to fulfil God’s purposes for our individual lives and for His Kingdom.

Ezekiel 36: 26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

He purifies us - 2 Corinthians 3:3-6 if we pay attention to Him. vs.13:18

He empowers us to Minister to others. He is the Spirit of Prophesy and Witness

Today, we are commerate The Day of Pentecost, I would to share briefly with you one of the Symbols of the Holy Spirit of God:

Outlines on the Holy Spirit 5. Symbols of the Holy Spirit

III. OIL SYMBOL—approval

A. Anointed for preaching—Luke 4:18. The Spirit anointed Christ for preaching as a sign of God’s approval.

B. Anointed with power—Acts 10:38. Christ showed His power through action.

Anointing With Oil

It is mentioned 20 times in Scripture.

Exodus 23 or 33 for anointing of priestsOT

Mark 6:13 - Jesus sent the Disciples( cast out devil's and anointed with oil they that were oil). Anointed the person and separate that person for the healing God is going to do.

Mark 14:3-9(woman with oil) way of expressing her gratitude to God.

James 5:14 (elders anoint) seasoned people of the faith praying for them. Setting the sick aside and bring God into the healing process.

Hebrews 1:8-9( anointed with the anointing of gladness.

Anointing is for a purpose. ( anoint individuals to separate them for God, anoint your house, car and set it aside for God to use it for His glory.

AGAIN

Some think it strange, some think is superstionand some think it belongs to the Old Testament.

The oil is one of the symbols of the Holy Spirit. It is not the Holy Spirit. God works through symbols like the bread and wine for Communion.

God does anoint symbols with his power for His work to the glory of God.

Obey the Lord - it is not the oil it is what it symbol.

AGAIN

Shemen - pressed for

Gethsemene - pressed for oil. ( also symbolic of Jesus' pressing before the crucified.

Psalm 91:7-9 - No evil shall before you nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.

First mention of oil. Gen. 28:16-18