Staying the Course

Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Definition of Staying the Course
The Benefits of Staying the Course
How to Get Back on the Course

1. STAYING ON COURSE DEFINED

St. Webster - “To continue with a process, effort, etc., even though it is difficult.

Remaining committed to following the teachings of Jesus Christ and deliberately and actively living out the principles of the Christian faith, even when faced with challenges or obstacles.

Actively living out one's faith through actions and attitudes that reflect the love, mercy, and grace of God.

Maintaining a regular spiritual practice of prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers.

Acts 20:32 ESV
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
We have 3 opportunities to hear God’s word
THE Word is in competition with 18K advertisements a week
It’s difficult to stay focused on the word of God when you submit yourself to such a daily barrage of wordly CONDITIONING stuff.
We set aside may 1 - 1.5 hours a week.
Proverbs 4:25–27 ESV
Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

2. THE BENEFITS OF STAYING THE COURSE

New Destination

Hebrews 12:2 ESV
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
When I die, I want to be where Jesus is

New Relationship

Ephesians 2:13 ESV
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

New Position

Ephesians 2:5–6 ESV
even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

New Purpose

Ephesians 2:10 ESV
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

3. HOW TO GET BACK ON COURSE

Humility
James 4:10 ESV
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Philippians 2:3–4 ESV
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Repentance
Luke 15:10 ESV
Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Psalm 51:17 ESV
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Maintaining a steadfast focus
Philippians 3:13–14 ESV
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Conclusion
Many are not seeking the truth, but numerous conformations of what they consider to be true
Essentially, staying the course requires a steadfast determination to remain faithful to God and His plan, regardless of personal circumstances or external pressures.
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