Mobility

STORY:

A preacher and his unbelieving barber were walking down the street as their conversation turned to the love of God. Said the barber to the preacher, "If God was as loving as you say, why does He permit all the poverty, disease, and squalor that exists in the world? I cannot believe that a loving God would permit these things."

The minister was silent until they met a man who was especially unkempt and filthy. His hair was hanging down his neck and he had a half-inch of stubble on his face. Then he said, "You can’t be a very good barber or you would not permit a man like that to continue living in this neighborhood without a haircut or shave."

Indignantly the barber answered: "Why blame me for that man’s condition? I can’t help it that he is like that. He has never come into my shop; why, I could fix him up and make him look like a million dollars, if he’d only let me!"

Giving the barber a penetrating look, the minister said: "Then don’t blame God for allowing people to continue in their evil ways, when He is constantly inviting them to come and be saved. The reason people are slaves to sin and evil habits is that they refuse the One who died to save and deliver them."

The barber saw the point.

Are you able stay flexible like the barber, when Truth is presented in front of you, do you see the point that is presented to you , or do you just argue the point?

INTRO: Welcome everyone, today we are moving towards our 2nd pillar on our fitness journey, this is Mobility!

You may have heard from us that you are only as strong as how mobile your are.

If you can’t get into a position because of lack of mobility, you will never be able to reach your full potential of strength, physically & spiritually.

Flexibility vs Mobility

In simple terms, flexibility is the ability of the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons) to passively stretch.

Mobility, on the other hand, is the joint's (i.e., the point where two bones meet) ability to actively move through its full range of motion.

Example:

Flexibility is pulling my thumb back to my wrist

Mobility is having my thumb come back to my wrist without any assistance.

Be flexible!

“You can’t control the wind but you can adjust the sails!”

Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Today we will be using the words Flexibility & Mobility

Being flexible does not mean being wishy washy and not having any control over the flex

Do you have the ability to stretch?

Are you flexible in the physical realm?

Are you flexible in the spiritual realm?

Being flexible means being willing to change and try something new

Philippians 4:11–13 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

V.11

Paul had learned an important secret to the Christian

life—that he could get along happily with whatever he had,

whether much or little.

Paul had learned this—such contentment is not a natural human response.

Paul explained that his sufficiency was in Christ alone, who provides strength to cope with all circumstances.

V.12

With travel and food costs, Paul probably had very little to live on.

Paul also knew how to live with everything.

This might refer to Paul’s pre-Christian days as a fairly wealthy and influential Pharisee.

Whether Paul had plenty or little, he could keep life on an even keel because of contentment.

What an important lesson for all believers to learn!

V.13

Paul could truly be content because he did not let outward circumstances determine his attitude.

Christ was giving him the strength to continue with his ministry and the work of spreading the gospel whether he had plenty or was in need.

Paul had complete confidence that, no matter what the circumstance, Christ would give him the strength to meet it.

Flexible people are much easier to get along with than people who are not willing to bend

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (a) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Like Paul, we ask for help from the Lord. As far as our Father is concerned, however, the purpose of prayer is not that He might give help to us, but that He might give Himself to us.

The Father says, “You want Me to take away the pain, to solve the problem, to get you out of the situation—but that’s not what you need.

You need Me. And the very problem you’re seeking to get away from, the very situation you desire to get out of is the very one that is causing you to talk to Me, spend time with Me, and depend on Me.

You’ll be stronger when you’re weak because you’ll have no other choice than to draw strength from Me.

You’ll do better when you’re weak because you’ll have to rely on Me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 (b) Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

It is the wise woman who says, “Okay, Lord. I’m not going to get out of the marriage because he’s a thorn in my flesh.”

It is the wise man who says, “I’m not going to try to throw fire on the problem the way the world suggests, Lord.

Instead, I’ll just glory in it—for it’s the way You get me close to You. And when I’m close to You, Your strength is made known to me.”

2 Corinthians 12:10 (a) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities…

“It’s a pleasure, Lord, to have this thorn under my skin that causes me grief,” said Paul. What a statement! I want to get there!

How do I get flexible? Getting flexible is painful Getting flexible is challenging Getting flexible requires effort Getting flexible requires change Getting flexible requires stretching

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

Twenty years ago, a missionary candidate was summoned to appear before a certain examiner. A veteran missionary himself, the examiner instructed the young man to come to his house at 5:00 A.M. the next Monday morning. So the young man got up at 4:00 and was at the examiner’s house by 4:55. “Wait for me,” the examiner said as he ushered the candidate into his study.

Three hours later, the examiner returned and said, “How do you spell baker?”

“B-a-k-e-r,” answered the young man.

“How’s your math?” asked the examiner. “What’s two plus two?”

“Four,” answered the young man.

Satisfied, the examiner said, “I’m going to recommend you for service in our mission.” And the young candidate left the interview perplexed.

That evening, the examiner met with his mission board and said, “I highly recommend this young man for ministry. I tested him on self-denial. He rolled out of bed and showed up at 4:55 A.M. Patience? I made him wait three hours in my study, and he didn’t say a word. Temper? I asked him to spell baker, and he didn’t become agitated. Humility? I asked him what two plus two was and he answered readily. This man will make a great missionary.”

F2S Family you never know what tests the Master Examiner is putting before you.

We’re interested in credentials, but the Lord is interested in character. So we must stay flexible in all areas of life.

“Whatever you do, be fervent,” said Paul. Be fervent for the Lord however simple your service might be or how insignificant it might seem—for in so doing, you just may be qualifying yourself for even greater service.

Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

“Longsuffering” means “exceeding patience.” How much more patient we would be if we really understood how incredibly patient God has been with us.

After all, would you have put up with yourself if you were God? I, for one, wouldn’t be here right now because I would have blasted myself a long time ago!

How do I stay flexible? Staying flexible requires maintenance Staying flexible requires effort Staying flexible requires choices Staying flexible requires desire Staying flexible requires stretching

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Inflexible people have a hard time getting along with people and getting things done because they remain stiff and rigid and are not willing to change

James 3:16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

Are you willing to make the change?

1 Corinthians 9:26–27 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Paul is saying, “I let go of my liberty in order that I might win people to Jesus. Why?

Because I’m in a race for a prize that will affect who I am and what I do in the ages to come.

Therefore, even though I am free to do all things,

I can be disqualified if I don’t keep my flesh under control, if I cause another to stumble.”

As we stay mobile physically & spiritually it requires a little pain and effort in our daily routines.