STAY THE COURSE: WIN THE RACE

People are struggling this morning, for many different reasons; maybe health issues, financial catastrophes, heavy burdens for loved ones, disappointment, grief…you name it. Some of these unwanted challenges can be seen coming ahead of time. However, things come at you from out of nowhere. They threaten to throw you into a deep pit. What do you do?

People are struggling this morning, for many different reasons; maybe health issues, financial catastrophes, heavy burdens for loved ones, disappointment…you name it. Some of these unwanted challenges you see from a long way off. Sometimes, however, things come at you from out of nowhere. What do you do?

It was winter, 2004 or 2005, mid-morning. I was driving a box truck from Wickenburg , AZ to Phoenix to pick up some supplies for Remuda Ranch. It was a normal sunny day in Arizona. I was probably listening to talk radio. I happened to be driving in a residential area, so I wasn’t going too fast. Have you ever had that split second feeling something was about to happen, and then before you can even think, BOOM? Car accidents are like that. That’s the kind of feeling I had. It happened so fast, but I caught of glimpse of something dark falling out of the sky, heading right toward my truck. Was it a bird, was it a plane, was it Superman? Then, BOOM, this thing crashed right into my windshield. It looked like a rock — about 10-12 inches in diameter. My heart was in my throat. But as quick as it had hit, the object just sort of disintegrated into little tiny chunks and slid off the window. Fortunately the shock of it didn’t cause me to run off the road into someone’s house. I pulled over and inspected the windshield. The debris left behind was icy — it looked like dirty, muddy, and icy slush, in Phoenix AZ where it was probably 80 degrees at the time. I still don’t know where it came from…it was a mystery, but it got my attention. After that, I climbed back in my truck and continued on. Even though you don’t always see things coming before they hit, God does. He knows your name and address. He reads your mail before it is even sent. He loves you.

Even though you don’t always see things coming before they hit, God does. He knows your name and address. He reads your mail before it is even sent. He loved you.

Proposition: Come what may: be confident in God’s promises; stay strong in the power of the Spirit; run the race…win the prize

1 Corinthians 9:23–27 NIV

I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 NIV

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

1 cor 9:

Prayer

Proposition: Come what may: be confident in God’s Word and promises; stay strong in the power of the Spirit; run the race…win the prize

Prayer

1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

John 16:33 NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NIV

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 NIV

Proposition: Come what may: be confident in God’s Word and promises; stay strong in the power of the Spirit; run the race…win the prize

no matter how difficult the race is - no matter how many obstacles - even if all you can do is walk…stay in the race. Jesus is along side you. Remember what He said —

Take heart…I have overcome the world

Interrogatory: How do we know things will be okay during those times of unexpected bombs going off in our lives?

Transitional: God has a spotless track record — we can...

STAY STRONG AND CONFIDENT (Josua 23-24)

The final chapters of Joshua tell the story of his last days on earth. He was an old man and he knew that the people needed some reminders, encouragement, and challenges.

God will remind you of His faithfulness

Joshua 24:1–3 NIV

Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants. I gave him Isaac,

Joshua 23:1–3 NIV

After a long time had passed and the Lord had given Israel rest from all their enemies around them, Joshua, by then a very old man, summoned all Israel—their elders, leaders, judges and officials—and said to them: “I am very old. You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you.

Joshua 23:1-3

He will always remind you, if you take the time to stop and listen for His voice

God will challenge you to stay the course

In 23 and 24, Josua reminded them of all the had done for them and how He had blessed them

He also brought very strong warnings from the Lord — “If you turn from the Lord and follow other gods, you will face God’s judgment

The people agreed with Joshua and pledged to get rid of their false idols and stay true to God’s law

Covenant renewal once in a while is a good practice

Joshua 23:6–8 NIV

“Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.

God will give you hope for the future

Joshua 24:25–27 NIV

On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he reaffirmed for them decrees and laws. And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the Lord. “See!” he said to all the people. “This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the Lord has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God.”

Application

God will give you hope for the future

Joshua 23:6–8 NIV

Joshua 3:6–8 NIV

Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them. And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’ ”

Joshua 3:

Application

God is always faithful

God expects His people to stay the course

God always gives His people hope for the future

Please…stay faithful to Him

It’s a daily choice — you can fall into the attitude and philosophy of the dark world around you or you can intentionally turn your eyes upon Jesus and His Word and let Him strengthen you for the days to come

Transitional: You can be strong and confident through hiding clinging to His truth

CLING TO TRUTH - LOVE JESUS ()

On the night of their last Passover meal together, Jesus’ words and actions served to prepare the Disciples for what was to come

Those words and actions remain rock solid today…for us

Intimacy with Jesus is intimacy with the truth

Jesus washed their feet! He turned something normally performed by lowly servants and turned it into a demonstration of their intimate relationship, a demonstration of what His followers should look like

Jesus embodies the truth

Can you imagine? He explained to them the meaning behind what He did — a servant is not greater than His master…serve one another humbly

John 13:3–5 NIV

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Intimacy with Jesus will motivate us to love Him and others

John 13:34 NIV

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

John 13:34–35 NIV

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Intimacy with Jesus comes from remaining in Him

John 14:6–7 NIV

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:

Intimacy with Jesus comes from remaining in Him

He said over and over again

“If you love me…keep my word (commands)"

In chapter 15, Jesus said multiple times in various ways - “ If you keep my commands you will remain in me…if you remain in me you will bear much fruit”

What does it mean to remain in Jesus?

Abide — be organically connected, like a branch and a vine

Can you stay in Him by your own strength and determination?

No…you stay in Him (the vine) because He gives you the stuff you need to abide in Him - like the vine sends nutrients to the branch in order to sustain it.

Conclusion

Whatever unexpected events come our way…we can stay confident and comforted by the fact that God’s Word and His promises are true and immovable. We can be encouraged and strengthened by the power of His Holy Spirit living in us. We can run the race…the marathon

John 16:33 NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:

Stay strong and confident

Cling to truth - love Jesus passionately

Realize that the race we are running is a marathon

Keep going…don’t stray from the path set out before you

Jesus is running along side of you

If you don’t feel like you can run…He is walking along side of you

If you just can’t take another step…He will carry you

Just keep going with Him by your side

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