The Amazing Prize
Notes
Transcript
ME:
Read Colossians 2:16-23
The Amazing Race
My wife and I have come to the conclusion that in order to maintain the loving relationship we have we would not enter THE RACE.
Segments of the race (1st place gets a reward .... last is out of the race)
Do and don’t ......
If you don’t accomplish certain things you are disqualified.
Finish the race you receive the grand prize
Paul, in his writing, uses “running a race” as a metaphor.
We see read this in Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Also in I Cor. 9:24-27 (ESV)
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
“In it to win it”
Paul writes about finishing this race .... 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day,
Paul is comparing “running the race” as an analogy to this JOURNEY with Christ!
There is do’s and don’t in this Journey
There is also things that can disqualify us from the race.
Transition Statement: We can all relate to this right?
WE:
We, as believer, (followers of Christ) understand this!
How?
THE WORD!
The word helps us to know the “Do’s and Dont’s.”
The word helps to understand that which would disqualify us in this Journey.
We come to understand that by living in Christ we are victorious. (Sons and Daughters of the Most High God.)
We are royalty.
How is all of this possible? (Paul tells us 2:9-15)
Nailed to the Cross
Why was Paul saying all of this?
He had someone (we can only speculate) refuting Christ to this Church.
Transition Statement: This is a NEW WORLD for believers now.
GOD:
Read Colossians 2:16 (ESV)
16Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
This is referencing the dietary restrictions as well as religious activities of the day.
Food and Drinks (Dietary)
Festivals, New Moon, Sabbath (Religious Activities)
What is Paul addressing?
Tradition and Religion.
This was a whole new world for believers.
The old world - sacrifices/customs/religious activities
Done for the sake of Salvation
Things adhered to (in Faith) believing for their salvation.
The new world - sacrifices no longer needed for salvation?
Why?
Jesus paid it all (once and for all)
No longer “faith in the traditions/activities but faith in the person (Jesus).”
Paul writes to this church reminding them of this .... “Jesus Paid it All.”
Paul orders them to do 2 things ..... (Commands them)
“Let know one ........
.... Pass Judgement on you.”
Not Judgement as in the END TIMES
But … Cast a negative opinion of someone ..... Based on ......
What you eat/drink (O.T. Tradition)
Religious activities (O.T. Religion)
.... Disqualify you.”
The word in the Greek means - to deprive one of the prize.
Based on ....
Ones Spirituality defined by ......
Asceticism - means sever self disciplen and avoidance of all forms of indulgence for religious reasons (a false humility)
Fasting to be seen
Worship of Angels - Moving a believer away from Christ and to Angels.
From the creator to the creation.
Paul is not saying “do away with the do’s and dont’s”
“No Rules” Commercial for Little Caesars Pizza
Follow Christ and these things take care of themselves.
Paul is not against Tradition, he is against traditionalism.
Quote from Jaroslav Pelikan, “Tradition is the living faith of the dead. Traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.
Paul is endorsing relationship over religion.
Transition Statement: So what does this mean for us today?
YOU:
Its not about the “Do’s and the Dont’s ........ Its about the Who and the What.”
Who - “Jesus”
What - “Faith”
It’s not about the creation but the Creator! (Jesus).
Look .... All the enemy is trying to do is distract and divert.
Distracted our attention from a relationship with Christ to focusing on us.
Are we doing the right things, are we doing the wrong things?
Are we humble enough, good enough, righteous enough?
These are all WRONG QUESTIONS to be asking.
The questions we should be asking are ..... Is our faith in Christ, Do we know His word, what do you want to do through me Lord?
Transition Statement: What would our world look like, what would our nation look like, what would our community look like, what would our families look like if we all pursued a relationship and not traditions and religion?
WE:
Can you honestly say you have a relationship with Jesus or is He just a tradition for you?
What does this look like?
Like the one you have with your spouse.
Like the one you have with your parents.
Like the one you have with your kids.
LOVING, ADORATION, RESPECT, CARING, TRUST
The Enemy doesn’t want you to know this, have this, or live this!
Paul warned this church .......... and that warning applies to us today.
Don’t allow the enemy yo sit in Judgement over you.
Don’t allow the enemy to disqualify you.