Living the life

Living the Life

You were Meant to Live

Serving

Pastor Todd MarcyNovember 14, 2010

Did you know that the Bible talks about us being in a

race?

Did you know…

That the Bible talks

about us being in a race?

Hebrews 12:1-2Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NIV)

Can you imagine? As a boy, “Mommy I can run fast” In Middle School,

classes are suspended for Olympic Day. All the kids go to the athletic field to participate in the games. This boy comes home with a blue ribbon for running the 440 and the mile race.

Now older, he gets up at 4:30 am (not 4:30

pm) drinks down a nice cold glass of raw

eggs and then runs ten miles. He trains

to be an Olympic Champion.

Can

you

im

agin

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a b

oy…

Mommy, I can run fast!

In Middle School, classes are suspended for Olympic Day. All the kids go to the athletic field to participate in the games. This boy comes home with a blue ribbon for running the 440 and the mile race.

OLYMPICDAY

Now older, he gets up at 4:30 am (not 4:30 pm) drinks down a nice cold glass of raw eggs and then runs ten miles. He trains to be and Olympic Champion.

He presses his sneakers into the blocks, coils his back, and strains to hear the firing gun. They’re off and running. Every mile pounds on his body. Dehydration begins to set in. Sweat is pouring off his body. He is now out in front by a considerable distance. He falls just short of the finish line. The crowd gasps. Blood, exhaustion, pain racks his body. Someone start to move to help him. The coach screams – “If you touch him, he will be disqualified”

50%

35%

15%

OLYMPIC RUNNERQuit Train but fail Train, Run, WIN

Aren’t you glad as a believer in Christ, we are not in a solo race?

Normally we think of a race as having one winner and a loser.

Not so with Christianity.

Run together

Hebrews 12:1-2Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shames, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NIV)

We run together

We do church together

We serve together

Ephesians 4:12to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (NIV)

IN THIS MINISTRY WE RUN TOGETHER, SERVE TOGETHER, BE

TOGETHER, DO THINGS TOGETHER, LAUGH TOGETHER, CRY TOGETHER, WORK TOGETHER, PLAY TOGETHER, ENJOY TOGETHER, BIND TOGETHER, SOW TOGETHER, HELP TOGETHER, RUN TOGETHER, EAT TOGETHER,

KEEP TOGETHER, PRAY TOGETHER, READ TOGETHER, MEET TOGETHER,

JOIN TOGETHER, STUMBLE TOGETHER, PICK UP TOGETHER,

DEVOTE TOGETHER, HAND-IN-HAND TOGETHER, ETC.

RUN THE RIGHT WAYJohn 10:10The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.

Juan 10:10El ladrón no viene sino para hurtar y matar y destruir; yo he venido para que tenga vida, y para que la tenga en abudancia.

Hebrews 12:1-2Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NIV)

2 Peter 1:5-8Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellences, and in your moral excellences, knowledge and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Have the right focus and goal• Add muscle through spiritual growth• Become disciplined so that you endure• Be joyful• Strip away anything that is keeping you back• Serve together

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Abel says, turn around Cain run the right way. Noah says to all the people, turn around run the right way. Abraham, Moses, Elijah all say run the right way. Samuel says to Saul, run the right way. The prophets and the Apostles all say, turn around and run the right way. Jesus says to us, turn around and run the right way.

Run to winWe run togetherWe serve togetherWe win together

Hebrews 12:1-2Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NIV)

Looking to Jesus:1. Endured the cross2. Despised the shame3. Has sat down on the throne of

God

IF YOU ARE GOING TO RUN, RUN TO WIN!

HERE AT FAITH WE ARE GOING TO

RUN TO WINRUN TO WINRUN TO WINRUN TO WINRUN TO WIN

I would hate to run through this life, go through all its pain and heartache, get to the finish line only to find out I was running the wrong race.

Run

the

right

race

. Ru

n to

geth

er.

Run

the

right

way

.