3/5/2006 ~ Are You An Athlete For God? |
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... Run in such a way that you may obtain it. ... ~ 1st Corinthians 9:24-27 ... competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. ... ~ 2nd Timothy 2:1-6 You have to play by the rules. ... looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, ... ~ Hebrews 12:1-2 Life for a Christian is a race. 1. GOAL → Heaven → In the presence of God. ┌─> I fix my eyes on the goal. ... for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 3:11-14 ... for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, ... ~ Philippians 3:8 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. ~ Luke 2:52 Christian's want to be with God, Christ. ... having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. ... ~ Philippians 1:21-24 Hands down, Heaven is better! ... shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, ... ~ Revelation 21:25-27 No one will ask, “Is there something better?” If we do not commune with God Now, we won’t see Him in Heaven. Have we lost sight of the goal? 2. TEAM → Effort → Unity ... be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ ... ~ Ephesians 5:1-7 ... we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, ... ~ Hebrews 12:1-2 We need to play with Christians. Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." ~ 1st Corinthians 15:33 3. RULES → Directives → Declarations ┌─> These are disqualified. ... who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ~ Galatians 5:19-21 "One time is to much and a thousand times is not enough." - Johnny Cash ... let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. ~ Philippians 3:12-16 You have to perform according to the rules. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, ... ~ Matthew 5:6 What we desire is what sets our goal. Don't give a place to Satan. We must control and play by the rules. ... add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, ... ~ 2nd Peter 1:5-9 4. DON'T LOOK BACK → Views → Thoughts ... let him not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. ... ~ Luke 17:31-33 Runners looking back are in trouble and specifically, trouble to a spiritual runner. We are tempted to go back to a comfort zone we had before. ... they are again entangled in them and overcome, ... ~ 2nd Peter 2:20-22 5. KEEP MYSELF → Faith → Purity ... lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. ~ 1st Corinthians 9:24-27 It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play your game. ... Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. ... ~ 1st Timothy 4:12-16 Ultimately we need to be responsible for ourselves. Guard yourself and you will save others. You need to think about self. ... I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; ... ~ 1st Corinthians 9:19
Let's meet Jesus at the finish line. |
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