Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - Reviewing scriptures and text from Revival

Tuesday, June 15, 2010 -  "The Christian Race"
Revival - Day 1

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (New Living Translation)

 ²⁴ Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! ²⁵ All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. ²⁶ So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. ²⁷ I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

3 Classes of Racers

1.  Non -Competitor

Philippians 3:18-19 (New Living Translation)

¹⁸ For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

Note:  Folks that are in the race to see what they can get out of it.  You can see it in your attitude, giving, service, talk and your walk that you are not really competing!

Hebrews 2:10 

Hebrews 2:10 (New Living Translation)
¹⁰ God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

We are in a competition in this Christian race.
We are competing against Satan for souls.
Instead of talking about people who fall by the way-side, pray for them!

2.  Failing Competitor

1 Corinthians 10:15

1 Corinthians 10:15 (New Living Translation)

¹⁵ You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true.

Note: This is the competitor that starts a lot of stuff and never finishes anything!

Every time you get in a storm, you quit!  Every time the race gets difficult, you quit!

3.  Winning Competitor

Ephesians 2:19 (New Living Translation)

A Temple for the Lord

 ¹⁹ So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.

Note: To Be a Winner, you have to get in the race!

You have to be born again to even get in the race.

A.  You can't belong to the Skeets Night Club family, "The Mirage", etc

B.  You can't belong to the "Drinking Alcohol" family, ..in PT's voice "I don't care what class you teach"..hmm

YOU HAVE TO OFFER YOURSELF UP

Romans 12:1 (New Living Translation)

Romans 12

A Living Sacrifice to God

 ¹ And so, dear brothers and sisters,^[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.^[b]

Note:

YOU HAVE TO OFFER YOURSELF UP

• Bible Class
• Sunday School
• Choir Rehearsal
• Whatever auxiliary you belong to, you need to attend your meetings
• Evening Service

Pastor Twymon said he heard a sermon where the preacher said, "DO SOMETHING, YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING"

Summary: Don't worry about what other folks are doing; if they don't sing when they are suppose to, if they don't come to their deaconess meetings when they are suppose to, if they don't come to baptism service, if they don't practice, then YOU DO SOMETHING!!!



THERE ARE SOMETHINGS THAT ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE IN GOD'S SIGHT:


THERE ARE SOME CONDITIONS OF A COMPETITOR/ CONDITIONS OF A RACE

I.  You have to Stay the Coarse

John 10:9

John 10:9 (New Living Translation)

⁹ Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.^[a] They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.
 

Note: In order to stay the coarse, you have to be born again first to even get in the race and then you need endurance to stay the coarse.

II.  You got to strip..{Almost Naked so God Can lead You}

Note: In a race, you can't run successfully or efficiently with a suit on.  You need to have very light clothing on to run a race.

Likewise, you need to strip off anything that will cause you not to run the race efficiently.

Strip Off:

• bad relationships
• friends/family
• the alcohol
• the night club
• the nasty attitude
• the way you think that is not of God

Get rid of anything that will keep you from running the race!



CAUSES OF FAILURES:
Some people fail due to turning or back sliding.  Some people trip or slip during this race!
Psalm 78:9

Psalm 78:9 (New Living Translation)

 ⁹ The warriors of Ephraim, though armed with bows,
      turned their backs and fled on the day of battle.


Acts 7:9

Acts 7:9 (New International Version)

 ⁹"Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him

REMEMBER JOSPEH?

When he was sold into slavery, God was with Him!

God is with you too during your race and during the obstacles that are set before you!

Don't give up!!!

John 11:10

John 11:10 (New Living Translation)

¹⁰ But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.”

Note: YOU NEED TO RUN THIS RACE DURING THE DAY