FINISHING WELL
Hebrews 12:12-17
• Why do people leave jobs unfinished?
• Why is it a poor testimony when Christians leave jobs unfinished?
• Read the passage below and tell us what it says about finishing well.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [26] I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: [27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
• Tell us about someone you have seen finish their Christian life well.
After describing the Christian life as a race in Hebrews 12:1-4, we find the author again encouraging us to be faithful until we reach the “finish line”.
1. DETERMINATION – Vs. 12
Hebrews 12:1-12 tells us that there is a race to be won and discipline to endure. Therefore, we as Christians need to be determined to finish the race and to accept discipline graciously.
What is discouraging about the race we call the Christian life?
What is discouraging about discipline?
What are drooping arms, flopping hands, and wobbly knees an indication of?
What can we do to strengthen our drooping arms and hands?
What can we do to strengthen our wobbly knees?
What do we need from God more than anything else in order to obey this command?
Hebrews 12:28, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Peter 5:10, 2 Peter 3:18
How is finishing the race a team sport?
Isaiah 35:3-4 - Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. [4] Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
How can we strengthen the weak hands and wobbly knees of others?
2. DIRECTION – Vss. 13-14
Vs. 13 - When we run in a race why do we need straight paths? What happens when we get out of our running lanes?
Proverbs 4:25-27 - Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. [26] Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. [27] Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
The word “path” refers to a track made by a wagon or chariot wheel. It is something someone else can follow. Who are some of the people who will follow in our paths and how can we help? 1 Timothy 4:12
How do Christians cause other Christians to stumble?
How will a straight and level path help and even start to heal someone who is lame?
Vs. 14 – Christians have natural enemies. Who are they?
John 15:18-19 - If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. [19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
How can we follow peace with people who are opposed to us? Romans 12:18-21
Who sometimes become the Christians’ unnatural enemies? Why does this grieve our Lord? How can we follow peace with them? John 13:34-25, Ephesians 4:32
Peace and holiness go together.
Matthew 5:8-9 - Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. [9] Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
What is holiness?
How will holiness bring about peace?
How do I make peace and holiness a priority in my life?
3. DILIGENCE – Vss. 15-17
Vs. 15 - How can a person fail or “fall short” of the grace of God?
How can that hurt the body of Christ as a bitter root?
How do bitter Christians hurt the cause of Christ?
How can you tell if you are bitter?
How can Christians heal bitterness?
Vs. 16 – Why is sexual promiscuity something to avoid at all costs?
Esau was an unholy or Godless person. How did selling his birthright for a cheap meal indicate this?
Is it possible to believe in God and be Godless?
Vs. 7 - How was Esau rejected from inheriting the blessing? Why could he not change things even though he wanted to?
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Fast Week
Fast Week
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Isaiah 58:6
This is fast week. Last week you wrote down a list of things you wanted God to do for you. This is when you need to take 1 -2 days of this week to actually attach a fast to your prayers. You historically find in scriptures that fasting and praying go together. The scripture listed above indicates that fasting will loose the bands of the wicked and undo the heavy burdens. It also lets the oppressed go free and breaks every yoke.
Make no doubt that there are some things that only come by fasting and praying.
Faith Confession: Father I fast, not to be seen but to unleash the power of your words on my prayers. I will have all the promises because I forsake myself for you.
Assignment for the week: Choose 1 or 2 days to fast this week.
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Isaiah 58:6
This is fast week. Last week you wrote down a list of things you wanted God to do for you. This is when you need to take 1 -2 days of this week to actually attach a fast to your prayers. You historically find in scriptures that fasting and praying go together. The scripture listed above indicates that fasting will loose the bands of the wicked and undo the heavy burdens. It also lets the oppressed go free and breaks every yoke.
Make no doubt that there are some things that only come by fasting and praying.
Faith Confession: Father I fast, not to be seen but to unleash the power of your words on my prayers. I will have all the promises because I forsake myself for you.
Assignment for the week: Choose 1 or 2 days to fast this week.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
My Substitute
My Substitute
But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
John 3:16-17
If you want a picture of what the heart of God looks like, then you look no further than the Cross. Do you realize that God loves you and me so much that even if you and I were the only people on the face of the earth he still would have sent Jesus to die for our sins that we might have life in all its fullness?
One of the early church fathers, Iranaeus, said it was by a tree that Adam sinned, and it was also by a tree that Jesus died on to save us from the penalty of sin and grant us the forgiveness of our sins. One tree represents our rebellion and sin. One tree represents our forgiveness from God. Somebody died that you and I might have the forgiveness of sins.
On one tree we see the gravity of our sin; on the other tree we see the majesty of God.
In Stroudsburg, Pa., there is a tomb to an unknown Union soldier who died fighting in the Civil War. When President Abraham Lincoln heard of it, he had the tomb inscribed "Abraham Lincoln's Substitute. He died that I might live."
The cross of Jesus Christ today represents our substitute. Jesus died in our place. It is that simple. Christ died for us because God loved us!
Faith Confession: Lord, thank you for being my substitute.
Assignment for the week: Write down 10 things you are grateful to God for.
But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
John 3:16-17
If you want a picture of what the heart of God looks like, then you look no further than the Cross. Do you realize that God loves you and me so much that even if you and I were the only people on the face of the earth he still would have sent Jesus to die for our sins that we might have life in all its fullness?
One of the early church fathers, Iranaeus, said it was by a tree that Adam sinned, and it was also by a tree that Jesus died on to save us from the penalty of sin and grant us the forgiveness of our sins. One tree represents our rebellion and sin. One tree represents our forgiveness from God. Somebody died that you and I might have the forgiveness of sins.
On one tree we see the gravity of our sin; on the other tree we see the majesty of God.
In Stroudsburg, Pa., there is a tomb to an unknown Union soldier who died fighting in the Civil War. When President Abraham Lincoln heard of it, he had the tomb inscribed "Abraham Lincoln's Substitute. He died that I might live."
The cross of Jesus Christ today represents our substitute. Jesus died in our place. It is that simple. Christ died for us because God loved us!
Faith Confession: Lord, thank you for being my substitute.
Assignment for the week: Write down 10 things you are grateful to God for.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
I will not be tempted
I will not be tempted
Every word of God is pure:he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Genesis 3:1
The Tempter in the Garden of Eden was a serpent. From the first pages of the Bible we are introduced to the way sin comes into our lives. It slips in and grabs a quiet foothold before we are aware of it. Temptation slips up on us before we recognize the seriousness of what's happening.
Someone has put it this way: "Who's there," I cried, "A little lonely sin." "Enter," I said, "Then all hell broke lose."
There is something about the very nature of temptation that not only makes it initially attractive, but keeps us coming back for more. Even when the initial thrill is gone we find ourselves mired in the muck of our own worst instincts. It's sort of like a incident some time ago on the Enterprise ride at the Minnesota State Fair. Riders boarded their little cars on the Enterprise to be spun around at high speed for about four minutes. Being dizzy and scared is apparently something for which people will pay money.
The ride, however, ceased to operate properly and could not be stopped for about 20 minutes. When people were finally rescued from their thrill, all were sick and some were taken to the hospital.
There is something exciting about certain areas that the Bible tells us to avoid, but the excitement is an emotion we feel when we get on the ride, not when we get off.
Faith Confession: Father, I am strong, I am an overcomer, and I will not fail to live a life that you are pleased with.
Assignment for the week: Be an overcomer.
Every word of God is pure:he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Genesis 3:1
The Tempter in the Garden of Eden was a serpent. From the first pages of the Bible we are introduced to the way sin comes into our lives. It slips in and grabs a quiet foothold before we are aware of it. Temptation slips up on us before we recognize the seriousness of what's happening.
Someone has put it this way: "Who's there," I cried, "A little lonely sin." "Enter," I said, "Then all hell broke lose."
There is something about the very nature of temptation that not only makes it initially attractive, but keeps us coming back for more. Even when the initial thrill is gone we find ourselves mired in the muck of our own worst instincts. It's sort of like a incident some time ago on the Enterprise ride at the Minnesota State Fair. Riders boarded their little cars on the Enterprise to be spun around at high speed for about four minutes. Being dizzy and scared is apparently something for which people will pay money.
The ride, however, ceased to operate properly and could not be stopped for about 20 minutes. When people were finally rescued from their thrill, all were sick and some were taken to the hospital.
There is something exciting about certain areas that the Bible tells us to avoid, but the excitement is an emotion we feel when we get on the ride, not when we get off.
Faith Confession: Father, I am strong, I am an overcomer, and I will not fail to live a life that you are pleased with.
Assignment for the week: Be an overcomer.
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