Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
We are in a race.
This isn't a physical race, but a spiritual one! This scripture says that we should run with PERSEVERANCE or ENDURANCE! It can be easy to get frustrated with life and our current situations, but we can fix our eyes on Jesus! Jesus is the AUTHOR and PERFECTER of our faith!
Did you notice that this race has been MARKED out for us! Just like a physical race has mile markers, waypoints, and destinations, so does our spiritual race!
Check out the four Mile Markers below. Which one are you running toward?
We are in a race.
This isn't a physical race, but a spiritual one! This scripture says that we should run with PERSEVERANCE or ENDURANCE! It can be easy to get frustrated with life and our current situations, but we can fix our eyes on Jesus! Jesus is the AUTHOR and PERFECTER of our faith!
Did you notice that this race has been MARKED out for us! Just like a physical race has mile markers, waypoints, and destinations, so does our spiritual race!
Check out the four Mile Markers below. Which one are you running toward?
MILE MARKER #1: CONSISTENTLY SHOW UP
Consistency Compounds. Consistently showing up to a church service (live, online, or on-demand) will help you grow spiritually! Consistently showing up helps you learn about God, grow in your faith, worship with others, and be a part of something bigger than yourself.
God is consistent. "Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
His Plan for salvation is consistent. Galatians 3:8 (NLT) "What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, 'All nations will be blessed through you.'"
God wants us to be consistent in our devotion to Him. Luke 16:13 (GW) “A servant cannot serve two masters. He will hate the first master and love the second, or he will be devoted to the first and despise the second. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
MILE MARKER #2: STEP INTO COMMUNITY
We are a diverse community transformed by the love of Jesus. We have a common union with one another. We are a group of people with similar beliefs, ideals and goals. Becasue of this, we can step into community.
There can be barriers that keep us from stepping into community.
You might say things like "There's not enough time" or "I am too busy." You might be shy or you don't see the importance of community.
The church can be judgmental. One of the biggest reasons that keep us from community is this little thing called judgment. We are afraid that we will be judged if people get to know us. It doesn’t matter if people judge you because you can place your trust in God. Or we judge others and have no desire to associate with them. Accept others, regardless of faults, and step into community.
Matthew 7:1–5 (MSG) “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. 2 That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. 3 It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. 4 Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? 5 It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
Matthew 7:1–5 (MSG) “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. 2 That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. 3 It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. 4 Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? 5 It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
MILE MARKER #3: GIVE TIME AND TREASURE
What are your two most precious commodities or assets?
Time and Treasure (Money).
Time and Treasure (Money).
Time is the great equalizer. There are 24 hours, 1440 minutes, and 86,400 seconds in one day! We aren’t guaranteed a certain number of days but we all have the same time in a day.
Money or treasure is an essential part of our life. When you work, you get paid for your time. There are basically three things you can do with money. You can spend, invest, and give.
Mile Marker #3: Give Time and Treasure
Serve others by giving away your time and money.
Serve others by giving away your time and money.
MILE MARKER #4: INVITE RELATIONALLY
People are ready to hear about God and they need someone to introduce them. The most effective way to invite someone into a relationship with Jesus, or to a church service, is to have a relationship with them.
Where do I start? The good news is that we have been given the resources we need to tell our circle about Jesus.
What do I say? We speak about what Jesus has done for us.
When you tell your circle about Jesus, and invite them to church, you are telling them about the good things He has done in you!
We don’t invite people just to see the church grow. We invite people to see them grow.
When should I speak? We should always be ready to talk about the hope we have in Jesus.