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May 8-9, 2004 FAITH QUEST! Hebrews 12:1; 2 Timothy 4:7 FAITH QUEST FINALE! *** Hebrews 12:1 “We have around us many people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up.” [New Century Version]LIFE IS A MARATHON – SO IT’S NOT THE START BUT THE FINISH THAT MATTERS! HOW TO MAKE YOUR FAITH QUEST LAST YOUR LIFETIME! 1. BY REMOVING THE DISTRACTIONS! *** Hebrews 12:1 “We have around us many people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back.” [NCV] WHAT COULD DISTRACT YOU FROM YOUR FAITH QUEST? A. TRYING TO BE LIKE OTHER PEOPLE! *** Galatians 5:7-8 “You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? This detour doesn't come from the One who called you into the race in the first place.” [The Message] B. MATERIALISM! *** Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” [New Living Translation] C. WRONG ASSOCIATIONS! *** 1 Cor. 15:33 “Don't fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you.” [CEV] D. PERSONAL HABITS! *** Eph. 4:22 “You were told that your foolish desires will destroy you and that you must give up your old way of life with all its bad habits.” [Contemporary English Version]E. YOUR PAST! WHY ARE YOU STILL LETTING YOUR PAST CONTROL YOUR PRESENT AND SHADOW YOUR FUTURE! *** Phil. 3:13-14 “No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race….” [NLT] 2. BY REMEMBERING THE REWARD! HEAVEN IS WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO! *** Phil. 3:13-14 “I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize…heaven.” [NLT] *** 1 Cor. 9:25-26 “To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step.” [Living Bible] *** Hebrews 6:12 “Don't drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.” [MSG] 3. BY RESISTING ALL DISCOURAGEMENT! DISCOURAGEMENT IS A CHOICE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER ATTITUDE! *** Gal. 6:9 “And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't get discouraged and give up.” [LB] THE PRINCIPLE OF THE SEED AND THE HARVEST! EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING THAT IS WORTHWHILE IN LIFE TAKES: EFFORT, ENERGY AND ENDURANCE! WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP YOUR STRENGTH? *** Psalm 94:19 “Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer.” [LB] A. CALM DOWN! *** Psalm 46:10 “Be silent, and know that I am God!” [NLT] B. BE RENEWED! *** Matthew 28:20 “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." [NLT] ***Ps.42:5 “Why then be downcast? Why be discouraged and sad? Hope in God!” 4. BY RENEWING OURSELVES DAILY! A. DAILY PHYSICAL RENEWAL! *** Psalm 127:2 “It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night…for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest.” [LB] B. DAILY SPIRITUAL RENEWAL! *** 2 Cor.4:16 “That is why we never give up…our spirits are being renewed every day.” MY COMMITMENT TO DAILY SPIRITUAL RENEWAL! * A Daily Quiet Time with God!* Daily proper rest, exercise and diet!* Daily Prayer for my family, small group and Church!* Daily Control of my mind & mouth!* Daily Sharing my hope in Christ!* Daily and Weekly faithful stewardship and Tithing!*** Hebrews 12:2 “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up….” [Today’s English Version] “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 [New International Version] |