October 23-24, 2004, Gal 5:7-8, Selected

THE AMAZING RACE!
USING ALL YOUR RESOURCES!

***Galatians 5:7 “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” [New International Version]

GOD DESIRES LIFETIME LEARNERS!

***Mt.28:19-20 “Go…make disciples of all nations, baptizing…teaching them…."
*** 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord….” [NIV]
*** Hebrews 6:1 “We must try to become mature and start thinking about more than just the basic things we were taught about Christ.” [Contemporary English Version]
*** 1 Peter 2:2 “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation….” [NIV]
*** Phil. 1:9 “I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding.” [New Living Translation]

HOW CAN WE SUCCESSFULLY RUN TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY?

1. BY AVOIDING THE OBSTACLES!
*** Gal. 5:7-8“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you” [NIV]

THREE OBSTACLES THAT GET US OFF COURSE!
A. BEING STARTERS AND NOT FINISHERS!
*** Hebrews 12:1a “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]
B. BEING OBSTRUCTED BY HINDRANCES!

__People! __Problems! __Pressures! __Pleasures! __Possessions!

*** Hebrews 12:1b “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]

C. BY LOOSING OUR FOCUS!
*** Hebrews 12:2-3 “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” [Msg]

2. BY STAYING THE COURSE!
A. OFF AT THE START: THE LEARNING PHASE!
*** Hebrews 10:32 “Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering.” [NIV]
B. MID-COURSE PACE: THE YEARNING PHASE!
*** Phil. 3:12-16 “I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. …I am focusing all my energies on this one thing… I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us….” [NLT]

THE PURPOSE OF MATURITY IS MENTORING!

*** Heb 5:12 “You have been Christians a long time now, you ought to be teaching others….You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food.” [NLT]

C. THE STRONG FINISH: THE TURNING PHASE!
*** 2 Tim. 2:2 “You have often heard me teach. Now I want you to tell these same things to followers who can be trusted to tell others.” [CEV]
*** Hebrews 12:13 “Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!” [The Message Bible]
LEARNING……………………YEARNING………………………TURNING!

3. BY USING ALL OUR RESOURCES!

TOP FIVE RESOURCES FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY!

1. ATTEND WEEKEND CELEBRATIONS or GET THE RECORDINGS!
*** 2 Tim. 4:2 “Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” [NLT]

2. BEGIN A BIBLE READING AND PRAYER PLAN!
Go to: http://www.chandlercc.org/phd.htm

*** 2 Tim. 3:16-17 “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” [Msg]

ADORATION! CONFESSION! THANKSGIVING! SUPPLICATION!

*** Jude 1:20 “Friends, continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith. And continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit.” [NLT]

3. GET PLUGGED INTO A SMALL GROUP!
*** Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.” [NLT]
*** 1 Thes. 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” [NIV]
Small Group Directory @ the Information Center or email: danimanuszak@chandlercc.org

4. GET ON THE AMAZING RACE WITH STUDY GROUP!
The Journey @ the Information Center or http://www.chandlercc.org/phd.htm
Go to: http://www.chandlercc.org/women.htm
*** 2 Tim. 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” [King James Version]

5. BEGIN TO TEACH OR LEAD A GROUP!
*** Col. 1:28 “So we continue to preach Christ to each person, using all wisdom to warn and to teach everyone, in order to bring each one into God's presence as a mature person in Christ.” [NIV]
Volunteer @ the Information Center or email: traceywyatt@chandlercc.org
***2Tim. 2:5“An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere.”
1 Cor. 9:24 “You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win!” [Contemporary English Version]

HERE I GROW AGAIN!