Ferdi brought the message today. Don't look for the easy comfortable way to be a Christian. Taking the hard way yields way more fruit.
Hebrews 12:1-7
1 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. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
Philippians 3:12-14
12 I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
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.
Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Isaiah 40:29-31
29 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
To dwell above, with the saints I love, - is blissful glory.
But to dwell below, with the saints I know, - is quite a different story!
Matthew 24:13 (NLT) But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Tired: Isaiah 40:29-31
Devil: James 4:7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Obedience: John 14:15 (AMP) If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.
Vision: Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, 3 Consider Him …, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Practice: Faith – Pray – Do good – Love – Truth -
Video: Hebrews 11:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:7
1 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. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
Philippians 3:12-14
12 I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
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.
Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Isaiah 40:29-31
29 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
To dwell above, with the saints I love, - is blissful glory.
But to dwell below, with the saints I know, - is quite a different story!
Matthew 24:13 (NLT) But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Tired: Isaiah 40:29-31
Devil: James 4:7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Obedience: John 14:15 (AMP) If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.
Vision: Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, 3 Consider Him …, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Practice: Faith – Pray – Do good – Love – Truth -
Video: Hebrews 11:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:7