Notes from Pastor Jeff sermon on Friday night 2/2/07
It’s a new year, and everyone is talking about getting more exercise. In this sermon, Pastor Jeff talks about how spiritual exercise parallels physical exercise. Just like physical exercise, we must determine that we will finish the race and complete the goals set before us.
Main verse:
Hebrews 12:1: Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up. (GOD’S WORD®)
Tips to succeed in spiritual exercise goals:
1. Remember the forerunners of the faith.
Faith is the confident assurance that what we hope for will happen.
Amp up faith, turn down doubt and disappointment.
Often God asks us to step out in an area where we don’t know where we’re going.
2. Remove hindrances: may not be sins, but still get rid of them.Good things can hinder us if we focus on them instead of God.
The devil will try to seduce us back into conformity with the world.
3. Get in the race of faith.
Though none go with me, still I will follow.
This life is a fight — a battle.
Recover the focus of faith: Jesus is to be our daily focus.
John 17:4 — “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. (NASB ©1995)
In John 17:4, Jesus said that they may know you, I accomplished what you gave me to do. This is the goal for us to be able to say the same thing at the end of our lives.
Act on simple prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Consider the calling. Never underestimate simple acts of obedience.