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August 3, 2008 SD 21
Remove the Hindrances.doc
File: E (Hebrews)
GO FOR THE GOAL Part Two
*REMOVE THE HINDRANCES*
This is #2 in a series timed with the Olympics (began Friday night)
\\ Developing a “Go for the Goal” mind-set
Becoming a Spiritual champion
This week, we will learn that “Those who are spiritual champions */remove any hindrances.”/*
* *
Friday the stirring opening exercises of the Beijing Summer Olympics started the competitions---Athletes from all over the world meet to compete for a gold medal---
Paul says that we too run a race—
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT) \\ 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.
Pray
Go with me to the starting line for the marathon race—
* “life is not a sprint, it’s a marathon!”*
The runners are ready for the starting gun to go off…look at them lined up there…BUT WAIT…what is that I see…there is one runner with a shopping bag in his hand…What is going on here!
And there is another runner---I’ve read his bio—he is single, no wife.
No kids.
Dedicated runner and nature lover.
Has a number of pets having been raised in Africa around many animals.
He is especially close to a boa constrictor.
Had it since it was small.
Ran with it while he was training.
Kept it in his jacket.
Unfortunately, over the years, it’s grown.
Almost six feet long now!
Kip has to carry it on his shoulders.
Because of the snake he usually runs all alone.
He’s one of the gold contenders—maybe.
But can you imagine it????
And look over there…he is an American runner, also a highly successful business man…he is running with a brief case in his hand…he is very active.
As soon as the race is over he sits down on the nearest chair, takes out his cell phone and laptop and talks to clients here, there, and everywhere.
But now he’s out to capture the gold in 2008.
Can you imagine it?!?!!??!
No; neither can I…
But yet we carry all too many things into the race of life that ought to be dropped at the starting line…not carried to the finish.
Our text this morning says… /“//let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.” /(NLT)
Have you been tripped up lately…
The Bible here talks about Removing the hindrances---
* *
* PPT * Those who would be champions—spiritual champions, remove the hindrances to spiritual growth!
Last week we saw that believers with a go for the goal mindset—remember the witnesses…remember those who are examples to them and follow their lead…and listen to the encouragement they bring to life…
Then believers with a “go for the gold” mindset also */Remove Any Hindrances/*/./
They don’t run with a briefcase, or shopping bag, or pet boa constrictor!
*A question!*
In the race set before you, what would God say is presently keeping you from being the champion, both He and you, would like you to be?
Most of us know the answer to that question.
In some cases it’s what this verse refers to as *“weights that slow us down.”*
These are not evil things per se.
They’re choices we make that repeatedly erode away our spiritual priorities.
It could be something as simple as watching too much television.
Talking too much on the phone.
Reading too many unimportant books.
“I’m going to the video store again because I’m bored.”
Time in the morning for the newspaper, but no time for Scripture or prayer.
–no place for God! Except in the back seat!
Never-ending work on the house, in the garden, shopping or socializing.
Playing video games.
Biking.
Decorating.
Golfing.
Just trying to keep up with all the magazines that come to the house.
Surfing the web.
Movies.
Music.
Staying on top of all your kids’ activities.
Again, none of what I’m referring to is necessarily bad in itself.
*But is it in your case??? *
Is it making it next to impossible to find time to build your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ?
You see, there’s nothing unethical or sinful about running a race with a briefcase.
It just doesn’t make good sense if you’re serious about “reaching for the goal.”
*PPT---What needs to be changed in your life if you’re to be a champion in the spiritual race you’re supposed to be running?
*
Let me give you a little time just to think about my question.
“Let us strip off every weight that slows us down” reads the verse.
*PPT--*Then the writer adds, *“Especially the sin that so easily hinders your progress.”*
Now we’ve suddenly changed categories.
In terms of my earlier pictures we just moved from the shopping bag to the snake!
By the way, all of us have sins.
I do.
You do.
Read a biography about a hero of past years, and if there’s nothing but good reported, you don’t really know that man or woman all that well.
Everyone in the race of faith is a sinner.
But don’t let that give you an excuse for running with the snake!
So welcome to the club of flawed people.
There’s no excuse for us not being holy, but the truth remains that we’re not!
I’m certainly not.
You for sure aren’t either.
Thank God for his mercy and grace, because without that we’re all in deep weeds!
The truth is, most of us are struggling right now with what I’d call a *signature sin*.
I mean that God would say this particular sin is one that has my name on it . . .
or yours . . .
It’s not hard to know which one it is.
It’s that sin God would name as the core problem in your life or mine.
Not implying that we don’t have any number of things we fall prey to, but there is the signature sin.
You need to name it.
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