Time to LET IT GO!
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· 2 viewsGrace Fellowship in Rusk, Texas Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 10:30 AM
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Time to LET IT GO!
Time to LET IT GO!
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
We Have a Race to Run
We Have a Race to Run
We are in a spiritual race as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
It is the race of our lifetime.
Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our Faith AND of our Race.
We were born with a purpose, to run a race for God and others.
Our race has a beginning and an ending.
Our race impacts our generation.
Our race will impact the generations after us.
It is likened to a relay race.
Former generations have run and finished their race before us.
Those who have finished their race are our examples and heroes.
We each have a finish line set by God for us.
The finish line is the will of God for our lives.
The finish line is our leg of the race—to faithfully pass the faith down to the next generation.
The finish line must become our goal for living.
There is a crown laid up for those who run and finish well.
A Time to Reflect
A Time to Reflect
How well am I running my Christian race?
Am I squandering the faith that previous generations left behind?
They did their part.
Am I investing this faith in a future generation or squandering it on myself?
What is my chief goal in this life?
Am I living for the “here and now” or the “here and hereafter”?
What is my current testimony?
Before the world?
In the kingdom of God?
In my local church?
In my home?
Before my God?
What legacy will I leave for those who are after me?
A “legacy” is something of value left or transferred by a predecessor. (Spiritual Inheritance)
Will my children be more interested in receiving my gun and fishing pole or my Bible and study notes?
Will my children be more interested in receiving my jewelry than my spiritual journals?
Will future believers be inspired by my faith and commitment to God?
Will future believers see me as an example of Christ to follow?
Will my legacy be dismissed with shame because I squandered my life on things that do not matter?
A Time to Release
A Time to Release
Let go of the weights. (Burdens of life) (5 D’s)
Delays.
Procrastination is delayed obedience.
Why are you delaying obedience to do what God is asking of you now?
Distractions.
Distractions rob us of the time and energy to do God’s will.
What is distracting you?
Disappointments.
Disappointment robs us of our vision for present and future progress.
What has robbed you of your vision and passion for God?
Distress.
Distress allows grief and grievous situations to rob us of God’s grace.
Joshua 1:1-3 God tells Joshua that Moses is dead and it is time to move on and possess the land.
1 Samuel 16:1 God told Samuel to stop grieving over Saul and to anoint a new king.
Dread.
Fear robs us of our faith in God for victory in every situation.
Let go of the sin.
Sin is rooted in selfishness.
Lust of the flesh
Addiction (I need…I can’t live without…)
Lust of the eyes
Obsession (I want…I won’t live without…)
Pride of life
Rebellion (I am…I refuse to let anyone control who I am)
What sins are holding you back?
A Time to Run (Seven R’s)
A Time to Run (Seven R’s)
Remember the inheritance of faith you have received. (Inheritance)
Repent of the weights and sins that hold you back. (Repentance)
Release the past failures and successes. (Freedom)
Re-engage in doing God’s will. (Obedience)
Refocus on Jesus and the finish line ahead. (Vision)
Resolve to overcome every obstacle with God’s help. (Endurance)
Run to win the prize. (Determination)
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Response to the Word
Response to the Word
It is TIME to ENTER your race today by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
It is TIME to LET IT GO! (Whatever is holding you back)
It is TIME to RUN the race set before you!