A Fixed Race

Scripture Reference:

Hebrews 12:1-3

¹Therefore, 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.

²Let 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.

³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (NIV)

The 12^th chapter of Hebrews uses first and second person verbs, directed to its readers, influencing them to turn their eyes on Jesus the best model of faith. Hebrews 12:1-3 is and urgent request for believers to emulate Jesus’ faithfulness. Jesus led the way, providing the resources and making it possible for his followers to walk in his footsteps.

Pastor Collins preached that the believer’s life is a race, one with a starting point and a finish line. We are in a battle that will not end until we leave this world. It is absolutely necessary that we preserve the faith, because we are labors for which there is no rest until the work here is finished.

Hebrews twelve motivates the follower, to faithfully run the Christian race. Chapter eleven refer to the great faith heroes who we should emulate, for they were witnessed to by God. Now it is us who are running the race and these faith champions will be attesting to our faith.

The race that is set before us is the course of our individual lives. This path is filled with obstacles, hills, valleys, and difficulties. This race is set by God our Father and Christ our Redeemer. The battlefield is this present evil world.

The course is set before us in the Word of God and by divine providence. This race we must be run, with patience, perseverance, endurance and determination.

Christ waits at the finish line.

Whatever You Do Don’t Fall Apart

Scripture Reference:
1Corinthians 10:12-13

12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.(NIV)

In the referenced scripture the Apostle Paul makes it clear that sins and temptations are common to all of us. However there a way out, and the way out is not the way of surrender, and not the way of retreat, but the way of conquest in the power of the grace of God.

Pastor Collins’ message Sunday, January 10, 2010 explained that temptation has terrible power . . . and effects. That the people of Israel saw God's divine glory, but temptation still seized them. Throughout history, people with great spiritual privilege have fallen to temptation.

God is faithful, He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. Fighting temptation often means fleeing it: If it's a problem for you, stay away! Apart from grace, we cannot fight sin.

1Corinthians is a letter Paul had written to the church in Corinth, after receiving unfavorable news about their congregation. They were having divisions and much sin. There was gross immorality and many practical problems in living the Christian life. Marriage problems, difficulties concerning meat offered to idols and matters of conscience, abuses in taking the Lord’s Supper, disorderly conduct in the formal assemblies for worship, confusion about the role of women in the church, and false teachings about the afterlife, which produced a tremendous response from Paul to teach the truth about the resurrection.

If we would only listen to God's word which requires submitting our will to that of Jesus Christ, and transcribe His word to our hearts and minds, the tempests in our lives, will not wash away the sand upon which we stand.

When we stand firmly and obediently upon the solid rock of Jesus Christ, the temptations begin to quiet down. When we find ourselves in trouble, resolve to put Jesus first in our lives. For He is all power, knows everything. He is not a God to be figured out or understood; He is to be believed; God is everywhere (omnipresent). Remember that He is our relief, comfort and consolation.

Ridiculous Crazy Worship

Scripture Reference: 2Samuel 12:13-20

13.) Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.

14.) But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the Lord show utter contempt the son born to you will die.”

15.) After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. (16) David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. (17) The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.

18.) On the seventh day the child died. David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, we spoke to David but he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.”

19.) David noticed that his servants were whispering among themselves and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked.

“Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”

20.) Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.

The twelfth chapter of 2 Samuel records the consequences of one of the blackest hours in David’s live. He had been guilty of both adultery and murder. He had disobeyed four of God’s laws: thou shall not kill, thou shall not commit adultery, thou shall not steal and thou shall not cover thy neighbor’s wife. Though David’s repentance was immediate and sincere, there would be necessary repercussion in his life: (1) The sword would never depart from his house. (2) Evil would come upon him out of his own house, his wives would be shamed publicly (2Sam. 16:22) (3) The child would die (2 Sam 12:15-19). This was an important event because it openly shows the presence of sin, even in the life of a man of God, and how that man responded with deep humility and repentance, even when its consequences plagued him throughout his life (see Ps.51).

Bishop G. L. De Geddingseze, who preached the sermon on the 13^th of December, tells us that if the spirit had not been involved David’s worship would have been ridiculous and crazy. His crimes were a breach of trust against God. David was guilty of acts of treachery that spurned his Creator. He returned a slap in the face to a generous God, a God who had given all, provided all. This is why David says, in Psalm 51:4, "Against Thee, Thee only I have sinned." Christians must believe that God with His grace and mercy will not allow us to stay in a state of sin. The following three steps should be taken to reconcile with God through Jesus Christ.

1) Translate our transgression and transform it into triumph-A damaged relationship with God. Isaiah 59:1-2 shows that sin creates division between God and us because of the breach of trust. David took seven days of fasting and praying preparing for life after tragedy. (See Psalms 51)

2) Your issues don’t cancel your identity-After David’s transgressions were committed, he was still the king. It does not matter whether the perpetrator is wealthy or impoverished. If you are a born again believer you are still a child of the kingdom.

3) Realize the substance of your consequences-God will forgive, cleanse, and restore but there are consequences. Even with God's forgiveness, there are effects that remain and must be borne by the sinner—and tragically, by those sinned against.

Christian friends God is willing to expend amazing amounts of resources to save just you. A full recovery is possible.