Faithfulness: Running Your Unique Race with God
Summary
The sermon emphasizes the importance of faith and faithfulness in the Christian life. The speaker encourages the congregation to strip off sin and focus on God's calling, cautioning against greed, selfishness, and the desire for personal significance. They remind the audience that each person has their own unique race to run and to be faithful to what God has called them to do. The world may celebrate known and successful individuals, but God values the unknown and faithful, as demonstrated by biblical figures like Gideon and David. The speaker also expresses gratitude for the audience's support and encourages them to connect with the church and share the message with others.
Investing in future generations and being faithful in all aspects of life is highlighted, with a call to live with faith and faithfulness, celebrating not only exciting moments but also years of faithfulness. The speaker invites the congregation to ask God for the next step of faith, no matter how small or scary it may seem. The sermon reflects on the passage from Hebrews that showcases the faith and endurance of biblical figures who faced challenges and remained faithful to the end.
The importance of faith in pleasing God is discussed, referencing Noah, Abraham, and Sarah as examples of obedience to God's commands. The speaker assures those unsure of God's existence that they are in the right place to seek answers and challenges believers to reflect their faith in their actions. The concept of unconditional love is related to pleasing God, with the speaker explaining that living a life of faith involves risk and is the only way to please God.
The lead pastor, Tim, welcomes the congregation and emphasizes the importance of starting and finishing each season of life well. He invites the congregation to a 21-day prayer and fasting event and mentions the upcoming end-of-year offering. The speaker also emphasizes the power of witnessing acts of love and faith within a community and challenges the audience to live with intention and purpose, believing that everyone is created by God for a specific cause.
The speaker challenges the audience to live by faith and consider what God is calling them to do, emphasizing that even small actions are important steps towards fulfilling God's plan. The sermon defines faithfulness as having faith from the beginning to the very end and shares personal experiences to illustrate the joy and significance of beginnings and the importance of being faithful throughout the entire journey.
Key Takeaways:
- The Christian life requires a focus on God's calling and a rejection of sin, such as greed and selfishness. Each believer must run their own race with endurance, looking to Jesus as the initiator and perfecter of faith. This perspective encourages individuals to be faithful in their unique callings, whether in parenting or other forms of service. [41:17]
- God's measure of success differs from the world's; He values faithfulness over fame. Biblical characters like Gideon and David exemplify that it is not one's achievements but their faith and faithfulness that matter to God. This insight challenges believers to remain steadfast in their walk with God, regardless of recognition. [38:07]
- Faith is essential for pleasing God, as seen in the lives of Noah, Abraham, and Sarah. Their stories illustrate that obedience to God's commands, even without full understanding, is credited as righteousness. This principle serves as a reminder that faith requires trust in God's existence and His promises. [10:27]
- The concept of unconditional love parallels our relationship with God. While God's love for us is unwavering, our actions can still displease Him. Living a life that pleases God requires faith, which may involve taking risks and stepping out into the unknown, as highlighted by the parable of the talents. [13:26]
- Celebrating faithfulness is as important as celebrating the initial act of faith. The church often rejoices over new believers and their first steps but may overlook the long-term commitment of its members. Recognizing and honoring the steadfast dedication of individuals who have been planted in the church is crucial for a healthy faith community. [30:06]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 11:6-8, 11 (NIV)
- "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise."
2. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)
- "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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
3. Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
- "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 11:6 say is necessary to please God?
2. How did Noah demonstrate his faith according to Hebrews 11:7?
3. What was Abraham's act of faith as described in Hebrews 11:8?
4. According to Hebrews 12:1-2, what should we do to run the race marked out for us? [38:07]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is faith essential for pleasing God, and how does this relate to the examples of Noah, Abraham, and Sarah? [08:02]
2. How does the concept of "running with perseverance" in Hebrews 12:1-2 apply to the idea of faithfulness discussed in the sermon? [38:07]
3. What does it mean to "fix our eyes on Jesus" as the pioneer and perfecter of faith, and how can this help us in our daily lives? [38:44]
4. How does Philippians 1:6 provide assurance for believers in their journey of faith and faithfulness? [39:25]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to trust God without having all the details. How did that experience shape your faith? [14:06]
2. The sermon mentioned the importance of small steps of faith. What is one small step of faith you feel God is calling you to take right now? [22:01]
3. How can you celebrate and recognize long-term faithfulness in your own life or in the lives of others around you? [30:06]
4. What are some practical ways you can "throw off everything that hinders" you from running your race with perseverance? [38:07]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of living with intention and purpose. What specific actions can you take to live more intentionally in your faith journey? [03:10]
6. How can you support and encourage others in your community to live by faith and remain faithful to the end? [41:17]
7. Think about a person or situation where you need to exercise forgiveness. How can you take a step of faith to forgive and move forward? [22:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Your Unique Divine Race
Running the race set before us requires shedding the weight of sin and focusing on the unique path God has designed for each individual. It's not about the applause of the crowd but about the approval of the One who calls us to run with perseverance. This journey is personal and requires a steadfast gaze on Jesus, the one who initiates and perfects faith. [41:17]
Hebrews 12:1-2 - "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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
Reflection: What sin or distraction is hindering you from running your race with full dedication to God?
Day 2: Faithfulness Over Fame
God's kingdom operates on a different metric of success, valuing the faithfulness of His servants over their fame or worldly achievements. The stories of Gideon and David remind us that obscurity does not equate to insignificance in the eyes of the Lord. It is the steadfast heart, committed to God's purposes, that He cherishes and rewards. [38:07]
1 Corinthians 4:2 - "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of faithfulness in your daily life, even when your efforts go unnoticed by others?
Day 3: Obedience as Righteousness
Faith is the currency of heaven and the prerequisite for pleasing God. The accounts of Noah, Abraham, and Sarah demonstrate that obedience, often without complete understanding, is what God counts as righteousness. Their lives challenge us to trust and obey, even when the full picture is beyond our grasp. [10:27]
James 2:22-23 - "You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God’s friend."
Reflection: What is one step of obedience God is asking you to take today, even if you don't fully understand the reasons?
Day 4: Risk in Faithful Living
Unconditional love is a two-way street with God; His love is unwavering, but our actions can still displease Him. To live a life that pleases God, we must embrace faith, which often involves risk and stepping into the unknown. This is the essence of a life lived in faith, as exemplified by the parable of the talents. [13:26]
Matthew 25:21 - "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!'"
Reflection: What risk might God be calling you to take in order to step out in faith and use the talents He has given you?
Day 5: Honoring Steadfast Dedication
The church rejoices at the beginning of a believer's journey, but it is the enduring faithfulness that should be equally celebrated. Recognizing and honoring the commitment of those who have remained planted and steadfast in their faith journey is vital for a thriving community. This long-term dedication is a testament to the transformative power of a life lived in Christ. [30:06]
Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Reflection: How can you show appreciation for the faithful dedication of someone in your faith community who has been a consistent example of Christ's love?
Quotes
"We do this how by keeping our eyes on Jesus the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. He is the one who starts it, he's the one who perfects it. Whatever God has started in your life, he is faithful to bring it to completion." [39:25] (Download)
"Run your race, no one else's. I think one of the things that distracts us from what God calls us to do is we look around at everybody else's race. There is no fruit in that. Just be faithful to whatever God has called you to do." [40:02] (Download)
"God will take all of us together and he'll build something for his kingdom that'll last. Don't compare your race to mine; you run your race with faith, as one who is faithful to the end." [40:37] (Download)
"What if you ask God what is the step of faith that you have for me to take today because if you take enough of those steps what God can do through you it's be beyond what you could ask or imagine according to his power at work within us." [43:04] (Download)
"God celebrates the unknown and the faithful God I pray that they would know that you are pleased with them today God I just sense maybe you want people to sense you're that you're pleased with those who are just." [43:49] (Download)
"Faithfulness is faith to the end. It starts with faith, but it's faith to the very end." [25:29] (Download)
"We live in a culture that so easily celebrates the beginning of something but rarely do we celebrate the faithfulness of someone to the end." [26:04] (Download)
"It takes Faith to live a life that pleases God but I also want to argue that it takes faithfulness to also. I think we don't celebrate it enough." [28:17] (Download)
"It takes Faith to start something; it takes faithfulness to see it to the end. It took a lot of faith for us to start this church; it's taken a lot of faithfulness for us to still be here 20 years later doing Ministry." [31:12] (Download)
"We should celebrate not just faith but faithfulness. It takes faith to move, but listen, sometimes it takes faith to stay." [30:36] (Download)
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