Living with Purpose: Fight, Run, and Keep Faith
Summary
In my recent sermon, I reflected deeply on the finite nature of our days and the urgency to live them with purpose and intentionality. I was inspired by the Apostle Paul's poignant words to his spiritual son Timothy, as Paul faced the end of his earthly life. He urged Timothy to fight the good fight, run his race, and keep the faith. This message resonates with me as I consider my own life, especially as I approach my 48th birthday and witness the rapid passage of time.
I shared with the congregation that each day is a gift from God, and we must not waste a single one. I emphasized that our days are numbered by God's sovereign will, and we must live with the wisdom to make the most of them. I encouraged everyone to consider how they are spending their days, to slap away the hand of fear, anxiety, and bitterness, and to be guided by Jesus into a life of meaning and redemption.
I spoke about the importance of fighting the good fight, which means engaging in the spiritual battle between light and darkness, and aligning our efforts with the kingdom of God. I cautioned against getting caught up in fights that are not of God and reminded the congregation that our battles are not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces.
I also urged everyone to run their race, emphasizing that God has marked out a unique path for each of us. I challenged the congregation to not be crippled by comparison or competition but to focus on the race set before them by Jesus. I shared a personal story about my son's track race, illustrating that it's not about how fast or well we run, but that we continue to run the race marked out for us.
Lastly, I called on everyone to keep the faith, to hold onto the belief that God is in control and that the best is yet to come. I warned against exchanging faith for fear or the path of least resistance and encouraged a return to a faith that takes our breath away.
Key Takeaways:
- The urgency of living with purpose is underscored by the Apostle Paul's final words to Timothy. As we face our own mortality, we are reminded that every day is a precious opportunity to serve God's kingdom. We must fight the good fight, run our race, and keep the faith, knowing that our time here is limited and valuable. [19:05]
- Engaging in the good fight means discerning which battles are worth our time and energy. As followers of Christ, we must focus on the spiritual war between light and darkness, rather than getting entangled in temporal disputes that distract us from our eternal mission. [22:21]
- Running our race requires us to embrace the unique journey God has set before us. We must resist the temptation to compare our path with others and instead, run with perseverance the race marked out for us, trusting that God has a plan for our lives. [29:39]
- Keeping the faith is an active choice, especially in times of uncertainty. Faith is the assurance that God is at work, even when circumstances seem bleak. We must guard our faith against the forces that seek to undermine it and stand firm in our belief in God's goodness and sovereignty. [35:38]
- The concept of spiritual surrender is powerful and transformative. Rather than seeking the path of least resistance, we are called to a faith that challenges us, moves us out of our comfort zones, and leads us to trust God in extraordinary ways. This surrendered faith is the key to experiencing the fullness of life that Jesus offers. [37:19]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 - "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
2. Psalm 90:12 - "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
3. Job 14:5 - "A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says he is being "poured out like a drink offering" in 2 Timothy 4:6?
2. According to Psalm 90:12, why should we ask God to teach us to number our days?
3. How does the sermon describe the urgency of living with purpose and intentionality? ([07:01])
4. What are some examples given in the sermon of things that can rob us of our days? ([11:38])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul mentions fighting the good fight, finishing the race, and keeping the faith. How do these three actions relate to each other in the context of a Christian's life?
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of discerning which battles are worth our time and energy. How can we identify which fights are "good" and aligned with God's will? ([22:21])
3. Psalm 90:12 speaks about gaining a heart of wisdom by numbering our days. How does this wisdom manifest in our daily decisions and actions?
4. The sermon discusses the concept of spiritual surrender. How does surrendering to God lead to a more meaningful and purposeful life? ([37:19])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there activities or habits that you feel are wasting your days? How can you change them to live more purposefully? ([07:01])
2. Think about a recent conflict or argument you were involved in. Was it a "good fight" that aligned with God's kingdom, or was it a distraction? How can you better discern which battles to engage in? ([22:21])
3. In what ways have you been comparing your life to others? How can you focus more on running your unique race that God has set before you? ([29:39])
4. Identify a specific area in your life where you have exchanged faith for fear or the path of least resistance. What steps can you take to reclaim a faith that takes your breath away? ([35:38])
5. How can you actively keep the faith during times of uncertainty and doubt? Share a personal strategy or practice that helps you stay grounded in your belief that God is in control. ([35:38])
6. Consider the people in your life who may be walking in darkness. How can you fight for them by shining the light of Jesus in their lives? ([27:26])
7. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually stagnant. What changes can you make to ensure you are continually growing and making the most of your days? ([12:15])
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Each Day's Divine Purpose
Life is fleeting, and each day is a divine gift not to be squandered. Recognizing the finite nature of existence, one is called to live with purpose and intentionality. This means actively choosing to serve within God's kingdom, aligning daily actions with eternal significance. It is a conscious decision to slap away the distractions of fear, anxiety, and bitterness, and instead, embrace the opportunities for meaning and redemption that each day presents. This approach to life requires wisdom to discern what truly matters and the courage to act upon it, ensuring that when the time comes to reflect on the life lived, it is with the satisfaction of having fought the good fight.
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16
Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate purpose in your actions today, ensuring that you are not merely passing time but enriching your life and others' with divine intention? [19:05]
Day 2: Discern Battles of Eternal Value
The good fight is not about earthly conflicts but about the spiritual battle between light and darkness. Believers are called to discern which battles are worth engaging in, focusing on those that align with the kingdom of God. This means resisting the temptation to become entangled in temporal disputes that can distract from the eternal mission. The true battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces that seek to undermine the light. By choosing battles wisely, one can invest energy in what truly matters and make a lasting impact in the spiritual realm.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12
Reflection: What are the spiritual battles you are currently facing, and how can you ensure that your efforts are contributing to the light rather than being lost in the darkness of worldly disputes? [22:21]
Day 3: Run Your Unique Race with Perseverance
God has marked out a unique path for each individual, and it is essential to run this race with perseverance, not hindered by comparison or competition. Embracing one's journey requires trust in God's plan and the understanding that the race is not about speed or skill but about continuing forward, steadfast in the direction set by Jesus. This path is personal and cannot be measured by the progress of others. It is a call to focus on one's own spiritual growth and to run with endurance the race that is set before them.
"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith." - Hebrews 12:1b-2a
Reflection: In what ways might you be comparing your spiritual journey to others, and how can you refocus on running your race with the perseverance and trust that God has tailored it just for you? [29:39]
Day 4: Stand Firm in Faith Amidst Uncertainty
Keeping the faith is a deliberate choice, especially during times of uncertainty. Faith is the conviction that God is at work, even when circumstances appear bleak. It is essential to guard one's faith against forces that seek to weaken it and to remain steadfast in the belief of God's goodness and sovereignty. This active faith is not passive but requires a strong stance against fear and the allure of the path of least resistance, holding onto the promise that the best is yet to come.
"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." - 1 Corinthians 16:13
Reflection: What current situation in your life is testing your faith, and how can you stand firm in the belief that God is in control and working for your good, even if the evidence seems to suggest otherwise? [35:38]
Day 5: Surrender to a Transformative Faith
Spiritual surrender is a powerful and transformative act. It involves moving beyond the path of least resistance and embracing a faith that challenges and moves one out of comfort zones. This surrendered faith leads to trusting God in extraordinary ways and is the key to experiencing the fullness of life that Jesus offers. It is a faith that takes one's breath away, not because it is easy, but because it is deeply rooted in the conviction of God's infinite power and love.
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting surrender to Jesus, and what steps can you take today to begin letting go and trusting Him more deeply in this area? [37:19]
Quotes
"Based on how I used my days, I may find myself one day face to face with Jesus himself. On that day, I will receive a crown. Our natural reaction will be to take off that crown and lay it at the feet of the king over every King." [19:05] ()
"Jesus by his blood shed on a cross, power exerted through an empty tomb, calls you qualified. So man of God, woman of God, fight the good fight, run your race, and keep the faith." [20:24] ()
"The life he came to give you—full freedom, full impact, full power—is actually the fruit of surrender. Some of us need to come back to the exchange table and say, 'Alright God, I don't want the path of least resistance; I want a faith that takes my breath away.'" [37:19] ()
"Faith is the belief that The Best Is Yet To Come. Faith is an unshakable confidence that God is still in control and up to something good. Faith is the belief that even though it's raining outside, the clouds will break and the sun will shine." [36:11] ()
"Fight the good fight, run your race, and keep the faith. Keep the faith, because it's Australia Day, say like an Australian, 'keep the faith.' Oh, that was good, this little ripple of Australiana rising up from this little outpost of the kingdom of God." [35:38] ()
"Run your race. The book of Hebrews chapter 12 tells us that Jesus is the one who marked out this Race For You. How dare you sit there feeling small, insignificant, and overlooked when Jesus, the king of the universe who flung stars into space, also drew up the game plan for your life." [30:19] ()
"Fight the good fight. Now when the Apostle Paul is saying fight the good fight, what's he strongly implying? There are a lot of fights in the Earth right now that aren't that good. You got to understand in the scriptures when you see the word good, the word good usually is synonymous with God." [22:21] ()
"Teach us God to number our days so that we may have a heart of wisdom, not a heart of fear, not a heart of worry, not a heart of wantedness, but a heart of wisdom to make the most of every single day." [12:15] ()
"28,8 35. What will you do with your days? As we gather here at first conference 2024, as you look forward to this year, what would it look like if you redeemed every single day?" [10:59] ()
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith. Or in other words, I'm good. My days have been spent, some were wasted, but since I met Jesus that day rolling on my way to Damascus, I'm telling you now they have been used unto his glory." [18:20] ()
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?