Persevering in Faith: Focus on Your God-Given Race
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often encounter moments of discouragement and stagnation. During these times, it's crucial to pause and evaluate our lives. We must identify and eliminate the unnecessary burdens that hinder our progress, even if they are seemingly good things. It's essential to focus on running the race that God has set for us, not the race others expect us to run. God provides the strength and energy to fulfill His purpose for our lives, not to meet the expectations of others. By understanding our unique shape—our spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences—we can discern the path God has designed for us.
To persevere in this race, we must fix our eyes on Jesus, not on our circumstances. Just as a dog in obedience school learns to focus on its master rather than distractions, we too must keep our gaze on Christ. This focus helps us endure the unendurable by remembering God's past goodness, His present closeness, and His future promises. In moments of despair, like Jonah, we should turn our thoughts back to the Lord.
Moreover, we must learn to minimize the pain and maximize the profit of our trials. Every worthwhile endeavor involves some level of discomfort, but the future rewards far outweigh the temporary pain. Jesus exemplified this by enduring the cross for the joy set before Him—our salvation. We are encouraged to play down our struggles and pray them up, recognizing that our current afflictions are light and momentary compared to the eternal glory awaiting us.
Finally, we must remember what Jesus endured for us. His suffering was not for His benefit but for ours, providing us with forgiveness and eternal life. In our trials, we are reminded that our faith is being tested. We are called to finish the race well, completing what we have started with the same enthusiasm we began. By focusing on Jesus and His sacrifice, we find the strength to persevere and fulfill our God-given purpose.
Key Takeaways:
1. Run Your God-Given Race: Focus on the unique path God has set for you, not the expectations of others. God provides the strength to fulfill His purpose, not to meet others' demands. Embrace your unique shape—spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences—to discern your path. [00:27]
2. Fix Your Eyes on Jesus: In times of discouragement, keep your focus on Jesus, not your circumstances. Like a dog in obedience school, learn to look past distractions and fix your gaze on Christ, who is the author and finisher of your faith. [03:18]
3. Minimize Pain, Maximize Profit: Every worthwhile endeavor involves temporary pain, but the future rewards are far greater. Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him—our salvation. Play down your struggles and pray them up, recognizing their eternal significance. [08:17]
4. Remember Jesus' Sacrifice: In your trials, remember what Jesus endured for you. His suffering was for your benefit, providing forgiveness and eternal life. Let His example inspire you to persevere and finish the race well. [20:13]
5. Finish What You Start: Reflect on the commitments you've made and strive to complete them with the same enthusiasm you began. Your faith is being tested, and by focusing on Jesus, you can find the strength to persevere and fulfill your God-given purpose. [22:17]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Personal Evaluation
- [00:27] - Running God's Race
- [01:01] - Stripping Off Weights
- [02:14] - Understanding Your Shape
- [02:48] - Focusing on Jesus
- [03:49] - The Obedience School Analogy
- [04:26] - Looking at the Savior
- [05:13] - Corrie ten Boom's Perspective
- [06:30] - Jonah's Story of Hope
- [07:55] - Minimizing Pain, Maximizing Profit
- [09:11] - Jesus' Joy Beyond the Cross
- [10:15] - Paul's Trials and Perspective
- [13:07] - The Invisible War Study Kit
- [19:58] - Remembering Jesus' Sacrifice
- [22:17] - Finishing What You Start
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 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."
2. Jonah 2:7 - "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple."
3. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 - "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Hebrews 12:1-2, what are we encouraged to do in order to run the race marked out for us? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on focusing on Jesus? [03:18]
2. In Jonah 2:7, what action does Jonah take when he loses hope, and how does this reflect the sermon’s message about turning our thoughts back to the Lord in times of despair? [07:35]
3. How does 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 describe the relationship between our present troubles and future glory? How does this align with the sermon’s point about minimizing pain and maximizing profit? [12:06]
4. What analogy is used in the sermon to describe the importance of focusing on Jesus, and how does it help illustrate the message? [03:49]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us" in the context of the sermon, and how can understanding our unique shape help us in this endeavor? [02:14]
2. How does the story of Jonah illustrate the importance of turning back to God during times of hopelessness, and what can we learn from Jonah’s experience about God’s faithfulness? [07:35]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest we can "minimize the pain and maximize the profit" of our trials, and how does this perspective change our approach to challenges? [08:17]
4. How does remembering Jesus' sacrifice provide strength and motivation to persevere through our own trials, according to the sermon? [20:13]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current life circumstances. Are there any "weights" or unnecessary burdens you need to eliminate to better run your God-given race? What steps can you take this week to begin this process? [00:11]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you have been focusing more on circumstances than on Jesus. What practical steps can you take to shift your focus back to Him? [03:18]
3. Think of a recent trial or challenge you faced. How can you apply the principle of "minimizing pain and maximizing profit" to that situation? What future rewards can you focus on to help endure the temporary discomfort? [08:17]
4. Consider a time when you felt discouraged or stagnant in your faith journey. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Jonah’s example of turning his thoughts back to the Lord? [07:35]
5. Reflect on Jesus' sacrifice and the trials He endured for your benefit. How can this reflection inspire you to persevere in your current challenges? What specific actions can you take to keep this perspective in mind? [20:13]
6. What commitments have you made in your spiritual life that you need to finish with the same enthusiasm you began? How can you hold yourself accountable to complete these commitments? [22:17]
7. Is there a specific distraction in your life preventing you from focusing on Jesus? How can you minimize that distraction this week to better fix your eyes on Him? [03:18]
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Your Unique Path
In our journey of faith, it's essential to focus on the unique race that God has set for us, rather than the expectations others may impose. This involves understanding and embracing our unique shape—our spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences. By doing so, we can discern the path God has designed specifically for us. God provides the strength and energy to fulfill His purpose for our lives, not to meet the demands of others. This means letting go of unnecessary burdens, even if they seem good, to run the race that truly matters. [00:27]
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)
Reflection: What unnecessary burdens or expectations are you carrying that you need to let go of to focus on the path God has set for you?
Day 2: Keep Your Focus on Christ
In times of discouragement, it's crucial to fix our eyes on Jesus rather than our circumstances. Just as a dog in obedience school learns to focus on its master amidst distractions, we too must keep our gaze on Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith. This focus helps us endure the unendurable by remembering God's past goodness, His present closeness, and His future promises. By maintaining this focus, we can navigate through life's challenges with a sense of peace and purpose. [03:18]
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What distractions are currently pulling your focus away from Jesus, and how can you redirect your attention back to Him today?
Day 3: Transform Trials into Triumphs
Every worthwhile endeavor involves some level of discomfort, but the future rewards far outweigh the temporary pain. We are encouraged to minimize the pain and maximize the profit of our trials by playing down our struggles and praying them up. Jesus exemplified this by enduring the cross for the joy set before Him—our salvation. Recognizing that our current afflictions are light and momentary compared to the eternal glory awaiting us can transform our perspective on trials. [08:17]
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your perspective on a current trial to see it as an opportunity for growth and future reward?
Day 4: Remember the Sacrifice of Christ
In our trials, we are reminded of what Jesus endured for us. His suffering was not for His benefit but for ours, providing us with forgiveness and eternal life. By focusing on Jesus and His sacrifice, we find the strength to persevere and fulfill our God-given purpose. His example inspires us to endure and finish the race well, knowing that our faith is being tested and refined through our experiences. [20:13]
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24, ESV)
Reflection: How does remembering Jesus' sacrifice change your perspective on your current struggles or challenges?
Day 5: Complete Your Commitments with Enthusiasm
Reflect on the commitments you've made and strive to complete them with the same enthusiasm you began. Our faith is being tested, and by focusing on Jesus, we can find the strength to persevere and fulfill our God-given purpose. This involves finishing the race well, completing what we have started, and maintaining the zeal and dedication that initially inspired us. [22:17]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one commitment you have made that you need to renew your enthusiasm for, and how can you take a step towards fulfilling it today?
Quotes
when something is not going right when you start to get discouraged when you feel like you've stopped making progress It's time for a little personal evaluation what do I need to eliminate what do I need to streamline what do I need to declutter in my life even some good things some weights that are holding me back then number three I must run God's race for me not other people's race for me I must run God's race for me not others race you see God loves you and everybody else has a wonderful plan for your life and they would love for you to run their race the only thing is God doesn't give you energy to run other people's races he only gives you the energy to do what he put you on Earth to do [00:00:00]
now the third part of verse one says this let us strip off every weight and all the things that hinder us the sin and let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us Circle the phrase God has set God hasn't promised to bless your plan for your life he's promised to bless his plan for your life what he put you on this planet to do now let me just tell you if you try to run somebody else's race you're going to fail you're going to lose you're not going to make it to the Finish Line you're going to tire and give up because God doesn't give you the strength to run other people's race you are to run the race God meant for you to run and you got to stop caring so much about the approval of others and living for their approval and you've got to be who God made you to be [00:56:32]
I must focus on Jesus not my circumstances if I'm going to make it to the end of the race if I want to to to uh make it to the end I I want to be all that God wants be and I don't want to get discouraged give up in the middle of the race I need to focus on Jesus not my circumstances we are to run with endurance the race god Set before us and how do we run it it says next verse we do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus not the road on Jesus not the crowd on Jesus not the critics on Jesus in whom our faith depends from start to finish [00:28:00]
you can't be looking at your bank book balance you can't be looking at the fact that you haven't had a job in a year or that some your marriage is falling apart you cannot simply look at the situation you've got to look at the saving avor you can't look at the as a victim you've got to look at the Victor you can't look at the problem you've got to look at the problem solver you must keep your eye on Jesus you say Rick you don't know what I'm going through what I'm going through right now is unendurable friend the only way you will be able to endure the unendurable is to keep your eye on the invisible [00:57:36]
Corey tinboom said it like this Corey and her sister Betsy were incarcerated in owitz because they were Christians in Holland and then she wrote a book about this the hiding place and they hid Jews in their home to protect the Jews during the World War II from the Nazis and one day they found the Jews and they not only took the people they were hiding but they took the Corey and her entire family and took them to oswit too Betsy died there in the death camp Corey later wrote if you look at the world you'll be distressed if you look within you'll be depressed if you look at Christ you'll be at rest it all depends on what you've got your eyes on it's all a matter of perspective you can only do the impossible if you see the invisible [00:50:36]
I must minimize the pain and maximize The Profit I must minimize the pain and maximize The Profit the future reward the benefit of keeping on keeping on everything that's worth doing has some pain to it getting in shape has some pain to it getting in spiritual shape has some pain to it getting out of debt has some pain to it getting an education has some pain to it anything worthwhile has some temporary pain in order for there to be long-term benefit reward or payoff the Bible says this about Jesus dying on the cross verse two the second part he was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward circle the word afterward he's looking past the pain to the payoff and what would that payoff be your salvation you could have your sins forgiven I could have my sins forgiven we could go to heaven because of what Jesus would do on the cross for us he knew he could handle the death because of the joy that would be his afterwards and now he is seated in the place of highest joy and highest honor besides God's throne in heaven [00:08:01]
Paul lists all the pain he went through in order to do his race to follow the plan God has for his life and it's not a happy list listen to this 2 Corinthians 11 Paul says I've worked hard I've put been put in jail more often I've been whipped times without number I faced death again and again and again five times I was given 39 lashes imagine that if you've been whipped 39 times and five five time 39 would be the number of lash marks on your back can you imagine the scars in his back five times I was given 39 lashes three times I was beaten with rods once I was stoned three times I was Shipwrecked once I spent a whole night in the day a drift at Sea I've traveled many weary miles I've faced dangers from flooded rivers and from robbers and I've I've faced dangers for my own people as well as the Gentiles I've faced dangers in the cities and in the deserts and on stormy seas I've faced dangers from men who claim to be Christians but aren't I've lived with weariness I've lived with pain and I've lived with sleepless nights I've often been hungry and thirsty and Gone without food and I've often shivered without cold without enough clothing to keep me warm Paul said I went through all of this in order to be a missionary to the entire Roman Empire [00:10:08]
in light of all this we do not lose heart we don't give up though outwardly we're wasting away yet inwardly we're being renewed day by day for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that outweighs them all now he calls all that he went through light and momentary troubles would you call that light and momentary troubles I'd call that life a disaster if I'd been in prison that many times been beaten that many times whipped that many times Shipwrecked cold thirsty hungry robbed beaten up bruised stoned and he goes now these light and momentary afflictions what that is a matter of perspective he said this stuff is Small Potatoes compared to the reward I'm going to get in heaven [00:11:57]
remember what Jesus did for me remember the suffering he went through when I'm suffering remember what he endured not for his own sake but what he endured for my sake on the cross and he says when you are enduring a tough time you need to think about the attacks and the criticisms Jesus experienced think about the abuse and the cruelty Jesus went through think about the meanness and the torture and the painful death he went through not for his benefit but for you verses 3 and 4 think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him say that's what you think about what he endured so that you don't become weary and give up after all you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin you need to think about what Jesus has done for you when you're going through a tough time [00:19:58]
my question is will you endure will you finish the race will you finish well my question is this what have you started that you need to finish what is it that you've started that you need to finish and not give up in the middle of it you know a year before Paul wrote the book to the Corinthians Church the Corinthian Church did basically like a decade of Destiny offering where they did an offering they said we're going to take up an offering for the church at Jerusalem now in those days no church was going through good times it was all tough times but they said we're going to take up an offering to help the church at Jerusalem and a year later they had made the commitment but they still hadn't given it and Paul wrote this to them 2 Corinthians 8 finish what you started a year ago what did you start a year ago for you were first to begin doing something about it now you should carry this project to completion just as enthusiastically as you began it give whatever you can according to what you have so I ask you again what commitments have you made that you need to complete [00:22:17]
help me to declutter my life to eliminate what doesn't matter to focus on what matters most help me to lay aside the weights and the sins that are slowing me down holding me back and causing me to want to feel like giving up I want to run your race for me not somebody else's race I want to be exactly what you intend for me to be now what other people expect me to be help me to focus Jesus on you not my problems not my debts not my circumstances not my pain help me to focus on on you Jesus keeping our eyes on him whom our faith depends from start to finish I want to minimize the pain and maximize The Profit help me to play it down and pray it up to not become weary in doing good but to wait for the right season when I see the Harvest Jesus most of all I want to thank you for what you did for me how you suffered and what you endured so that I could be forgiven and I could be saved and I could go to heaven and I could be in your family [00:23:41]
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