Running the Race of Faith Without Limits
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves setting boundaries for what we allow God to do in our lives. We sing songs like "Oceans," asking the Spirit to lead us where our trust is without borders, yet we often impose limits on what we are willing to do for God. We say, "God, do anything with me, but I need to stay here," or "I need to have this or that first." It's a challenge to truly let go and allow God to lead us into the unknown, where our faith can be strengthened beyond our comfort zones.
Reflecting on the concept of "happily ever after," we often envision a life of comfort and ease. However, true fulfillment comes from a life lived for the gospel, even if it means enduring hardship and suffering. The ultimate "happily ever after" is not found in earthly comforts but in standing before God with our loved ones, having lived a life of faith and sacrifice. This perspective shifts our focus from temporary pleasures to eternal rewards.
Life is like a race, and we are called to run it with perseverance. As we grow older, the temptation is to slow down and seek safety, but the Christian life is about sprinting towards the finish line, taking greater steps of faith as we near the end. We should not be content with past achievements but continually seek to deepen our trust in God, stepping further out of the boat and into the waters of faith.
In our relationships, especially in marriage, we should view life as a team effort, like contestants on "The Amazing Race." We don't have time to fight or celebrate excessively; instead, we focus on the mission, encouraging each other to keep running towards the goal. This shared pursuit of God's kingdom brings us closer together and strengthens our bond.
Finally, we must encourage one another with the hope of Christ's return. In a world that often promises false hopes of earthly happiness, we need to remind each other of the eternal glory that awaits us. Our trials and sufferings are light and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory that God has prepared for us. Let's run this race with endurance, keeping our eyes on the ultimate prize.
Key Takeaways:
- Trust Without Borders: We often limit what we allow God to do in our lives, setting conditions for our obedience. True faith requires us to let go of these boundaries and trust God to lead us into the unknown, where our faith can grow beyond our comfort zones. [01:12]
- Redefining Happily Ever After: Our ultimate "happily ever after" is not found in earthly comforts but in standing before God, having lived a life of faith and sacrifice. This perspective shifts our focus from temporary pleasures to eternal rewards. [07:23]
- Running the Race: Life is a race, and we are called to run it with perseverance. As we grow older, we should not slow down but instead take greater steps of faith, continually seeking to deepen our trust in God. [22:32]
- Marriage as a Team Effort: In marriage, we should view life as a team effort, focusing on the mission of God's kingdom. This shared pursuit brings us closer together and strengthens our bond, as we encourage each other to keep running towards the goal. [19:09]
- Encouragement in Christ's Return: In a world that often promises false hopes of earthly happiness, we need to remind each other of the eternal glory that awaits us. Our trials and sufferings are light and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory that God has prepared for us. [14:13]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Embracing Weakness
- [00:46] - Discovering Song Lyrics
- [01:12] - Trust Without Borders
- [03:08] - Parenting Reflections
- [05:40] - Happily Ever After
- [07:23] - Eternal Perspective
- [08:13] - Embracing Suffering
- [10:08] - Longing for Heaven
- [12:14] - Paul's Encouragement
- [14:13] - Eternal Weight of Glory
- [17:25] - The Amazing Race Analogy
- [20:19] - Running the Race
- [22:32] - Steps of Faith
- [27:38] - Living by Faith
- [38:31] - True Life in Sacrifice
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
2. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
3. Matthew 14:28-31
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Observation Questions:
1. In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, what does Paul describe as "light and momentary troubles," and how do they compare to the "eternal weight of glory"? [09:06]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the limitations we place on God when we sing "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders"? [01:12]
3. How does the analogy of "The Amazing Race" relate to the concept of marriage as a team effort in the sermon? [19:09]
4. What does the pastor mean by "happily ever after" in the context of a life lived for the gospel? [07:23]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the promise of an "eternal weight of glory" in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 influence a believer's perspective on suffering and hardship? [09:06]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our earthly idea of "happily ever after" might differ from a biblical perspective? [07:23]
3. How does the pastor's analogy of running a race with perseverance challenge the common tendency to slow down in faith as we age? [22:32]
4. What does the pastor mean when he says that life should be like "The Amazing Race" for married couples, and how does this perspective impact their relationship? [19:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any "borders" you have set for God? What steps can you take to trust Him more fully in those areas? [01:12]
2. How can you redefine your personal "happily ever after" to align more closely with a life lived for the gospel? What changes might this require in your daily life? [07:23]
3. Consider the race analogy: What are some practical ways you can "sprint" towards the finish line in your faith journey, especially as you grow older? [22:32]
4. In your marriage or close relationships, how can you adopt the mindset of being on "The Amazing Race"? What specific actions can you take to focus on the mission of God's kingdom together? [19:09]
5. How can you encourage others in your community with the hope of Christ's return, especially when they face trials and sufferings? [14:13]
6. Identify one area in your life where you might be avoiding suffering for the sake of comfort. How can you step out in faith and embrace the challenges that come with living for the gospel? [09:06]
7. Think about a recent trial you faced. How did your perspective on eternal rewards help you endure it, and how can you apply this perspective to future challenges? [09:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God Beyond Comfort Zones
In our journey of faith, we often set boundaries for what we allow God to do in our lives. We may sing songs asking the Spirit to lead us where our trust is without borders, yet we impose limits on our willingness to follow God. We might say, "God, do anything with me, but I need to stay here," or "I need to have this or that first." True faith requires us to let go of these boundaries and trust God to lead us into the unknown, where our faith can grow beyond our comfort zones. This is a challenge, but it is also an opportunity to deepen our relationship with God and experience His power in new ways. [01:12]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself setting boundaries for God? How can you begin to let go of these limits and trust Him more fully today?
Day 2: Redefining True Fulfillment
Reflecting on the concept of "happily ever after," we often envision a life of comfort and ease. However, true fulfillment comes from a life lived for the gospel, even if it means enduring hardship and suffering. The ultimate "happily ever after" is not found in earthly comforts but in standing before God with our loved ones, having lived a life of faith and sacrifice. This perspective shifts our focus from temporary pleasures to eternal rewards, encouraging us to live with an eternal mindset. [07:23]
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: How does your current pursuit of happiness align with the eternal perspective of true fulfillment? What changes can you make to focus more on eternal rewards rather than temporary pleasures?
Day 3: Perseverance in the Race of Life
Life is like a race, and we are called to run it with perseverance. As we grow older, the temptation is to slow down and seek safety, but the Christian life is about sprinting towards the finish line, taking greater steps of faith as we near the end. We should not be content with past achievements but continually seek to deepen our trust in God, stepping further out of the boat and into the waters of faith. This requires courage and a willingness to embrace the unknown, trusting that God will guide us every step of the way. [22:32]
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." (1 Corinthians 9:24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take today to deepen your trust in God and run the race with perseverance?
Day 4: Marriage as a Shared Mission
In marriage, we should view life as a team effort, focusing on the mission of God's kingdom. Like contestants on "The Amazing Race," we don't have time to fight or celebrate excessively; instead, we focus on the mission, encouraging each other to keep running towards the goal. This shared pursuit of God's kingdom brings us closer together and strengthens our bond, as we encourage each other to keep running towards the goal. [19:09]
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you and your spouse (or a close friend) work together as a team to pursue God's kingdom more effectively? What specific steps can you take to support each other in this mission?
Day 5: Encouragement in the Hope of Christ's Return
In a world that often promises false hopes of earthly happiness, we need to remind each other of the eternal glory that awaits us. Our trials and sufferings are light and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory that God has prepared for us. Encouraging one another with the hope of Christ's return helps us to keep our eyes on the ultimate prize and run this race with endurance. [14:13]
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body." (Philippians 3:20-21, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs encouragement today? How can you remind them of the hope and eternal glory that awaits us in Christ?
Quotes
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, I love that because we have limitations to what will let the spirit do in our lives like god you you do anything with me but I'm not moving or god do anything through me but I've got to be married god do anything through me but I've got to have at least one or two kids. [00:01:17]
I have this dream to me happily ever after is one day standing before god oh I want this to happen so badly where I could look at my kids and look at my wife and then go I told you I told you this would be worth it didn't I tell you guys down on that earth how man some of this is gonna be hard it's gonna be terrible. [00:07:26]
I actually want life to be difficult I actually want to suffer for the sake of the gospel I actually want my wife and kids to suffer for the sake of the gospel and then one day I'm not saying man believe me I'm not one that likes suffering but if you ask me what would happily ever after look like. [00:08:03]
Encourage one another with these words but in the church I rarely hear that type of encouragement when's the last time someone encouraged you with the return of jesus of the fact that yeah life is gonna be horrible down here but we don't encourage you without what we don't know it'll get better you'll get a job you know. [00:14:46]
My wife gave the greatest example we were we were talking at a marriage retreat she she starts sharing she goes uh she goes you guys ever watched the show the amazing race has ever seen that the amazing race if those who haven't seen it it's this reality show I guess you call it a game show type of thing. [00:17:22]
I feel like most christians are playing survivor we're just trying to live um I don't want to die you know I mean you know rather than really pursuing something and I know some of you guys are married some of you are pursuing that I'm just saying you know we do things so backwards in the american church sometimes. [00:20:47]
I want to live this life like a race and I for me I'm 46 you know turned 47 this this summer and I think about the end more than ever my parents didn't live to this age you know so I go man I'm out living my dad how living my mom they didn't make it to this age and so. [00:24:08]
I want to take another step you know like I I think of that picture of uh you know like if this black thing over here was the boat you know like peter stepping out on the water right isn't that what sounds about calming out upon the water you know and but what you do you know like peter gets you know scared he sings he gets back in the book. [00:27:48]
I want to cross that finish line and just collapse in your arms and go yes it's over I ran the race I fought the good fight I ended well man that's my dream man is that what you're pursuing is this life like the amazing race for you those of you are married are you guys competing together as a team just going man. [00:29:15]
I am talking about sacrifice I am talking about suffering I am saying we're going to have trouble in this world but there's also life in it man if you really are going to live this life of making disciples wherever anywhere on the earth if you really are going to sing these songs not just sing them but live it out. [00:37:35]
I didn't want to give any false hope tonight that I promise you you follow this pattern of discipleship and the things you learn all day long and you're going to have this thriving ministry no you might not this might be a terrible year for you good news is you'll die soon you know like this is all going to be over and. [00:38:31]
Let's encourage one another with heaven let's encourage one another with the return of christ that is so lacking in the church today and the reason is because we're trying to set up our own heaven on earth let's wait for heaven let's be willing to wait let's not be like the israelites and just make our own golden calf in our own heaven on earth. [00:41:55]
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