Yesterday our pastor, Bryan Fink, preached a sermon he entitled SECOND PLACE. It reminded me of when Jay would tell the girls they were winners and that second place was the 1st place loser. Much of the same things that Bryan led the sermon with was what Jay use to preach to the girls such as, be committed, what you start, you finish, and you have to be dedicated, give it your all.
What Bryan was preaching about was that we all need to:
APPROACH BEING A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST WITH THE ATTITUDE, COMMITMENT, AND TENACITY THAT PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES PUT INTO BEING FIRST.
Basically saying to be a disciple of Christ, we have to give it EVERYTHING WE GOT!
DIVE INTO SCRIPTURE
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
The Need for Self-Discipline
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Paul preached this to the church. He was approaching living for Jesus just like running a race, running with EVERYTHING YOU GOT!
As the scripture states, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.”
Winning a race requires purpose and discipline. Paul explains in this scripture that it takes hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation.
We all should want to win the race. We aren’t trying to win for earthly prizes. We aren’t trying to win for silver that will tarnish, but for the crown that will last forever.
We must run the race for Christ, not observing from the stands, not just jogging a few laps, but giving it EVERYTHING WE GOT! We must train by studying His word, surrounding ourselves with Christian friends, and praying for God to lead us.
Start today with your spiritual training. Begin a lifelong training program to live for Jesus giving it EVERYTHING YOU GOT!
CHALLENGES OF THE WEEK
- Keep your daily appointment with Christ
- Dive deep into the word
- Give God everything you got, train every day running your race
- Fill your cup with Christ
RESOURCES
FUMC Stuttgart, Bryan Fink, October 11, 2020, 2nd Place sermon
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