Keepers Of The Vision, Lesson 1

KEEPERS OF THE VISION

                                           ( Book by Kendrix J. Gardner) 

Habakkuk 2:2-4

 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

VISION KEEPERS HAVE A PASSION TO SERVE

Matthew 20:28-29

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Colossians 1:11-12

 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully

12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

VISION KEEPERS HAVE A PURPOSE FOR SEVING

Philippians 1:6

 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.

Matthew 6:20-21

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

John 6:27

 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

VISION KEEPERS HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED TO SERVE

2 Timothy 3:16-4:1

 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Personal and corporate Bible Study is important work for all believers.

2 Corinthians 9:8-9

 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

John 14:26

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

VISION KEEPERS ARE BORN AGAIN

2 Corinthians 5:17

 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has  

 come!

The reason you come to Bible Study is because you are driven by Christ.

John 3:16-17

 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Ephesians 1:13

 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:20

 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

VISION KEEPERS ARE PRAYER WARRIORS

Prayer is a two way communication between the believer and God.

Believe it or not, God wants to hear from you.

If you are not talking to God, you are talking to the world.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

James 5:14-15

 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Prayer is an effective tool against the devil. When you communicate with God

your mind are on things that are spiritual.

Everyone should have a special time to communicate with God.

Praying without ceasing mean many short prayers. But we should give

more than a minute prayer.

To go to God in prayer is a privilege. As suggested by Dr Kendrick Gardner,

you can use the acronym ACTS as a guide.

A is for adoration, C is for confession, T is for thanksgiving and S is for

supplication.

What we call the Lord's Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13 gives you a good guide.

Verse 9 and 10 is Adoration, Verse 11 is our daily petition, Verse 12 is confession

and verse 13 starts with intercession and ends with God's Glory. APCIG

We can talk to God anytime and in our own way.

Prayer is our opportunity to listen to God and get new directions.

According to Dr Gardner, there are elements of successful prayer.

1. Successful prayer has faith.

    James 1:5-6

    5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without

       finding fault, and it will be given to him.

    6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a   

       wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

2. Successful prayer has thanksgiving.

    Ephesians 5:20

    always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus

    Christ.

   

    Philippians 4:6

    Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with

    thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

3. Successful Prayer Is Aligned With God's Word.

    James 4:3

   When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may

   spend what you get on your pleasures.

    1 John 5:14-15

    This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according

    to his will, he hears us.

    And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what  

    we asked of him.

4. Success Prayer Has Humility

    God hates the proud.

    James 4:6

    But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but

    gives grace to the humble."

    Proverbs 3:35

   The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.

    Psalms 25:9

    He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

5. Success Prayer Is In The Name Of Jesus.

    John 14:13-14

    13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the  

    Father.

    14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

   John 14:13-14

   And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the   

   Father.

   You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

6. Successful Prayer Is Offered In The Right Frame of Mind

  Philippians 4:8

  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,   

  whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy —

  think about such things.

7. Be Specific in your prayers

    Ask God for what you want and what you need.

    Psalms 37:4-5

    4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

    5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:

8. Pray With The Expectation of Receiving

    Don't limit God in your prayers

    Matthew 7:7-8

    "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be  

    opened to you.

    For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door   

    will be opened.

    Mark 11:24

   Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it,   

    and it will be yours.

  Rev. M. Mitchell

  Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

   5510 West Sam Houston Park Way North

  Houston, Texas 77041.

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Put God First In Your Life"7/29/2018

PUT GOD FIRST IN YOUR LIFE

Luke 14:15-24

On the Sabbath, Jesus was invited to the home of a Pharisee for dinner.

The invitation was not out of love or respect for Jesus, but to give

the Pharisees the opportunity to find fault with Jesus. The objective

of the Pharisees was to bring charges against Jesus to have him killed.

They  invited a man with the dropsy to see if Jesus would heal him

in violation of their traditions.

They meant it for evil, but Jesus meant it for good. Jesus used every evil

encounter to teach the good news of the kingdom of God.

THE BLESSED ARE GOD'S ELECT

V.15 When one of those who sat at the table with him heard these things, he said to him, "Blessed is he who will feast in the Kingdom of God!"

A, The Jews believed that since they were descendants from Abraham entitled them          

     to a seat at the  table in heaven.

    1. They were proud of their inheritance, but were not inclined to follow God's

         commands.

    2. The Jewish leaders prided their position and status in the community.

B. They considered themselves the blessed population.

    1. They presented themselves as upright but their hearts were far from God.

    2. They presented themselves to be served and not to serve.

AN INVITATION TO HEAVEN

V:16. " But he said to him, "A certain man made a great supper, and he invited many

  people."

A. Jesus told this parable  to illustrate the acceptance and rejection of the Kingdom

     of heaven was a personal choice and not an inheritance.

    1. God the Father is represented by the certain man.

    2. The kingdom of heaven is presented as the great supper. 

    3. Those first invited were the nation of Israel.

    4.  They initially accepted the invitation to the dinner.

         a. Everybody want a free ride into heaven.

         b. Everybody want to seated at the feast in heaven.

B. At great expense, the dinner was prepared for the invited guest.

    1. Jesus is represented as the prepared dinner.

    2. His death on the cross was the prepared meal.

        a. His bruised body was the bread of life offering.

        b. His shed blood was the drink offering of atonement.

    3. God's Grace and mercy were the reason for the invitation.

THE DEATH OF JESUS, THE FREE GIFT TO HEAVEN

V:17. " He sent out his servant at supper time to tell those who were invited, 'Come, for everything is ready now."

A. It was understood, that once the dinner was prepared, it had to be serve quickly

     or it would spoil.

    1. An animal was sacrificed for the meat.

    2. Bread and vegetables was prepared for side dishes.

    3. They had no way of storing food for a later date.

B. The phrase "ready now" indicates the urgency of the call to dinner by

     the invited guest.

   1. The servants represents the judges, prophets and Jesus disciples.

   2. Jesus is coming back for His invited guest.

   3. We do not know time or the date.

   4.. He will come back like a thief in the night.

EXCUSES TO FELLOWSHIP NOT ACCEPTED

V:18-20. " They all as one began to make excuses. "The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please have me excused.'

19 "Another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go try them out. Please have me excused.'

20 "Another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I can't come."

A. To get to the dinner table will require a sacrifice on the invited guest part.

    1. The invited guest made common excuses for why they could not attend

         the dinner they  had agreed to attend.

    2. The first excuse was concern property or resources

         No one buys property without inspecting it first.

    3. The second excuse was concerning work.

    4 . The third excuse was concerning family.

    5. It is God who gives us all we have which should not be used

        as an excuse not to fellowship with Him.

B. God commands us to put Him first over all we have.

    1. Anything we put before God becomes an idol.

    2. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

    3. Our desires should never be put before God.

     

GOD IS NO RESPECTOR OF PERSON

V:21 "That servant came, and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor, maimed, blind, and lame."

A. The first to be invited to the dinner were the Jews.

     1. The Jews were given the Law when they came out of slavery.

     2. The Old Testament was written to the Jews.

     3. They rejected God's commands in favor of worldly kings and

          their traditions.

     4. The invitation to righteousness was given to the Jew first in the Law.

B. The Gentiles, all non Jews, were given the invitation to

      kingdom after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

     1. Jesus died on the cross so that all men might be saved.   Rom 10:9

     2. God is no respector of person.

THERE IS ROOM IN HEAVEN

V:22-23 "The servant said, 'Lord, it is done as you commanded, and there is still room.'

23 "The lord said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."

A. It is the job of each believer to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.    Mat 28:19

     1. We are all God's servants.

     2. We should first, make sure our families have a relationship with Jesus.

     3. We should reach out to people every where we go.

B. Like the murderers on the cross with Jesus, there will be some who will be given

     the opportunity to accept Christ as their personal Savior on their death beds.

   1. Some accept Christ early in life and some late in their life.

   2. There is always room at the Cross for new believers.

C. After the second coming of Christ, the Church will be raptured into heaven.

   1. All that will be left on earth will be none believers.

   2. The Jews will be given a thousand years to accept Christ as He reigns on

        earth. Rev 20:6

   3. Satan and His demons will be bound and not allowed to influence the

       growing Jewish population. Rev 20:3

   4. This will be in fulfillment of the scriptures, that all Israel will be saved.

        Roman 11:26

 

SALVATION  IS YOUR CHOICE

24 For I tell you that none of those men who were invited will taste of my supper."

A. There is only a limited time to accept Christ as your personal Savior.

    1. Those who reject Christ may not be given a chance to repent and

        turn to Christ.

    2. There is one sin that is unforgivable and that is to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.

         Mark 3:28-29

         28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and  

         blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:

         29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is   

         in danger of eternal damnation:

B. Rejecting Christ is a ticket to hell.

    1. Rejecting Christ is a personal choice.

WHILE IT IS TIME, ACCEPT CHRIST' INVITATION

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Park Way North

Houston, Texas 77041

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Our Journey To Heaven" 7/22/2018

OUR JOURNEY TO HEAVEN

Luke 13: 22-30

THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEY

V:22. " And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. "

A. The life of a Christian, is a journey to heaven.

    1. We are the source of light, everywhere we go.

    2. Our job is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

B. We must never forget, that this world is not our home.

   1. We are just passing through, on our way to our eternal home.

   2. We were created in Jesus to do good works while on earth.

SOME SAVED AND SOME NOT

V:23 And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them,

24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able."

A. Not everyone will have an eternal home in heaven, because many will reject Christ.

    1. Heaven is the destination for God's elect.

    2. Everyone is given the opportunity to be save.

    3. Jesus came to atone for the sins of the entire world.

        Romans 5:18:

       Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation;

       even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto

       justification  of life.

B. The way to salvation is through Jesus Christ only.

    1. John 10:9:

        I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, 

        and find pasture.

    2. Those who reject Jesus as Lord and savior will not be saved.

    3. There are many religions, but only those who claim Christ have the key

        to the kingdom of heaven.

    

CHOSE CHRIST BEFORE ITS TO LATE

V:25. "Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.'

26 "Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets';

A. The head of the household of faith is Jesus Christ.

    1. The door is the way into Heaven which is through faith in Jesus

    2. We are now living in the Church Age.

    3. This age will come to an end when Christ come for His Church.

B. Jesus is probably referring to the critics of His time, the Pharisee, Sadducees,

     chief priest and the scribes.

    1. They opposed Jesus because He claimed to be the Son of God.

    2. Jesus called them hypocrites because they were responsible for

        upholding the Law but did not follow it. 

      3. This group was always in attendance when Jesus taught the Word,

           trying to find fault and reasons to have Him killed.

      4. They held themselves righteous, while breaking many of God's

           commands.

C. At Judgment day, everyone will have to stand before Jesus and give

     an account of their deed on earth.

     Hebrews 4:13:

     Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid   

     bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT

V:27-28 " and He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.'

28 "In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out."

A. Any person who does not worship God, makes his/her bed in hell.

   1. Faith in the Word guarantees a place in heaven

   2. To know Jesus is to follow His commands

   3. Jesus said if you love me keep my commands.

B. God is tolerant   with us and give everyone time to accept Jesus as their personal 

     savior.

   1. There will come a time when the invitation to accept Jesus is closed.

   2. That time will come as a thief in the night.

       1 Thessalonians 5:2:

       "for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night."

   3. When Jesus comes back, He will take all believers from among non believers.

       Matthew 24:41-42:

     " Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

     Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."

C. There are  two destinations, heaven and hell.

     1. The place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth is hell.

     2. The kingdom of God is where all believers will dwell forever with the Lord.

     3. The choice is yours, but it has to be made before you die.

ETERNITY WITH CHRIST

V:29 "And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline  

          at the table in the kingdom of God."

 A. The Lord Jesus will raise believers from all over the world to live with Him

       in eternity.

       Romans 8:11:

      And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who 

      raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit,

      who lives in you.

      1 Corinthians 15:53"

       When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with  

        immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been

        swallowed up in victory."

ETERNITY IN HELL

V:30 "And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last."

 A. The Jews believe because they were descendants  of Abraham that they were

      guaranteed a seat in Heaven.

      1. Most Jews, especially the ruling Jews,  could  not grasp  the concept

          that faith in Jesus was the key to salvation.

      2. Even though they witnessed signs and miracles by Jesus that no man could

          do, they saw Jesus as just an ordinary man.

      3. The following verse express their hatred for Jesus.

           Luke 13:31:

          At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and  

          go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you."

 B. The Word of God was given to the Jew first, therefore they thought they were

      the preferred race.

     1. They considered all other races as unclean and not worthy of salvation.

     2. They did not understand the concept that God is no respecter of person.

          Romans 2:9-10:

         Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first,   

          and also of the Gentile;

         10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first,  

          and also to the Gentile:

ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY WITH CHRIST

Rev M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Park way North

Houston, Texas 77041

For more lesson, follow me on facebook and

visit my blogs, revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com

Sermon, "Running The Race To The Finish Line"

RUNNING THE RACE TO THE FINISH LINE

Hebrews 12:1-2

Good Morning Greater Macedonia.  It is good to be in this house this morning.

Let's Give God some praise

If He has done anything for you, why don't you clap your hands and say

thank you Jesus.

Let's go to God in prayer.

Our text this morning comes from Hebrews 12:1-2

 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

KJV

I want talk this morning on the subject, " Running The Christian Race, To The Finish Line"

When you look around, you will discover that you are involved in may races.

Usually it a race against time.

It could be a race to get to work on time. A race to get home and out of the

traffic. A race to finish a project. We have auto races, horse races and dog races

and athletic races, all to see who will cross the finish line first.

All your life you will be involved in some kind of race. The most important race

is the Christian race, Like any race, there is a starting line and a finish line.

the objective is to get to the finish line.

The starting line of the Christian race is your relationship with

Jesus Christ .

And the finish line is your home in heaven with Jesus. That day when

you lay down and close your eyes for the last time.

The reason we are here, is to give God Glory

It is through our Christian race that God get the glory.

God starts us in this Christian Race fresh and new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 states

 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

NIV

What you do between your new birth in Jesus Christ and your death on earth

is the RACE.

1.YOU WERE SELECTED FOR THE RACE

   Ephesians 1:4-5

   For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his  

   sight. In love

    he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his   

    pleasure and will—

That's GOOD NEWS  .

 You were chosen for this race before you were worthy to be in the race

2. YOU WERE PLACED AT THE STARTING LINE

 You were placed in the  race by God

     In John 6:44, Jesus says:

     "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise  

      him up at the last day. "

     It was God who gave you a measure of faith to accept Him as you Savior.

     I want you to know God did not do that for everyone.

     To the world, this thing call church is foolishness.

    God made it possible for you to hear His Word and be convicted in your heart.

    Not only that, but He made inward change in an old vessel.

    I can only imagine, that while God was drawing us to Himself, he

    forcing a change in our mind to cause us to accept His son.

    Once you accepted Jesus as your personal savior, you were placed at the starting line

    of the Christian race.

    Some of us take off immediately from the starting line like a sprinter.

   

    But there are some after several years of being in church are still posed at the starting

    line  as if they   are waiting on a green light.

3. YOU ARE QUALIFIED FOR THE RACE

In any athletic sport, weather it be baseball, basketball or football, it takes

years of training and competition to qualify for the few slots on the team.

Unlike an athletic race ,you don't train to get qualified for this eternal race,

You are qualified at the staring line. God himself give you, your qualifications.

  

   To each is given a measure of faith.    Rom 12:3

   God gave each us , certain spiritual gifts .

     

   1 Corinthians 12:7

    But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

    1 Corinthians 12:28

    And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly    

   teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of

   tongues.

  

   God, because of His great love, qualified you to be in this Christian race.

4. YOU HAVE A SPONSOR FOR THE CHRISTIAN RACE

    In every athletic competition, those who have shown themselves

    excellent  in their field will have sponsors.

   Players in football, basket ball, base ball and any major sport will have

   companies pursuing them to advertise their products.

   In this Christian race before we have stepped on the field and proven

   our worth, we have the highest sponsor in Jesus Christ.

    Philippians 1:6

    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.

5. YOU HAVE A CHEERING SQUAD

   To promote the race  and encourage us doing the race,

    we have a cloud of witnesses who have finished the race

    This cloud of witnesses are presented to us in  chapter 11 of this book.

    This cheering squad are men and women of faith who have

    pass on into heaven.

   Chapter 11 is all about faith.

    It is in Chapter 11 that God gives us a definition of faith

    Hebrews 11:1-2

   Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

   For by it the elders obtained a good report.

  

These elders are our cloud of witnesses who ran their race on faith

We picture them sitting on the sideline cheering us on.

   1. We have Noah who labored for 120 years to build the Ark who

       finished the race.

   2.We have Abraham the father of faith who finished the race,

   3. We got Moses who lead the Israelites out of Egypt who finished the race.

 4. We have Rahab the harlot who by faith hid the spies of Israel

      in Jericho, who finished the race.

 5. We have Kings David and Solomon who finished the race

 6. We have Jesus our Lord and Savior for the joy of the Cross

      was crucified for our sins who finished the race.

The race of each one of these witnesses was different.

Each one had a staring point that was based on the circumstances of their

lives. They were men and women no different than us.

Moses was 80 years old before he move from the starting line.

Abraham was over 100 years old before God considered him righteous

Rehab was not a believer until she hid the spies of Israel from her

own people.

Like those in the cheering squad, your race will be different than

any other race.  You race depends on God and His plan for your life.

NOW THAT WAS ALL GOD'S PART, THIS IS YOUR PART

THIS IS YOUR PART

The text says lay aside every weight and sin

6.  YOU HAVE HENDRENCES TO THE RACE

    Athletes in any race have very light clothing on.

    They have nothing on to weigh them down 

   To run the race effectively, we have get rid of some stuff.

   We have to Unload some old habits.

   We came into this relationship with Jesus with  weights that will keep us from

   moving off the starting line.

    a. We came into this relationship with Jesus  with hatred in our hearts.

    b. We came with an unforgiving spirit

    c, We came with intolerance

    d. We came with envy

    e. We came with all kind of excuses

    f. We came with ignorance of the Word of God.

These are the devices that Satan will use to keep at the starting line.

With time all of these weight that keep us from pursuing  fellowship

with Christ ought to be eliminated.

That is part of work we ought to be doing. Cleaning ourselves up for God use.

Nothing will give Satan more satisfaction than to see a believer stuck

at the starting line.

7. YOU HAVE TO GROW YOUR FAITH AND DROP OFF  SIN.

    Look at the text again, lay aside every weight and sin

    Not only do we have some weights that are keeping us at

     the starting line, but we have sin in our members.

      I suggest that the sin, that author is taking about is unbelief, a lack of

      faith.

      The word sin in this verse is hamartia which means an offense to God.

      The greatest offence to God is our unbelief.

      When we look at the Word of God and don't see that it applies to us.

      That is an offense to God.

      When we live our lives without the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.

       it is an offence to God.

      

      Hebrews 11:6 says "It is impossible to please God with out faith " 

              

      The "therefore" in this verse, draws our attention back to Chapter 11.

       of Hebrews which is all about faith

       God defines faith as

       Hebrews 11:1

       Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

        KJV

        Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

        NIV

        Chapter 11 gives us a run down of patriarchs who completed the race because

        their FAITH.  They could not have completed the race without faith. 

        The sin of unbelief keeps you at the starting line.

         Our unbelief is an ignorance to the Word.

         Faith come by hearing and hearing by the Word of God

         The Bible preaches faith from beginning to end. From Genesis to

         Revelations

       We are commanded to follow God's commands by faith.

       No matter where you open the Bible you will find

       an application to your life by faith.  

   

Romans 1:17 states:

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

NIV

8. RUN THE RACE WITH ENDURANCE

That word endurance is from a Greek word which

means to;  START

                 RUN ON

                 KEEP ON RUNNING

The text says run the race with endurance

The word endurance also implies that there is going to be some trouble in the race.

The trouble we face during our Christian race will workout for our good.

Romans 5:3-4

 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

KJV

 

How do you run with endurance;?

 Keep your focus on the Jesus

Isa 40:30 says:  those who wait  or those who are twisted up in the Lord

will renew their strength

The race was designed for you

You did not select the race, it was selected for you

Every Christian runs a different race

Go back to Chapter 11.

Noah ran a different race from Abraham. Abraham ran a different race from

Moses. Moses ran a different race from David

By the same token, every race has a different starting time.

Every race has a different duration in time.

Every race has different circumstances.

Your race is different from  mind.

Your race will be unique to you.

As you run your race, Jesus will complete the good work He started in you.

Every race has the same finish line, heaven

Every race must be run by faith.

Every race has one perfect role model; Jesus

Jesus is the author an finisher of our faith

You can run at your own pace.

You are not in competition with anyone else

Ecclesiastes 9:11

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

  

 

In Verse 2  That we find the source of our faith

       Hebrews 12:2

       Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set    

       before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of 

       the throne of God.

       You cannot run the Christian race without faith.

       The sin of unbelief is where  we all begin

        Unbelief  is reliance on self or the world    

        Jesus gives us a measure of faith that we have at the staring line

        It is when we move off the starting line that our faith began to be perfected  

      Each one of the patriarchs listed in chapter 11, developed their faith

      on the run. While they were in the race serving God.

      Faith does not grow at the starting line. Faith grows in race

9. PREPARATIONS FOR THE RACE TAKE PLACE DOING THE RACE

    To get off the staring line, there first has to be a commitment.

    A commitment to Study the Word,

    A commitment to Meditate on the Word,

    A commitment to develop a prayer life

    A, commitment to  worship the Lord.

    A commitment to get involved the proclaiming the Gospel

    A commitment to follow God's commands.

Notice this preparation takes place during the race

10. YOU ARE A WINNER IN THE RACE

In any human race, one person will be the winner. Only one

person will receive a crown.

In this eternal race, everyone in the race is a winner. Everyone

in the race will cross the finish line

James 1:12

 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

NIV

11. EVERYONE IN THE RACE WILL GET A REWARD

It is what you do in the race that determines you reward at the end of the race.

It is what we are doing now that determines our reward in heaven

Only what you do for Christ counts

Matthew 16:27 states:

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward everyone according to what they have done.

12. RUN THE RACE BY LOOKING TO JESUS

Hebrews 12:2

Looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus is the reason we are in the race.

It is His blood shed on the cross that covers our sins.

It is that covering that allows us to be in the Christian Race

If it had not been for the Lord, we would still be bound by Satan and

head to hell.

Whenever we get discourage, all we have to do is look to Jesus.

Consider what He endured on the cross for you and me.

He is at the starting line, He is with us doing the race. He is at the finish line.

He finished the race and is waiting for us to cross the finish line.

I don't know about you, but I can tell you what He did for me.

He picked me up from the red dirt hills of Alabama.

I was sinking deep in sin, seeking to rise no more

He Set my feet on solid ground

He set faith in my heart

He Started me on my way

That's what He did, let me tell you what He is doing.

He is bread when I am hungry

He is water when I am thirsty

He is the air that I breath

He is a comfort when I am lonely

He is encouragement when I am discouraged

He is strength when I am weak

He is a way maker when I can't see my way.

He is my doctor at my sick bed

He is my lawyer in the court room

I found out that Jesus is everything I need Him to be.

I found out for myself that He will never leave me or forsake me

Greater Macedonia';

Don't Get Stuck at the staring line, move off with faith

START WITH FAITH

RUN WITH FAITH

CONTINUE ON WITH FAITH

The finish line is in sight. You are already a winner

Verse 2 says " looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

I heard a preacher say He died, didn't He die

But that not how the story ends.

On the third day He rose from the dead

That still not how the story ends.

He is seat at he right Hand of the Father making intercessions for you and I

That still not how the story ends

He is in that crowd of witnesses cheering me on to the finish line.

Is there anyone who don't know Jesus as Your personal Savior

The doors of the Church is open

Bible Study Lesson, Walking With Jesus"

WALKING WITH JESUS

Ephesians 2:10

Our theme for this series is Isaiah 40:31: " But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

KJV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

A. To walk with Jesus, you  have to walk by faith.

    1.  Amos 3:3 states " Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

B. To walk with Jesus we have to realize what we are.

    1. We are God's workmanship.

    2. We are a product of Jesus.

    3. 2 Corinthians 5:17

        Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has    

         come!

  C. Our purpose for being is to do good works.

      1. God determined before we were born, that we would walk according

          to His plan.

      2. God determined before we were born that we would live a holy life.

      3. God prepared a path of good works for us, which He will perform

           in us as we walk by faith

D. We were born in sin and shaped in inequity.

     1. God determine the events in our lives that  would

         cause us to turn from being an enemy to seek His friendship.

     2. Once He transformed us we have to learn to be  a friend of God.

E. To Walk with God You Become A Friend Of God

          1. Learn to listen to God

              Learn to live out of His Wisdom

              Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God

              We have to develop a love for studying God's Word.

              2 Timothy 2:15:

              "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be

              ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

              When you study His word you are listening to God.

           

             Begin your day with prayer

             God will show you through circumstances that He is listening to you.

          

         

         2 . Learn to obey God

              We have to learn to live out of His directions

              We first must learn what love is.

              John 14:15

              "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. "

              Obedience is a willful action on your part to do what God says.

              Obedience becomes love when you see the joy in following His

              commands.

              Hebrews 12:2

              "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was   

              set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the 

              right hand of the throne of God."

          3. Learn to depend on God

              Learn to live out of His resources

              It takes faith to depend on God.

              Hebrews 11:1

              Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

             

              First we must come to realize that the Bible is the only source of truth

              2 Timothy 3:16-17

             All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and    

             training in righteousness,

             so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

             Scripture equips us with all the promises of God.

             What's in your life do you have that you cannot point to the work of God.?

             What's in your life do you have that you cannot point to a promise of God?

          4. Learn to be patient with the Lord.

              Patience is a virtue that a Christian has to learn.

              God's time is not our time.

              2 Peter 3:8-9

              But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a  

              thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

              The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is       

              patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to   

              repentance.

              5. Learn to live out of His Sufficiency

              The Apostle Paul had to learn that God grace is sufficient.

               2 Corinthians 12:9

              And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made                    

              perfect in weakness.

              I cannot do everything by myself, but...

              Philippians 4:13

              I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

        

    6. Learn to acknowledge our sin and repent

       Our relationship with God is permanent.

       Our fellowship with God is conditional on our confession of sin.

       What sins can you identity that you need to repent?

    

    Sin destroys our fellowship with the Lord.

    Sin block blessings from God.

    1 John 1:6

     If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not 

     live by the truth.

     1 John 1:9-10

     If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us     

     from all unrighteousness.

   

     Fellowship with God is restored when we confess our sins and repent.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

For more lessons follow me on facebook and visit my

blogs revmmitchell.com and goodnewsrevmitc.blogspot.com