Opening Prayer/Worship
Theme: The Good News
Topic: Running the Race
Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only
one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it.25Athletes exercise
self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable garland, but we
an imperishable one.26So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the
air; 27but I punish my body and
enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be
disqualified.
Introduction
To
receive the good news is a great and wonderful experience but then comes the
challenge of emulating Christ in our everyday life. Why do some seem to have a
hitch-free Christian life while that of others seem to be riddled with
struggles? Let me say that no Christian is immune to the challenges of life;
Christ never promised such. The promise of God is that He will bring us through
life’s troubles when we believe in His Son Jesus Christ. Do we have any role to
play in living the new life in Christ? Personally, I will say yes. Not that
what we do is the reason we will be with Christ on the last day but that
through the guidance of the Holy Spirit we will make the right choices and that
God will keep us blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The
Christian life is described by St. Paul as a race, and my prayer is that we
will all run and finish strong and triumphant.
Questions/Discussion
1. Why did St. Paul describe the
Christian life as a race? 1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have
kept the faith.
2. What are some of the reasons that
make the Christian life appear unreasonably difficult and impossible?
Romans 11:17-23
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild
olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the rich root
of the olive tree,18do not vaunt yourselves over the branches. If you do vaunt
yourselves, remember that it is not you that support the root, but the root
that supports you.19You will say, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be
grafted in.’20That
is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand only
through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe.21For if God did not spare
the natural branches, perhaps he will not spare you.22Note then the kindness
and the severity of God: severity towards those who have fallen, but God’s
kindness towards you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also
will be cut off.23And even those of Israel, if they do not persist in
unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.
1 Corinthians 9:26
So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the
air;
2 Corinthians 4:4-11
In their case the god of this world has blinded the
minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of
the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.5For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus
Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.6For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of
darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of
the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it
may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not
come from us.8We are
afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not
destroyed;10always
carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be
made visible in our bodies.11For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’
sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh.
Hebrews 3:12-19
Take care, brothers and
sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving
heart that turns away from the living God.13But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called
‘today’, so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.14For we have become
partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end.15As it is said, ‘Today,
if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’ 16Now who were they who
heard and yet were rebellious? Was it not all those who left Egypt under the
leadership of Moses?17 But with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not those who
sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?18
And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if
not to those who were disobedient?19So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
3. How do we run the Christian race to
the end, to live with Christ eternally?
John 15:5-8
I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I
in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.6Whoever does not abide
in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered,
thrown into the fire, and burned.7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever
you wish, and it will be done for you.8My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and
become my disciples.
James 1:2-8, 12
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials
of any kind, consider it nothing but joy,3because you know that the testing of your faith produces
endurance;4and
let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete,
lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all
generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.6But ask in faith, never
doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed
by the wind;7, 8for
the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to
receive anything from the Lord. 12 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood
the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord
has promised to those who love him.
Intercession/Worship
Conclusion
The
Christian life is like a race, and we have been called to run with all our
strength. Through the mercies and grace of the Lord, we will run the race to
the end, triumphantly.
Closing Prayer
Lord
without You we can do nothing. We beseech You to endue us with Your Holy Spirit
to strengthen and guide us all through our days through Jesus Christ our Lord
and Savior. Amen.
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