Pastor
Dave Wilson
 Youth Pastor Adam Habluetzel |
| Alliance Berean Church News |
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Lessons on faithfulness from the athlete? #3 2 TIM 2 01/25/2010 -What will it take to become or remain faithful to Christ, for the long haul? 2 Tim 2:1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Now Paul uses the example of an athlete… -Athletic terms: Eph 6:12 Wrestling 1 Cor 9:26 Boxing Heb 12:1-2 Running 1 Tim 4:7-8 Exercising 1 Tim 4:7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. = Discipline! DEB leads into a video: A Son asked his father, “Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?” The father who, despite having a heart condition, says “Yes”. They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons. The father always saying “Yes” to his son’s request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his fater, “Dad, let’s join the Ironman together.” To which, his father said “Yes”. For those who don’t know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. Father and son went on to complete the race together! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0daeU7Sd9c&feature=related Lessons on faithfulnesss, from the athlete? 1) Athletes must play according to the rules! V5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. Rules the judges enforced… A) Each competitor must be a citizen of the country they represent. Phil 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ… Wedding Parable: MT 22:11 "But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 `Friend,' he asked, `how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. 13 "Then the king told the attendants, `Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 "For many are invited, but few are chosen." B) Each competitor must have a good reputation! Paul told Tim what to look for as he chose leaders… 1 Tim 3:7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. 1 Tim 4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Dan 6:5 Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God." C) Competitors must follow specific event rules. MT 22:36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" V37 Jesus replied: " `Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." D) Each competitor must accept consequences if he cheats! What if Christ gave you a random heart test? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2) An honest athlete will receive a victor’s crown! If you live by the rules! God rewards faithfulness! 2 Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Tim 4:8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. How do we become faithful, steadfast, strong? -We look to the soldier & see dedication to the Lordship of Christ! -We look to the athlete & see dedication to the rule book, Word of God! ISA 55:11 Word of God will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
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