True North Church

2 Timothy 2:3-7 NIV84
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. [4] No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs---he wants to please his commanding officer. [5] Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. [6] The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. [7] Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that those who run in the stadium all run, but one receives the prize. Run in such a way that you may win.

4 Reminders We need if we are going to Stay In it to Win it.

Never Lose Sight of where you are headed.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)
Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic Sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever.

4 Reminders We need if we are going to Stay In it to Win it.

1. Never Lose Sight of where you are headed.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)
Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic Sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever.

2. Don’t feel sorry for yourself because it is hard or seems unfair.

Hebrews 12:4-11 (MSG)
In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either.

3. Don’t wait to run your race until everything is “just right.”

Hebrews 12:12-17 (MSG)
So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it! Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise, you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity.

4. Watch Out for the Esau Syndrome - Trading God’s Life-Long Gift for an Appetite.

Hebrews 12:15-17 (MSG)
Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late.

1. The Race we are in corporately is Churchpacity
2. How long is our race going to take?
3. As a church, we can’t wait until the season is perfect.