Grace Church Metropolis
Discipline of the Lord Mg 2
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      • Hebrews 12:1NLT

  • The Discipline of the Lord – Trained by Grace
    Message 2

    Run for your Life Part 2

    Hebrews 12:1 NLT
    Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

    Changing Course

    Google Maps.
    Paper maps (RAND McNALLY)
    I enjoyed pouring over the map trying to pick the best to take.
    If you needed to change course no problem.
    Garmin—stuck to the windshield. Type in the address, hit “Go,” and off you went.
    “Recalculating”
    Bike computer
    Google Maps it’s amazing compared to the paper maps.  
    Waze app will tell you about hazards coming up and even if there are cops.
    Google maps don’t always give the best directions.
    But it is nice that is “sets the course for us.”
    We can get off course and the map recalculates.
    Sometimes we treat God like Google Maps.
    God sets the course.

    Recalculating

    We move along that course, but when there are a problems or obstacles in the road, we change course.
    We expect God to recalculate the course I like this better.
    UNTIL another problem of obstacle comes along. We reset again.
    What if our feelings get hurt or we get mad? Recalculate
    Maybe the road is too long. Recalculate.
    Someone else’s road looks better. Recalculate.
    We don’t like where obedience is taking us. (Does Jonah ring a bell?)
    We become afraid. (Israel and the land flowing with milk and honey.)
    We get tired. (v:3 - so that you won’t grow weary and give up.)
    The road costs too much. (Following Jesus can cost a great deal)
    We think we know a better way. (We’re essentially telling God, “I know where You said we’re going, but I found a route I like better.”)
    The Course is Set
    Imagine entering a race and you go to the race director and say, “I don’t want to run up that hill. Can you set the course to something I would like better?”
    For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advancefor us to do. Ephesians 2:10, NIV.
    Ephesians 2:10 NIV
    For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
    Other translations say “preparedbeforehand”.
    Notice “handiwork”. We were created by God Himself.
    If God made you…
    “To do good work”. Your purpose, which God prepared.
    Illustration: The race director drove the race map the race - he/she sets the course beforehand.
    “In advance for us do to.” You are not the race director.
    The very thought of us giving God directions on how to run our lives is absurd.

    What is God’s will?

    The right question.
    So often we ask this question, “What is God’s will for my LIFE?”
    What are your plans for me?
    “Maybe one reason we keep trying to recalculate the course is that we're asking the wrong question.”
    Experiencing God
    “What is God’s will for my life?” is not the right question.
    The proper question is,

    “What is God’s will?”

    Once I know God’s will, then I can adjust my life to Him.
    In other words, what is it God is purposing to accomplish where I am?
    Once I know what God is doing, then I know what I need to do.
    The focus needs to be on God, not on my life!

    The Biblical Example (Jesus)

    “In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”” John 5:17, NIV.
    John 5:17 NIV
    In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”
    “Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” John 5:19, NIV.
    John 5:19 NLT
    So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.
    “For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.” John 5:20, NIV.
    John 5:20 NLT
    For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished.

    The Father is at Work.

    The Son sees where the Father is working.
    The Son adjusts His life to do the will of the Father.

    Real Life Example

    I didn’t understand this at the time.
    Before Grace began, I noticed that some friends I had known had stopped going to church.
    God put it on my heart to start a simple bible study and call these folks and see if they wanted to come.
    God was already at work in the lives of these people, and we made the adjustment to join Him in His work.

    Grace Church was Born.

    Think of the lives God has changed because some people were willing to obey the will of God.

    Keep this in mind.

    God is always at work.
    God loves and invites us to join Him.
    Don’t make the mistake of asking God to join you in what you have decided to do.
    Don’t recalculate  
    God speaks Bible – prayer – circumstances – other believers.
    Have faith that God means what he says.
    Make the adjustment
    Be obedient.

    You Experience God

    The race God has set before us.

    “That Can’t Be Right”

    When I was a kid, my parents would take me and my brother on a trips.
     I don’t really remember a lot of the places we went. But always within driving distance.
    I do remember this. We were driving down the interstate and the sign said, “Exit here.”
    Mom says “Here’s our exit”. Dad would respond, “That can’t be right”.
    I still say that to this day when we’re traveling—and every time I do, I think about my dad.

    This Is Dig-Deep Faith

    God will tell you to “Turn Here”.
    But doubt and worry will cloud your judgment.
    This is the time to trust God’s wisdom.
    It will require faith and obedience.
    I’ve made plenty of wrong turns.
    The Garmin would announce RECALCULATING
    Why? Because I leaned on my own understanding.
    “5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5–6, NIV.
    Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV
    Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

      • Hebrews 12:1NLT

      • Ephesians 2:10NLT

      • John 5:17NLT

      • John 5:19NLT

      • John 5:20NLT

      • Proverbs 3:5–6NLT

Grace Church Metropolis
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