Bible Study...Christian Race And Hurdles Faced
[22:28] Lord Bless this study
[22:28] bless and anoint CRONUS afresh as he
brings your word [22:28] yes Lord
[22:28] praise your holy name [22:28]
lord minister to all that attend [22:29]
and lord we ask that the words he will write
will be under your guidance
[22:29] thank you Lord
[22:29] bring many here that needs this study
tonight [22:29] yes Father
[22:29] and lord help us to have open hearts to
receive [22:29] yes lord
[22:29] yes lord
[22:29] bless and minister
[22:29] we ask it in Jesus name [22:29]
amen
[22:29] Amen
[22:29] amen
[22:30] amen
[22:30] and amen
[22:30] amen
[22:30] amen
[22:30] amen
[22:31] CRONUS-KEDAR changes topic to "God's
Soldiers--Christian Race And Hurdles Faced"
[22:32] In the sport of track and field
there are two races that are called the hurdles and the
high hurdles [22:33] In these races the
runners sprint down a track and have to leap over hurdles
in front of them. [22:34] Most of the time
the runners will clear the hurdles but every now and then
one will get tripped up by a hurdle and fall to the track
[22:34] At this time the heart of the
runner is showed for he can either get up an finish the
race or he can walk of the track and sit on the sidelines
[22:35] A true runner will finish the race
even though he knows he will not be first just so he can
say I finished it to my best. [22:36] In
the end the size of the runners heart and his
perseverance dictates his will to accomplish the goal
before him. [22:38] Now with time running
out the old hurdle maker is putting in overtime to try
and trip us up as we race for the crown of eternal life.
[22:39] kjv James 1:12 Blessed is the man
that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall
receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised
to them that love him. [22:39] kjv 1
Corinthians 9:24-25 1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that
they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the
prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1 Corinthians 9:25 And
every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in
all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown;
but we an incorruptible.
[22:39] kjv 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 1
Corinthians 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly;
so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it
into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have
preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
[22:41] Yes in these last days the
soldiers of God have to be watchful while they run this
race so they will not get tangled up with Satan's hurdles
put in front of them [22:42] And we have
to be tenacious in reaching the finish line knowing God's
promises will be fulfilled in our lives [22:42]
so we will not end up laying on the track
giving up losing the reward for finishing the race
[22:43] kjv Galatians 5:7-8 Galatians 5:7
Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not
obey the truth?
Galatians 5:8 This persuasion cometh not of him that
calleth you. [22:43] kjv Philippians
3:12-13 Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already
attained, either were already perfect: but I follow
after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am
apprehended of Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I
count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing
I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before,
[22:44] kjv Philippians 3:14 I press
toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God
in Christ Jesus. [22:44] We must press
forward in this race and not look back at where we have
stumbled for no runner will win if he looks to his back
[22:45] We have all been graciously given
the equipment to win and overcome in this race for the
crown [22:46] But for us to use these to
have victory we must be sure of our relationship between
God and us. [22:47] For if we fall from a
hurdle we are assured and must trust that God will honor
His promises and help us up to continue the race .
[22:47] kjv James 5:11 Behold, we count
them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of
Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is
very pitiful, and of tender mercy. [22:49]
Now it is not only us that must run this race but it is
for the people we introduce Christ to that must also run
this race with us.
[22:49] We can not let any be left behind.
[22:49] standing on the sideline watching
due to condemnation
[22:50] Satan uses the same hurdles for
the secular person as he does to the child of God
[22:51] and it is by our example by the
power we have through Jesus that they can see they too
can have victory in the race [22:51] kjv
Philippians 2:14-15 Philippians 2:14 Do all things
without murmurings and disputings: Philippians 2:15 That
ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God,
without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse
nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
[22:51] kjv Philippians 2:16 Holding forth
the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of
Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in
vain.
[22:52] kjv Hebrews 12:1-3 Hebrews 12:1
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,
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. Hebrews 12:3 For
consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners
against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your
minds. [22:53] yes we can overcome and
endure the race and win through the righteousness that we
have in Jesus [22:54] Now it is for us the
participants to face what lays before us and get our mind
set in order to overcame and be a victor in this race of
life and by doing this we can help to get the lost upon
the track to run and overcome with us to the finish line
[22:55] Every runner must look to the goal
but realize the cost and preparation it will take to run
for the glory of God [22:56] we must
likewise prepare our spiritual man to win so we must do
the following
[22:57] 1. we must resolve in our hearts
and minds that no matter what we will overcome and finish
the race [22:58] no guts no glory
[22:58] we must give our all to overcome
[22:59] 2. We will have to fortify
ourselves with courage that we can overcome through Jesus
[23:00] The birthing of courage in us
comes from God [23:00] In Him we have
victory--without Him we are defeated
[23:00] 3. we must be committed [23:01]
4. we will need and be support to others
in this race.
[23:01] 5. We will need perseverance to
finish no matter how many times we stumble
[23:02] It is from the shame of our past
[23:03] the tears of our sorrows [23:03]
the fear we felt in times of tribulations
[23:03] the pains of our strife [23:03]
the longing to have peace [23:04]
and the resolution to be part of the
solution that we will have the determination not to quit
the race. [23:04] kjv 1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common
to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to
be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able
to bear it. [23:05] kjv Isaiah 40:28-29
Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard,
that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the
ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there
is no searching of his understanding.
Isaiah 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them
that have no might he increaseth strength.
[23:06] 6. we have to have endurance to
finish [23:06] although weary we go on
[23:06] although battered we go on [23:06]
although assaulted we go on [23:06]
Although our emotions may be torn we go on
[23:07] These things we must purpose in
our hearts to overcome the hurdles and finish
[23:08] Even through stress and
tribulations we will hold tight to the things that God
has given us to go on and discard the things of the world
that may hinder us
[23:09] now let us look at the hurdles
before us and what the promise of God is given to
overcome them [23:11] 1. Discouragement= a
feeling of frustrations that is it not worth the race any
more to go on
[23:11] the pains of disillusionment cause
us to wonder is it really worth the effort
[23:11] But God says in the scriptures;
[23:12] kjv psalm 27:13-14 Psalms 27:13 I
had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of
the LORD in the land of the living.
Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he
shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
[23:12] kjv isaiah 43:1-3 Isaiah 43:1 But
now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and
he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have
redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art
mine. Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I
will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not
overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou
shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon
thee.
Isaiah 43:3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of
Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba for thee. [23:13] kjv
romans 8:17-18 Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs;
heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that
we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified
together.
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed in us. [23:13]
Hurdle 2. Impatience [23:14] when things
are not as we plan them to be [23:14] We
want it on our time but many times our time schedule is
not God's
[23:14] God says:
[23:14] kjv psalm 40:1-3
Psalms 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he
inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
Psalms 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit,
out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and
established my goings. Psalms 40:3 And he hath put a new
song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall
see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. [23:15]
kjv james 5:7-8
James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming
of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the
precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for
it, until he receive the early and latter rain. James 5:8
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming
of the Lord draweth nigh.
[23:15] kjv hebrews 10:35-36 Hebrews 10:35
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great
recompence of reward.
Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after
ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the
promise.
[23:15] kjv 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. [23:16]
hurdle 3. Comprimise
[23:16] This occurs when we try and take
the short cuts to reach the goal
[23:17] By not having to give our all we
try the path of lesser resistence but it will usually
sidetrack the runner and lead him away from the finish
line.
[23:17] But God tells us: [23:18]
kjv proverbs 17:3 The fining pot is for
silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the
hearts. [23:18] kjv proverbs 16:2 All the
ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD
weigheth the spirits. [23:18] kjv James
4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth
it not, to him it is sin. [23:18] kjv
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and
his righteousness; and all these things shall be added
unto you.
[23:19] Rejection hurdle
[23:20] The loss of friend or family due
to the decision to get on the track for God and race for
the crown of eternal life through Jesus is not just a
hurdle but a high hurdle for many [23:20]
Sadly this hurdle has sidelined many runners who were off
to a good start for the reward
[23:20] but God says:
[23:20] kjv Hebrews 13:5 Let your
conversation be without covetousness; and be content with
such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee. [23:21] kjv
psalm 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their
trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them
that seek thee.
[23:21] kjv Matthew 5:10-12 Mathew 5:10
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness'
sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mathew 5:11
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute
you, and shall say all manner of evil against you
falsely, for my sake. Mathew 5:12 Rejoice, and be
exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for
so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
[23:21] Ridicule hurdle
[23:22] To be teased and made fun of for
following God will always undoubtly come from the world .
[23:23] Injury to character has caused
many a runner to just stay down on the track instead of
getting up and going on [23:23] But God
says:
[23:23] kjv Micah 7:7-8
Micah 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I
fall, I shall arise; when I sit in
darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. [23:24]
kjv psalm 3:3 But thou, O LORD, art a
shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
[23:24] kjv psalm 30:3 Thou hast brought
up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that
I should not go down to the pit.
[23:24] kjv Jeremiah 30:17 For I will
restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy
wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an
Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
[23:24] Hopelessness hurdle [23:26]
Trips the runner up when he feels that he
is not progressing fast enough and that the finish line
looks way too far to reach.
[23:26] Hopelessness makes the impossible
impassable [23:26] But God says:
[23:27] kjv psalm 37:23 The steps of a
good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in
his way. [23:27] kjv psalms 146:7-9 Psalms
146:7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which
giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the
prisoners: Psalms 146:8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the
blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the
LORD loveth the righteous: Psalms 146:9 The LORD
preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and
widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
[23:27] kjv matthew 11:28-30 Mathew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and
I will give you rest.
Mathew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for
I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto
your souls. Mathew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light. [23:28] Mistrust hurdle
[23:29] Being hurt by someone you looked
up to for support can cause a runner to fall to the track
and after 2 or 3 hurdles of falling the runner just lays
there in the cinders seeing his life to his mind going
into nothing
[23:29] then he loses heart to finish the
race. [23:30] Sadly this can even come
from a pastor or a church by mistake to a person
[23:30] But God says;
[23:30] kjv psalm 37:24 Though he fall, he
shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth
him with his hand. [23:30] kjv philippians
4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to
his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. [23:30]
kjv proverbs 3:5-7
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and
lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he
shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the
LORD, and depart from evil.
[23:31] kjv psalm 40:4 Blessed is that man
that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the
proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
[23:31] self pity hurdle
[23:32] when the runner sees others ahead
of him looking like they are having no problems with the
hurdles the "Why Me? thought beaks his focus on the
finish line and causes him to give up walking off to the
side of the track
[23:33] But God says:
[23:33] kjv 1 peter 1:7 That the trial of
your faith, being much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found
unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of
Jesus Christ:
[23:34] kjv Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD's
hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his
ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
[23:34] kjv Hebrews 12:4 Ye have not yet
resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
[23:34] Fear hurdle
[23:34] the high hurdle that gets many
runners [23:35] this hurdle is usually
near the end of a victory in a race when the runner is
worn down
[23:35] The fear of failure will drop a
runner to the track knocking the wind out of him
[23:36] But God says:
[23:36] kjv proverbs 29:25 The fear of man
bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD
shall be safe. [23:36] kjv john 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as
the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid. [23:36]
kjv psalm 27:1-3
Psalms 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom
shall I fear? the LORD is the
strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalms
27:2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came
upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Psalms 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my
heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me,
in this will I be confident. [23:37] kjv
psalm 27:4-5
Psalms 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that
will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the
LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the
LORD, and to enquire in his temple. Psalms 27:5 For in
the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in
the secret of his
tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a
rock. [23:37] Unworthiness hurdle [23:37]
breaks the runners concentration causing
him to los the rhythm of his pace for God
[23:37] But God says:
[23:38] kjv psalm 34:22 The LORD redeemeth
the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in
him shall be desolate. [23:39] kjv Luke
12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's
good pleasure to give you the kingdom. [23:39]
kjv 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound
to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of
the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you
to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and
belief of the truth: [23:39] False pride
hurdle
[23:39] the toughest one to overcome
[23:40] it can get a runner at any stage
of the race [23:41] The words I can do it
myself with no help is usually true
[23:41] for they lose their victory in God
with no ones help
[23:41] but God says:
[23:42] kjv james 3:5-6
James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and
boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a
little fire kindleth! James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire,
a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members,
that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the
course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. [23:42]
kjv proverbs 29:23 A man's pride shall
bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in
spirit. [23:42] kjv psalm 146:3-5
Psalms 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the
son of man, in whom there is no help.
Psalms 146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his
earth; in that very day his thoughts
perish.
Psalms 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for
his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
[23:43] Now these are a few hurdles we
will face as we run the race for the crown of eternal
life [23:43] But no matter what we face
let us remember in the race
[23:43] We overcome through Jesus [23:43]
our victory is through Jesus [23:44]
we will not grow weary through Jesus
[23:44] we will not fear through Jesus
[23:45] This is our assurance [23:45]
promise
[23:45] hope
[23:45] and our destiny as a child of God
, a soldier of God, and a victor through God
[23:46] Glory to God for He has given us
the means and the victory to win the race and no matter
what we may face we can and overcome the Christians race
and the hurdles faced [23:47] amen
[23:47] amen
[23:47] let us pray
[23:47] our heavenly father we thank you
for the tools you have given us to win the race before us
[23:48] yes lord
[23:48] let us run the race for the glory
of God [23:48] let each of us lean on you
Lord and follow you as we defeat the enemy in this race
we are now in [23:49] bless each and every
one here tonight [23:49] yes lord
[23:49] yes Lord
[23:49] minster to all needs
[23:49] and give them your strength
[23:49] yes lord
[23:49] hope
[23:49] peace
[23:49] yes
[23:49] and let them feel your love as
they go forward [23:49] yes lord
[23:50] we ask these things in the name of
Jesus [23:50] amen
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