07/19/20 – When You Feel Like Giving Up
WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING UP
The Invisible War – Part 1
“BUT others trusted God and were tortured, preferring to die rather than turn from God and be free. They placed their hope in the resurrection to a better life. Some were mocked, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in dungeons. Some died by stoning, and some were sawed in half; others were killed with the sword. Some went about in skins of sheep and goats, hungry and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world. They wandered over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All of these people we have mentioned received God’s approval because of their faith, yet none of them received ALL that God had promised! For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can’t receive the prize at the end of the race until WE finish the race!” Hebrews 11:35-12:4
– Faith doesn’t spare us from all pain!
– Some of God’s promises will be fulfilled in eternity!
– We’re runners in a historical relay race!
“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 hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven. Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin!” (NLT)
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“THEREFORE since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith…” Hebrews 12:1a
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“…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress…” Hebrews 12:1b
WEIGHTS: __ ________________________________
SINS: ______ ____________________________
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“And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.”
Hebrews 12:1c
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“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.” Hebrews 12:2a
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“He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his AFTERWARD. NOW he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven!” Hebrews 12:2b
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest IF we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
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“Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin!” Hebrews 12:3-4
WHAT HAVE I STARTED THAT I NEED TO FINISH?
“Finish what you started a year ago…for you were the first to begin doing something about it! Now you should carry this project through to completion just as enthusiastically as you began it. Give whatever you can according to what you have!” 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 (NLT)
“Don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.” Hebrews 10:35-36 (MSG)