Brie Davis’ Introduction
- Scripture tells us that we aren’t just conquerors, but more than conquerors
- It means the battles we’re facing, we have not only defeated them, but now those issues serve us, because we are more than conquerors
- Even though we may be going through something right now, depression, relationship issues, financial issues, if you look at it through the lens of God, you will see that it is serving you
- Without that battle, you may not pray the way you do
- The battles look like they have come to take you out, but declare that the battle is serving you, maturing you, teaching you, giving you wisdom, and teaching you to depend on God
- There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God, and his love makes us more than conquerors
- What the enemy meant for evil, God meant for good
- God is for us
- Because of your giving, we were able to partner with Preemptive Love, an organization on the ground in Lebanon, and give $200,000 to that organization to help with disaster relief efforts and spread the kingdom of God and God’s love
Craig Groeschel’s Introduction
- Craig Groeschel and his family love Pastor Mike and Natalie
- The assignment today is to get freed from the curse of comparing
- The fastest way to kill something special is to compare it to something else
Message Title: Run Your Race
1. Where Comparison Begins, Contentment Ends
When you start to compare, that’s when contentment starts to end.
Comparing makes you feel either superior or inferior, and neither honors God.
Whenever we start to compare, we dishonor God.
John used to talk about himself in third person, “the one who Jesus loved.” There was a little bit of comparing and competing among the disciples.
Scripture:
John 20:2-4 New International Version (NIV)
2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
John 20:6-8 New International Version (NIV)
6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.
John is talking about himself, and how he was faster.
Jesus shows grace, love, and an undeserved expression of mercy and generosity to Peter, despite knowing he would betray him.
John 21:20-22 New International Version (NIV)
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Peter wanted to know what Jesus wanted John to do. Jesus wanted Peter to do what He uniquely created him to do.
You can’t faithfully follow Jesus if you’re always comparing yourself to someone else.
Why do we scroll mindlessly through our social media feeds feeling left out and less than, or even anger/jealousy toward the people we genuinely love. It’s because we’re sinners.
Our sinful nature allows us to try to find an external win to satisfy our internal spiritual longing. There are not enough likes, success, money, power, followers, etc. to fulfill the empty longing that only Jesus can fill.
You can’t fulfill your calling if you’re always comparing yourself to John.
As people, we can come to a place where we wonder if people like us based on the external things we do.
2. Who or What is Going to Define My Worth?
Who defines what you’re worth? Who’s expectations are you trying to live up to? Who’s desire are you trying to reach? Is it a dad, a mom, an ex-spouse, a boss, friends, your kids, or “them”. I just want “them” to like me.
Who or what is going to define your worth?
If you want to please Jesus with the way you live, and if your answer is anything besides Christ, then you will always be running a race that you cannot win.
You will always feel left behind, left out, and don’t live up to what you’ve always hoped to become.
In Hebrews 12, we see that we must fix our eyes on Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-2 New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
You may love Jesus, but your eyes are on people all the time. Being obsessed with what people think about you is the fastest way to forget what God thinks about you.
You can’t please everybody. As soon as you fit in one group, you’re out of the other and so on and so forth.
When you love God by faith, it is possible to please God.
The fastest way to lose a race is to look over your shoulder and take your eyes off the finish line.
1 Corinthians 9:24-26 New International Version (NIV)
The Need for Self-Discipline
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
Who are you? You are the masterpiece of God, created by Jesus, to do good works that God prepared for you to do.
You are the poetic glory of God. He knew exactly what He was doing when He made you.
We’re all important. We will not be judged by God based on the callings of others. Cheer them on. You can’t win their race and they can’t win yours.
Craig’s weakness is that he wants to feel “kind of important”. God didn’t call him to be important, He called him to be faithful.
If the race is run properly, God will say, “well done by good and faithful servant”. Not my “important servant”.
Success isn’t something accomplished in the future. Success is being faithful to Jesus today.
The moment you become faithful to Jesus, then what you do becomes important.
Illustration: Back in 2006, Craig received a pen from a pastor friend that represented 365 days of faithfulness to his wife, God, and church. Craig thought it was really cool, and he got another one the following year, and then for 5 or 6 years. The sender told Craig that the list of people he would send the pens to decreased over the years. The race for Craig is to be faithful to Jesus all the time, his wife, his children, and his church. That’s why Craig collects the pens.
What about you? What’s your win? What’s your race? What is faithfulness to you?
Maybe you don’t have thousands of followers, but maybe you create good and Godly content.
Maybe you are faithful and generous with what you have, maybe a voice in student ministry, maybe you run your business in faithfulness to Jesus.
When you’re faithful to Jesus, you’re doing what is important.
You can only run your race.
Run with purpose in every step.
Don’t run for the approval of others or your critics.
Run your race.
When you wake up, you speak to God and declare that you live for him. You’re not here to please people, you’re here to please God.
He is your healer, righteousness, sustainer – we are living for Jesus.
I can’t run your race, I can only run mine.
You are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works that God prepared in advance for you to do.
Therefore, you are running your race with His help and by His power.
Eternity matters, so you will give your all through His grace and His spirit.
Your faith can move mountains. Your prayers can stop storms. Your prayers bing healing. Your feet deliver the good news. God’s word is a lamp under your feet directing your steps.
Your life is too valuable, and your calling is too great, and your God is too good to waste your life on things that do not last.
You are running for the eternal glory of serving Jesus.
You are empowered by Jesus, tried by fire, and equipped by his word.
You are living for the glory of God, and not the applause of men.
You are running your race.
You can’t faithfully follow Jesus when you are always comparing your life to John.
Keep your eyes on Jesus and always remember that you exist to glorify Him.
Prayer and Altar Call: God, help us to live for what you think. Help us to be faithful. God sent His son, who had never sinned to die for us. Three days later, he rose from the dead. Anyone who calls on the name of Jesus, you are forgiven and you become brand new. Only Jesus can fill your void. Walk away from sin and call on Jesus and let Him help you. Heavenly father, forgive my sins, Jesus save me, make me new, fill me with your holy spirit so I can know you, and serve you, and run my race, to glorify you. Thank you for new life. I give you all of mine. In Jesus name I pray.
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SUMMARY NOTES
- Where Comparison Begins, Contentment Ends
- Who or What is Going to Define My Worth?
Link to full Video: TBD
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Abby Olurin Dames
I love Jesus, my husband, Will, my toddler daughter, Sola, and the beautiful friends and family in our lives. Me and Will are from the Bahamas, but we currently reside in Austin, Texas. We joined TC Nation as online members of Transformation Church in 2017 when we moved to Austin from Miami, Florida. In 2020, we also happily took on a more active role with the E-Fam of Elevation Church by fellowshipping with other married couples and were pleased to have the opportunity to join TC Beta Belong Groups. I believe that representing God doesn’t have to be done in “traditional spaces”. After listening to Pastor Mike's sermon, "Who's the Minister Here?", it became my mission to shed light on Christ in all arenas, including, but not limited to, corporate America, marketing, technology, and finance. I'm not perfect, but I'm progressing. I am a marketer, but first, I am a Christian, and the aim of this blog is to publicly share my sermon notes as a form of stewardship. I hope that these message notes can bring clarity to anything you may be seeking and help you to experience the peace and glory of Jesus Christ. I'm happy to pray for you as well if you ever wanted to shoot me an email. The effectual fervent prayers of many of you have helped countless circumstances in my life and in the lives of those around me. Thank you! Also, for any Amazon specific links that you see, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
