Sermons from Good News: Get back to the race

Church 7/29/2023

Offertory scripture:

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust God in the good times and bad (or in need).

Proverbs 3:9-10

Honor God; He will bless you back.

Sermon message:

Thesis: Get back to the race.

Sometimes Christians or other church-goers can get sidetracked. Especially in a time of busy-ness.

We can get sidetracked because of:
Disappointments
Rejection
Broken relationships
Our own sin
Offenses/hypocrisy of others

Jesus wants you back on track and back in the race. Not just for Him, but it’s also for you.

If you get sidetracked you’ll miss some of God’s blessings, as well as others, they will suffer too

Consider apostle Peter. He messed up. He saw Jesus and did life with Him. But he got off track. But then he got back on track. It was good for him. It was good for others. And it is good for us.

Consider Paul and what the Holy Spirit had him say:

Hebrews 10:38 if any draw back, God will not delight in them. It’s not pleasurable.

Get back in the race. God doesn’t take pleasure in you not getting blessed or not being able to bless others.

Others need you back in the race.

How to get back in the race:

Point #1: Decide to take charge of your life.

Don’t let circumstances affect you or get you off track. Take charge of what God has entrusted you with. Everything begins with a decision.

James 4:7 submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Other things might try to compete for your attention. Put God first and what He wants you to do. Do what James 4:7 says.

(Reminder: James 1:22-24)

Jesus had this happen to Him. The devil tried to tempt Him, but He resisted and used scripture to fight back. Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Point #2: Decide to have an attitude of thanksgiving.

Unfortunately it is easy to complain. A complaining attitude is a powerful negative force. However, an attitude thanksgiving is a powerful positive force.

If a negative person can change their attitude (because they can) then it will improve their mental health, emotional health, physical health, and spiritual health.

It will help others around them as well.

If you hang around positive people, it will help you and your health as well.

This will help get you back on track.

Psalm 103:1-5

Point #3: Decide to commit to godly behavior in your life.

Serve God. Be thankful. Live in such a way that is holy and pleasing to God.

Serve, and worship.

Be a giver.

Giving is God’s character.

Romans 8:32

Giving has two sides. Giving will affect your heart, and your heart will affect your giving.

Matthew 6:19-21

When you give to the church, for example, God notices. And He will bless you back and bless you abundantly.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Galatians 6:7-8

When you give, you will change your heart, and you will reap.

Galatians 6:9-10

Don’t lose heart. Do good to all but especially to other believers.

2 Corinthians 9:6-9

God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:10 God gives you food and He gives you seed to be sown. And He increases the fruits of your righteousness.

Decide to commit to godly behavior, and give to the kingdom.

Point #4: Decide to focus on Jesus. No matter what politics are going on. Preach the word in season and out of season, and that word is Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1. How did Paul stay true to the word and finish the race? Look at Heb 12:1. Look forward to the future , not the past and your mistakes. It is never too late. Look forward to Jesus and His promises.

Hebrews 12:2 decide to focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Keep your eyes on Him no matter what’s going on. Let Him sustain you in the good times and the hard times. Don’t give up. Keep trusting Jesus no matter what.