Finish Line 4: Life's Pit Stops Series

Life’s Pit Stops

Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 6:5-13; Proverbs 7:1-3

Sermon Outline:

A Little Review from “Being Part of a Good Team”

1. God intends for us to “run this race” together.

2. We must enthusiastically and generously support those who are “running in the lead.”

3. We must all do good works and be productive, contributing members of the team.

4. Don’t get so caught up in running the race of faith that you forget the people around you.

Bible Truths and LIFE Applications

The problem that most of us face as we run this race of life and faith is that we so often try to run on “empty.” We try to make it on our own power, and we forget … or sometimes ignore … the heavenly power that is available for us.

Every believer, every day, should take time for a “pit stop.” This is a quiet, devotional, alone-time with God, when He can teach us, energize us, and prepare us for the day. But what does it take to have a quality quiet time with God?

1. Read … spend some time in God’s Word. (Hebrews 4:12)

• You need the nourishment of this “bead of life.”

• God has revealed Himself in the Word. The way to get to know Him better is by studying it!

• There are many tools available to help you. You can always follow a link on our web site!

2. Pray … talk to God about what is on your heart. And listen to what is on the heart of God. (Matthew 6:5-13)

• Worship – Loving and praising God.

• Confession – Owning up to the sin in your life and seeking God’s cleansing.

• Thanksgiving – Being sure to thank God for what He has already done in your life.

• Asking – Specifically requesting that God meet your specific needs and the needs of others in your life.

• Listening – Truly getting quiet before the Lord.

3. Write … keep a journal of your daily journey with God. (Proverbs 7:1-3)

Why should you keep a faith journal?

• You will be able to see your prayers answered.

• You will be reminded of the faithfulness of God.

• You will be specific in your prayer life.

One Last ACTION STEP

Stop making excuses! Make time for a “Pit Stop” with God … every day!

Sermon Transcript:

Life’s Pit Stops

Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 6:5-13; Proverbs 7:1-3

Opening Comments

This week we return to our ongoing series, “It all comes down to the finish line…” Now, I realize it’s been a couple of weeks since our last “finish line” study … so I want us to review a little bit first. I hope you will recall a little bit of our last message, which focused upon teamwork … how we must work as a team to run this race of life and faith.

(Go over these review statements to reinforce previous learning. Fill in with appropriate reinforcement comments.)

A Little Review from “Being Part of a Good Team”

1. God intends for us to “run this race” together.

2. We must enthusiastically and generously support those who are “running in the lead.”

3. We must all do good works and be productive, contributing members of the team.

4. Don’t get so caught up in running the race of faith that you forget the people around you.

Transition

Now, today we shift to a new topic. I want to talk to you about Life’s Pit Stops. To get you thinking about the race of faith and the “pit stops,” I want you watch a few scenes from Days of Thunder.

Opening Illustration

Begin with a brief montage of funny clips from Days of Thunder. These clips are from early in the career of Cole Trickle … times when he wasn’t doing very well. Include clips from his “pit stops.”

Transition

Running this race of life and faith is often times not an easy thing to do. Life gets tough, doesn’t it? Sometimes it seems to get out of control. And sometimes we get so caught up in running the race that we don’t make any time for “down time.”

We all need a little bit of that, don’t we? After all, our bodies need sleep. Our minds need rest. Sometimes we have to just sit and do nothing. Just to give our brains a break. The older I get, the more I enjoy doing absolutely nothing. Amen? One of the greatest joys in my life these days is sitting on my deck and listening to the birds, the cows, the crickets, and the frogs. I love to just sit and watch the sun go down, and see the fireflies come out. It just energizes me … it recharges my batteries.