A Look At The Starting Line Series

Run the Race-A Look at the Starting Line

I. Runners just like believers have to enter the race.

A. All people need a savior: Get in the Race

This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4for he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. 6He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message that God gave to the world at the proper time. 1 Tim. 2:3-6 (NLT)

B. All believers are created to serve God: Prepare to Serve

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10 (NKJV)

C. All believers are created to glorify God: Prepare to

Glorify

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Cor. 6:19-20 (NKJV)

II. Runners just like believers prepare for the race

A. All believers need to be proficient in the Word: Study

the word earnestly

For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. 13Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done. Heb. 4:12-13 (NLT)

B. All believers need to know their spiritual shape: Pursue a

deeper understanding

1. Spiritual gifts,

Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. 5There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. 6There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. 7A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church. 1 Cor. 12:4-7 (NLT)

2. Heart,

You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35A good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart. 36And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak. Matt. 12:34-36 (NLT)

3. Abilities

I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. Ex. 31:3 (NLT)

4. Personality

5. Experience

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Rom. 8:28 (NLT)

C. All believers need to evangelize: Lead others to Christ

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. 16Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.

Mark 16:15 -16 (NLT)

D. All believers need to make disciples: Teach others about

Jesus

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matt. 28:19-20 (NLT)