Lesson 1

A. INTRODUCTION

1. What does the popular song “Live Like You Were Dying” mean?

a. We must reprioritize life.

b. We can’t wait any longer.

c. It’s now or never.

2. The song reminds us:

a. Brevity of life.

b. Get out of our rut.

c. Realize we are human.

d. Do what is imperative (not just important).

3. If you knew you had only 30 days left, what would you change?

a. ______________________________________________________.

b. ______________________________________________________.

c. ______________________________________________________.

B. LIFE IS A RACE

1. What does it take to win a gold medal?

a. Self-discipline.

b. Focus.

c. Sacrifice.

d. Practice.

e. Skill learning.

f. Mental control.

g. Vision.

2. What is our goal? “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matt. 25:21). FIRST RECOGNITION: Who we are, i.e., character is habitually doing the right thing in the right way for God’s purpose. SECOND RECOGNITION: What we accomplish? We are not measured by others, but by our own spiritual ability (gifts), i.e., faithfulness.

3. What must I do now? Preparation. “In a race everyone runs . . . to win the contest you must deny yourself many things that would keep you from doing your best . . . I run straight to the goal in every step” (I Cor. 9:24-26).

4. Preparation is hard. “Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly . . . training it to do what is should, not what it wants to” (I Cor. 9:27, ELT).

C. LIFE’S FOCUS

1. Focus on life’s highest priority – Christ.

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3: 10-14).

2. Everything in life is worthless compared with knowing Christ.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

3. What does it mean to “know Christ?”

a. Know about Him from scripture (I will study).

b. Know Him in salvation (I have trusted Him).

c. Know how to live for Him (I will follow).

d. Know Him intimately (I will yield).

4. Why are so many Christians empty and fruitless?

a. Pettiness.

b. Selfishness.

c. Not yielded.

d. Not committed.

D. STEPS TO SPIRITUALITY

Step #1: What is the starting line? “I am not dependent upon my own self achievement” (Phil. 3:9, ELT). Recognize your past failures.

Step #2: Determine to spend the rest of your days deepening your relationship with Christ. “Not my own . . . righteousness” (Phil 3:9).

Step #3: To share in “the fellowship of His sufferings” (3:10). The Christian life is not easy, i.e. “no pain, no gain.”

a. Exercise.

b. Controlled eating.

c. Surrender wrong food and habits.

d. Push yourself.

Step #4: Holy discontent. Know you haven’t made it so you can’t stop exercising. “I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be” (Phil. 3:12, NLT).

Step #5: Realize life is a journey.

a. Don’t glory in past accomplishments. “Forgetting those things which are behind” (3:13).

b. Don’t be sidetracked by past failures, i.e., rear-view mirror guilt.

c. Don’t be hostage to past.

d. Don’t quit half-way.

e. Don’t coast.

Step #6: Lunge into the future.

a. Only blinded Christians are indifferent.

b. Only ignorant Christians think time is not important.

c. Only backslidden Christians do nothing.

E. FINISH STRONG

1. The harder I work at my faith, the more I live for Christ.

2. The smarter I live for Christ, the more I accomplish in life.

3. The closer I get to Christ, the happier I am.

I want my life to burn as brightly as possible, before I pass the torch on to the next generation.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord,

I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.