Have you ever wanted to be on Survivor? It’s a pretty brutal test of physical and mental strength. It’s emotionally challenging as you are taken from your everyday life, your family and friends and the everyday conveniences we have all become so accustomed to. Personally, I’m not rushing to sign up for the next series. I’m well content to sit on my couch and tell the consistence how they should play the game.
Now I’m not here to plug a television show, but I would like to spend a couple of minutes with you drawing some analogies of the show from a biblical prospective.
1. Become part of the Tribe and build strong alliances.
Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun: 8 There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, "For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?" This also is vanity and a grave misfortune. 9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
How true that is of the Church…
If you are just “going to church” but are not becoming part of the “life of the church”, you are missing out on what Christianity is all about AND others are missing the benefit of your influence in their life’s as well.
Get into the church, Get connected and get involved!
If your visiting today and are “looking” for a church home. STOP LOOKING!
Align yourself with God and with His people, no not forsake the gathering together of fellow Christians so you will be able to grow in the strength and power of Christian community.
1. Be prepared for the Challenges
Paul was not afraid to talk about the challenges he faced.
In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul gives a rundown of his battle scars.
Imprisoned, Beaten 5 times with 40 strips,
Stoned, Shipwrecked 3 times,
Hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness
If that wasn’t enough Paul added, “Besides this, all of the things that come against me daily”.
Paul didn’t boast of some spiritual exemption from challenges, THERE IS NONE… Instead he prepared for the challenges.
Here are some ways you and I can be prepared to win the challenges that lay before us:
a. Understand who we’re up against
Ephesians 6:10-12
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
b. Dress right
Ephesians 6:13-18
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
a. If you fall down, get up and keep going.
Psalm 37
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.
b. In these challenges, the game is rigged!
Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the Lord.
c. Cheer on your teammates in the challenge
Hebrews 10
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
2. The Goal is to obtain the ultimate prize
So many times I think believers have lost focus on the prize.
They see Christianity as a Fire Escape
They see “Faith” as a distorted means of material gain.
But nothing we could receive or achieve here is “the prize”
1 Corinthians 9:23-25
23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
Do you want to know the real truth about being a Soul Survivor?
Here it is….
4. God wants you to be more than a Survivor.
Hear me closely,
• Living an authentic Christian life is more that just existence,
• More than just “getting by”
• More than surviving.
• It’s about something much more than that!
Romans 8:37
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Let’s Pray
A note from Pastor Terry,
Thanks so much for looking over this message. I trust that, in some way, you were blessed, encouraged and empowered on your own walk with Christ. Every message I prepare is bathed in prayer that God will draw, inspire, and challenge my listeners (or readers) into a more meaningful and power-filled walk with Him.
Pastors, how we need one another! We need to be encouraged, strengthened and built up in order to encourage, strengthen and build up. It’s my personal prayer that the message you’ve just reviewed has done that for you in a personal way. Use what you can of this message, toss what you can’t and above all, let God’s Spirit inspire it all!
Sometimes I feel like Peter and John at the Temple steps…”Silver and gold; I don’t have but what I do – I give to you”
Grace and peace to you, your family and the Flock you tend.
Pastor Terry
