Following Jesus is a marathon, not a sprint.
Parable of the sower: Rocky ground, Thorny ground.
Too many Christians give up. "It's just too hard."
Why? They truly do not trust God. Their own power fails.
You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. Psalm 18:28
The Lord keeps our light burning through Community
The Bible makes it clear that we were never meant to do life alone, we were built for relationships. When we are in a Christ-like community, powerful things can happen!
Community vs. Worldly things
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs preformed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2: 2-4
In community we learn to pray together, break bread together, have hard conversations together, cry together, laugh together, and the list goes on.
(It is the people in my life over the years that have kept me going in ministry, alongside God's grace.)
The Lord keeps our light burning as we step put of our comfort zone.
When we are outside our normal ares of comfort, we are forced to rely on God.
Why have people left over worship styles, chandeliers, and pews verses chairs? Comfort zone. Jesus set the example many times.
Peter walking on water. Stepped out of his comfort zone.
*Joining a small group
*Serving in a ministry
*Showing kindness to new people
The Lord keeps our light burning through perseverance.
Suffering will either ignite your life or smother it.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:17-18
The Lord keeps our light burning through conviction.
Conviction is not always a bad thing. It can bring transformation. It can be life saving!
DAVID AND NATHAN
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you: but before I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove to the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement. John 16: 7-8
Conviction over sin.
Conviction over spiritual warfare.
Conviction over the lost.
