'Accelerating Driven Christians in the Racing Capital of the World'
'Indy Timeline' of Upcoming Events
CURRENT TWITTERSTREAMS YOU MIGHT ENJOY...
#Indy #Prayer #UBcafe #Jobs #Bible #CCDA @ICG #Twurch
#CityReaching #Creation #Evolution #FF (FollowFriday)
#DigitalDisciples #ProLife #IndySM #Reformed #Racing
DrivenChristians @ICTV
Governor's Luncheon for Faith Leaders
"On behalf of Governor Mitch Daniels, I am pleased to announce The 2005 Governor's Luncheon for Faith Leaders. Our goal is to bring together clergy and lay leaders from across the state for a time of fellowship and communication about important issues facing our state. Faith has played an important role in the lives of Hoosiers from the very beginning. As your state government, we value the many ways that churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship make Indiana a better place to live. To ensure that your voice is heard, Governor Daniels asked my office to form a Faith-Based Advisory Council. This council reflects the diversity of faith in our state, and will provide guidance and counsel to the Executive branch on matters related to faith and religion. The Governor will give a report on his first year in office and introduce the Faith-Based Advisory Council during the luncheon. The Luncheon will be held at Primo Banquet Hall South, 2615 E National, Indianapolis at 1130 AM on Thursday, November 10, 2005. There is no charge for the luncheon, but we do ask that you
RSVP via this link or by calling 317-233-4273. There is limited seating, please reply early.
Sincerely,
Paula Parker-Sawyers"
God's Word
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
1 John 1:8-10
NIV
Faith, Hope and Love 2006
[click for video clip presentation]
Christian chaplains can't pray in 'Jesus' name?
Jay Sekulow
American Center for Law & Justice
Efforts are underway in Washington to protect the constitutional rights of military chaplains to pray and worship according to their own faith. It's an important issue - an issue that's getting the attention of Congress and the President. Sign the petition. [
continued]
God's Word
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Psalms 139:13-17
NIV
Christian Headlines... .com
Reminder: Here's a great, simple, clickable site aggregating Christian news sources from all over... including Indiana. Bookmark it if you like to stay on top of what's going on around the country and world, in the name of Christ.
[continued at
ChristianHeadlines.com]
God's Word
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men - the testimony given in its proper time.
1 Timothy 2:5-6
NIV
Sweet Resources...
The word on the street is that a generous source has made (literally) 'tons' of candy available via
Crossroads Bible College. Call 352-8736 x220.
[Thanks, 'generous source', and thanks, Crossroads!]
God's Word
Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
Hosea 6:1-3
NIV
Justice Journey... Nov.16th
The Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic invites you to join us for a "Journey to Justice," a CCDA event designed to explore Indianapolis' history and bring to light sources of racial injustice and how they are affecting our community today. The prayer bus will travel to three sites within Indianapolis where participants will meet community members, learn how injustice has touched their lives, and, most importantly, pray. NCLC views the "Journey to Justice" as chapter one in a continued process of bringing racial healing to our city.
[
continued at Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic]
God's Word
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end
it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. "They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?"
Proverbs 23:29-35
NIV
God's Word
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
NIV
Indy Prayer Breakfast... Nov.16th
This year's annual Indianapolis Prayer Breakfast will feature keynote speaker, Sen. Dan Coats.
Sen. Daniel Coats"Senator Dan Coats is a senior counsel in King & Spalding’s Public Policy and Government Advocacy Practice Group. Senator Coats joined King & Spalding after serving as U.S. Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany from August 2001 to February 2005. A former member of Congress, Senator Coats represented Indiana in the United States Senate from 1989 to 1999, and in the United States House of Representatives from 1981 to 1988.
While in Congress, Senator Coats was..." [
continued]
In addition to the many gathered civic leaders & heroes, this year's breakfast will very specially introduce the national Christian Community Development Association's (CCDA) convention which will kick that evening and continue Nov.16th through 20th. The founders and national board members will also be present. [read more about
CCDA and
Indy's City Host Team and how you might join the citywide effort.]
Dinosaurs Invade Greenwood?
[continued at
CreationTruth.com]
Or come hear Dr. Sharp at 10am, this morning (Oct.23), at
Triumph Church. 41 S. Brewer, Greenwood.
God's Word
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers,
so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a
hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has
come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
"The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness
away from Jacob."
Romans 11:25-26
Hoosier Generosity...
[based on Center for Philanthropy research]Indiana's average gift per household was lower than the national average . . .
Indiana: $1,872National: $1,937. . .
but because more of us gave . . .Indiana: 79% National: 67%. . .
our overall average gift per Hoosier is higher than the national average.
People who attend (religious) services once a week give more than those who attend less frequently.
[
continued at IndyStar.com]
Reason to Believe: Humans Are No Different Than Apes?
Fascinating response to the London zoo displaying humans as "just another primate" who are "not that special".
If that is true, the response asks, why do they wear bathing suits with fig leaves? Why are they allowed to go home at night? Why are they covered in
fig leaves?
Perhaps they know that humans are implicitly different though they explicitely deny it?
God's Word
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
1 Corinthians 8:5-6
NIV
Harriet's 'Get Religion' Day...
Dobson, Miers & Ted Olson... once again...
[
continued at GetReligion.org]
Short-final... to CCDA convention
Pilots refer to the critical portion of their flight as 'coming in on short-final'. Jockey's call it the home stretch. But whatever you call it, the national CCDA convention coming to Indy is nearly here.
We're at 27 days and closing in quickly... on November 16th (through the 20th).
So here's a 'short final' you might consider:
* Reserve a table for the Nov.16
Indy Prayer Breakfast. Bring key folks you'd like to inspire -- perhaps especially about multi-ethnic ministry together, since the founder and some of the national CCDA board members will be present that morning -- and the CCDA convention opens that evening. Or bring folks you'd like to see get a great opportunity to know Christ. Whoever's there can count on hearing a great testimony (Sen. Dan Coats) and an professional presentation of the 'good news'. Many many city leaders will be present -- typically including Mayor Peterson, city council members, and many more.
* If your tableful of people get inspired but have little advance notice to be able to fully act on it by participating in the convention's plenary sessions (free nightly), daytime workshops (free for volunteers), ministry tours here in Indy, etc.... they'll have wished you'd have given them earlier notice of just how neat it was going to be.
* So take 3 minutes and watch the
CCDA video online (at the top of
IndyChristian.com). And stay tuned here daily for current news, etc. Maybe get some of your key people to register for the convention -- volunteers may even get free registration... contact
rescheer@iupui.edu for more info about the many ways/days/times they could help.
* Especially plan on being with all the Indy/Indiana folks present at this national convention. One of the workshop hours (Nov.17, 4pm) will be devoted to regional networking.
Transform Indiana ministry network (of networks) will be helping to host that session and maximize our ability to connect for future collaborations. There, you'll have a golden opportunity to hook up with some other pastors/leaders who are planning some key collaborative events for next Summer. If you're reading this, I'm guessing your church is the type of church that will very much want to participate -- you may even want to get involved in the leadership.
Indiana Christian News will be involved, and some great area churches are already planning to be involved in leadership. So you'd be right at home.
"Ladies & gentlemen, the seat-belt signs have been turned on. Please return to your seats and prepare for landing."
God's Word
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its
power. Have nothing to do with them.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
NIV
God's Word
The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in
you.
Psalms 25:14-21
NIV
God's Word
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25
NIV
FHL Baton Rouge Relief Trip
By Janet Schwind, FHLOn Sept. 26, 2005, 22 people from the FHL community set out on an adventure to take a message of faith, hope and love to those who lost everything in the path of a ruthless hurricane. Folks joined from at least 8 local churches, united in their passion to reach out and make a difference.
Armed with camping gear, chainsaws and a semi-truck full of donated food, we made the 17-hour drive to Baton Rouge, LA which would be our home for the next 6 days.
We knew what our mission was, but we didn’t know exactly what each day would bring. We trusted God to lead our way every morning.
The days brought a wide variety of work to do and people to touch. Some days were spent unloading, sorting, and packing all of the donated food and personal products that arrived on semi-trucks daily. The generosity of this nation is unbelievable as witnessed by the large volume of donations. Our team formed human chains to load and unload the goods. It was a nice workout that really stretched some of us physically; the satisfying exhausted feeling at the end of the day made for good sleeping.
Another day was spent at a distribution center in Kenner, a town 20 miles NW of New Orleans. Under the hot Louisiana sun, we set up tents and organized our products. Hour after hour, cars lined up and pulled through our grocery store to collect all the free food and water they needed. As they stopped at each food station, we had the opportunity to talk with many. We also distributed hand-written personal letters from 5th and 6th graders in the Indianapolis area. Many said they would frame and keep the letters as a cherished possession. Hearts were tender as the weight of extreme loss and trauma remained fresh. Many people were so grateful and could not believe that we would come all the way from Indiana just to lend them a hand. We saw many tears that day, not just of loss but of comfort and even joy at our presence there.
Some of us had the chance to visit the shelter in Baton Rouge, the town’s conference center, which housed about 900 evacuees. Once inside, the Red Cross assigned us to help make lunch for the residents, alongside other volunteers from New York and some locals. Outside and across the street was the FEMA building where people had to stand in line for long hours to apply for federal aid. We provided them with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on several occasions, and gave them the opportunity to talk about what they’ve been through. You could see what a relief it was for them to tell their stories and to know someone cared about them.
Other days had our groups doing cleanup work in towns like Slidell and Metairie just outside of New Orleans. Flooding here was the main issue as house after house stood gutted of their contents. We took our chainsaws to fallen trees, making yards safe and clean again. We scrubbed mold and washed dishes and mopped floors and mowed yards. The task of cleaning up seemed overwhelming, even impossible, to many storm victims. But our team of 22 showed them that when we unite in love, anything is possible.
Back at camp each evening, the team would gather under the big white tent for dinner and fellowship time. It was a sweet time of making new friends, as we found ourselves surrounded by many other wonderful volunteers from other places like Cincinnati, Chicago, Philadelphia, Ohio and even one guy from San Francisco. Throughout the course of the week, more than 100 people camped and worked alongside each other with the same mission in their hearts. It was truly a taste of what God must mean when he talks about the body of Christ. Each of us brought something unique and valuable to the team, encouraging one another and deepening our relationships. And the blessings were not only for the Katrina victims. We found that the more we gave, the greater we were blessed.
The story continues as the victims of Katrina and Rita still try to recover and find a place of hope from which to start anew. Faith, Hope and Love will continue to be with them on their journey. Find out about our next trip Dec. 3 when we bring a bit of Christmas to the people of Louisiana.
There will also be a young adult/youth trip on Dec. 26. Please visit
http://www.fhlcommunity.org/ for more information or call Merlin Gonzales at 317-372-7222
Testimonials"Just to be able to reach out and physically touch these people, and share the hope of our Father...that was the greatest blessing to me!!"
~ Wendy Gutreuter,
Vineyard Community Church, Indianapolis
“I saw the body of Christ in action at the campground in Baton Rouge. I feel New Orleans and Louisiana will be a different place because of the involvement of the Body of Christ in its reconstruction! I came back with a strong desire to pray for New Orleans and to tell people to do so, so New Orleans becomes a beacon in this country. Millions around the world have visited the old New Orleans. Can you imagine the new New Orleans with a Christian foundation? What a witness to the world!!!”
~ Vicky Andrade,
Grace Community Church, Indianapolis
“In the end I had mowed almost 6 lawns- it was easy and I wasn't sweating, I was having fun. It was right after I had finished the second yard, which had incredibly long grass, that anyone said anything about it. The mailman walked up to me, crying pretty hard, and said: "Thank you for making my life easier. Thank you for making my job a little less hard." I gotta be honest, I never once even ever thought of the mailman and how he walks on the grass....”
~McKinna Beresford,
Northview Christian Church, Carmel, IN
“I must admit I was a bit wary knowing no one as I stepped out in faith for the journey down south. This week I have spent countless hours with fellow Christians from Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Georgia, and California...and I must tell you how blessed my week has been. I love watching each individual and seeing in them the heart of Christ -- each created distinctly different in their fruits of the spirit...and creating a complete body of Christ when we all work together. God hand-picked some amazing people for this week...people that I am honored to call my brothers and sisters in Christ.”
~Beth Edwards
East 91st Street Christian Church, Indianapolis
CNN: What Would Jesus Blog?
"We are just at the beginning of what is going on... ""We need to start thinking about how we can harness and focus the Christian blogosphere for greater impact."[
continued at CNN]
[hat-tip, Dave L - thanks! For other articles and feedback, see previous posts at IndyChristian.com]
God's Word
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Titus 2:2-5
NIV
GodBlogCon... It's a wrap...
There's enough reading here to last a life-time. But it's high-quality Christian bloggers, having just been sharpened by other high-quality Christian bloggers... and thus very thought provoking -- the very intent of the conference.
Ready, begin.
God's Word
I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when
the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who
hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he
has granted the Son to have life in himself. And he has
given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who
are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those
who have done good will rise to live, and those who have
done evil will rise to be condemned.
John 5:25-29
NIV
God's Word
Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies. Let a righteous man strike me - it is a kindness; let him rebuke me - it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it. Yet my prayer is ever against the deeds of evildoers.
Psalms 141:3-5
NIV
God's Word
Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalms 27:11-14
NIV
GodBlogCon2005...
...starts today in Pasadena. [
continue]
[
Related story]
Barna's "Revolution"
"A Faith Revolution is Redefining 'Church', According to New Study"“These are people who are less interested in
attending church than in
being the church,” he explained. “We found that there is a significant distinction in the minds of many people between the local church – with a small ‘c’ – and the universal Church – with a capital ‘C’. Revolutionaries tend to be more focused on being the Church, capital C, whether they participate in a congregational church or not.”
[
continued at Barna.org]
God's Word
Only hold on to what you have until I come. To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations - He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery - just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 2:25-29
NIV
TI's prison discussion travels 'south'... Oct.11
Greetings
Our October
Transform Indiana meeting will be hosted by OMS International, 941 Fry Road, Greenwood
(map) 317-881-6751, if you get lost.
Randy Spacht, Latin American Regional Director, for
OMS International, will continue our Prison Ministry theme, by sharing about the work his ministry is doing in the prisons of Columbia.
Join with us Tuesday, October 11th, from 12noon – 2:00pm (bring your own lunch).
Blessings
Eldon
God's Word
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
Mark 8:34-38
NIV
"Light Up The Night"
Halloween brings all kinds of challenges for Christians today.
...And opportunities!
[
continued at 'Neighborhood By Neighborhood']
[What are YOUR special plans for Halloween time? We'd like to help direct people to your special events. Email us.]
God's Word
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for
I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for
your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
NIV
Rejoicing In Salvation
by Jewel Graham, Butler Graduate '05
When I'm in the midst of a trial or I'm hurting, I normally turn to the Psalms because I love to hear David crying out to the Lord so bluntly. I think we can all take comfort in the fact that David is brutally honest and open with the Lord and he's not afraid to ask for something. When we are going through those difficult times it's encouraging to know that a) there are other people struggling with the same issues and b) that it's ok to cry out to God. Do you ever feel hindered or afriad to be completely honest with God? I mean, in the back of our minds we "know" that He knows everything, but in the front of our minds (is there such a thing?!?) we think that if we don't say it, it'll somehow slip by. Fyi...it won't :)
As I moved out of my parents house, started my new job and settled into life in the mountains, ironically enough, I found myself loving life, loving the Lord and truly experiencing a snippet of that abundant life Jesus desires for us in John 10:10. In my quiet time one day I happened to stumble across the Psalms again. I was perplexed for a moment, realizing I was reading the Word in a completely different mindset, seeking a completely different thing. I wanted to praise the Lord, thank Him for His goodness and reveal in His providence and sovereignty...and I was stuck. I was, in this mindset, listening to David complain. Until, a couple chapters later, David changes his tune. He wasn't stuck on crying anymore but rejoicing. A phrase begin to stick out to me, repeatedly. David was "rejoicing in His salvation." I thought... "That's it!"
Rejoicing in my salvation. I couldn't figure out how to describe to the Lord what was going on in my heart but when I read this it all clicked, in more than one way.
First, I saw the Psalms in a completely different light. I began to see David differently and see the joy of a daily realtionship with the Lord, in all its ups and downs. This, in turn, lead me to truly be reminded of how alive the Holy Word of God is. It truly is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword because it applies to every situation we are in, whether good, bad, high or low. He met me exactly where I was and that, to me, made my time with Him, my rejoicing in Him that much sweeter.
Secondly, I began to ponder what it meant to "rejoice in my salvation" I can't really claim to have exhausted this concept yet but preliminarily it overwhelmed me. I had trouble wrapping my brain around this one but as I started disecting it, it took on a physical form. How many of us really take into account what our salvation cost Christ?...His life. We need to not take that for granted and rejoice in it – to truly realize how blessed we are and how thankful we should be that we have a gracious, loving, forgiving God who has saved us.
The Word really came alive to me when I saw it meet my needs on both ends of the spectrum. I pray that it does the same for you.
God's Word
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:17-18
NIV
Family Day of Prayer
Family Day of Prayer -- October 15th.
[
Click .pdf for more information.]
Conquering the Dragon: Controlling the fear that controls your life.
by Dr. Noah H. Kersey, Ph.D 
Fear can be a paralyzing force in our lives, but it can also be an invigorating power that drives us to overcome adversity and tragedy that is thrown into our paths.
On March 4, 1933 in his first presidential inaugural speech, Franklin Delano Roosevelt asserted his firm belief that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself". Years later, on December 7, 1941 in his "this day in infamy" speech resulting from the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he withheld his comments about fear, indirectly admitting that there was much more to fear in life than fear itself. [
Continue]
God's Word
Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me -- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father -- and I lay down my life for the sheep."
John 10:7-15
NIV
Hi from Crossroad Bible College
Hi.
From the GL101 Study & Life Management Skills Class.
Zenobia Bailey, Prof.
[I've been invited to come and lead a discussion and demonstration here at CBC about internet strategies in education, including blogging... the quick, easy and free publishing of information at the speed of Light.]
God's Word
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.
Hebrews 3:12-14
NIV
Winning the Great Christian Race
Rev. Andrew Hunt, IIISenior Pastor
Body of Christ Community Church
President, Community of ONE , CDC
ahunt57@sbcglobal.netwww.communityofoneindy.org“ Winning the great Christian race”
Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
Hebrews 12:1... "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Do Not Grow Weary
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
"So run that ye may obtain the prize" We should run the Christian race with sobriety, for our eternal life is at stake. Let others pursue for enjoyment what they will, but in our race everything vital is at stake. The eternal consequences of losing should motivate us to a greater effort than that put forth by those making sport.--Duane V. Maxey.
Recently I read a fable about a dog that loved to chase other animals. This dog bragged about his great running skill and said he could catch anything. Well, it wasn’t long until his boastful claims were put to the test by a certain rabbit. With ease the little creature outran his barking pursuer. The other animals, watching with glee, began to laugh. The dog excused himself, however, by saying, "You forget, I was only running for fun. He was running for his life!" That does make a difference! Motivation is the most important factor in everything we do.
The question for us today is are we running for fun or are we running for our life?
Motivation is the most important factor for each of us as we run this Christian race, running to win the reward of living for eternal with God. This alone should be our motivation, this alone should be a great inspiration for us, but this passage says that there is yet another inspiration for us.
What is that great inspiration for us? It’s this great cloud of witnesses.
This is the one of the stirring passages in Scripture, a passage that is written for the purpose of stirring us to run and to keep running in the Christian race and to run for life. What exactly is the Christian race?
Well the Christian race can be described in many ways.
· It is the race for heaven.
· It is the race for life, for both abundant and eternal life.
· It is the race to live with God forever.
· It is the race for perfection, through our sanctification, to become all that God has ordained us to become. To live with Him forever in a world where there is no suffering, corruption, evil, suffering, or death.
· It is the race for righteousness and justice—for a perfect world of godliness.
· It is the race for the promise land, the eternal land where we will live forever with God.
· It is the race to live in the new heavens and earth with God.
· It is the race to know God, to commune and fellowship with Him now and forever.
This is the great Christian race, the great goal toward which believers like you and I are running. We believe in God and in His great promise of living with Him forever and ever; we believe in God’s glorious promise of a new heavens and earth that shall be perfected eternally. We know that if they can endure, endure to the end, we shall be escorted into the very presence of God where we shall live with God forever and ever Amen. And from there, we shall await the glorious day of redemption, the day when the heavens and the earth shall all be remade and perfected forever. This is what we know as believers it is at the foundation of our faith. Believers know that God’s promise to Old Testament believers—the promise of the promise land—shall become a living reality. How do we as believers know this—know this beyond question? Because of the Promised Seed, the Lord Jesus Christ is the Promised Seed, the one who came to take away the sins of the world.
The Promised Seed has come, and He has died for all our sins and He has been raised from the dead and He is our justification. Therefore, we shall now live forever in the promised land of God’s glorious presence—live forever in heaven and His love and worship and service. The goal of the Christian race is such a wonderful a promise that we cold go on and on talking about. But the point of this present passage is that this race demands our attention; demands that we focus on the Christian race and do it right now because time is short and tomorrow is not promised. The great Christian race lies before us there is no way for us to get to our goal without going through life. We must be willing to run the race and we must be focus on winning the race.
There are five things that this passage has to offer us today, five things that will help run this race and win.
1. We need inspiration, from the great cloud of witness.
2. Jesus is our supreme example.
3. Running the race requires discipline.
4. How do we endure, keep our minds on Jesus.
5. Resist temptation- even to blood.
A Great Cloud of witnesses.
12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”
We find inspiration for this race and it is found in the great cloud of witnesses. When we picture our whole life as race. Then the scene becomes that of a great coliseum filled to capacity with spectators, it becomes the RCA Dome filled to capacity with spectators (these are the great cloud of witnesses). The race is about to begin. But before it does the referee gives two quick exhortations; (1) get rid of all the excess weight and clinging entanglements and (2) run and keep on running—enduring to the end. As you run, remember one thing only, remember that you are running towards Jesus. Remember that Jesus formerly participated, and He participated for the joy of wining. He disciplined Himself, endured to the point of death. And because He did just that He received His reward.
If we endure, if we discipline ourselves, if we will participated with the joy of the Lord as our strength and the joy of winning in our heart we too will receive a reward for our Heavenly Father. The picture painted by the author of Hebrews shows there are two senses in which the crowd witnesses the great Christian race. The crowds, the heroes of chapter eleven, have all participated in this race before. They have run and finish the race themselves—enduring to the very end and winning. Therefore, they are witnesses and also examples for us. They are not only participants but they are also spectators. They actually have the privilege to witness our race and performance. They are vitally interested in how we run the race. The point is this: a great cloud of witness surrounds and envelops us—witnesses who believed God and stood fast for God—stood against all kinds of trials, stood against all kinds of temptations, stood against all kinds of opposition.
But because they believe God, because of their great faith, God gave them the endurance to stand and stand some more. This type of faith should inspire us to believe even the more and to endure in all things big and small. These witnesses never buckled or crumbled in their faith and their reward was godly successes.
They endured against temptation, doing, thinking, feeling, and saying anything that would hinder their running the race. They got rid of the weight, all the sins that weigh us down. They did not give in to temptation they endured in the faith. They endured against great trials—against great problems, against great trouble and suffering, against great loss and hunger, against great hunger and disease, against great abuse and persecution.
They endured against all opposition, from family, from friends, from fellow-workers, from civil leaders, from institutional religionists.
They endure against all by holding fast to their faith and letting go of all the weight.
As Christians it is required that we observe certain disciplines as we run this Christian race. These are twofold. First, we must lay aside every weight, and lay aside the sin that so easily traps us. The words lay aside are (apothemenoi) in the Greek and they mean to take off, strip off, and to remove as if you were taking off clothes.
The Christian runner is running for their life not just running for fun and they must strip off every weight. This means any excess weight and bulk of body. All serious athletes train and strain to remove all excess weight. This refers to things that may be legitimate and innocent in and of themselves, but they hinder the Christian runner. They hamper and slow them down instead of helping them run the race faster. What kind of things would these be? What are some legitimate and innocent things, things that do not help a believer to grow as a Christian?
What about seeking entertainment instead of fellowshipping and communing with God—instead of praying and reading our Bibles—instead of worshipping and witnessing? Recreation is sometimes needed, but the problem with most of us is that we relax and rest far more than we need to, and we neglect our fellowship and communion with God and our intercessory prayer for others. Too many of us do not even know how to spend long times keeping our minds upon God and community with Him. What about seeking the possessions and things of the world instead seeking God?
What about listening to music and other sounds that do not build up our spirits nor focus our minds upon the truth of God. What about watching films and television that failed to give us strength?
We could go on and on, but the thrust is edification, what is edification pastor. Edification is instruction or enlightenment, especially when it is morally or spiritually uplifting. Edification is that which builds you up, that which edifies you. Anything that does not build us up and makes us stronger is excess weight that slows us down. The Christian runner must do exactly what the Olympic runner does: strain to remove all excess weight. Do nothing—absolutely nothing—that hinders or hampers him from running at full speed. He must strip off all unnecessary weight.
Mt. 19:21-22 says
Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Luke. 9:57-62
The Cost of Following Jesus
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus
[1] said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
The Christian runner must strip off the sin, which so easily trips or beset them. The words “ easily besests” ( euperistaton) means the sin which, clings , distracts, entangles, and trips up the Christian runner. It is the picture of clothing flapping around a person while they are running; something that entangles them and will ultimately trip them and cause them to fall.
What is the sin that entangles you, what is the sin that will make you fall if you do not strip it off now? Various sins are common to all believers and we must watch out for them, but this passage speaks strongly to the particular sin that entangles and throws the believer. Each one of us has that kind of sin in our lives. Is it pleasure, or indulgence, or our tongue, is it the flesh, or pride, or the converting of possessions, worldly friends? What is it that consume far too much of our energy and keeps us from following God fully and wholly as we are called to do. We must strip it off right now or else it will entangle us and we will never finish the race.
Job 11:14 says
“14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
and let not injustice dwell in your tents.”
Isaiah 55:7 says
“7 let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”
1Peter 2:11 says
“11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
We must run with patience (hupomone). The word means endurance, fortitude, steadfastness, constancy, and perseverance. This word patience is not passive is; it is active. It is not the spirit that sits back and puts up with trials of life, taking whatever may come. Rather it is the spirit that stands up and faces the trials of life, one that actively goes about conquering and overcoming them. When trials confront a believer who is truly justified, he is stirred to arise and face the order to teach him more and more patience. This is the endurance that comes from God for the Christian life.
The Christian runner must be determined; they must have true grit. They must be filled with steadfast endurance, letting nothing stop or hinder them, not any. . . Sin, distraction, lust, desire, enticement, luring invitation, appealing attraction, enticing chance, daring challenge, worldly potential.
James gives us an example to follow as he teaches in James 1:2-4 which says
“2 Count it all joy, my brothers,
[1] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
(2) Our example is Jesus
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
There is a supreme example of how to run and to win in this Christian race and that example is the Lord Jesus Christ. Believers who have trusted God and endured in their faith are great examples for us. We have seen this in the Great Hall of Faith in chapter eleven. And we see it in the example of believers all around us—believers who really live for Christ. But as great as these examples might be, there is only one supreme example that you and I should always follow. That is the example set and lived by Christ Jesus our Lord, we may and should learn from other examples of believers but all we really need to know and learn comes from Christ Jesus alone. We should always be looking to Jesus. The word “ looking” (aphorontes) in the Greek means to fix your eyes upon Jesus. It also means to fix not just you eyes on Jesus but to fix you mind on Jesus. So we as Christian runners, if we want to win this race must always have our eyes and minds focused on Jesus. Why is this pastor, because Jesus Christ Himself ran the race of faith when He was upon the earth and He shows us exactly how to run it! When we look at how Jesus ran and won the race we need to look at four things.
Running the race requires discipline.
1. Jesus Christ participated in the race Himself; He actually ran the race of faith. No one can run the race for you, you must be an active participant, Jesus will help you run this race but you must take the first step. Jesus did not only run the race of faith, He is the very Author and Finisher of faith. He is the Author because he authored, began, originated, created, and gave birth to the Christian race. He is the Finisher because He perfected, completed, and consummated the race. He ran the race to the finish and won.
The idea is that Jesus Christ ran the course of this life perfectly. He was sinless, perfectly righteous, always obeying God in everything. He ran the race of faith—of utter obedience and trust in God—all through His life upon earth. He finished His course living a perfect and righteous life upon earth. Therefore, He created and authored and completed the Christian race for all believers. He is the blazing example of faith in God—utter dependence and obedience and righteousness—for the believer. The believer is always to be looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of faith.
Peter says in 1Pt 2:21 this:
“21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”
Jesus Christ had a great inspiration: the joy that was set before Him. What was that joy? The glorious day of redemption . . .
· the glorious day when He would be united and exalted with all believers of all ages.
· The glorious day when He would realize all the glory and joy for which He had died and for which God had purposed His death.
· The glorious day when the new heavens and earth would be recreated and all the redeemed would be worshipping and serving God as all in all.
· The glorious day when the salvation of all believers and all generations would be completely and perfectly be fulfilled, and He and those who loved Him would be ruling and reigning with Him forever and ever. There are many ways to express the joy that was set before Christ, but the thing to see is that it was the joy of redemption of God’s very purpose for the world—that stirred and motivated Christ to come to earth and author salvation for man. The glorious day of redemption should stir and motivate us as well. The brighter day that is coming one day. Christ our Lord is our supreme example in being stirred by the joy that lies before us. Jesus says in Luke 10:21 “ In that same hour he responded in the Holy Spirit and said, “ I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth that you have hidden, these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes Father, for such was your gracious will.”
2. Jesus Christ is the supreme example in discipline: He followed the rules of the race even to the point of dying in order to create the race. He obeyed God perfectly. He ignored and despised the shame of the cross in order to finish the race of perfect obedience to God. And because He was perfectly obedient, He has blazed the path of perfect righteousness, of the very faith that makes us acceptable to God. The Christian race exists today because Jesus Christ disciplined Himself; He obeyed God perfectly, even to the extent of dying for us. This He willingly did, and because He did, He is the supreme example for us. We should endure in believing and obeying God no matter the cost or price we have to pay, even if it means martyrdom. 1Peter 3:18 “ Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
3. Jesus Christ is the supreme of receiving the reward of faith. He was exalted to the right hand of the throne of God. Believers witnessed His ascension and several believers have seen Him in visions and dreams since then. Because Jesus ran the perfect race of faith He was consider worthy of all things. Rev. 5:12 says this “ Saying with a loud voice, worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” So pastor how do I endure to the end? How do I keep the faith and run this race to win? How do I keep from becoming faint-hearted during all the trials and temptations of life? Keep your eye on Jesus.
(4) Keeping eye and mind on Jesus.
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
There is a controlling factor in life that keeps life balanced, a controlling factor that makes life livable, a controlling factor that can handle all the storms of live every time they arise. This controlling factor is Christ Jesus, and if you want to get through life you must live it through Jesus, you must keep your eyes and your mind on Jesus. You must consider Him who endured all sinners such hostility against himself. The word “consider” means to compare, reckon, count up, weight. Believers are to focus upon Jesus Christ and His sufferings and compare and weigh them against our sufferings. Christ endured so much more than we have had to endure. Let any orphan, widow, criminal, prostitute, slave, or any sufferer compare themselves with what Jesus when through.
· Mt: 1:18-19 tells us that Jesus was born to an unwed mother.
· Luke. 2:7 tells us that Jesus was born in a stable in the worst conditions.
· Luke. 2:24 tells us that Jesus was born to poor parents.
· Mt. 2:13 tell us that as a baby Jesus life was threatened.
· Mt. 2:13 tell us that because to the threat Jesus as a baby had to be moved around and hidden.
· Mt. 13:53-58 tells us that Jesus lost His earthy- father Joseph at a early age.
· Mt. 13:53-58 tell us that Jesus at a early age had to work to help support His mother, brothers, and sisters.
· Mk. 3:21 tell us that Jesus was once charged with being insane.
· Mk 3:31 tell us that Jesus’ own family opposed Him.
· Luke 4:28 tell us Jesus was rejected, hated, and opposed by the people He ministered to.
· Mk. 14:10-11 and 18 tell us that a close friend betrayed Jesus.
· Jn. 18:33 tell us that Jesus was tried before a high court and charged with treason.
· Jn. 19:16 tell us that Jesus was executed by crucifixion, the worst possible death.
When we compare our sufferings with the sufferings of Christ, this should keep us from becoming weary. This should keep us from becoming exhausted, tired, worn out, and hurt. This should keep us from becoming faint of heart and fainting in our minds, from becoming discouraged and disappointed.
(5) Resist temptation even to the point of shedding your blood.
“In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”
There is a great demand placed upon the life of a Christian as they run this Christian race. The demand is this: we are to be faithful and resist temptation even to the point of shedding our blood. This passage paints for us the picture of Jesus being in the Garden of Gethsemane and the ordeal that He faced there. Because Christ when through His Gethsemane moment He are able to face the ordeal on the cross. He struggled against the temptation to choose some other way other than the cross, but instead He endured for our sakes, for our redemption. He resisted temptation even to the point of shedding His blood. We too as Christians must have our Gethsemane moment in life, the moment in which we totally surrender to what God wants to do on our lives. Until we have that Gethsemane moment we will never taste all that life has to offer to us. Until we have that Gethsemane moment we can’t even imagine winning this Christian race, in fact until that moment we are not even in the Christian race.
God's Word
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Revelation 21:23-27
NIV
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