3/23/03: Lord of The Rings - The Ring of His Presence
Acts 1:4-8
“But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere…” Acts 1:8 (NLT)
"But I will send you the Counselor--the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me.” John 15:26 (NLT)
The Promise Of His Presence Gives Us The Power To: Run The Race
“For God had far better things in mind for us… for they can't receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race.” Heb 11:40 (NLT)
The Race Strategy:
1. START THE RACE
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.” John 6:63 (NIV)
“We have all been baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit.” 1 Cor 12:13 (NLT)
Key: Setup
a. Complete Overhaul = New Life In Christ
“He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5 (NLT)
The Holy Spirit Empowers Us By:
1. Giving us New Life (Titus 3:5)
2. Baptizes Every Christian (1 Cor. 12:13)
3. Sealing Us (Eph. 1:13-14)
2. RUN THE RACE
“And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.” Heb 12:1 (NLT)
Key: Great Pit stops
a. Refueling/Tires/Adjustments = Sunday Morning Celebration & Small Groups
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory.” Eph 1:13-14 (NIV)
“Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.” Eph 6:18 (NLT)
“But those who obey God's word really do love him. That is the way to know whether or not we live in him.” 1 John 2:5 (NLT)
3. FINISH THE RACE
“I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.” Phil 3:13-14 (NLT)
Key: Resource Management
a. Splash and Go = Daily Time with God
“Hold tightly to the word of life, so that when Christ returns, I will be proud that I did not lose the race and that my work was not useless.” Phil 2:16-17 (NLT)
4. CELEBRATE IN VICTORY LANE!
“Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win.” 1 Cor 9:25 (NLT)
Key: Endurance
“And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.”
Heb. 12:1-2 (NLT)
Paul’s Epitaph:
“As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return.” 2 Tim 4:6-8 (NLT)
Where do you find yourself in the race strategy? ________________________________
Which steps do you need to allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen? ____________________
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What is the Lord speaking to you about this morning’s message? ___________________
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