Running the Race Together

These are some notes from when I visited Church of the Rock last Sunday. Don't forget to take time to look up the verses for yourself. Ask questions and wonder and search. The more questions you ask God the more answers you'll get.

Ephesians 4:1-6
1: (see also Col. 1:10) As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2:Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3: (see also Col. 3:14) Make ever effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4:There is one body and one Spirit- just as you are called to one hope when you were called- 5:one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6: (see also Ro. 11:36) one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:1
What does this verse say to us?
You, as a Christian, belong to God. You are His property. You need to live a life that is a good representation of the God you serve and call Father. God has set all of us on a long and hard race. We are ALL on this race together! Are you making it easier for yourself by following Gods lead and helping each other? Or are you getting lost because you're leaving the path and getting in others way?
This isn't about us! This calling, this race, is bigger then any and all of us! Stop acting like you're the most important runner in the race.

Ephesians 4:2
What does this verse mean?
It's simple. Help each other through life. Life is like a race and there are manners involved in races. Be humble: Dont get in peoples way and slow them down. And don't think you've got it all together and like you're above everyone else. A tiny stone can trip even the biggest of us and the bigger your head the more top heavy you are and, therefore, the more likely you are to fall.
Be gentle: Dont be rude. Be kind to everyone! Especially the ones who are struggling.
Be patient: There are gonna be hard parts of the race and easy parts. When it gets hard remember God is running next to you and He is cheering you on. Dont give up. It WILL get better. It may not get better right away or for a very long time or until you get to the end but it will get better.

Ephesians 4:3
This is even simpler. STAY TOGETHER! God put us all in the same race so that we could learn from each other, help each other, and encourage each other. Think of others before you do something stupid that is gonna slow everyone down.

Ephesians 4:4-5
There is only one important race, one leader, and we are all in the race working together to get to the end. Are you doing your part in running the race or are you letting other drag you along and slowing them down?

Ephesians 4:6
God is the leader of the race so He leads us in the way we should go. But if you fall behind and ask for help He's never to far away to come and save you. He loves all of us more then we could imagine!

Hebrews 12:1-2
1. (see also Co. 9:24) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2. (see also Php. 2:8-9) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the auther and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him enduring the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Living the life of a Christian is hard. But it has great benifits! Just like being in the Army. It can be hard, it hurts sometimes, but it only makes you better and the benifits out weight the pain 10 to 1. Like in the Army you stay together and you help each other and you get through it! Every step you take is over and done with and you are one step closer to the end.
Certain things can hold you down and slow you down and trip you up. When you're running you usually wear light clothes and take as little as possible with you. So why would you try to take all your sin and bagage with you? It'll just slow you down until you either give up or come in last place. All it causes is pain, just let go and leave it on the side of the road so others dont trip on your bagage.
Also, keep your eyes on the prize. Everything you struggle through really is worth it in the end!

Look around, who are you running with?
Are you running with people that encourage you, teach you, and enjoy running the race? Or are you running with people that drag you down and discourage you?