WEBVTT 00:00:00.969 --> 00:00:05.440 We're so glad that you've joined us today on the relevant church podcasts. 00:00:05.830 --> 00:00:11.019 There's so much God wants to do in and through you as you listen to today's message. 00:00:11.439 --> 00:00:17.199 If you want to learn more about relevant church, visit us online at this is relevant dot. 00:00:17.201 --> 00:00:17.859 CC, 00:00:22.100 --> 00:00:23.719 you guys ready to get into this message? 00:00:24.530 --> 00:00:26.839 I got a lot of ground to cover, so let us pray. 00:00:26.841 --> 00:00:28.910 God, we thank you so much for today. 00:00:28.911 --> 00:00:30.199 Thank you so much for your word. 00:00:30.201 --> 00:00:31.940 I pray that you may speak to your people. 00:00:32.210 --> 00:00:38.990 Open up our hearts, open up our minds to be able to receive all that you have for us in this word. 00:00:39.409 --> 00:00:41.119 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:00:41.840 --> 00:00:43.159 Amen. 00:00:44.509 --> 00:00:49.250 So we're in this series called the amazing race and it's been really fun. 00:00:49.250 --> 00:00:52.850 We've got awesome teams that we've, we've broken up into. 00:00:52.850 --> 00:00:55.850 And if you're not part of a team, I see you black teams. 00:00:55.869 --> 00:00:56.750 Y'all see my youth? 00:00:56.750 --> 00:00:58.850 Come on, I'm on team black. 00:00:59.390 --> 00:01:00.289 The only team. 00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:01.969 Hey listen, we just won the last one. 00:01:01.970 --> 00:01:02.929 So don't even say nothing. 00:01:02.990 --> 00:01:03.770 We don't trip. 00:01:04.400 --> 00:01:05.450 Don't trip. 00:01:05.719 --> 00:01:06.680 We're in it to win it. 00:01:06.739 --> 00:01:08.870 What, uh, Tiffany was wearing that tee shirt last week. 00:01:08.870 --> 00:01:09.560 We're killing it. 00:01:09.620 --> 00:01:10.340 Earth day. 00:01:10.969 --> 00:01:11.900 Not everyday. 00:01:11.900 --> 00:01:14.989 See if when you kill it, every day you're like, this is a possibility. 00:01:14.990 --> 00:01:17.810 But when you kill an earth day, you know you bought the wind. 00:01:18.409 --> 00:01:19.790 So we killing that earth day. 00:01:19.790 --> 00:01:26.510 So we're in this series and it's a series really about life because here's the, here's the discovery that we made last week. 00:01:26.569 --> 00:01:28.640 Everybody is on a journey. 00:01:29.030 --> 00:01:33.230 Everybody is in a race, whether they choose it or by default. 00:01:34.579 --> 00:01:40.760 The simple fact that you were born on this earth proves the fact that you are in a race. 00:01:41.599 --> 00:01:43.459 Every race has a beginning. 00:01:43.609 --> 00:01:45.620 Every race has an end. 00:01:45.709 --> 00:01:47.359 Every race has contenders. 00:01:47.540 --> 00:01:50.209 And to win the race you've got to run. 00:01:52.010 --> 00:01:53.329 You can't be caught slipping. 00:01:53.331 --> 00:01:54.500 You can't be caught sleeping. 00:01:54.501 --> 00:01:55.969 You can't be caught walking. 00:01:56.090 --> 00:01:57.469 You will not win. 00:01:57.620 --> 00:02:01.040 And so we jumped into this text and first Corinthians chapter nine. 00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:03.859 So if you don't have a Bible, go ahead and shoot your hand up. 00:02:04.010 --> 00:02:08.360 Our house crew would get a Bible to you because I want you to follow along in this text. 00:02:08.419 --> 00:02:20.750 We're now only going to be on the text that we're studying, but there's another key text in it that we're going to look at that's going to help us understand where God is taking us on this journey of the amazing race. 00:02:23.319 --> 00:02:28.930 First Corinthians chapter nine, we've been camping out in verse 24 through 27. 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:34.870 Paul, the writer is writing it to a church that he planted. 00:02:35.050 --> 00:02:37.750 Now he's writing some letters of encouragement. 00:02:37.751 --> 00:02:48.939 He's writing some letters of instruction, and we discover that there's a message in this letter for us because just like Paul, we're on a race. 00:02:50.259 --> 00:02:51.280 We're on a race. 00:02:51.969 --> 00:03:00.620 And what we discovered last week is that the algorithm of this world, the algorithm of this life is not for us to win. 00:03:01.919 --> 00:03:06.900 The algorithm of this life is set for us to lose the race. 00:03:07.889 --> 00:03:13.379 Uh, if, if you want to know, just stop moving, lay in bed for a couple of weeks. 00:03:13.469 --> 00:03:16.770 In a couple of months, your body will begin to start decaying. 00:03:17.879 --> 00:03:20.370 Muscular atrophy will begin to take place. 00:03:20.371 --> 00:03:27.389 Your bones will get brittle, your muscles will fade away because whenever you stop moving, you start dying. 00:03:28.770 --> 00:03:30.539 The algorithm of this world. 00:03:31.889 --> 00:03:41.189 It's set for us to lose what we discovered last week that in Jesus Christ, our DNA is designed to win, our DNAs designed to win. 00:03:41.191 --> 00:03:42.030 How do we know that? 00:03:42.150 --> 00:03:54.599 Because scripture tells us that when somebody says yes to Jesus, when somebody gives their heart to Jesus, it says, therefore, if anyone be in Christ, he is a new creation. 00:03:55.770 --> 00:03:57.360 The old has passed away. 00:03:57.419 --> 00:03:59.789 The new has come. 00:04:01.050 --> 00:04:04.620 So you've got a new DNA, you've got a new blood flowing through your veins. 00:04:04.740 --> 00:04:07.259 You are designed to win. 00:04:10.009 --> 00:04:20.959 So if I'm designed to win, if you're designed to win, if we're designed to win, then we've got to get in the race. 00:04:21.860 --> 00:04:23.959 And the bottom line last week was this. 00:04:24.500 --> 00:04:27.019 You got to compete and not concede. 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:29.750 You already designed to win. 00:04:30.110 --> 00:04:31.579 You're already on the winning team. 00:04:31.610 --> 00:04:37.009 You already have the same Holy spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead living inside of you. 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:38.899 You're designed to win. 00:04:39.949 --> 00:04:42.589 Any area that seems dead can be resurrected. 00:04:42.769 --> 00:04:47.660 Any place where you're facing a loss, you can begin to win any place where you are a loser. 00:04:47.661 --> 00:05:15.600 You can become a Victor, but let's be honest, what happens when you've been running in everything around you, all the signs, all the cues are that you are in a losing race. 00:05:17.550 --> 00:05:28.329 You've been running, but you're losing, you've been running, but you're falling behind. 00:05:28.810 --> 00:05:29.769 You've been running. 00:05:29.829 --> 00:05:32.800 But it doesn't seem like you're getting ahead. 00:05:32.829 --> 00:05:37.209 What happens when you're running, but you feel like you're losing 00:05:40.899 --> 00:05:41.529 or 00:05:43.509 --> 00:05:48.759 what happens when you've been running for so long that you forgot even why you were running in the first place? 00:05:51.240 --> 00:06:01.949 What happens when you've been running and and you've been in the race and you've been hustling, and at one point in time you asked yourself, why am I even doing this? 00:06:03.800 --> 00:06:07.879 Oh, why am I re I feel like I'm running for absolutely no reason. 00:06:08.029 --> 00:06:10.790 I'm just out here just running aimlessly. 00:06:12.699 --> 00:06:14.860 I don't even know what I'm running for at this point. 00:06:16.459 --> 00:06:16.939 I'm running. 00:06:16.940 --> 00:06:17.569 I'm tired. 00:06:17.571 --> 00:06:18.589 Ever been there in your life? 00:06:18.591 --> 00:06:22.449 I'm running, but it feel like it's a rat race. 00:06:23.319 --> 00:06:30.160 I feel like I'm on this hamster wheel and it just keeps going and going and going and I'm not getting anywhere that I don't even know why I'm running anymore. 00:06:31.480 --> 00:06:57.009 First Corinthians chapter nine verse 24 through 27 Paul has been talking to the Corinthian church and he's been telling him, listen, I've, I've been running this race, I've been fighting the good fight, I've been serving the church, I've been giving, I've been sacrificing, I've given 100 he is being passionate in this moment. 00:06:57.011 --> 00:06:59.560 He says, I've done everything I possibly can. 00:06:59.680 --> 00:07:05.139 I've sacrificed all I've given all I've been spent for the sake of the gospel. 00:07:05.170 --> 00:07:07.629 I am doing what I need to do. 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:18.209 And have you ever been in a text message conversation that starts getting heated and it's just like, and somebody answers you and you're like I'm going to answer you later. 00:07:18.211 --> 00:07:26.199 And you said you got all the emojis in there cause you're passionate and on any of your answer you right now because I've got things that I need to say. 00:07:28.389 --> 00:07:34.029 If Paul was texting the Corinthian church, boy his fingers will be strong. 00:07:34.031 --> 00:07:39.670 Army Morgie explosion mean face. 00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:50.889 Paul is writing to this church and then he gets to this point in the text. 00:07:53.430 --> 00:07:54.930 Well, it's kind of like a refrain. 00:07:54.930 --> 00:07:58.050 It's kinda like a, uh, man. 00:07:58.050 --> 00:08:10.889 The bottom line is he gets to this place that's like verse 24 do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but one receives the prize, so run that you may obtain it. 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:14.790 Every athlete exercises, self-control and all things. 00:08:14.970 --> 00:08:18.810 They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 00:08:18.899 --> 00:08:20.759 So I do not run aimlessly. 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:31.579 I do not boxes one beating the air, but I discipline my body and keep it under control less after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified emoji. 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:34.399 Drop the mic. 00:08:37.580 --> 00:08:42.230 He says in verse 26 he says, listen, I do not run aimlessly. 00:08:45.690 --> 00:08:47.940 I'm not running for no purpose. 00:08:47.970 --> 00:08:49.950 My running is purposeful. 00:08:50.070 --> 00:09:00.090 I'm not running because I'm just out here just running for no, because let's be honest, who actually likes running for no reason. 00:09:00.929 --> 00:09:01.710 You ally 00:09:03.970 --> 00:09:03.970 [inaudible] 00:09:04.659 --> 00:09:06.549 you run because there's a purpose for you to run. 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:13.450 Everybody here runs because there's a reason you're running. 00:09:14.980 --> 00:09:15.549 You're running. 00:09:15.551 --> 00:09:17.080 Some people run for therapy. 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:22.840 I remember when I used to run, I used to do, sometimes I would just go outside and run because that's where I got my best thoughts going. 00:09:22.841 --> 00:09:24.009 I listened to podcasts. 00:09:24.010 --> 00:09:26.590 I, I heard from God it was beautiful. 00:09:26.591 --> 00:09:28.629 I ran, but it was for a purpose. 00:09:29.649 --> 00:09:35.980 Some people run because they're competing in a race and so they're trying to run and make sure that they win the race. 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:38.710 Some people run because a dog is chasing them. 00:09:38.769 --> 00:09:43.990 Let's be honest, when adults say something here, I'm not standing, I'm running. 00:09:44.529 --> 00:09:46.330 We run with purpose. 00:09:46.331 --> 00:09:50.169 Some people run because they just want to become physically fit. 00:09:50.769 --> 00:09:53.019 No one runs just to run. 00:09:53.289 --> 00:09:55.269 Cause if you did we would all think you're crazy. 00:09:56.860 --> 00:10:03.039 Like my kids taking a walk outside, my eight year old is just antsy. 00:10:03.070 --> 00:10:03.820 What's wrong with you? 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:04.990 Can I run daddy? 00:10:06.220 --> 00:10:06.820 Why? 00:10:08.080 --> 00:10:09.279 Because it's fun. 00:10:10.929 --> 00:10:15.610 You crazy like so you're not going to like, you're not going to race your brothers. 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:20.320 No, you're not going to like, Hey I got, my goal is to get to that spot the fastest. 00:10:21.039 --> 00:10:21.039 Nope. 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:23.259 So why are you running? 00:10:23.769 --> 00:10:32.830 Cause I like it unless you're the crazy passes, kids, you don't run for no reason. 00:10:33.940 --> 00:10:36.159 Every one of us runs for reason. 00:10:36.190 --> 00:10:44.820 Listen, even the Bible talks about the people who run and it's like, no people got problems. 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:54.779 Watch Proverbs 28 one the wicked run away when no one is chasing them. 00:10:54.929 --> 00:10:55.500 Boom. 00:10:57.269 --> 00:10:57.269 [inaudible] 00:10:57.519 --> 00:11:01.360 if you're running for no darn reason, it's on wicked going on inside of you. 00:11:02.889 --> 00:11:06.009 Nobody runs just because they feel like it. 00:11:06.010 --> 00:11:07.360 Paul says, listen, I'm out. 00:11:07.389 --> 00:11:08.860 I'm not out here running aimlessly. 00:11:08.860 --> 00:11:11.740 I'm not out here just running for absolutely no reason. 00:11:11.860 --> 00:11:17.769 There's a purpose to my run and then in the next part he says, I do not box as one beating the air. 00:11:19.269 --> 00:11:21.610 Another translation says, I do not fight. 00:11:21.610 --> 00:11:25.809 In the Greek it says, I do not fight as if I'm out here just shadowboxing. 00:11:27.750 --> 00:11:31.480 I'm not out here a shadowboxing expecting to hit something. 00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:38.620 If you're driving into Walmart parking lot and you see somebody out there just like, and you walk by him like, Hey, are you okay man? 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:40.269 I'm just, I'm just hoping it hits something. 00:11:40.270 --> 00:11:42.159 You're like, man, I've got to get away from you. 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:44.110 Security. 00:11:47.009 --> 00:11:49.259 We don't sit there and just box for no reason. 00:11:49.260 --> 00:11:54.250 If I'm, if I'm boxing, if I'm hitting something, I'm either training for a fight or I'm training myself. 00:11:54.250 --> 00:11:55.990 I'm getting ready to do something. 00:11:55.990 --> 00:11:57.370 I'm amping myself up. 00:11:57.399 --> 00:11:58.600 I don't box this one. 00:11:58.600 --> 00:11:59.740 Just beating the air. 00:11:59.950 --> 00:12:07.750 He's saying, have you ever walked into a spot as well? 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:14.230 Hey Ben, just the worst business. 00:12:14.980 --> 00:12:16.840 You're walking outside. 00:12:17.409 --> 00:12:19.509 There's nothing around you. 00:12:19.629 --> 00:12:33.100 I dunno how Spiderman through that net and I'm just walking minding my business and just like, you're like, you're getting ready to fight somebody. 00:12:33.149 --> 00:12:33.429 People. 00:12:34.299 --> 00:12:47.169 Have you ever watched somebody walk into a spiderweb and have no reason, no idea why they just start throwing hands, but like in the name of Jesus, I rebuke whatever demon is inside of that person. 00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:51.220 Lord cast it out right now in the name of Jesus. 00:12:52.779 --> 00:12:52.779 Yeah. 00:12:54.129 --> 00:12:54.250 All right. 00:12:54.250 --> 00:12:55.720 They're just fighting the wind. 00:12:58.759 --> 00:13:02.210 He's like, listen, I'm not out here boxing the wind. 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:06.200 Listen, I may look foolish, but I may be looking foolish. 00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:08.029 I'm looking foolish for a purpose. 00:13:08.710 --> 00:13:08.710 [inaudible] 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:11.840 I'm not just out here shadowboxing. 00:13:11.841 --> 00:13:13.580 You guys may look at me and think I'm crazy. 00:13:13.581 --> 00:13:15.769 You guys may think, why the heck am I running? 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:17.509 There's a reason to my run. 00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:20.480 There's a reason to my boxing. 00:13:20.750 --> 00:13:22.429 Why would Paul write that? 00:13:24.669 --> 00:13:27.159 People thought Paul had lost his mind. 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:30.720 [inaudible] 00:13:32.139 --> 00:13:33.490 Paul was educated. 00:13:34.549 --> 00:13:34.549 Okay. 00:13:34.649 --> 00:13:41.039 By the most elite and university in that 00:13:41.649 --> 00:13:42.129 area. 00:13:44.100 --> 00:13:49.990 Paul was a tentmaker, but yet he was out doing missionary work. 00:13:50.389 --> 00:13:57.279 So, so many have said that pod wasn't just a tent makeup cause he didn't have time to, so tent pole had a tent making business. 00:13:57.309 --> 00:13:58.629 He was an entrepreneur. 00:13:58.750 --> 00:14:01.509 That's what was funding his missionary admissions. 00:14:01.690 --> 00:14:05.019 And people were like, you own the successful tent making business. 00:14:05.049 --> 00:14:08.379 You are out here educated by the best schools. 00:14:08.409 --> 00:14:10.269 You have a cultural influence. 00:14:10.330 --> 00:14:13.029 You've got faith influence in the faith community. 00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:14.529 You got political influence. 00:14:14.649 --> 00:14:18.070 Why the heck would you give it all up to become a foolish Christian? 00:14:22.440 --> 00:14:25.200 See Christians in this 00:14:26.980 --> 00:14:26.980 arrow, 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:31.789 dare I say even in 2019 look delusional. 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:36.149 You following this figment of an imagination. 00:14:36.150 --> 00:14:40.179 This guy named Jesus, he was nothing but a mere man. 00:14:40.181 --> 00:14:41.679 Yeah, well we'll give that to you. 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.610 He was somebody. 00:14:42.669 --> 00:14:43.389 We saw him. 00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:44.409 He walked around. 00:14:44.470 --> 00:14:47.289 He was a nice guy, but he's your savior. 00:14:47.350 --> 00:14:48.759 He's your Messiah. 00:14:48.789 --> 00:14:49.690 He's the beginning. 00:14:49.691 --> 00:14:50.320 He's the end. 00:14:50.321 --> 00:14:50.919 He's the alpha. 00:14:50.921 --> 00:14:54.000 The you must be crazy. 00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:57.539 You're running after this guy. 00:15:00.330 --> 00:15:07.220 You, you're running after somebody who's going to cause you to lose the clout that you have. 00:15:07.730 --> 00:15:10.879 In this day and age, people were losing their jobs because of their faith. 00:15:10.909 --> 00:15:14.690 When they found out you were a Christian, you were an enemy of the state. 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:19.190 So people were being cast out of their homes, cast out of their jobs. 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:25.190 They were just being cast out of the community and they're saying, Paul, you must be crazy. 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:37.029 Why would you run aimlessly after this Jesus and flat out, they were just like, Christians are weird. 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:45.899 Oh, weird, but can I challenge you with something? 00:15:48.509 --> 00:15:55.690 Just because your run, it's an offense to somebody doesn't mean it's meaningless. 00:15:56.309 --> 00:15:56.309 No. 00:15:58.320 --> 00:16:03.330 Just because the race that you're running is offensive to someone else. 00:16:03.809 --> 00:16:19.440 Does it mean that there's not value in the race that you're running[inaudible] building the business and people say, I don't know why you're wasting your time, Rhonda. 00:16:19.441 --> 00:16:21.240 I don't know why you're jet setting to LA. 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:24.120 Why you jet setting to North Carolina? 00:16:25.289 --> 00:16:27.179 Why don't you just go get a real job? 00:16:29.580 --> 00:16:32.700 Are you out here trying to save a relationship that's going on? 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:34.049 Why don't you just quit? 00:16:37.309 --> 00:16:39.289 Eh, you're sitting here praying for your kids. 00:16:39.291 --> 00:16:40.909 Listen, your kids are a lost cause. 00:16:40.970 --> 00:16:42.350 You might as well just let them go. 00:16:42.769 --> 00:16:47.899 Listen, the algorithm of this world is going to try to pull you to settle for average. 00:16:49.990 --> 00:16:52.269 Why don't you just remain status quo? 00:16:53.690 --> 00:16:56.360 Why don't you just remain where you're at? 00:17:02.769 --> 00:17:08.170 Just because your race is offensive to someone else does not mean it makes it meaninglessly. 00:17:10.910 --> 00:17:15.019 What happens though when your race becomes offensive to yourself? 00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:30.700 When I'm so frustrated with my situation where I'm so tired of the hopes and the dreams that keep failing when I'm so tired when my kids don't listen to what I say, when I'm so tired that I'm, I'm studying in school every single day. 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:32.140 I'm still not getting the grades. 00:17:32.230 --> 00:17:34.869 I'm so tired that the Ritz relationship is not going anywhere. 00:17:34.990 --> 00:17:38.170 I'm so tired that I'm not getting the opportunities that I want to get. 00:17:38.171 --> 00:17:43.210 And I get to the point where my, my, my race becomes an offense to myself. 00:17:43.329 --> 00:17:44.470 Why am I running? 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:47.740 I don't even like this in the first place. 00:17:48.609 --> 00:17:50.650 I don't want to do it anyway. 00:17:51.190 --> 00:17:52.420 Why did I even start? 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:55.299 I remember, man, I used to be in the gym. 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:59.349 I once upon a time, not long ago, but long ago. 00:18:00.670 --> 00:18:01.509 Nice to be in the gym. 00:18:01.510 --> 00:18:03.640 Five 30 in the morning and hitting weights. 00:18:04.089 --> 00:18:05.230 I look good, right, baby? 00:18:05.910 --> 00:18:06.400 Yeah. 00:18:06.430 --> 00:18:07.390 Don't get too excited. 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:08.319 Don't get too excited. 00:18:08.829 --> 00:18:10.180 I'm not where I used to be better. 00:18:10.450 --> 00:18:11.829 You know, I'm going to get back. 00:18:12.009 --> 00:18:15.460 Maybe I just be in the gym five 30 in the morning. 00:18:15.461 --> 00:18:16.269 I used to, I used to work. 00:18:16.270 --> 00:18:17.380 I used to run Denae. 00:18:17.381 --> 00:18:20.200 I used to run three to five miles a day. 00:18:21.069 --> 00:18:21.069 Hmm. 00:18:22.329 --> 00:18:24.460 But I remember crazy. 00:18:24.461 --> 00:18:24.789 Right? 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:38.380 I remember the first time I started going to the gym, got in there, got to work out partner were the right clothes, walked in there smelling good. 00:18:38.710 --> 00:18:40.210 Well, why don't you put cologne going into the gym? 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.509 I don't know. 00:18:40.510 --> 00:18:42.339 I just, I just want it to smell good. 00:18:43.630 --> 00:18:56.470 I hit the weights every time you go by a mirror winking at myself. 00:18:57.910 --> 00:18:58.809 That was day one. 00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:10.250 Day two, I went in there Pismo Louis, I got this leg. 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:11.390 I didn't skip leg day. 00:19:11.391 --> 00:19:13.400 That damn, I'm going to do leg day too. 00:19:13.490 --> 00:19:14.150 Hello? 00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:25.619 And then day three I can get out of bed and my body was like, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus. 00:19:25.621 --> 00:19:26.430 You will sleep. 00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:29.309 Look, but I got to go to the gym. 00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:31.470 My body was like, the devil is a lie. 00:19:31.471 --> 00:19:32.670 You're not going anywhere. 00:19:34.569 --> 00:19:35.500 I'm trying to get out of bed. 00:19:35.529 --> 00:19:37.660 I mean, I can't even lift my arms. 00:19:37.750 --> 00:19:38.980 I'm trying to get into the shower. 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:41.140 I got got to help my leg up to lift. 00:19:41.230 --> 00:19:42.460 I'm like, what is going on? 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:46.390 My buddy calls me and says, Hey, you come to the gym. 00:19:46.391 --> 00:19:47.109 I said, no, 00:19:48.549 --> 00:19:49.809 my body hurts. 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:52.710 I want it to grow. 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:57.059 [inaudible] 00:20:01.509 --> 00:20:03.880 sometimes your race is an offense to yourself. 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:06.309 Why am I doing this? 00:20:06.730 --> 00:20:07.509 It hurts. 00:20:10.349 --> 00:20:12.119 See, people were opposing Paul, 00:20:13.509 --> 00:20:15.029 are you out there running aimlessly? 00:20:15.030 --> 00:20:17.650 Why are you running after this false guy named Jesus? 00:20:17.651 --> 00:20:19.180 Why are you wasting your time? 00:20:19.181 --> 00:20:20.380 You could've had everything else. 00:20:20.470 --> 00:20:22.480 Why don't you just stay say average? 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:24.009 Why don't you be like everybody else? 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:26.619 Paul said, no, I've got a reason why I'm going. 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:32.170 And then Paul started facing internal difficulties and you see this all through the book of Romans. 00:20:32.289 --> 00:20:37.329 Now his competition is rising up and last week we talked about our competition isn't people. 00:20:37.390 --> 00:20:39.460 It's as intangible forces. 00:20:39.490 --> 00:20:40.359 It's the doubt. 00:20:40.390 --> 00:20:41.289 It's the fear. 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:43.930 It's the wanting to quit. 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:47.200 It's the complacency and he's fighting all these things. 00:20:47.349 --> 00:20:50.019 But Paul says, I don't run aimlessly. 00:20:50.490 --> 00:20:51.279 Yeah, 00:20:51.829 --> 00:20:53.930 I don't fight as one beating the wind. 00:20:56.099 --> 00:20:57.240 He knows his why. 00:20:58.210 --> 00:20:59.589 He knows why he's running. 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:00.210 What is the why? 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:01.930 Go to the scripture, grab your Bible. 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:05.460 Just look up a few verses. 00:21:05.490 --> 00:21:06.420 Look up upwards. 00:21:06.421 --> 00:21:12.210 A few verses we've been reading verse 24 and 26 go to verse 19 this is what Paul is saying, 00:21:14.230 --> 00:21:21.220 this is Paul's wise for though I am free from all I have made myself a servant to all that I may what? 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:24.200 Win more of them. 00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:34.660 I'm trying to, when there's people out there who need the name of Jesus in their life so they can declare it and have all the chains break off, they need a breakthrough to the Jews. 00:21:34.661 --> 00:21:36.880 I became as a Jew in order to what? 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:39.220 Win Jews to those under the law. 00:21:39.250 --> 00:21:43.329 I became as under the law though not being myself under the law that I might what? 00:21:44.049 --> 00:21:53.559 When those under the law to those outside of the law, I became as one outside the law not because of the law of God but under the law of Christ that I might what? 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:58.660 When those outside of the law to the weak, I became weak that I might win the weak. 00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:00.339 I became all things to all people. 00:22:00.340 --> 00:22:02.240 That by means I might save one. 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:06.589 I do it all for the sake of the gospel that I may share with them in its blessing. 00:22:07.390 --> 00:22:07.390 Yeah. 00:22:09.289 --> 00:22:12.079 I know why I'm doing it because I might win son. 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:13.200 Yeah, 00:22:14.329 --> 00:22:14.900 to the Jew. 00:22:14.901 --> 00:22:17.539 I became a Jew so I can win Jews to the Greek. 00:22:17.540 --> 00:22:19.660 I became a Greek cycle, went to the list. 00:22:19.661 --> 00:22:22.910 I became lawless not to fall into sin, but to others. 00:22:22.970 --> 00:22:26.720 I looked like I was lawless, but I wanted to win, sir. 00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:27.980 Yeah. 00:22:29.670 --> 00:22:31.859 Some people are going to be offended by your race. 00:22:32.490 --> 00:22:33.869 Oh, why are you hanging out over there? 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.759 So I might win some. 00:22:37.529 --> 00:22:41.730 Why are you talking to that person in school that I might win some? 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:42.460 Yeah. 00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:50.960 Oh, why are you on your job obeying the the the boss that is Tyron nickel that I might win some. 00:22:52.009 --> 00:22:53.480 Why are you dealing with your kids? 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:55.130 Why don't you just kick them out of the house? 00:22:55.190 --> 00:22:56.390 Why don't you cut them off? 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:58.730 No, because I might win some. 00:23:03.230 --> 00:23:08.630 Why are you continuing down a faith journey of a delusional savior? 00:23:10.970 --> 00:23:12.440 Shoot that I might win me. 00:23:13.579 --> 00:23:15.140 Leave me to my own device. 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:16.970 I need to win. 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:32.599 He's got a clear vision and if there's something that we need to remember in this room right now, everybody is on a race by choice or by default. 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:43.579 So you've got to run, but let me tell you something, you will not be able to run if you don't start with the vision. 00:23:44.930 --> 00:23:45.980 Start with 00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:46.640 the why. 00:23:48.470 --> 00:23:49.430 Know why you're running. 00:23:49.490 --> 00:23:52.190 Why are you in this race when you enter a race? 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:57.589 Oh, when you discover that your, Oh your, your honor raised before you do anything else. 00:23:57.650 --> 00:24:00.109 Start with the why. 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:03.319 Start with the vision. 00:24:04.150 --> 00:24:04.150 Yeah. 00:24:05.569 --> 00:24:07.279 Have a clear vision. 00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:14.000 Habakkuk was a profit back in the day. 00:24:14.569 --> 00:24:16.099 God had sent him on mission. 00:24:16.910 --> 00:24:30.920 He had a race that he needed to run for God and he was seeing everything that was happening around him and the algorithm of this world seemed to be falling all around him and and was dragging him down and dragging him down and discouragement. 00:24:31.009 --> 00:24:32.329 And he was frustrated. 00:24:32.330 --> 00:24:33.950 He was frustrated in his own heart. 00:24:33.951 --> 00:24:35.779 He was frustrated with the world around him. 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:38.180 The algorithm said, no, you can't run that race. 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.109 You're going to lose. 00:24:39.170 --> 00:24:45.319 So he starts writing this diary in is having a conversation with God and says, God, why? 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.809 Why am I on this race? 00:24:48.810 --> 00:24:49.859 Why is this happening? 00:24:49.950 --> 00:24:52.019 What's really going on? 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:57.710 And we get a window into the response that God gives it. 00:25:00.089 --> 00:25:01.980 God says, why do you need to keep running? 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:03.650 How? 00:25:03.651 --> 00:25:03.950 How? 00:25:03.951 --> 00:25:05.369 How do you need to keep running? 00:25:06.210 --> 00:25:10.289 You need, you need to know how you're going to stay in the game. 00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:14.369 And every single one of us in here needs to know how to stay in the game. 00:25:14.549 --> 00:25:24.680 Number one in this verse, he says this, write the vision and make it plain on tablets. 00:25:27.369 --> 00:25:30.069 Write the vision down and make it plain on tablets. 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:33.549 All of us in here have got a goal that we're striving for. 00:25:33.609 --> 00:25:36.160 We've got a mission that we're trying to follow. 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:38.019 We've got a vision in our heart. 00:25:38.170 --> 00:25:42.940 Write it down, right the vision. 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:43.480 Damn. 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.950 Pull up your smart phone. 00:25:45.009 --> 00:25:46.150 Open up Evernote. 00:25:46.210 --> 00:25:47.200 Open up your notes. 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:48.279 Write the vision down. 00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:49.420 Put up your journal. 00:25:49.509 --> 00:25:50.470 Write it down. 00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:51.970 Get it somewhere. 00:25:52.029 --> 00:25:55.119 Why should you write the vision and put it plain on tablets? 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:56.710 It says, so he may run. 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.730 Who reads it. 00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.509 Yeah, 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.700