Marathon runners. You watch them race by, their muscles flexing, chests heaving, determination etched on their faces. But not every runner that begins the race crosses the finish line. Some are injured, others exhausted. Athletes who have won in other years sometimes have the letters DNF (Did Not Finish) written after their name. But those athletes don't give up. In spite of their setbacks, they continue training and return the next year to run again.
How is the Christian life like running a marathon?
"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the _____, for the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13,14).
What is the goal of the Christian race?
"Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable _____, but we an imperishable" (1 Corinthians 9:24,25).
"Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he is approved, he will receive the _____ of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" (James 1:12).
In a marathon, only the fastest runner receives the trophy. But in the Christian journey, all who reach heaven are Christ's champions. Everyone there will receive the crown of life, placed on their head by Jesus Christ!
How can we have strength to finish the race?
"Fight the good fight of _____, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses" (1 Timothy 6:12).
None of us have the stamina to finish the race on our own. The course is too rough and there are many pitfalls along the way. But Jesus is out in front, leading the race. He's been through the course. And He runs beside us, encouraging us to press on and keep growing in the Spirit.
How will Jesus help us win the race?
"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will _____ it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).
When you first gave your heart to Jesus, you began the race of life. Jesus drew you close enough to follow Him. He strengthened your heart to believe and obey His word. He gave you a new heart so you could press on. All along the way, He's been with you. And as you continue to trust in Him, He'll lead you home.
How does Jesus help you grow like Him?
"But grow in the _____ and in the _____ of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).
Peter's words encourage us to grow in two ways: in the Lord's grace and in knowing Him. Here is the goal of the Christian race--to resemble our Lord, "to grow up into Him in all things" (Ephesians 4:15). The grace that lived in His life will be ours as we draw close to Him.
What does Christ give you to help you grow in grace?
"As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the _____ that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2).
The born again Christian craves God's Word just as a baby craves his mother's milk. The Bible contains all the nutrients we need to grow in Christ and shine as His witness. "By daily contemplating His matchless charms, we will grow more and more into His glorious image. While we thus live in communion with heaven, Satan will lay his nets for us in vain" (God's Amazing Grace, pg. 245).
How does prayer help us grow in grace?
"My voice You will hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to you, and I will _____ up" (Psalm 5:3).
"_____ and pray, lest you enter into temptation" (Mark 14:38).
Prayer maintains our life-line to heaven. It keeps us in such close connection with God, that at every step, He is in our thoughts. One gospel writer explains, "Prayer is speaking with God, listening to His voice, kneeling in surrender, and rising up in full empowerment of God's strength." As you watch and pray, God's power flows into you, enabling you to fight the fight of faith and be a victorious Christian.
Why is prayer so vital in a Christian's life?
"And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with _____ your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).
"Search Me, O God, and know my _____, try me and know my anxieties, and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23,24).
Prayer is the most intimate connection you can ever have with God. When we pray, "the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26). He shares our deepest needs, pleading for us with fervent love. At times, He reveals to us the hidden secrets in our heart, some that we may not even know are there! We may hear Him speaking to us so plainly that we might say as Jacob did at Bethel, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!" (Genesis 28:17).
What will people see in us as we press on to know Jesus?
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and _____ one another... even as Christ forgave you, so you must also do" (Colossians 3:12,13).
Growth in grace is a supernatural experience. You can't manufacture kindness or patience. These are fruits of the Spirit, grown out of a close relationship with the Savior. Love for all, especially those who hurt us or rub us the wrong way, is a sure sign that Christ is forming within, "the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
Will going to church help you grow in grace?
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up _____ and good works, not forsaking the assembly of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but _____ one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24,25).
No one is an island. You can't have a vibrant relationship with Jesus by yourself. You need the fellowship of other Christians to encourage you on the path of grace. A church is a loving support team that provides comfort when you're hurting, strength when you're discouraged, and training to help you grow as a faithful disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Can't we grow closer to Christ if we just try harder?
"As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so _____ in Him" (Colossians 2:6).
How did you begin to follow Jesus? "By faith you became Christ's, and by faith you are to grow up in Him--by giving and taking. Give yourself to Him to obey all His requirements; and you must take all--Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to abide in your heart, to be your strength, your righteousness, your everlasting Help-er, to give you power to obey" (Steps to Christ, pg. 70, italics supplied).
What will we want to do as we grow closer to Jesus?
"I have _____ the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; indeed, I do not restrain my lips" (Psalm 40:9,10).
"My tongue also shall _____ of Your righteousness all day long" (Psalm 71:24).
When the love of Jesus fills your heart, you can't keep it to yourself! You want to tell everyone what a Friend you have found in Jesus--what He has done in your life! It will be as natural to you as breathing. And when you are God's witness, you'll come closer to Jesus than ever before. For you'll be His partner in the great work of salvation!
Do you choose to grow like Jesus by spending time with Him each day--in Bible study and prayer?
Do you choose to strengthen your faith by worshiping with God's people who are preparing for the soon coming of Jesus?
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