Faith:  Going to the Next Level, Part 5

Matt Redman says on the printed insert for his CD Facedown:  "When we face up to the glory of God, we soon find ourselves facedown in worship."  Author Mark Roberts said that true worship is about "seeing" God and responding to His glory and grace.

At the risk of overstating a Truth, the prayers of members and the awesome intent of our righteous God gave birth last Sunday to the idea that we would meet in the sanctuary of Calvary Church and experience a time of worship!  While joining with friends and family, echoing praises from our hearts, the place we call "church" became a temple of the Holy God we know from the Old Testament and the risen Savior of the Gospels.  We trembled in awe of His presence and shouted our thanksgiving for His salvation.  Thank you, Mark Hodge, for leading us in this awesome experience and for being sensitive to God's Spirit!

And thank you to our Middle School "God Rod" guys!  You couldn't see behind you but the choir and orchestra were praising God and wiping tears as you ministered to each of us.  We felt such a warming presence of God as you performed to the music of "I Can Only Imagine."  More than a few of us went home singing the words:

"Surrounded by your glory

What will my heart feel"

Will I dance for you Jesus,

Or in awe of you be still?

Will I stand in your presence,

Or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing Hallelujah,

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine."

God's Message From the Sermon:

Pastor Lynn Holmes

"Persist," the next step of increasing our faith to the next level, was presented in dynamic fashion from our anointed pastor, Lynn Holmes.  He encouraged us to "run the race that is before us and never give up..."  Hebrews 12:1 (NCV)  We would do well to remember that the highway of good intentions is strewn with the debris of discouraged people who quit too soon.  Giving up is not an option for the people of God.  How do we do it?  How do we finish the course which is before us?

First, we remove any distractions.  These come from many sources, but primarily from other people who try to put expectations on us to run THEIR race.  It is the distraction which tempts us to be like others, have what others have, and do what others do.  Some of that temtatiion comes from advertising we see on television and some from just living in the human race. 

Another distraction is our past, and that's a big one.  Our past causes shame and bitterness, things like an unforgiving spirit, and a multitude of other burdens which we need not carry.  It is time to do an "about face," Pastor Lynn said.  Our emotional energy needs to be focused on today and tomorrow, not the past.

To finish the course, we should remember the reward.  My idea of a reward might be to enjoy a relaxing weekend after a difficult week; or to give my family a nice vacation following a tough year.  But these are temporal rewards.  The real reward has no limits in time...it is an eternal one.  The final reward for me is better than life because it is not based on what I deserve, but it's based on God's grace; it's not a matter of balancing the scales with my human goodness. 

Next, when trying to finish the course set before us, we are commissioned to resist all discouragement.  D.L. Moody said, "I have never known God to use a discouraged person."  Why is that?  Pastor Lynn explained that it is because discouragement is the opposite of faith, and God has no part in faithlessness.  There is no instant gratification in the human race toward eternity, either.  Farmers know that better than anyone.  Sowing seed does not bring overnight success.  Therefore, we must not give up.  Not ever!

"Great people are just ordinary people who refuse to give up."

"It takes God a long time to create a masterpiece."

Giving up would be a huge mistake.  In order for God to carry you through everything, sometimes it's necessary that we be taken through everything in every situation of life.

One measure of a discouraged, "I-give-up" kind of Christian is that he has stopped trusting God with his finances.  That is seen first and foremost in the tithe and offerings given (or not) to God's church.  Have you given up on tithing?

Lastly, to finish the course I need to renew myself daily!  Getting physical refreshment is mandatory for a Christian.  The race is long and requires that we pace ourselves, never quitting, but always seeking nourishment and rest so that we may keep on going even in the worst of times.  Fatigue is a tool which satan keeps sharpened around church people.  He keeps picking at us with it, prodding us.  Vince Lombardi said that fatigue makes cowards out of all of us.  Keep yourselves renewed in the Spirit of God.

Pastor Lynn concluded his message by asking us to reflect upon three questions; the answers may help us to get up from the sidelines and focus on the finish line once again.

1.  What have you felt like giving up on?

2. What do you need to finish?

3. What is holding you back?

"This is why we never give up...our spirits are being renewed every day."  2 Corinthians 4:16 (NLT)

"I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)