Spiritual Lessons I Have Learned on my Triathlon Journey

Transcription

1 Spiritual Lessons I Have Learned on my Triathlon Journey Pastor Bill Pinches Mason, Michigan I. Background: My Story 2 1

2 I. Background: My Story II. God s Creation Is Majestic and Beautiful 3 4 2

3 Heaven is declaring God s glory; the sky is proclaiming his handiwork. Psalm

4 God saw everything he had made: it was supremely good. Genesis

5 You make grass grow for cattle; you make plants for human farming in order to get food from the ground. Psalm

6 The meadowlands are covered with flocks, the valleys decked out in grain they shout for joy; they break out in song! Psalm

7 You visit the earth and make it abundant, enriching it greatly by God s stream, full of water. Psalm

8 2/25/2014 You crown the year with your goodness; your paths overflow with rich food. Even the desert pastures drip with it, and the hills are dressed in pure joy. Psalm

9 You alone are the Lord. You alone made heaven, even the heaven of heavens, with all their forces. You made the earth and all that is on it, and the seas and all that is in them. You preserve them all, and the heavenly forces worship you. Nehemiah

10 You put gushing streams into dry riverbeds. They flow between the mountains, providing water for every wild animal the wild donkeys quench their thirst. Psalm

11 From your lofty house, you water the mountains. The earth is filled by the fruit of what you ve done. Psalm

12 2/25/2014 God made the moon for the seasons, and the sun too, which knows when to set. Psalm

13 Lord, you have done so many things! You made them all so wisely! The earth is full of your creations! Psalm

14 Let the Lord s glory last forever! Let the Lord rejoice in all he has made! Psalm

15 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I m still alive. Psalm I. Background: My Story II. God s Creation Is Majestic and Beautiful III. God Has Given Us Absolutely Amazing Bodies 30 15

16 31 You are the one who created my innermost parts; you knit me together while I was still in my mother s womb. Psalm 139:

17 33 I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart. Your works are wonderful I know that very well. Psalm 139:

18 35 My bones weren t hidden from you when I was being put together in a secret place, when I was being woven together in the deep parts of the earth. Psalm 139:

19 37 Your eyes saw my embryo, and on your scroll every day was written that was being formed for me, before any one of them had yet happened. Psalm 139:

20 39 Don t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit from God, and you don t belong to yourselves? You have been bought and paid for, so honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians

21 I. Background: My Story II. God s Creation is Majestic and Beautiful III. God Has Given Us Absolutely Amazing Bodies IV. Temptation Will Knock 41 The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest. John

22 Satan has asserted the right to sift you all like wheat. Luke Don t provide an opportunity for the devil. Ephesians

23 Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter IV. Temptation Will Knock a. The Temptation to Run Away 46 23

24 All endurance athletes are running away from something inside themselves. Lance Armstrong 47 IV. Temptation Will Knock a. The Temptation to Run Away b. The Temptation to Turn This Sport into an Idol 48 24

25 Do not make an idol for yourself. Exodus Little children, guard yourselves from idols! 1 John

26 My dear friends, run away from the worship of false gods! 1 Corinthians IV. Temptation Will Knock a. The Temptation to Run Away b. The Temptation to Turn This Sport into an Idol c. The Temptation to Become Fiscally Irresponsible 52 26

27 IV. Temptation Will Knock a. The Temptation to Run Away b. The Temptation to Turn This Sport into an Idol c. The Temptation to Become Fiscally Irresponsible d. The Temptation to Go Astray 53 Jealousy: A peaceful mind gives life to the body, but jealousy rots the bones. Proverbs

28 Lust: But I say to you that every man who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart. Matthew Lust: I ve made a covenant with my eyes; how could I look at a virgin? Job

29 Priorities: - God first - marriage second - any other places where you have made VOWS to God (including dedication/baptism of your child) - everything else (including work, triathlon, friends, extended family) comes AFTER THAT. 57 Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter

30 IV. Temptation Will Knock a. The Temptation to Run Away b. The Temptation to Turn This Sport into an Idol c. The Temptation to Become Fiscally Irresponsible d. The Temptation to Go Astray e. The Temptation to Quit 59 What might you be tempted to quit? 60 30

31 Be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength. Put on God s armor so that you can make a stand against the tricks of the devil. Ephesians We aren t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens. Ephesians

32 Therefore, pick up the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground on the evil day and after you have done everything possible to still stand. Ephesians So stand with the belt of truth around your waist, justice as your breastplate, and put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to spread the good news of peace. Ephesians

33 Above all, carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians

34 I. Background: My Story II. God s Creation Is Majestic and Beautiful III. God Has Given Us Absolutely Amazing Bodies IV. Temptation Will Knock V. God Is Leading You Somewhere

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36 71 Where Is God Leading YOU? 72 36