HOW ARE YOU GOING

ON IN YOUR

CHRISTIAN LIFE?

Introduction:  When I think of progress in the christian life, I am reminded of the story of the Hare and the Tortoise in Aseop’s Fables.  The hare made such a good start, but then went to sleep.  He lost the race.  The tortoise was very slow off the mark, and, in fact, he could never have been described as “speedy” but he kept going on and he won the race.  Are you represented as one with a “dashing start but now you are beginning to flag” or are you one with a “slow start but still going on steadily.  WHICH ARE YOU, A HARE OR A TORTOISE?   I want to talk first about three things which are necessary to enable us to “go on” in the Christian life.  

GET UP.

1. I have found that you have to have a regular time for prayer and Bible study, but again, how difficult is the discipline? ANSWER:  Very!  You will have to FIND time for Bible study.  It will not just HAPPEN. You will have to make a decision of the will to find time. 

a. “those that seek me early shall find me.”  Prov. 8:17

b. “My God, early will I seek thee”  Psa 63:1.

c.  Mark 3:5....the Lord Jesus rose early in the morning to be with the Father.

1. There may be a better time for prayer and Bible study but I am not aware of it.  

GIVE UP.

1. I know you hate to hear it, for Christians are always talking about things they need to give up.  We do have to give up known sin or anything else that is draining or hindering our Christian life, and it is differs with each Christian.

a. “therefore...let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.  Heb. 12:1

1. You cannot run in a race with an overcoat on...and not get bogged down.

2. In Reference to Wrong, remember the 3 lies the Devil seeks to persuade us about. The Prodigal son is a prime illustration of what happens when you go into  the Far country of sin.  Luke 15: 11-16 . Here are the three lies...

a. THAT WE WILL FIND SATISFACTION

1. v. 14... became a place of severe famine.

b.  THAT WE WILL FIND FREEDOM

1. v. 15...the young man was in slavery.

c.  THAT WE WILL FIND GOOD COMPANY 

1. v. 16...it was lonely.  

GROW UP.  

1. The new life in Christ needs food and God has provided the food in the Word.  

a. Job 23:12....  "I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of HIS                           mouth more than my necessary food."

b. Psa 119:103....  "How sweet are Thy words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth"

c. Jeremiah 15:16...."Thy words were found and I ate them, And Thy words became for me a joy and the                        delight of my heart"

d. I Peter 2:2...."Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect                     to salvation."

2. Remember that in all EATING, there are three steps.

a. APPROPRIATION of the food.

b. MASTICATION of the food.

c. ASSIMILATION of the food.  

CHOICES:

1. All choices involve four kinds of things.

a. THOSE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS SAID EMPHATICALLY  ‘NO’

b. THOSE THINGS  ABOUT WHICH GOD HAS SAID  “YES”

c. THOSE THINGS IN WHICH GOD WANTS US TO CONSULT OUR OWN SANCTIFIED COMMOM SENSE.

d. THOSE FEW THINGS ABOUT WHICH WE CANNOT ACQUIRE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO PERMIT US TO MAKE AN INTELLIGENT DECISION....AND WE NEED SPECIAL GUIDANCE FROM GOD ON THE MATTER.  

2. PLEASE NOTE:

1. In the majority of decisions touching our lives, God expresses no choice, but leaves it to us.  [such as what profession we choose, what kind of car we drive, which school we attend. etc.]

a. Remember:  If God gave you a watch, would you honor Him more by asking Him for the time of day or by consulting the watch?

2. Draw a distinction between God’s will for your CAREER  and His will for your CHARACTER.  [I already know His will for my character.]