How To Sustain Spiritual Momentum

HOW TO SUSTAIN SPIRITUAL MOMENTUM

Sermon Outline Notes

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)

How Do I Sustain Spiritual Momentum?

1. I will find strength from those who have GONE BEFORE

“Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us.” Romans 15:4a (Msg)

What person of faith and godliness can strengthen my walk? __________________________

Illustration:

These forty soldiers, all Christians, were members of the famed Twelfth Legion of Rome’s imperial army. One day their captain told them Emperor Licinius had sent out an edict that all soldiers were to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. These Christians replied, “You can have our armor and even our bodies, but our hearts’ allegiance belongs to Jesus Christ.”

It was midwinter of A.D. 320, and the captain had them marched onto a nearby frozen lake. He stripped them of their clothes and said they would either die or renounce Christ. Throughout the night these men huddled together singing their song, “Forty martyrs for Christ.” One by one the temperature took its toll and they fell to the ice.

At last there was only one man left. He lost courage and stumbled to the shore, where he renounced Christ. The officer of the guards had been watching all this. Unknown to the others, he had secretly come to believe in Christ. When he saw this last man break rank, he walked out onto the ice, threw off his clothes, and confessed that he also was a Christian. When the sun rose the next morning, there were forty bodies of soldiers who had fought to the death for Christ.

Lieghton Ford, Good News is for Sharing, 1977, David C. Cook Publishing Co., p. 16.

2. I will put off that which TRIPS ME UP

• Let go of the UNGODLY

• Let go of the UNNECESSARY

“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. [4] No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.” 2 Tim. 2:3-4 (NIV)

In order to finish well, I need to let go of _________________________________________

Illustration:

When I Say I Am A Christian!

When I say . . . I am a Christian

I’m not shouting “I am saved.”

I’m whispering “I get lost”

That is why I chose this way.

When I say . . . I am a Christian

I don’t speak of this with pride.

I’m confessing that I stumble

and need someone to be my guide.

When I say . . . I am a Christian

I’m not trying to be strong.

I’m professing that I am weak

and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say . . . I am a Christian

I’m not bragging of success.

I’m admitting I have failed

and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say . . . I am a Christian

I’m not claiming to be perfect.

My flaws are too visible

but God believes I’m worth it.

When I say . . . I am a Christian

I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches

which is why I seek HIS name.

When I say . . . I am a Christian

I do not wish to judge.

I have no authority

I only know I’m loved.

Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances dictate.

3. I will CHOOSE TO PERSEVERE until I cross the finish line.

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Cor. 15:58 (NIV)

Coming out of 40 Days of Purpose, I know God wants me to keep on _____________________.

Illustration:

No doubt you have heard this one but it is worth repeating for obvious reasons.

The value of courage, persistence, and perseverance has rarely been illustrated more convincingly than in the life story of this man (his age appears on the right):

Failed in business 22

Ran for Legislature—defeated 23

Again failed in business 24

Elected to Legislature 25

sweetheart died 26

Had a nervous breakdown 27

Defeated for Speaker 29

Defeated for Elector 31

Defeated for Congress 34

Elected to Congress 37

Defeated for Congress 39

Defeated for Senate 46

Defeated for Vice President 47

Defeated for Senate 49

Elected President of the United States 51

That’s the record of Abraham Lincoln.

Bits and Pieces, July 1989.

4. I will keep a SINGLE-MINDED focus.

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”