Summary: At some point in our lives we will face difficulty. Will we find ourselves alone, or will be have a team that comforts and encourages us?

The Amazing Race

The Amazing Race: Journeying as a Team

Philippians 1:6-30

(part two)

What will happen in our lives in the next 6 months that is difficult?

How I face the roadblocks and detours of the race?

1) Listen to God daily for instructions.

a) To have Him change me from the inside out.

Phil 1:9-10 And this is my prayer: …(that you) may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ…

b) To listen to His voice for insight and direction.

V9…that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best…

“I can’t give away what I do not have.”

c) To reflect on what He has already done.

Phil 1:6 …being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. NIV

Worship leader sings “Word of God Speak” by Mercy Me as congregation listens to God speaking to them, reminding them of things He has done in their lives.

Exercise: “Father, show me what wonderful and good things you have begun in me and through me.”

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2) Learn to run the race with others.

Phil 1:27-30 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved — and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. NIV

a) Team racing must be a priority!

“…Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy…” (27)

A “manner worthy” is “…stand firm in one spirit…” and “…contending as one man…” (27)

i) I will choose to rearrange my life around God’s priorities for the race.

ii) Being in a small group is one of the best ways to experience this!

b) Realize God has picked me for you.

“conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

Eph 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household…NIV

i) Citizenship has privileges and responsibilities.

3) Look for the race markers along the way…core values for our team.

a) Standing firm…We must defend one another! (27)

b) Contending…we must fight for each other! (27)

c) We must be confident we’re going to make it together!

28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.

Phil 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. NIV

d) Suffering together is our privilege!

Phil 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him…NIV

“Hitting the wall is a reality. The question is whether I will be there for you and whether you will be there for me.”