Pastor Josh McPherson, January 12, 2020
Text: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Vector 2020: Charting a Course for a Life that Matters
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
Review from Jan. 5, Part 1:
The easy way isn’t always the better way.
The Warning: Your desire for easy can skew your sense of direction.
The Axiom: Always taking the easy path will often mean you’re in a hole.
The Easy Path brings Poverty…the way of ease is the way of poverty.
Following Jesus is the full life, not the easy life.
Keep your eyes on where you want to go (not on where you’re currently at).
The Warning: Fixating on your problem won’t fix your problem.
The Axiom: You ride into whatever you’re focused on.
The harder the climb, the better the view.
Romans 8:18 - “For I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
New Content, Part 2:
Knowing where you’re going (and why) helps you get there.
Psalm 90:12 - “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Wrong Destination —> Wrong Course —> Wasted Journey
Key Questions: Where is my life going? Will I be happy when I get there?
“The issue of navigation is a big deal.” - Pastor Josh
Guides CAN save your life.
The Warning: Having a good guide doesn’t guarantee a good ride.
The Caveat: A guide doesn’t hold your hand, they point the way. You’ve still got to ride the trail.
“Many of us expect the guide to do the work.” - Pastor Josh
The question is, are you integrating/applying what you’re learning?
The Axiom: You only need a guide for the trail you’ve never been down. (& p.s. - you’ve never been here before).
3 Must Have LIFE GUIDES:
1 - The Word of God (Ps. 119:105)
2 - The Spirit of God (John 14:26)
3 - The People of God (Prov. 13:20; Prov. 12:15; Prov. 28:26)**
The Application: Listen to a guide at the top and you won’t have to call 911 at the bottom.
The Action Step: Call the PROS (see the PROS link/ministry on the Grace City App)
Trail buddies sweeten the ride.
The Axiom: Community makes the hard parts easier & the good parts better.
The Action Step:
Join a Grace Team (complete the 4 Steps of Growth Track on Sunday mornings)
Get in a City Group (sign up for a Launch Group Experience on the Grace City App)
YOU NEED:
A Compelling Destination
A Competent Guide
A Committed Crew
BONUS ROUND: Garage time exponentially improves trail time.
JOIN US NEXT SUNDAY FOR VECTOR PART 3!
Discussion Questions:
Getting to Know Me
In what ways do you relate to Pastor Josh’s experience on a mountain bike?
Have you ever traveled somewhere or planned something that ended in a totally unexpected way? Did that change how you traveled or planned in the future?
Do you have people you turn to for guidance? List some key qualities of those people and some reasons why you chose them as a guide.
Into the Bible
In 1 Corinthians 9:26, Paul says that he does not run like a man running aimlessly. How does a compelling destination, competent guide, and a committed crew help strengthen and sharpen your aim?
Read Psalm 90:12. How does numbering our days give us a heart of wisdom?
Read Proverbs 3:5-6. In these verses, who is the guide and who sets the course?
Pastor Josh read John 14:26, talking about the Spirit as one of the must-have life guides. How do you let the Holy Spirit guide you? Read Galatians 5:16-26 to help you know if you are letting Him guide you in life.
In the sermon, we looked at Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 13:20, and Proverbs 28:26. How do you know whether you’re the fool or the one seeking wisdom in these verses? How will you endeavor to seek wisdom from others in 2020?
Application
What was your main takeaway from the sermon? What impacted you the most?
Pastor Josh’s first point in the sermon is: Knowing where you’re going helps you get there. Where are you going? Are you trying to set your own course or letting the Lord chart your course? Are there any course corrections you need to make in 2020?
Are you searching for a guide for your life? Why or why not? Pastor Josh provided 3 Must-Have Life Guides: The Word of God, The Spirit of God, The People of God. How are you taking advantage of these guides in your life today?
When you seek a guide, are you expecting them to do everything for you? How can you apply the lessons in this sermon to change your expectation?
Pastor Josh’s last point said: Garage time improves trail time. What does this mean for your life? What do you need to do to improve your trail time?
Pastor Josh said You Need…A Compelling Destination, A Competent Guide, and A Committed Crew. Which of these three do you need to work on the most in this new year?