Spiritual Foundations, Foundation 5
Living the Christian Life
Part of Foundations Class
October 21, 2021

Foundation 5: Living the Christian Life

The Christian life is a race – you have to finish the course to win.

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

Remember to go to Jesus when you need help

Hebrews 4:14-16: “14 therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

  • Notice two things for which you can come to Jesus and find help: (1) you can “obtain mercy” when you have sinned. Don’t give up if you fail! Come to Jesus in prayer and be forgiven. (2) You can “find grace to help” you overcome temptation “in time of need.”
    Live by Faith

  • This means that faith in Christ becomes the supreme motivation for your life. Just as we are saved by faith, we are kept by faith (see 1Peter 1:5).

  • According to Hebrews 3:12, what is it that causes people to depart from God? “An

    _ of _”

Scan Hebrews 11. These great men and women of God are examples of living by

_.

Stay in Fellowship with the church

We receive strength and encouragement from other Christians to help us live a Christian life. The church is the body of Christ; dropping out of church is like cutting off your hand. Hebrews 10:25 “25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Submit to God’s correction

Read Hebrews 12:5-11, and answer these questions:

Whom does God correct?
“Because the Lord disciplines those he

, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a .” (vs. 6)

What response must we give to God’s correction?
“Moreover, we have all had

_ who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we to the of our spirits and live!” (vs. 9)

What is the purpose of God’s correction?
“Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our

, that we may share in his .” (vs. 10)

Do not get Bitter

According to Hebrews 12:15, what can trouble you and cause many to be defiled? “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no

_ _ grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

You must be ready to forgive. Many people turn away from God because they allow resentment against someone to grow in their hearts. What are some of the things that can cause resentment in the church?

Submit to Spiritual Leaders

Rebellion against God’s appointed leaders is actually rebellion against God Himself. Hebrews 13:7 exhorts, “Remember them which have the

, who have unto you the _ , considering the end of their conversation.” Hebrews 13:17 adds” them that have the _ _ and _ yourselves: for they _.” These warnings are given in Hebrews because rebellion against authority is a human trait that often causes people to turn away from God.

You should follow your spiritual leaders (pastor, elders) unless you are absolutely sure they are in transgression of God’s Word.