Called.
We Are Running / Wk.01
Jeremiah 1:4-8
4 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
The Bible is not just an ancient book. It’s a timeless book.
There is one thing in this life that no-one, not even Jesus, can do FOR YOU and that is to run the race that God has for YOU.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jeremiah 31:33
I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.
What does it look like to live a fully alive life with God when the world around you feels like it's falling apart?
Hebrews 12:1-2
…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…
Jeremiah 1:4-8
4 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”
1. MY STORY BEGAN BEFORE I KNEW I WAS IN IT
Jeremiah 1:5
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”
Providence - God’s part
God knows the beginning to the end
2. MY STORY REQUIRES EVERY DETAIL
When God uses a person, He does not erase their personality – He wants to use that person’s sanctified personality.
David Guzik
Galatians 1:11-16
11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles…
Grace - God’s part
God is writing a good story
3. MY STORY ISN’T WAITING FOR ME TO FEEL READY
God doesn't call the version of you that finally gets it together. God calls you—and then spends a lifetime forming you.
Jeremiah 1:6-7
6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’…
Consecration - God’s part
God chose me to be in His story
4. MY STORY INVITES ME TO RUN A RACE, NOT TO PREDICT THE FINISH
Jeremiah 1:7-8
“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”
“You end up working with small starts and long finishes.”
Eugene Peterson
Obedience - My part
I must choose to run
Hebrews 12:2
…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.