Let us run with the Giants.

Pastor George Lehman

 Never mind about: – Should you, or shouldn’t you?

 The question really is: – Will you or won’t you.

There is no other option.

It is a choice we make .

I always say be careful what you pray.

Because you might just get what you pray for.

When you ask God to give you wisdom or patience or growth; be prepared.

HAVING SAID THAT: –

We need to really become very bold and begin to praying bold prayers and trust God to inspire us to greater heights, and deeper depths.

Question: When last did you pray a bold prayer?

Reaching farther than where you are right now!!

A prayer like this, you must clearly understand will begin to cost you.

But it will ultimately be worth it.

In the race of life – don’t think you are alone –we’re not hopeless we’re hopeful. Romans 15:4 (NIV) – For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Others have run it before us, Key scripture
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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.

This verse precedes the history book of all the Giants of the faith who ran before us in chapter 11.

If you do what other people don’t do you will have what other people don’t have.

Your reason for living will show.

Hebrews 10:35 – So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

This verse is encouraging us to run and win.

It’s not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strongman stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena … who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of great achievement, and who, at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.  So that his place will never be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.                 

                                                                          – Theodore Roosevelt

Far too many Christians are failing in their spiritual lives!

They think its spiritual to sidestep difficulties, trials, etc.

Do you for one-minute think these Giants of the faith who ran before us would have made any difference if they stayed in the safe zone.

They would never have made the Hebrews 11 hall of Giants’ fame.

Some of these giants who ran before us, ran the race in the most difficult of conditions –
Hebrews 11:37-39 (NIV) – 37They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated – 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and holes in the ground. 39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.

We sit here tonight with all our comforts, all our critic, judging and murmuring or offences.

If the wind blows, or it rains, or we have a slight headache we just stay away – “my my” are we going to be accountable – Why?  Read Hebrews 11:40 (NIV) – Since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (We were called to Run with the Giants)

I want us to look at one of the Giants –
Hebrews 11:7 (NIV) – By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.

One person can make a difference –
Genesis 8:21-22 (NIV) – 21The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. 22”As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

Because of the righteous way he lived he saved humanity from extinction.  Genesis 6:5-8 (NIV) – 5The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created – and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground – for I regret that I have made them.” 8But Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord.

This is what he rescued humanity from.

As we run the race with Noah, this giant of the faith, we learn a few important lessons.

God knows you and I can make a difference.

He saved you to make a difference –
Luke 1:37 –  For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfilment.

When you run with Giants:

1.You can make a difference for your family

Living a life of integrity and obedience to God.
Always have the potential to positively impact others.
For the most we don’t see it while we’re fighting the good fight
You may think is it worth it all – just keep on.
One mans obedience brought in his whole family.

Genesis 7:1 – The Lord said to Noah “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.”

2) God knows you can make a difference for the future generation.

The story about the 80-year-old man planting an apple orchid. A young man was observing as the old man lovingly and painstakingly prepared the soil – Planting the tiny sapling and watered them.

After watching the old man for a while, the young man said, “You don’t expect to eat apples from those trees do you?”

“No” the old man replied, “but somebody will”.

Because of our actions our, perseverance our, enthusiasm, our counting the cost, paying the price sowing the seeds –

We will have an effect on those around us, and those who come behind us.

Think of Noah – This earth still receives the benefit from one man’s righteousness.

As with Noah our lives also will pass along a chain of impact that will outlive us.

3)     We can make a difference for God.

Too often we fail to realise our importance to God: –

The scripture says,

2 Chronicles 16:9 –  For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless (loyal) toward Him.

God is always looking for someone to “stand in the gap”
(Ezekiel 22:30) for Him

God desires to partner with people who love Him.

As in the case of Noah he found favour in God’s eyes – and so will you.

Because of his relationship with God, Noah changed the course of history.

I want to say this: – Every time you see a rainbow; I want you to remember that you also can make a difference for your Lord Jesus Christ.  (Our only limitation is our expectation) –

Let’s begin to dedicate ourselves to things that will still be important long after you and I have gone.

Be a Giant of the faith and God help us to make a difference.

Close with Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 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.