SECRET 1
October 24
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INTRODUCTION:
THE RACE IN WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED IS NOTHING LIKE A SPRINT OR A 100 YARD DASH. THIS RACE WILL TAKE A LIFETIME TO COMPLETE.
EVERYONE GET’S EXCITED ABOUT THE 1ST MILE:
NEW PARENTS…
NEW TO A MARRIAGE…
NEW JOB…
FIRST YR. IN HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE…
NEW CHRISTIAN…
THE SECOND MILE IS WHEN THE HARDSHIP’S, CONFLICTS APPEAR…
THE THRILL OF THE FIRST MILE BEGINS TO WEAR OFF.
JESUS UNDERSTOOD THAT VICTORY ONLY COMES WHEN YOU STAY IN THE RACE LONG ENOUGH TO CROSS THE FINISH LINE.
THIS SERIES… EXPLORE PRINCIPLES THAT WILL HELP YOU RUN WITH ENDURANCE THE SECOND MILE OF YOUR LIFE.
1 Corinthians 9:24
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
IN THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US, THERE WILL BE LONG STRETCHES OF HIGHWAY THAT WILL TEST YOUR ENDURANCE.
THIS IS PART OF EVERY CHRISTIANS LIFE.
(READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE AND SEE IF YOU CAN PICK OUT THE PROMISES OF VICTORY TO THOSE WHO FOLLOW ITS INSTRUCTION)
Deuteronomy 20:4
4 for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.'
1 Corinthians 15:57
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Matthew 5:38-42
38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
VER. 41 AS CHRISTIANS, WE ARE REQUIRED TO DO MORE IN ANY GIVEN SITUATION…
NOT JUST TOLERATE ENEMIES, BUT OFFER THEM COMFORT AND LOVE…
GO BEYOND YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND GO THE 2ND MILE.
IN JESUS DAY, PEOPLE LIVED UNDER HARSH ROMAN OPPRESSION.
THE ROMAN TAX REVENUES DIDN’T COVER ALL THE MILITARIES EXPENSES.
ROMAN LAW GAVE A ROMAN SOLDIER THE RIGHT TO FORCED LABOR AT THEIR COMMAND.
ONE OF A CENTURION’S BIGGEST PROBLEMS WAS HIS EQUIPMENT: SWORDS, SHIELDS, LEGG PROTECTION, PERSONAL AFFECTS.
IT WAS COMMON FOR A ROMAN SOLDIER TO ENSLAVE A REGULAR CIVILIAN TO CARRY HIS GEAR.
IT BECAME SUCH A PROBLEM THAT ROME DICTATED THE ONE MILE RULE.
JESUS SAID GO THE EXTRA MILE:
VALUE OTHERS ABOVE YOURSELF.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE INVOLVES SUBMITTING TO UNJUST DEMANDS.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE INVOLVES EXCEEDING UNJUST DEMANDS.
WHY WOULD JESUS ASK THIS OF US HIS FOLLOWERS?
THE PHARISEES WOULD COUNT OFF THE STEPS AND AT EXACTLY ONE MILE, DROP THE EQUIPMENT…
THE REASON IS JESUS KNEW THAT THERE ARE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES THAT CAN ONLY BE LEARNED, RELEASED AND APPLIED WHEN WE CHOOSE TO TAKE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED.
THE FIRST SECRET: THE SECOND MILE IS A PLACE OF MIRACLES.
Mark 5:24-29
24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.
25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years,
26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.
27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.
28 For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."
29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.
CAN YOU RELATE?
SHE COULD HAVE GIVEN UP… SHE PRESSED THE CROWD.
JESUS SAW HER PERSESTENCE, HER PERSERVERANCE… MIRACLE…
WHEN JESUS STARTED THIS DAY, HE KNEW SHE WOULD BE THERE.
HE KNEW OF HER STRUGGLES.
HE KNEW OF HER WEAKNESS AND DIFFICULTIES IN LIFE.
INSTEAD OF WALKING RIGHT UP TO HER, HE KEPT WALKING… WHY?
A PULL ON HER FAITH VER. 28
WE MAY RUN OUT OF ENERGY BUT WE MUST NEVER RUN OUT OF FAITH!
SHE WENT TO THE SPECIALISTS AND DOCTORS OF HER DAY… NOTHING
SHE DIND’T GIVE UP IN THE 2ND MILE
SHE PRESSED ON THROUGH THE 2ND MILE