Fight, Week 5: The Right Fight

I believe our success in the years and generations to come… will be marked by our FIGHT this year. Message Title:  “The RIGHT Fight” What is the WRONG fight? The FIGHT to be RIGHT Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.  A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 2 Timothy 2:23-24 (NLT) The FIGHT for SELF-PROMOTION Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.  You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:3-5 (NLT) The FIGHT to PLEASE PEOPLE Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Galatians 1:10 (NLT) The FIGHT to CHANGE PEOPLE Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?  Romans 2:3-4 (NLT) Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:3-4 (NLT) For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 2 Timothy 4:6-7 (NIV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:6-7 (NIV) The FIGHT for UNITY All the believers were together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Acts 2:44-47 (NIV) Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Acts 2:44-47 (NIV) And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:44-47 (NIV) Relationships have always been the conduit of our faith. I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church.  1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT) Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT) The greatest threat to the Kingdom of God, is not the kingdom of darkness… it’s DIVISION in the Kingdom of God. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34-35 (NIV) By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV) The FIGHT to RUN YOUR RACE For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) Comparison kills the work God wants to do IN you and THROUGH you. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.  For we are each responsible for our own conduct. Galatians 6:4-5 (NLT) What God is doing in someone else, has nothing to do with what God is doing in you. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me —the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24(NIV) The FIGHT to KEEP THE FAITH The Gospel is not hard to understand, it’s hard to do. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, Hebrews 11:39 (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… Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) …fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)