Running the Race - Part 4 [Notes]

If you have ever run a race like a 5K, you understand the satisfaction of finishing well, but also the difficulty of the race. Similarly, living out the Christian faith brings profound joy and fulfillment, yet it comes with its own set of challenges—we can get tired, discouraged, and stumble along the way.

In this series, "Running the Race," we'll dive into the New Testament book of Titus and uncover five key truths that will help us navigate our spiritual journeys with strength and endurance.

We'll also continue to thank God for Pastor Tim's 40 years of faithfully running his race as our Founding and Senior Pastor and earnestly pray for Pastor Josh and our next generation of leaders as they receive the baton to lead our church into the next season ahead.
Takeaway: We want to be the kind of C.H.U.R.C.H. family that God intended.
We want to be a … 
  • Christ-centered
… church family
To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
– Titus 1:4 (HCSB)
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”
– Matthew 16:18 (HCSB)
He is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything.
– Colossians 1:18 (HCSB)
We want to be a … 
  • Christ-centered
  • Hope-sharing
    … church family
 While we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
– Titus 2:13 (HCSB)
Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
– Peter 3:15 (HCSB)
So that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
– Titus 3:7 (HCSB)
Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There's salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope.

– Phil Wickham, Living Hope
We want to be a … 
  • Christ-centered
  • Hope-sharing
  • Unity-pursuing 
    … church family
But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless.
– Titus 3:9 (HCSB)
 “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”
– Augustine of Hippo (354-430), John Wesley (1703-1791)
We want to be a … 
  • Christ-centered
  • Hope-sharing
  • Unity-pursuing 
  • Relationship-building
    … church family
Titus 2:3-8:
  • Titus 2:2 – Older men
  • Titus 2:3 – Older women
  • Titus 2:4 – Young women
  • Titus 2:6 – Young men
To Titus, my true son in our common faith.
– Titus 1:4 (HCSB)    
To Timothy, my true son in the faith.
– 1 Timothy 1:2 (HCSB)
We want to be a … 
  • Christ-centered
  • Hope-sharing
  • Unity-pursuing 
  • Relationship-building
  • Care-giving
    … church family
When I send Artemis or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me in Nicopolis, because I have decided to spend the winter there. Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey, so that they will lack nothing. And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works for cases of urgent need, so that they will not be unfruitful. All those who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with all of you.
– Titus 3:12-15 (HCSB)
Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
– Galatians 6:10 (HCSB)
We want to be a …
  • Christ-centered
  • Hope-sharing
  • Unity-pursuing 
  • Relationship-building
  • Care-giving
  • Hands-and-feet of Jesus
    … church family
He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession, eager to do good works.
– Titus 2:14 (HCSB)
We want to be a …
  • Christ-centered
  • Hope-sharing
  • Unity-pursuing 
  • Relationship-building
  • Care-giving
  • Hands-and-feet of Jesus
    … church family

Discussion Questions // 

  1. What is one of your favorite positive memories from growing up in church, if you have one? If not, is there a memorable experience you've had with church in your adult life?
  2. Christ-Centered (Titus 1:4, Matthew 16:18, Colossians 1:18): Why is it crucial for a church to remain Christ-centered rather than becoming rule-centered or personality-centered? How does focusing on Christ impact our daily lives and the church’s mission?
  3. Hope-Sharing (Titus 2:13, 1 Peter 3:15, Titus 3:7): What are some practical ways, in word and action, that we can share the hope we have in Christ with others in our community? 
  4. Unity-Pursuing (TItus 3:9): What are some common issues that can disrupt unity in a church? How can we as individuals contribute to maintaining unity, especially in a diverse church environment?
  5. Relationship-Building (Titus 2:3-8): How can we foster stronger relationships, including intergenerational ones, within the church? What are some specific actions you can take to connect with both older and younger members of our church family?
  6. Care-Giving (Titus 3:12-15, Galatians 6:10): In what ways can we be more intentional about caring for one another within our church family? Can you share an example of a time when someone’s care or support made a difference in your life?
  7. Hands-and-Feet of Jesus (Titus 2:14, 2 Corinthians 12:27) : How can we effectively extend our love and care beyond the church to those in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools? What are some practical steps we can take to be the hands and feet of Jesus in these areas?
  8. What is one step you can take this week to be the C.H.U.R.C.H.? Let's close in prayer, asking God to help us live out these qualities and to guide us in our next steps

Worship Setlist // 

This is Our God // Same God // Worthy of My Song // The Truth 

Devotional // 

Each week, a new devotional will be available. This devotional is based on the previous Sunday's message, and it aims to take the message further and help you dive deeper into the topic. You can find the devotionals at the link, or sign up to receive weekly emails.

Catch Up // 

You can watch or listen to past messages online!

Give // 

Your financial gift to support what God is doing at The Ridge makes ministry possible. Thank you for your generosity. We cannot do any of what God has asked us to do here at The Ridge without your faithful and cheerful giving.
Posted in
Posted in , , ,

Recent

Archive

 2024

Categories

Tags

1 Timothy 4:3-4 1 corinthians 13 1 peter 3 1 peter 5 1 peter 3 tips Abraham Barb Bible Christ centered friendships Christ-centered friendships Christ Control David Deuteronomy 31:8 Elijah Gideon God's Word God's faithfulness God's will God\'s Word God\'s will God\\\'s will God\\\\\\\'s will Gods Word Gods name Gods voice Gods will God Good Samaritan Isaac Isaiah 41 Isaiah 53 Isaiah James 1:22 James 4:14 Jesus is coming Jesus Jonathan Josiah Live at Peace Matthew 26:38-39 Messiah Old Testament Paul Philippians 2 Psalms Romans 6:9 Saul Savior Scripture Significant Others Talented Word of God You Say a mother's prayer a mother\'s prayer a mothers prayer a new thing abandon abby conner absolute truth acts 1:8 acts 2:42-47 acts adam and eve adam etris adam adulteror adultery adultry advent alls well that ends well anchored andrew archer andrew angels sing anger anguish anxiety apostles appreciation archer arch are you prepared art of neighboring attributes austin michels austin authorities authority baptism sunday baptism barabbas barb banhart barb barnhart barnhart be a friend be still be strong and courageous be transformed beauty from ashes becoming fearless believers believe betrayal better neighbors better be brandy gibson brandy broken bronze serpant bruce lane bruce cancel culture cancel care carols celebrate others celebration sunday changes change character chestnut ridge church christian leaders christian life christianity christian christmas with the ridge christmas church defined church design church family church circles cleaning the temple clinging to jesus colossians 1:13 community compassion concentric circles conflict connection contentment courage coveting covet created for community crisis in israel cross crowd crucifixion cultivate the soil culture daughter death debt delaney desires deuteronomy 31:6 devotional devotion disagreement discernment do not fear do not steal doers don't panic don\'t panic do dual citizenship early church easter sunday easter eight commandment elderly elections election empathy encouragement end times endurance ephesians 3:14-23 ephesians5:21 eternal impact eternal king eternal life eternal security eternity etris exhausted extended family face to face faithful in the small things faithfulness faith false witness family of God family famous last words father fear less series fear less fearless fear fifth commandment first commandement first commandment foretold forgiveness forgiven forgive forgiving forsaken foundation four tips fourth commandment free from sin freedom freely given free friendships friendship friends friend garden of gethsemane generosity generous get ready getting along gibson gifts give thanks gloria godly leaders gods faithfulness good enough good friday good works gospel government grace and truth grace hill grace grateful gratitude great commission greed grief grieve with others groups growth hard heart haring he has come he will be called heart heaven hell helping hill holy living holy monday holy saturday holy tuesday holy wednesday holy week holy homecoming hondruas honduras honor hope huggins hurricane helene husband i do but do i ian young ian identity of God identity idolatry idols immovable in all things in christ inspired intimacy invitation israel jamie huggins jamie jill wargo jill john 8:1-11 john 8:10-11 john josh rhodes josh joy judas judgemental judgement judge katie lemley katie key relationships kim sheets kim kindness kingdom of heaven king kinsman redeemer know the truth la ceiba lamb of God lane language last supper leadership legacy lemley life light of the world light listening live generously living intentionally living water logos loss love one another love loyalty luke 10:42 luke 23:34 lust lying made new manna margin for more marriage matters marriage martha matthew 22:37-39 matthew 23:24 matthew 6:3-4 maundy thursday mediator melissa parker melissa mercy michelle lemley michelle trimmer michelle michels mikvah ministry mission trip missions money morality moses murder neighbor new family new testament new testatment new year new ninth commandment o holy night ourselves overcome evil with good palm sunday parables parable parenting parents parent parker passover lamb passover pastor tim haring pastor tim pastors pastor path of life peacemaker peace people of god people perfecter perfector persecution perserverance perseverance persistence perspective philippians 4:6-7 philippians pioneer point of church point possessions power of the past pray like paul prayer life prayer plan prayer pray prepare promises of God provision psalm 139 purpose quality time race read reconciliation recreated redeemed redeemer redemption reflection rejoice relationship with God relationships relationship relative truth religion religious leaders remember response rest resurrection retaliation return revenge rhodes riches roger sealey roger role model romans 12:12 romans 12:15 romans rulers rules running the race sabbath day sabbath sacrifice salvation sealey seasons second coming second commandment secure seek the truth selfish selflessness selfless separation sermon on the mount serve Jesus serve others serve serving others serving set free seventh commandment shame share the gospel share the truth sharing the good news sheep and goats sheets signs sing sin sixth commandment social media soft heart sower speaking the truth speak spiritual gifts spiritual leaders spiritual relationships spring cleaning stand firm stealing stewardship stillness still strained straining out gnats and swallowing camels strength submit substitutionary atonement succession suffering support surrender take time talents temptation ten commandements ten commandments tender heart tenth commandment ten thankfulness thanksgiving thanks the dishonest manager the good samaritan the lost coin the lost sheep the lost son the parables of jesus the persistent widow the plot the point of church the primary purpose of the church the prodigal son the purpose of the church the rich fool the sheep and goats the sower the talents the ten virgins the two foundations the wedding banquet the word of God the word third commandment thoughts through thick and thin throught thick and thin tim haring tim titus transformation treasure trials tribulation triggered trimmer trustworthy trust truth about people truth is truth matters truthiness truth two foundations two lies and the truth ukraine unbelievers uncertainty unclean victorious victory volunteer wargo wealth wedding feast weep what's the point? what\'s the point? what\\\'s the point? what\\\\\\\'s the point? what\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s the point? whats the point whatsthepoint when we pray who am i who i am who we are wife words works of God work worry wronged you are forgiven young