Lay Aside and Run - Ajay Chakravarthy - January 19, 2020
http://rlcfchurch.org/lay-aside-run River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon uses the story of Saul's early life to illustrate that spiritual success requires laying aside sin and weights to run the race of faith. The speaker emphasizes that just as Elisha saw what his servant could not, believers must seek God's vision to overcome fear. The core message is to focus on Jesus and remain humble, avoiding the pitfalls of self-reliance or worldly distractions.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Elisha sees the unseen armyElisha's servant was terrified by a surrounding army until Elisha prayed for the Lord to open his eyes to see the fiery chariots of God protecting them.
Laying aside sin and weights to runHebrews 12 instructs us to lay aside every weight and sin that easily entangles us so we can run our spiritual race while looking unto Jesus.
Saul's humble origins and anointingSaul was humbly searching for lost donkeys when Samuel anointed him as the first king of Israel, placing him at the head of the table and filling him with the Spirit.
Saul's impatience at GilgalAfter waiting seven days for Samuel as instructed, a frightened Saul took matters into his own hands and offered the sacrifice himself, leading to Samuel's rebuke and the loss of his dynasty.
Saul's arrogance with the AmalekitesWhen confronted by Samuel for failing to completely destroy the Amalekites, Saul defensively insisted that he had obeyed the voice of the Lord.
Saul confesses to save faceSaul admitted he sinned because he feared the people, but his primary concern was that Samuel would honor him before the elders of Israel.
Saul turns on David with a spearTormented by an evil spirit and consumed by jealousy over David's popularity, Saul repeatedly threw a spear at David while he played the harp.
Saul acknowledges wrongdoing in the caveAfter David spared Saul's life in the cave at Engedi, Saul wept and admitted David was more righteous than he, yet he soon returned to hunting him down.
Confession without forsaking sinProverbs 28:13 warns that whoever confesses and forsakes their sin finds mercy, distinguishing true repentance from Saul's repeated empty admissions.Proverbs 28:13
Encumbrances and weights that drag us downBeyond outright sin, emotional weights and past experiences from church or home can hold believers back from finishing their spiritual race.
Moving on from past griefGod instructed Samuel to stop grieving over Saul because it was time to focus his energy and attention on David.
Finding rest in JesusInstead of relying on temporary fixes like music or human approval, believers must bring their burdens to Jesus, who offers rest and the grace to forgive from the heart.
