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The Race — August 18, 2024: full transcript and answers

· · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla, Vine Cluster Church · Uploaded August 26, 2024 · 82:45

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From the sermonThe Race — August 18, 2024 · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla▶ 0:00

Saved by grace, we still run a race. Jesus calls us out of dead, stony hearts like Lazarus, and we stay on track by turning from evil. The goal is to overcome the thief, his lies and our flesh. Like Olympians, train the spirit, lay aside every weight, and keep improving even in small steps.

How are we saved?

▶ Watch this part (0:11)

Short answer: By grace through faith, a gift from God; declare with your mouth and believe in your heart.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla

▶ 0:11 Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8 it says for it is by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not from yourselves it is a gift from God and we know who that gift is what does the scripture say that Jesus is that gift right for God so loved the world he gave amen not by works so that that no one can boast not by. Works and so this scripture is very uh well-known scripture about our faith in Christ right and it’s not by our works it’s not something we did it’s something that who did.

▶ 0:53 Jesus um in Romans chapter 10:9 it says if you declare with your what mouth it’s so important how we use our mouth our words that come out of our mouth are very important we don’t understand how we can defeat the kingdom of darkness by the words that come out of our mouth Jesus is Lord and if you declare with your mouth Jesus is Lord everybody can you can you say Jesus is Lord Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved amen and a lot of people want to be saved a lot of people are in hurt they’re in sorrow they’re at the brink and they need to be saved and we need to be saved too uh but there’s more there’s a there’s a higher goal there’s there’s there’s more to do there’s there’s a a great thing that we need to go after if you look at this trophy here somebody who is dead or who is dying this wouldn’t even never even enter their mind going and competing for this trophy right or a medal or something like that but that’s what it is like in God he revives you and then he says hey I have a goal for

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

— Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 0:11
Scripture (NKJV)

Romans 10:9 (NKJV)

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

— Romans 10:9 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 0:53

What if we sin?

▶ Watch this part (2:23)

Short answer: If we confess, He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla

▶ 2:23 you you can go and win in your life you can win a gold medal in the kingdom you know he he wants you to progress and keep moving forward very important first John 1:9 if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness so it’s very important that we confess uh using our words using your words to confess you know if you’re if you got sin in your life you use those those words coming out of your mouth are so important uh because out of the heart heart from the heart the mouth speaks right and so when you say things God is listening and he will.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

— 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 2:23

What does Lazarus show?

▶ Watch this part (3:14)

Short answer: Four days dead, rotting and stinking, yet raised; your spirit can be dead even if your body is strong.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla

▶ 3:14 Respond you see here here’s a picture of a man in a tomb in the Bible there’s a story about a man named Lazarus and he was in he died if you remember and 4 days later Jesus came after died he was already in tuned he already was rotting and stinking and Jesus raised him up from the grave Ephesians chapter 2 verse1 it says you were dead in trespasses and sins so Ephesians is Paul writing uh and he’s kind of helping us understand that Lazarus being dead it’s like our spiritual condition all right if your b if your natural body dies that’s it all right you’re not coming back well okay unless God raises you back up but I’m just saying you have a spiritual condition a spiritual man inside you right now and it doesn’t match your physical.

▶ 4:13 Body okay your spiritual condition is whatever exercise and and what you have done to make it grow so you could be the strongest most fastest runner in all the world but your spirit is completely. Dead do you guys understand that in on the outside you can be a millionaire a billionaire but inside your spirit can be what dead or you can be on the brink you can be dying you can be you know what is your condition and so that’s what this story is talking about John 11:39 Jesus said what take away the stone. If you remember the new covenant one of the first things it says it says I will give you a new what.

What is the stone?

▶ Watch this part (5:06)

Short answer: Your heart; He takes away the stony heart. Lazarus, come forth.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla

▶ 5:06 Heart I will take away your stony heart so when Jesus says take away the stone he’s talking about your heart he wants to transform it from a hard stony heart all right and uh in in the Bible the Israelites had a hard heart toward God uh Pharaoh had a what hard heart if you remember in Egypt his heart was hard and he saw all these miracles happening and still he kept trying to hang on to the people of Israel his heart was hard and we can be that way where we try to hang on to our sinful life and we won’t let it. Go. Amen and we need a new heart that that is responsive John.

▶ 6:03 11:43 he cried out with a loud voice and he said Lazarus come forth and when God Jesus says something you better watch out I hope you’re not in the way if Jesus says bench come right here you better get out of the way because it’s about to happen when Lazarus when he said Lazarus’s name and he said come forth he opened his eyes and all of the disgusting bugs that were eating him and all of his the the deterioration and the putrification of his body. Reversed he healed all that and he brought Lazarus back to life so it doesn’t you know also it doesn’t matter how deep you are Jesus can bring you out of that depth it doesn’t matter how bad your condition is God can bring you from absolute.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

Ezekiel 36:26 (NKJV)

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

— Ezekiel 36:26 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 5:06
Scripture (NKJV)

John 11:43-44 (NKJV)

Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

— John 11:43-44 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 6:03

Is anyone beyond help?

▶ Watch this part (7:06)

Short answer: The valley of dry bones was beyond Lazarus, yet God raised them.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla

▶ 7:06 Destruction okay and to prove my point in the the valley of dry bones have you guys ever heard that they were just bones not even in clothes you know Lazarus is four days dead but in the valley of dry bones they were just skulls and and bones just a bunch that’s beyond right and God still brought all of that back together and he can do the same thing in your life John 11:44 Jesus said loose him and let him go the kingdom of darkness wants to hold on to you sin wants to hold on to you and sometimes we want to hold on to sin and what we have to do is let it go and don’t start singing that.

▶ 7:57 Song so Jesus he says Lazarus come forth and he’s standing there and they say loose him and let him go so you see that there’s a difference in these these uh conditions that Lazarus is in one he’s not moving and he’s dead here he’s alive here he is walking right so there’s some different you need to understand where’s your spiritual condition at are you dead are you dying in the hospital or are you up and wonking and are you getting loose at you know wherever you’re at Jesus wants to meet you where you’re at and pull you out and get you to the goal and we’re going to talk about that goal in just a moment. Peter. In his book says that he has called us Christ has called us out of what darkness into his marvelous.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

Ezekiel 37:1-10 (NKJV)

The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.” Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.” ’ ” So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.

— Ezekiel 37:1-10 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 7:06

What keeps me saved?

▶ Watch this part (9:00)

Short answer: Come into the light; turn from evil and do good; abstain from every form of evil; depart from iniquity.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla

▶ 9:00 Light. Amen and that’s what Jesus is doing here take away the stone now we got light coming into the the tomb and now he says okay now come out of that darkness and come into the light okay that’s what we got to. Do so what keeps me saved at the beginning we talked about getting saved through faith we have faith in Jesus we believe we use our mouth to confess our sins and we say yes Lord God cleanse me forgive me but how do we keep from going back to that condition and in Hebrews 61 talks about repentance from dead works what’s going to keep you from the tomb that Lazarus is in is not doing the things that are dead works in the Bible you have several places where it lists out sins in Galatians there’s a list of sins that will take you to hell those are the dead works okay very simple if you’re going to be someone who is an um.

▶ 10:08 Who has no control over your temper that’s not good if you have no control over the substances that the world has produced you know fentanyl drugs alcohol if it’s ruling your life you got to have a problem you got to turn from that got to keep it out of your life Psalm 37:27 turn say that word with me turn from evil and do good then you will dwell in the what land how long forever are we dwelling on earth forever no we’re going to be in what heaven dwelling with him forever amen and how do we do that by turning from evil that’s how we can keep ourselves saved 1 Thessalonians 5:22 what does it say.

▶ 11:02 Abstain keep yourself from every form of evil we got to start caring about what evil is and how is it coming into my life my family’s life where am I letting it in okay it’s important 2 Timothy 2:19 uh sometimes we we feel like oh well I’m not um. I’m not participating it or I’m drawing a line or but you know sometimes we get fuzzy with the lines 1 Timothy 2:9 everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness so with these four scriptures here it says out of the mouth of two or three witness let everything be established right so this is just four out of many in the Bible but it’s encouraging you to turn away from things that are hurting you.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

Psalm 37:27 (NKJV)

Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore.

— Psalm 37:27 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 10:08
Scripture (NKJV)

1 Thessalonians 5:22 (NKJV)

Abstain from every form of evil.

— 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 11:02
Scripture (NKJV)

2 Timothy 2:19 (NKJV)

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

— 2 Timothy 2:19 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 11:02

What is the goal?

▶ Watch this part (12:07)

Short answer: To become an overcomer; in the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla

▶ 12:07 The goal the goal in Revelation chapter 2:26 it says something very powerful it says and he who what. Overcomes so the goal in your life is to become an what. Overcomer I want to be become an overcomer I want to become an olympian. Overcomer John 16:33 these things I have spoken to you that in me you may have peace in the world you will have what tribulation you’re not promised not to have problems. Folks. Okay in your life you’re going to have. Problems God’s not promising that you’re not going to have problems okay but I’d rather go through life with him and through those problems with him than without him.

▶ 13:09 Amen that’s very important because God can change your mindset in your problem and you can go through your problem but be of good cheer oh be of good cheer wait you just said I’m going to have problems not just problems you got this word here. Tribulation now if I were to look up the definition I feel like it’s. Tribulation is maybe a notch higher than problems. Maybe but be of what good cheer put a smile on your face what I don’t want to put a smile on my face he says what I have. Overcome the world so he’s saying I’ve overcome the world and that we can overcome through. Him and we we we’ll go over that in a few.

▶ 14:03 Minutes I bring this up because we’ve been talking about the lying spirit and we’ve been talking about fallacies and last week we were sharing about evolution in schools and uh shared some examples of how uh fearfully and wonderfully made we are as the scriptures say and how our bodies are fascinating and are built amazing. Amazing uh body amen and this message of overcoming conflicts with the way people in the church have. Interpreted uh being saved by faith uh we have it’s possible that we want we get we we say oh I believe and then and we stop there but the message of overcoming takes me and calls me to a higher place and Jesus Christ God in heaven he is calling you to.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

Revelation 2:26 (NKJV)

And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

— Revelation 2:26 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 12:07
Scripture (NKJV)

John 16:33 (NKJV)

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

— John 16:33 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 12:07

Can we dabble in wickedness?

▶ Watch this part (15:05)

Short answer: No; overcome and keep His works until the end. Saved by grace, but not without work.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla

▶ 15:05 Overcome do we understand that and we want to make sure we understand how important that is and so as. Churchgoers. Uh it’s possible that we’re hearing that we can believe but we can stay and dabble in our wickedness as long as we help people or be kind to one another we can still do the bad things that we want in our life and Jesus is saying no no no no come on let’s rise above that let’s. Overcome Revelation 2:26 he says and he who overcomes and keeps my works until the end so we want to keep his what his works now at the beginning we talked about a scripture that said uh faith grace not by works so there’s some misunderstanding here it’s not like we don’t do any work you got up this morning you brushed your teeth and you came here that was a what work it was okay and later on in your life younger people you’re going to have to decide are you going to do the say it the work to assemble to grow as a Christian to grow in in your natural life and work that you do.

What has He made us?

▶ Watch this part (16:35)

Short answer: Kings and priests, men and women; we will give an account of what we did with His word.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla

▶ 16:35 Right. Revelation 1:5 to him who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood thank you Jesus and has made us fashioned us. What what kings and priests is that just for the men in the room ladies are excluded. Huh no all of us we are kings and you’re like what a king I don’t know if I don’t I want to be a queen you’re in charge you’re a ruler you’re an overcomer you’re someone you have taken on a new identity it is very important to understand God’s identities in your Christian. Life and to uh take those on not for instance God has given you an identity when you were born of whether you are a male or a female God gave you that identity did you know that God g has given us an identity to be a king someone who is an overcomer.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

Revelation 1:5-6 (NKJV)

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

— Revelation 1:5-6 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 16:35

What do we overcome?

▶ Watch this part (17:52)

Short answer: The thief who steals, kills and destroys, Satan’s lies, and our flesh; Jesus fasted 40 days.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla

▶ 17:52 And today we throw God’s identities out. And it’s happening in a lot of different areas but God up is up in heaven he’s saying I have these promises for. You you got to understand one day we’re going to stand before him and we’re going to have to give an account what did you do with what I with my word. Says with what I called you to be I made you something I’ve made you a king I’ve made you a priest I made you a man or a woman woman I made. You what are we to overcome we have an identity to be a king to be a ruler we have an identity uh to be strong what are we overcoming John chapter 10:10 let’s say this word the what the thief does not come except to steal kill and destroy of course Jesus said I have come that you may have life and have more abundantly right so we want to overcome the what the thief we want to overcome the kingdom of darkness who is that thief Satan Satan and the kingdom of darkness principalities and powers of darkness the whole thing and what does Satan do in our time in our era he.

▶ 19:20 Is he is motoring his mouth and he is convincing a lot of people with his message he is deceiving a lot of people with his message and he is the father of what lies and he’s using his lies today to convince all kinds of young people older people to do all kinds of things against God’s word so you’ve got to overcome what the thief Satan you’ve got to overcome the lies Galatians 5:17 the flesh lust against the spirit and the spirit against the what flesh these are say it with me contrary they fight one another your spiritual man fights with your what’s the word.

▶ 20:17 Flesh your body your body wants to feel good your body wants to feel uh all kinds of things maybe even your emotions want a certain way that is contrary with what the spirit wants so we must overcome the thief Satan the kingdom of darkness and we must overcome our flesh in the desert Jesus Christ remember he was baptized and he went into the desert and he was tempted by Satan he was tempted by this thief who is trying to steal something from Jesus and what was how did Jesus overcome come Satan does anybody remember can you tell me one of the ways not. You can you tell me one of the ways yes it was the word right he quoted the Bible what was another.

▶ 21:18 Way he was he was doing what for 40 days and 40 nights he fasted in the wilderness and he was praying as well okay so it’s important to uh take Jesus’s example on and remember what he did to overcome the kingdom of darkness if you want to overcome Satan and his angels fast pray and know the Scriptures we’re going to look at mr usain bold I don’t know if you guys know who that guy is he is is still the world record holder for the 100 meter uh dash and I can’t remember if it’s the 200 meter both of them but I know he is the world record hotel for the 100 meter.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

John 10:10 (NKJV)

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

— John 10:10 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 17:52
Scripture (NKJV)

Galatians 5:17 (NKJV)

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

— Galatians 5:17 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 19:20

How do we train?

▶ Watch this part (22:12)

Short answer: Like Bolt’s training, exercise the spirit with spiritual things; watch your spiritual diet and who you associate with.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla

▶ 22:12 Run and uh Mr. Bolt here even though let’s see I I don’t remember what year he did it I think 2009 is when he broke the world record and that record has stood even until to today even though we just had the olympics they weren’t able to break that record uh he trained he when he was training he did all kinds of workouts right uh leg raises side planks uh barbell lunges uh power cleans you know he’s working out all the time and you can see it when he runs he’s got muscles here he’s got muscles on his legs he’s he’s trim and he just he cuts through the air like nobody’s business. And uh you know please understand I’m not saying that we all need to become uh olympic.

▶ 23:07 Runners you. Know but in your spirit you’ve got to exercise your spirit with spiritual things okay you can’t go home be like okay pull the spirit out let’s exercise it. If you want to do spiritual exercise you’ve got to use spiritual principles if you want to uh defeat Satan you can’t pull out a bow and arrow you can’t pull out a shotgun and start shooting him in the in the air it’s not going to work you have to use spiritual weapons right and it’s the same way with your spirit if you want it to grow you’ve got to do spiritual things to help it. Grow so knowing the Bible more and more will strengthen you that’s why uh you know we uh encourage you to read the Bible put it in you you in in today uh in 2024 you can listen to it it’s available to you understanding the Bible not just listening but asking gody Lord Jesus I pray please open up your word unto me if you remember the story on the road to emmas there were two men and Jesus was revealing his word to them he was explaining it to them and it was powerful pray praising and worshiping God is important praying fasting and assembling with God’s people these are all ways you can.

▶ 24:36 Exercise the Spirit uh we like junk food amen how many like junk food uh well the spirit you have to decide what you’re putting in your spiritual man whose message is coming into your spirit right and it comes through your ears it actually comes through your natural ears and goes into your mind and that diet is important whose message is coming in to your mind is it the world’s message or is it Christ that’s why it’s so important to read the Bible you can’t listen to somebody who’s interpreting the Bible you don’t understand how important it is to actually look at that story of Lazarus and read the words that Jesus actually spoke I can go on chat gp and I can say hey can you summarize the story of Lazarus and he’ll say all these chat gpt will say all these things and it’ll summarize everything but when you pull out that book and you see those red letters and you see Jesus say Lazarus come.

▶ 25:47 Forth when you see Jesus say take away the stone it it does something in your heart his words are p that powerful. Jesus says that he is the vine that we are the branches Jesus said I am the bread of life and also he said to the woman at the well that you could drink of him so we have a full course meal with Jesus Christ and so it’s important what diet you’re putting in into your spiritual man are you putting Jesus’s words into you are you putting his uh presence this morning you had an opportunity to experience his presence and coming you know that presence of God is.

▶ 26:46 Powerful. Amen and also who are you connected to who do we associate ourselves with once tomorrow happens and this week happens and uh you know somebody com up to you or who are you associated with who are you associating yourself with are you associated yourself with the world are you connected to the world or are you connected to the vine Jesus is the vine amen he is the life Hebrews 12 ver1 let us run with endurance the race that is set before us looking un Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross so Jesus is our greatest example he endured the cross he was patient he followed through on it he did what he said he was set out to do it was God’s will and he did it and also we need to do God’s will in our lives and Jesus has said in the scriptures that we have to take up our what cross and follow him does that mean you go and get crucified in italy or in rome or I’m sorry in Israel no he’s saying that

What should we lay aside?

▶ Watch this part (28:18)

Short answer: Every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares; discipline goes with disciple; godliness is profitable for all things.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla

▶ 28:18 we need to. Um do the next thing the next slide here Hebrews 12 verse 1. Let us say this with me lay aside every what. Weight do weights help when you’re trying to run and win I mean maybe in exercise right but when you’re actually running your race you don’t want any what. Weight so we don’t want any weight lay aside the weight and the sin which so easily in snares us drop the bad habits that are hurting you 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight do we understand that that word implies you’ve got to do something you’ve got to overcome you’ve got to fight you don’t just believe a fight oh I believe I’m gonna fight I believe in the fight no you actually do something it’s very important.

▶ 29:41 Right here this discipline is also goes along with the word disciple if you’ve heard the word disciple it talk it’s talking about discipline are we adding discipline to our Christian walk. Amen it takes some discipline it takes discipline to exercise and to become strong if you’ve ever seen all these olympians that we saw they had to exercise what discipline day in and day out to reach the level that they wanted to reach to win and get the gold. Medal 1 Timothy 4:8 bodily exercise profits a little but godliness is profitable for all things so here this is the scripture that helps us understand that uh you know it’s good that we exercise it’s good that you.

▶ 30:36 Have a good diet in your natural life and a good. And exercise helps a little but godliness is profitable for all things that what we’re talking about the spiritual the spiritual. Uh exercise. Being fit or being the fastest man will not get you eternal life you must exercise your spirit and that will help you in every area of your life uh this man. Was uh competing this year in the olympics his name is armand duplantis and he’s a young man uh in 2020 four years ago he broke the world record for p vating with a clearance of 6.7 m.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

— Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 28:18
Scripture (NKJV)

1 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV)

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

— 1 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 30:36

Does small improvement matter?

▶ Watch this part (31:28)

Short answer: Yes; a pole vaulter broke his own record for the ninth time; keep improving.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla

▶ 31:28 And this year he beat the world record. Again uh at 6.25 meters and guess whose world record he broke his own that’s right and he said it says here this was the what ninth. Time that he broke the world. Record uh but this one that he broke in 2024 was his own and I bring this up because Christ is wanting us to improve and keep improving amen you want to keep overcoming you’re not the same person you were yesterday goodbye. Yesterday living in a light of a new way right we can overcome what we were yesterday we can overcome what we were a year ago uh we can be stronger and you know what.

▶ 32:28 In four years he went from. 6.17 m to what. 6.25 and that’s not very much I mean maybe in the world of pole vaulting right but in you know in actuality he went from you know this high to this high and it’s. Like uh all that to say. Even if your improvement is small you’re headed in the right direction all right keep. Overcoming keep up the good work 1 Corinthians 9:24 do you not know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize run in such a way as to get the prize.

▶ 33:21 Spiritual sickness and disease spiritual stagnation where we cease from from growing will keep us from getting that prize every day every week every year you are running a race and just a normal everyday life is full of choices and full of disciplines that we neglect to take on or we are willing to take on it’s very important for us to make those choices and so I encourage you this morning as we get ready here to take some time to respond to. Christ we must change our mindset from people that just believe into people that are actively seeking and running after.

▶ 34:15 God amen. Go.

How does the service respond?

▶ Watch this part (35:01)

Short answer: Surrender, confession, communion with prayers by Carmen and Miss Woods, altar call, and I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb.

From the sermonTranscript of this part · Unidentified speaker (not clearly Pastor Kincer), likely Michael Silla

▶ 35:01 So God is asking us this morning are we willing to lay aside every weight the weight of sin are we willing to change our spiritual diet what is coming into our spiritual man are willing to exercise our spirit through prayer asking praising assembling reading and understanding his word as I’ve said before you can open up God’s word and all those words can just go run right through your brain and you don’t remember anything you’ve got to find a way to get it into you are we willing to do what it takes to overcome our flesh and the kingdom of darkness I encourage you this morning take God up on what he is offering you he has made you a king he is saying that you are a king you are a priest you’re an overcomer he’s calling us to overcome amen.

▶ 35:58 The scriptures are very powerful so important so will you stand in me with me and let’s surrender unto God this. Morning this is my desire to. H. You Lord with all my heart I worship. You all I have within. Me I give. You. Praise all that I.

▶ 36:53 Adore is in you. Let’s sing this together with our hands. Lifted Lord I give you my heart give you my soul I live for you. Alone every breath that I take every moment I’m. Away have your way in me Lord I give you my heart I give you my soul I live for you. Alone every breath that I take every moment I’m.

▶ 37:49 Away I have your way in me with their heads bowed right now. It begins with us giving up our heart whatever the state of our heart is if it’s hard toward God if it’s unresponsive Jesus remember he can call us out of any state that where our heart is in and he can transform it and bring it back to life so this morning we want to give you an opportunity if you’d. Like first of all to accept Jesus Christ in your heart we want to remind you the scriptures say that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God in Romans chap 3:23 Romans chap 6:23 it says the wages of that sin the result the payment the outcome is death in hell and we don’t want that but it says the gift of God Jesus Christ is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord and that if we confess with our mouth he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness so right now if you want Jesus Christ to come in to your heart repeat this prayer after me just say Lord.

▶ 39:13 Jesus I. Confess my sin before you before you Lord God I have disobeyed you God I have disobeyed you Lord I pray for your forgiveness Lord I pray for your forgiveness make me a new person make me I commit I commit to following you to f you and your word your word thank you Lord Jesus Jesus amen amen and also this is talking about the new covenant at this time I’m going to ask uh mr thompson to pass out the communion and we’re going to take. Communion the communion during communion Jesus said that this is the new covenant in my blood do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of me and it also says that we proclaim the lord’s.

▶ 40:23 Death but also this new covenant is that that confirmation that Christ will come and give us a new heart and this morning if you want God to give you a new heart when we drink this cup and eat this bread let’s ask for that this. Morning 1 Corinthians 11:26 whenever we do this communion eat the bread and drink the cup we proclaim the lord’s death until he comes and Jesus said this is the new covenant in my blood. Amen so let’s take the bread first it’s Jesus says in 1 Corinthians 11:24 this is my body which was broken for you do this in remembrance of me and we are one body this morning.

▶ 41:24 Amen thank you. Let’s pull out the bread. Together and I’m going to ask someone to pray for the bread before we partake of it uh Carmen will you pray for the bread. Amen let’s eat. Together and let’s also take the cup Miss Woods will you pray for the cup please Jesus we thank you for the blood of Christ that washes and cleanses us from all sin and we remember today the body of Christ that was laid down for us that we can be united in taking this cup today in your name Jesus let’s drink.

▶ 42:44 Together Lord I give you my heart give you my soul I live for you. Every breath that I take every moment. I’m have your way in me this time I’m going to open up the front here you’re welcome to come down to this carpeted area as as a uh as a sign to Jesus Christ that you are coming coming to him many people in the Bible came to Jesus they came and sought him with tears and they they cried out to him so even though we have a small room this morning I want to invite you to come to the front to come before the altar.

▶ 43:44 And to seek your God to ask for that new heart and we’re also going to pray for one another in just a minute here let’s sing this unto him Lord I give you my heart. I give you my soul I live for you. Alone every breath that I take every moment I’m. Way Lord have your way in me let’s lift up our voices together and let’s just surrender and ask him to give us a new heart make us a new person Lord God we come before you this morning God Lord I pray for a new heart more than it was yesterday better than it was yesterday Jesus I prayed by your spirit by your power Lord that you come upon Lord that you move upon us Jesus that you make us new creations God Lord we ask Jesus Lord you come by your mighty power by your spirit Lord Jesus Jesus and transform.

▶ 44:54 Us transform us this morning. Jesus Jesus. Jesus I’m going to ask that you older ones lay hands on people down here let’s lay hands on one another even where you’re standing to join hands with one another let’s pray for one another right now Lord Jesus we call onto you this morning Lord God we pray for another right now Jesus Lord that you would come with your power and your spirit God that you would move inside of us oh that you would break down all of the the the past God Lord the history Lord all of those the way we used to think Lord God that we would surrender Lord unto you Jesus Lord that we would give it to you Lord God that we would humble ourselves before you Jesus Lord God we call on you this morning Jesus Lord come with your mighty power come with your powerful truth Jesus transform us body soul and spirit God we pray Jesus Jesus Jesus jus Jesus.

▶ 45:59 Jesus God oh God we on this. Morning I pledge allegiance. To the l with all my strength with all I am I will seek to h his commments I pledge allegiance. To. The I pledge allegiance to the land with all my strength with all I am I will see to honor him.

▶ 46:59 I pled. Alance. To the land I pledge. Aion. To the land with all my strength with all I am I will seek to walk h his comings I pledge allegiance. To the land there’s a lot of flags in our time today there’s a lot of things to commit to a lot of people that want our allegiance but there is one Jesus Christ who gave all his life and everything for us.

▶ 47:57 And that’s what this song is saying so right now if you want to give yourself holy over to Christ just put your hand over your heart and let’s sing this unto. Him yes I pled. A. To the land with all my strength with all I am I will see to. H his commands I pledge allegiance. To the lamb I pledge al. Alance. To the lamb with all my strength with all I am I I will seek to.

▶ 49:00 Honor his commments I pledge allegiance. To the l amen. Hallelujah. Jesus and close closing somebody lift up your voice in. Prayer father we just thank you for this time you.

▶ 49:39 For receive fa father we receive by faith everything that you have promised us as sons and daughters of the most high king father we receive by faith the gifts of the spirit father God that you may sharpen the gift gifts of the spirit of everyone here that we may be effective Christians the light and the salt of this world father give us Revelation when we read your word give us instruction father God and anoint our steps father God as we dedicate our lives to you and submit under your will as living sacrifices to you father God yes Jesus father we thank you we trust you father God that we may walk by faith and not by sight that no matter what the world looks like that we are father filled and equipped with your Holy Spirit power to overcome darkness to tremle over snakes and scorpions we receive by faith the authority Jesus Christ has given us over our lives and over darkness we we thank you Lord God our God and our Lord Jesus Christ amen amen before we end uh one of the scriptures we brought out at the beginning.

▶ 51:08 Said uh what was. It to say and declare Jesus is Lord so starting from the front here and working way to the back will you guys say Jesus is Lord one the time tannis can you say it. Excellent Jesus is. Lord mr sila. Amen hallelujah oh.

▶ 52:00 Sorry all right excellent well we have uh we want to thank you those online for joining us have a wonderful day God bless you good morning everyone good to have everybody in the room those online want to thank you for joining us we’re going to be reading out of John chapter. 424 or 34 24 24. Jesus in red letter says God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth so here Jesus is reminding all of us that we should what worship worship worship God amen amen and we always encourage you that uh don’t sit back and let worship go by if you remember the disciples on the boat while they in the storm Jesus was walking on the water and he would have passed by this is our opportunity to not let him pass by worship God participate in second in 1 Timothy chapter.

▶ 53:10 2:8 it says I desire that men pray everywhere lifting up what holy hands so that’s why we have one of our ways to worship over here lifting up our hands lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting sometimes we get mad of what’s going on in the world and we have doubt that Jesus is here but God is here remember that he’s in our midst where two or three are gathered in his name amen amen so will you stand with me and let’s worship God this morning sc. Just so I don’t fall. Off prise the Lord.

▶ 54:06 Here we go goodbye yesterday I’m living in the light of a new day I won’t waste another li on my old way praise the Lord I’ve been born again goodbye yesterday the midle of a new day I won’t wait another minute in my old way praise the Lord I’ve been born again all right want to encourage you again to clap lift up your hands and praise God with all your heart amen yes amen are you guys ready yes okay that was intro number one yeah all right now you know the song so we’re going to sing it. Together goodbye yesterday. Living in the light of a new day I won’t waste another me my old way praise the Lord I’ve been born again goodbye.

▶ 55:08 Yesterday living in the light of a new day I won’t waste another minute of my old way praise the Lord I’ve been born. Again again and again and again and again you rescued me out of the mess I was in tred my sorrow for something to sing I’m dancing that I once lived in goodbye. Yesterday living in the light of a new day I won’t waste another minute on my old way praise the Lord I’ve been born again goodbye yesterday the spirit of the Lord is upon me a resurrection in my praise the Lord I’ve been born.

▶ 56:03 Again oh I’ve been born. Again I’ve been born again again and again and again you rescued me out of the mess I was in my sorrow for something sing. Dancing I once lived in. Yes. Woo praise the Lord goodbye yesterday I’m living in the light of a new day I won’t waste another minute on my old way praise the Lord I’ve been born again goodbye yesterday the spirit of the Lord is upon.

▶ 57:00 Me praise the Lord I’ve been born. Again. Woo I’ve been born. Again I’ve been born. Again I’ve been born again goodbye yesterday I’m living and the Lord is upon me. Resurrection in my ve praise the Lord I’ve been born again goodbye. Yesterday Lord is upon me I want resurrection in my ve praise the Lord I’ve been born. Again.

▶ 57:53 Oh I’ve been bor. Again. Hallelujah oh I’ve been born. Again I’ve been born. Again oh I’ve been born. Again hallelujah you. Jesus praise. Jesus we’re dancing on the pr Lord. Hallelujah thank you. Lord thank you. Jesus I. Know. Hallelujah hallelujah praise the Lord.

▶ 59:09 Hallelujah God will rain. Forever all the world will know his name and everyone. Together sing the song of I know that my redeemer lives and now I stand on what he did my savior my savior. Live every day a brand new ch to say Jesus you are the only way my savior my savior. Liv the king has come from heaven. Darkness tres at his name victory.

▶ 1:00:01 Forever is the song. Of I know that my redeemer lives and now I stand on all he did my savior my savior. Liv every day a brand new chance to say Jesus oh the only way my savior my savior. Liv my savior liv my savior liv my savior live he. Liv my savior li my savior li my savor.

▶ 1:01:00 I know that my redeemer and now I stand on what he did my savior my savior. Live let’s clap every new chest you say Jesus you are the only way my savior my savior liv. Savior my savior. Live yes he’s liv. Hallelujah my savior thank you Lord. Hallelujah there’s joy in your house today God hallelujah hallelujah.

▶ 1:01:56 We praise you God thank you Jesus. Hallelujah hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah hallelujah. Hallelujah accepting salvation in the name of Jesus Christ and being baptized going down into that water we’re raised up a new creation and that song we sang earlier we are dancing on the grave that we once lived in and that grave had no knowledge of Christ had no knowledge of his goodness had no knowledge of etern eternity that we have in Christ amen so let’s dance upon that grave we’re alive in him no matter what circumstances he said I will never leave you I will never forsake you nothing can separate us from his love as we’re growing so realize where you are God knows we’re going to grow we’re going to grow together amen.

▶ 1:03:18 Amen good yeserday I’m living in the light of a new day I won’t work another minute on my old way praise the Lord been born again goodbye. Yeserday living in the light of a new day I won’t waste another minute in my old way pr the Lord I’ve been born again. Yes. Pr I’ve been born again. I’ve been born. Again again and again and again and again dancing on the and I want in dancing on the grave that I want with.

▶ 1:04:18 In again and again you resc me out of the I was in traded my sorrow for something to. Sing and again and again and again you res me out of the m you my sorrow for. Something. Yesterday living in the light a new day I won’t waste another minute in my old way praise the Lord I’ve been born. Again. Yeserday living in the light of a new day I won’t waste another minute in my old way praise the Lord I’ve been born.

▶ 1:05:12 Again. Yes been born. Again oh I’ve been born again. Yes. Hallelujah praise the Lord hallelujah hallelujah Jesus thank you Lord thank you. I’m in a fight not. Physical I’m in a war but not with this world you are the light that’s.

▶ 1:06:10 Beautiful I want more I want all that’s. Yours joy speak that won’t go away more than enough strength to live for today so I never have to worry what. Tom I’m count on I’m counting on God come on I’m counting on I’m counting on God I’m counting on. I’m we’re in to fight in a war but now in this world you are that’s beautiful. I want more I want all that your here we go joy unable that w go away.

▶ 1:07:07 More I never have to worry. Tomorrow I’m counting on I’m counting on God I’m counting on I’m counting on. Godle Christ in me aer that set fre I’m nothing like I used to be open up your eyes. Miracle the miracle of Christ in. Me I’m nothing like I used to be just open up your eyes. Unable more enough strength.

▶ 1:08:11 To I cting on I am counting on God I am counting on I am counting on God I on I am I counting on I am counting on God. Thank you we h you we bless you name thank you thank you Jesus God. Oh God you are great. Wonderful. Jesus Jesus. We worship we worship. You how.

▶ 1:09:09 Great Lord you say in the scriptures and read letters said all authority has been given unto me God oh God you have been given all authority you have all authority over this earth over every principality body of darkness Lord you have all authority over heaven God you have the access into heaven Lord you hold the keys God you are the way the truth and the life and God no one can come but by you Lord Jesus and God Lord you say before you rose and before you ascended into heaven you said I will be with you to the end to the end of the age forever. God you’re with us God you’re with us yes your authority your power Lord that’s why we’re able to tread upon scorpions and serpents and over all the power of the enemy because you are with us Lord Jesus we thank you this.

▶ 1:10:15 Morning we thank you Lord Jesus amen. Hallelujah seated. Above thrown in the father’s. Blood destined to die pour out for all man. God’s only son perfect. Andless. One he never s but suffered.

▶ 1:11:18 And all auth. Glor every victory is. Yours all. Auor. Every glory is. Lord. Savior worthy of honor and glory. Glory worthy of all our praise you. Overcame. Jesus awesome in power.

▶ 1:12:14 Forever awesome and great is your name you overcame. Power in hand speaking the father’s. Plan you’re sending us. Down all of glor every victory. Is. Yours all of glory every victory.

▶ 1:13:08 Is your hallelujah. Hallelujah. Savior worthy of honor and glory worthy of all our praise. You. Overcame. Jesus awesome and power. Forever awesome and great is your name you. Overcame we will overcome. By the blood of the lamb the word of our testimony.

▶ 1:14:02 Everyone. Overcome we will. Overcome by the blood of the lamb the word of our testimony. Everyone over. Come. Savior worthy of honor and glory worthy of all of our praise you. Overcame. Jesus. Jesus awesome in awesome in power.

▶ 1:14:56 Awesome and pr. Your you. Overcame. Jesus awesome and power. Forever awesome and great is your name you overcame. Jus awesome in power. Forever awesome and great is your name you. Overcame yes Jesus.

▶ 1:15:51 Yes Lord you we. More than more than conquerors more. Conquer you are worthy of it. All you are worthy of it all. For from you are all things to you are all things you deserve the glory you are worthy of it.

▶ 1:16:45 All you are worthy. Of let’s lift our hands. In pour from you are all things and to you are all things you deserve the glory for from you are all things and to you are all things you deserve the glory Lord you deserve our praise from you all things to you you all. Things Jesus you deserve the glory from you are all things to you are all.

▶ 1:17:40 Things you. Deserve. Glory hallelujah. Yes thank you God thank you. Jesus than you. Jesus thank you Jesus. Thank you. Jesus thank you.

▶ 1:18:37 Jesus thank you. Jesus thank you. Jesus thank you jes. Jus is your bir. In is it all too to car let me tell you about my Jesus. All and desperate for on. Let me tell you about my Jesus oh he makes the way when there ain’t no way rises up from an empty grave ain’t no sinner he can’t sa let me tell you about my Jesus his love is strong and his grace is.

▶ 1:19:48 True. By you you for me let me tell you about my Jesus let my Jesus change your life. Hallelujah. Hallelujah hallelujah. Amen. Amen wipe away the tears broken dreams and wastings until the past. Disappear let me tell you about. Jesus let me tell you about my Jesus he makes a way where there ain’t no way rises up from an empty grave ain no sinner he can’t sa let me tell you about my Jesus his love is strong and his grace is true good thing is I know that he will do for you what he’s done for me let me tell you about my Jesus let my Jesus change your life.

▶ 1:21:15 Hallelujah. Hallelujah hallelujah. Amen. Amen am. Take my cross to calary p the price for all my guil. Would. About let me tell you about my Jesus he makes a way where there ain’t no way rises up on an empty grave ain’t no sinner that he can’t save let me tell you about my Jesus his love is strong and his grace. Is do for you what he’s done for me let me tell you about my Jesus let my Jesus change our life.

▶ 1:22:13 Hallelujah. Hallelujah hallelujah. Amen amen. Thank. You amen Jesus is the reason amen.

Scripture in this part

Scripture (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 11:26 (NKJV)

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

— 1 Corinthians 11:26 (NKJV)▶ Hear it at 40:23

More questions this message answers

Short answers drawn only from what he says in this message, each with the moment in the video.

Can you win in the kingdom?

Yes; you can win a gold medal in the kingdom.

▶ Watch at 2:23

Can you be strong outside but dead inside?

Yes; the fastest runner or a millionaire can have a dead spirit.

▶ Watch at 4:13

What if Jesus speaks?

You better get out of the way, because it’s about to happen.

▶ Watch at 6:03

What substances?

Fentanyl, drugs, alcohol: if it’s ruling your life, turn from it.

▶ Watch at 10:08

Is brushing your teeth a work?

Yes; coming to church is too.

▶ Watch at 15:05

Are ladies excluded?

No; all of us are kings and priests.

▶ Watch at 16:35

What is happening to identity?

Today we throw God’s identities out.

▶ Watch at 17:52

Do we like junk food?

Yes, but decide what goes into your spiritual man.

▶ Watch at 24:36

Why sing I Pledge Allegiance?

There are a lot of flags and many want our allegiance; give it to Christ.

▶ Watch at 46:59

About this transcript

This transcript comes from YouTube’s automatic English captions, which supply the timing and the words. Punctuation, capitalization and paragraphing were added from the speaker’s pauses and then corrected by hand, and obvious caption errors (names, Bible references) were fixed; his wording was not rewritten. “[unclear]” marks a word or name that was not clear. Editor notes: He says Bolt broke the record in 2009 (“I think”); left as said. He doesn’t name the pole vaulter. Includes communion (~40:23). Select any time to jump to that moment on YouTube.

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