Learning to Thrive When You’re Struggling to Survive

Series Review:

1. God has designed and called us to thrive, but we often struggle to survive.

Series Review: 1. God has designed and called us to thrive, but we often struggle to survive. 2. Paul challenged Timothy to thrive, but he was struggling just to survive. 1. God has designed and called us to thrive, but we often struggle to survive. 2. Paul challenged Timothy to thrive, but he was struggling just to survive.

1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) 1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)

Series Review: 1. God has designed and called us to thrive, but we often struggle to survive. 2. Paul challenged Timothy to thrive, but he was struggling just to survive. 3. Paul gave Timothy three models to guide him on his journey. 1. God has designed and called us to thrive, but we often struggle to survive. 2. Paul challenged Timothy to thrive, but he was struggling just to survive. 3. Paul gave Timothy three models to guide him on his journey.

3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 2 Timothy 2:3-6 (NIV) 3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 2 Timothy 2:3-6 (NIV)

3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV) 3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV)

SOLDIERATHLETEFARMER Danger: Distraction Defense Intensity Warning: Don’t Drift Goal: Please the Commander

Staying Pure in a World of Compromise Learning to Thrive When You’re Struggling to Survive Part 2 Learning to Thrive When You’re Struggling to Survive Part 2

5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV) 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

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. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV) 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. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV) 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

Lessons From the Wise World of Sports 1. We are warned about the danger of DISQUALIFICATION.

5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV) 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

SOLDIERATHLETEFARMER Danger: Distraction Disqualification Defense Intensity Warning: Don’t Drift Goal: Please the Commander

Lessons From the Wise World of Sports 1. We are warned about the danger of DISQUALIFICATION. 2. Our best defense is to become people of INTEGRITY. 1. We are warned about the danger of DISQUALIFICATION. 2. Our best defense is to become people of INTEGRITY.

5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV) 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

SOLDIERATHLETEFARMER Danger: Distraction Disqualification Defense IntensityIntegrity Warning: Don’t Drift Goal: Please the Commander

Lessons From the Wise World of Sports 1. We are warned about the danger of DISQUALIFICATION. 2. Our best defense is to become people of INTEGRITY. 3. God’s warning to us is DON’T CHEAT. 1. We are warned about the danger of DISQUALIFICATION. 2. Our best defense is to become people of INTEGRITY. 3. God’s warning to us is DON’T CHEAT.

5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV) 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

SOLDIERATHLETEFARMER Danger: Distraction Disqualification Defense IntensityIntegrity Warning: Don’t DriftDon’t Cheat Goal: Please the Commander

Lessons From the Wise World of Sports 1. We are warned about the danger of DISQUALIFICATION. 2. Our best defense is to become people of INTEGRITY. 3. God’s warning to us is DON’T CHEAT. 4.Our ultimate goal should be to WIN the PRIZE. 1. We are warned about the danger of DISQUALIFICATION. 2. Our best defense is to become people of INTEGRITY. 3. God’s warning to us is DON’T CHEAT. 4.Our ultimate goal should be to WIN the PRIZE.

5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV) 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

SOLDIERATHLETEFARMER Danger: Distraction Disqualification Defense IntensityIntegrity Warning: Don’t DriftDon’t Cheat Goal: Please the Commander Win the Prize

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. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV) 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. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV) 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

1 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. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 1 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. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2