MAN UP BIBLE SERIES New Things Lesson Two

The Real World I love movies about real events. If it includes a sports figure, all the better. My favorite is, “Chariots of Fire.” In this movie we see the story of Eric Liddell a Scot missionary who made his mark by refusing to run on Sunday. He took a stand and it cost him a shot at the gold medal in the 100 meter race. But he was offered a chance to run in the 400 meter race a few days later and won. Just before the race he is handed a note. The words were, “Those who honor me, I will honor.” As so it held true. As Eric Liddell honored the Lord so God honored him. The rest of the story is that Eric Liddell went to China as a missionary and died there in an interment camp in My Point in this story? What are you chasing after in your life as a Man of God? Success or Significance? The Scripture chosen today from Isaiah 40 was read by Eric Liddell in the movie and it is also on his tombstone in China. Let’s Mount Up with Wings like the Eagles! We have NEW STRENGTH!

The Real Word Isaiah 40:28-31New International Version (NIV) 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The L ORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the L ORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Real Talk If you knew you were going to die tomorrow what would you do? What Steals your passion in life? What Increases your passion in life? Have you made a dent in the universe? Does your life Matter?

Real Steps Success is: Temporary – Ebbs and Flows like the Stock Market. Ends when you die – No U Hauls behind a hearse. Never Satisfies – Never Enough. Always one more thing. Significance is: Lasts Forever - Eternal Values Carries On – Family – Spiritual Heritage Satisfies – Die with a Smile on your face. “Start today to live a life of significance. Your choices today will affect your tomorrows. Not only for you but for your family.”

Time to Close I have lived in Colorado Springs and one of my great joys was going out to Glen Eyrie and looking at the eagle nests way up on the cliffs. Eagles do something every interesting to their young eaglets. All their lives the parents take care of all the needs of the eaglets. So long that these babies are beginning to not look like babies any longer. At a certain time the parents take the eaglets and push them out of the nest. These eaglets have never flown before. As they tumble out of these high cliff nests an interesting thing happens. At a certain time they spread out those wings and begin to soar! You may feel like that baby eagle today. In sort of a free fall. Great news from our scripture today! Those who place their Hope in the Lord get New Strength! They will run and not get weary! So what have you been placing your Hope in? We can Hope in many things: Money, Power, Position, Possessions, even in our Government. Place your Hope in the Lord and soar like an eagle! The bumper sticker I saw the other day explained a lot about our experience as men:” It is hard to soar with the Eagles when we are surrounded by turkeys!” So true! Soar like an Eagle or Trot like a Turkey. The difference in who you put your hope in. Time to MAN UP!