2. {1} Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, {2} fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB]

3. If the enemy can get us zoomed in on our self as Christians he can relax as we will become in effective for the kingdom of heaven
We will have spent all of our resources on self

4. You are chosen by God The call on your life The distractions The pain
Obedience comes through discipleship

5. Luke 15 The lost sheep The lost coin The lost son
{20} "So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. [Luke 15:4-10, 20 NASB]

6. In these 3 parables Jesus makes it very clear that God comes after us
In these 3 parables Jesus makes it very clear that God comes after us. We are clear on who God is and how He responds to us. What is He responding to?

7. Luke 14
{10} "But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. {11} "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." ... [Luke 14:10-11 NASB]

8. {25} Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, {26} "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. {27} "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple {28} "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? … [Luke 14:25-28 NASB]

9. {29} "Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, {30} saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' {31} "Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? [Luke 14:29-31 NASB]

10. {32} "Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. {33} "So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. {34} "Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? [Luke NASB]

11. Let’s not lose it because we mistake it for shame
Conviction
Let’s not lose it because we mistake it for shame

12. GOD IS MOVED BY OUR SACRIFICE AND CONVICTION
Luke 14 gives us great instruction on what is required of us as Followers of Christ.
We must deny our self and become disciples
“To be truly free is to be a slave of Christ” Myles Munroe
To be free is to live a life full of conviction and open to being convicted
A humble man can not be humiliated

13. Is it the same or just similar
Same: identical, not different
Similar: resembling without being identical
Resemble: looks or seems alike
Here are a few things that are similar…

22. Conviction The check in your spirit
What do you do with the check (Conviction)?

23. Responses
Repent – choose life, choose discipleship, choose relationship, walk in a new way
Ignore – become ignorant begin to make excuses for behaviors
Blame – someone else is the reason you behave the way you do (this is a lie)
Shame – you see yourself as the problem and need healing

24. Other Responses Become Defensive and Self Protect
Ignoring conviction builds ignorance and leads to making justification and excuses for sin
Blame others for your actions
Shame come into agreement with the lie that you re the problem

25. Repentance
Repentance begins with conviction that comes from Holy Spirit and leads us to the cross and Jesus where we find mercy and grace and the pursuit of Father God

26. {7} "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. {8} "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; [John 16:7-8 NASB]

27. Repentance leads to the abundant life Jesus bought so that you may live the one talked about in John 10: 10
{10} "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. [John 10:10 NASB]

28. Repentance Repentance is sometimes associated with an emotion
{17} From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." [Matthew 4:17 NASB]
If you want to see Heaven invade your life be quick to repent
To repent is to change one’s mind
To run this race we have got to get our mind right

29. Isaiah 30:15
For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be save, In quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing.