Calvary Chapel of San Antonio

"The pastor in Paul is coming out here. He is exhorting his readers (and us) to decide for themselves that they are going to finish the race. To finish we have to go into training (spiritual). It’s our responsibility to decide before God that it is our desire, our intention,

to do everything that God has set before us— missing nothing at all."

Talk about unbelief. The thens of God from last week. We simply don't have faith to believe that the thens of God are for us! We see other people walking in the promises but somehow never make it ourselves.

"The parable (Jesus refers to in v. 19) is an illustration of a truth I have tried to communicate often. Simply put, it says that the more we sin, the worse things become. They began by rejecting prophets and beating—even killing—them. But by rejecting the Son of God, they were rejecting God’s final word to the nation! They were, in effect, committing the only unpardonable sin—blasphemy of the Holy Spirit! You see, Jesus was God’s final witness to Israel and they rejected Him and if you reject Jesus, there is no hope left. If you are here today and have not received Christ, you are, for now, rejecting God’s final witness. Risky business…"

"Our study...is about true fasting, effective praying. It is also about man's unwillingness to meet God on His terms. For every one of you who has asked God why your prayers aren't being answered, please accept His challenge because He wants you to know. And He wants you to know because He really wants to answer your prayers."