Free & Fit NYC - Freedom Message - Sermon by Tim Cheux

Freedom Message - When can we access Gods freedom?

Now! Right now God is accessible to you through the revelation of his word. The Bible can help you to build a relationship between you and Jesus. It’s not just religion through turning up and then leaving Church early on a Sunday. Rather it’s a relationship. God loves you. He loved you first and his perfect love casts out all fear. Understanding Gods love changes your perspective. His love never fails. 2 Corinthians 3:17 tells us “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

When can you receive freedom?

Now! Hear that, right NOW. The context of time to God is in the now. This is how God operates It means that the future, past and human concept of linear time don’t apply to God he is on a different wavelength. Kairos, an Ancient Greek word meaning the right, critical, or opportune moment. Kairos is Gods timing it signifies a proper or opportune time for action. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us there is a time for everything. In the present, not the past or the present, we are known by God that is when we go to God. He does not leave us or forsake us. He places us under his arm and we soar like we are on the wings of an eagle. Are you ready RIGHT NOW to embrace Gods freedom?

Remember This

God wants you to be free for his glory, in surrender we can glorify him and submit ourselves to his will in the RIGHT NOW!

Free and Fit Example

This example is taken from www.freenfit.org and the blog on the “Reason that I Run”

Proverbs 22:6 says “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” and Proverbs 14:1 says “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”

Its a Sunday morning in peak British heat, the crowds are coming through the turnstiles as the men and the women of the London marathon come bundling through to the finish line and my Mum, having completed the brutal 26.2 mile distance, arrives without a sweat on her forehead and at the same pace she averaged around the course. Quite remarkable.

My Mum was not always a keen sports person or long distance runner. When she was younger she was more renowned for her dancing, attending parties and she even used to be a smoker earlier in life. In her adult years she would host dinner parties and although a keen badminton player, she started distance running much later in life. Margaret, my Mums first name, was a huge hit at her running club in Stopsley Striders where she still holds records for the best 5K, 10K, 10Mile and 1/2 marathon distances in the over fifty age group

However, what people don’t know is my perspective on my Mums running from my teenage years. Rarely would a day go by when my Mum would go running and I wouldn’t comment on how lonely the sport was and how I would never go running because it wasn’t a team sport. I was 100% against running. Don’t get me wrong I loved sport and would play every day soccer, go swimming, cycling, play tennis, badminton and other individual non team sports. Yet for some reason I would always find an excuse or a reason to criticize my Mums love for running. How foolish I was my Mums example, dedication and excellent running records hold out long after her retirement from running. Just to give you context of her excellent running record her personal best for a marathon over fifty was three hours and twenty three minutes. Quite exemplary.

Today my Mum cycles, walks and takes her wonderful dog Woody on long trail routes around the beautiful Cotswold’s countryside near to where she lives in Gloucestershire. Regularly exercising, getting involved in community sports and building deep and meaningful relationships with the locals in her area. My Mum is a fine example of a leader, athlete and how to be a Mother.

The impact of her running on my life? It’s completely changed. This year I enter my seventh marathon, my first in the US and like my Mum I prefer to run by the sea or in the countryside so I can’t wait to enter the Atlantic City marathon this October. Mum, without your example or excellence, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Truly, thank you! You are always having been and always will be a good example for so many who know you, meet you and interact with you. Happy London Marathon day!’

What position do we need to be in to receive Gods freedom?

We need to be still and know that he is God. We need to approach God not seeking his approval through worth, but through Worship. Not faith by works, but faith through worship. What is your favored worship style? How do you Worship the Lord? Where you seek to find him there he is in the midst of your day, moment or obstacle. You can transform your circumstance through a Worship stance. Be alert, be alive, and be active in worshipping where you are.

Galatians 5:1 says “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery”.

Changing Your Lifestyle

Receiving Gods word changes your lifestyle. Christ came so that you can freely experience and embrace him like the Prodigal son. No matter what you have done, how bad it feels or where you are today in your faith Jesus wants to embrace you in his arms today. When you are facing challenges, stuck in a rut of inactivity or challenged by what lays before you God wants to meet you where you are and provide you with the freedom to turn back to him. His love, his embrace and his reflection is not transactional. He purely gives us the freedom we seek without expectation. Even if you ignore him in the right now, he will still be there in the waiting, wanting and in just the right time. His grace and mercy abound, his mercies are new every morning.

Free and Fit Example

Taken from the www.freenfit.org blog “Psalms, Planks & Prayers- 40 Days & 40 Workouts.”

“The Free & Fit 40 Days & 40 Workouts returned for the Lenten season with Psalms, Planks & Prayers throughout this Lenten season in 2019. Free & Fit founder Tim Cheux referred to the Psalms, whilst performing Planks and recording Prayers daily, on Instagram, which included a verse a day that was read through the Passion Translation.

Last year Tim completed the 40 Days and 40 Workout Challenge following the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount and Matthew 5 verses 1 through 13. You can see parts of Tim's Lenten series 2018 here in the link and details below.

Free & Fit Challenge the Beatitudes - https://www.freenfit.org/single-post/2018/06/29/Free-Fit-Challenge-2018-Beatitudes-Personal-Group-Faith-Fitness-Facilitation

Free & Fit 40 Days & 40 Workout Example 2018 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRtgxsPEH_Q

Throughout this Lenten season Tim will also be sharing the full workout and worship session on YouTube with Exercises, Meditations and Reflections all available by following the Free and Fit New York City YouTube Channel. Free & Fit 40 Days and 40 Workouts Day 1, Psalm 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8XuB912NGs Free & Fit 40 days & 40 Workouts Psalm, Plank & Prayer Day 1 Psalm 1: https://www.instagram.com/p/BusAF8IFGF8/

The core concept of combining Sport and Scripture is to enable the body to benefit from the environment of working out outside, whilst meditating and reflecting upon the word of God which both stimulates and informs the individual during the spiritual practice of prayer and meditation. Unlike Yoga or Pilates, the practice and discipline of Worship and Workout is different as it penetrates both the soul and Spirit from a purely Christian practice.

Rather than stretching or focusing on a different faith, culture, tradition or religion the practice of stretching, working out, worshipping, reciting scripture and meditating on the Word of God is exclusively Christian. During this process Tim recites the Lord prayer in the warm up to his exercise; he reads the verse, recites the passage reference and a closing prayer both in the workout and the Psalm, Plank and Prayer.

The Passion Translation was chosen specifically as it enables more access to the Holy Spirit through the flowing endorphins of exercise, perspiration of the sport itself and the fresh and fluid poetic description of scripture offered through this modern and romantic translation. Due to the nature of the Psalms this can be any number of emotions allowing freedom, truth and transparency to flow through the workout.’

Remember This

God wants to meet you where you are, he doesn’t want you to be alone. In compassion he shows us empathy to unite in prayer and worship with him.

How can we find God

We follow a God who wants to be in community, communion and fellowship with you. The challenge is where do we go to find him? We find him at the foot of the alter, at the foot of the Cross where we can seek his forgiveness and turn back to him, through humbly repenting to him our sins and recognizing that we need him to find the fullness of his freedom. So then, we need to stand firm where we are, not deviating, being double minded or reluctant to approach him, but instead focusing and fixing our eyes fully on Jesus.

How do we Practically Find God

It’s a physical, spiritual and mental process. 2 Timothy 1:7 says “for the Spirit God gave us do not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” When in 2 Timothy 1:7 says that the Lord does not give us a spirit of fear or cowardice in certain translations it means that we should not be afraid about what is ahead of us because we believe in a God who has already seen our future and that can permit us the fruit, gifts and presence of the Holy Spirit to teach us the way to go. 2 Timothy 1:7 says that we receive the power, love and self discipline of God in a process by which once we receive these qualities we can then transfer them to share with others. Thus we will then, through prayer and petition, be able to share the self control, love and power of God through the same perfect love that casts out all fear and the same power that raised Christ from the dead is alive in us today.

Remember This

Take your problems to God. To be truly free we have to recognize our need to surrender and to overcome challenges through obedience and prayer.

Free and Fit Example:

Taken from www.freenfit.org the Blog entitled” Atlantic City Marathon 2018 - 26.2 Miles ran by Tim Cheux.

“My completed recorded chip time at Atlantic City Marathon was three hours and seven minutes and fifty seconds. This was much better than I could ever hope or imagine and provided great impetus for me to believe that my next full marathon could be under three hours if I complete even more intense training, with the correct gels and of course the correct training regime in preparation for my next race.

The process and training for the Marathon reminded me of the Scripture Galatians 5:6 (b)-8 "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you".

It reminded me of running a bad race like the Milton Keynes Marathon in contrast to the first twenty miles of the Atlantic City Marathon. I knew that I would face trials and tribulations along the way, but I needed to be stronger so I wouldn't get stuck. Failing to prepare for the Milton Keynes Marathon, failing to get the right gels for the Atlantic City Marathon and realizing that I had not been fully focused on Jesus meant that I needed to fully immerse myself in the Word and Worship when approaching my next running race.

Instead I needed to fix my eyes on Jesus as noted in Hebrews 12. "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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-3.)"

Regardless of the distance I need to be more self disciplined and love Jesus, not my training, as part of my faith journey.

It is imperative that I am not just running, without faith, as this is a purely flesh and human response. Instead I need to think about my thoughts, training and meditate on this passage from Hebrews 12:1-3.

With the word on my lips, the meditation of my heart on scripture and support from friends and family in prayer I need to ask Jesus to help me use my running, training and preparation for my next marathon as a way to honor God in all that I do.

As a result, in my next Marathon I will make sure that both my training and my preparation in every part of my faith are excellent reflecting the love, hope and faith of Christ by being a good steward of the gifts I have received. Not by works, but by my faith in Christ I would be able to achieve a bigger goal than me and in preparation of doing things not on my own, but in faith and with Christ alone, my Cornerstone, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Turning Back to God

Despite this encouragement and message of how to turn back to God, to receive his power love and self control is not as easy as it sounds. How do we share our faith with others and express the reason for the hope that we have? I know or love people, but I don’t necessarily know how to emotionally and spiritually love them in a healthy way. Thankfully the Bible provides us with some practical and real virtues and values than can help us to overcome this exact problem. For example, when sharing faith it is very different and difficult in comparison to being at Church. Especially with close friends and family. What if they don’t accept what we say? Or what if they turn down our invitation to go to Church? Galatians 5:22 says that the difference is the fruit of the Spirit. BUT! The fruit of the Spirit is…..

Galatians 5:22-23 says ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

We can grow in our spiritual faith and belief through the test of our testimony. By sharing what we have been through with our friends and families they will be able to recognize what struggles we have in our life. For example if I talk to you about food, I struggle not to eat all the bad stuff like chocolate, cake and sweet things. I have a sweet tooth. It’s my Achilles heel. However, for you it maybe savory foods that you struggle with. Either way we nearly always almost love some types of food. Except perhaps for Brussels sprouts or Broccoli, Water Cress or Eggs. These are the things I have disliked at some point in my life. What do you dislike in food? Perhaps it’s not quite the same, but we have to discern for us what good spiritual food for us is. What we are feeding our selves matters.

Remember this: Our failings are not our future. We learn best from our mistakes and have to overcome difficulties through the Holy Spirit.

Closing of the Message

The distractions we face today from achieving our goals and focusing on Christ can easily take over. We have to be conscious of what causes us to fall and how we can overcome the challenges of the faith recognizing our human nature and our need for a supernatural savior. The development of being in community, communion and fellowship with him are essential for us to survive. The main difference is our perspective; by handing over control we can experience true and everlasting freedom. The sort of freedom that we have available is perhaps not conventional. Yet, it is relational, it’s accessible through Jesus Christ and more importantly it doesn’t cost anything! Living well for Christ equalizes us all, it removes the need for a human approval and grants us the freedom of Christ to set us free.

Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Take a moment to pause. Let us really prepare for God to help us discover freedom in him as we hunger and thirst to know more of him through working out and worshipping with him. We must remember wherever we are we always have open access to the Father. Wherever the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom...and…it is for freedom that Christ came to set us free! I would like you to pick one of these qualities that Paul is challenging the Church in Philippi to focus on. Whether it is Truth, Nobleness, Righteousness, Purity, Loveliness, Admirable, Excellent or Praiseworthy. Think about such things.

Remember This

Being right isn’t always the best way to be. Remember that our help comes from Jesus. The one

who saves. Live well. Live for God. In freedom for him.

Closing Prayer

Father we thank you for your love, your truth, your nobleness, your righteousness, your purity, your loveliness and your son Jesus Christ who came to set us free. Please Lord come into our lives, set us free and help us live out our lives for you in Jesus name. Amen.

Bibliography

Adriaanse, J. Schofield, T. (2014) Journal of Sport Management "The Impact of Gender Quotas on Gender Equality in Sport Governance" 28(5):485-497 September 2014

Barry, William A. & Connolly, William J. (1982) “The Practice of Spiritual Direction.”

Harper One

Bumpus, Mary Rose and Langer, Rebecca Bradburn (2005) “Supervision of Spiritual

Gregory Cleveland. (2019) "Awakening Love: An Ignatius Retreat with the Song of Songs". Pauline Books and Media

Directors Engaging in Holy Mystery”, Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing.

Edwards, Denis. “Discernment of the Holy Spirit.” (Presence) (December 2007),

Journal 21-29. International Spiritual Direction Journal.

Gallagher, Timothy M. (2017) “A Handbook for Spiritual Directors An Ignatius Guide for Accompanying Discernment of God’s Will.” Crossroad Publishing Company.

Nouwen, Henri J. M., with Michael J. Christensen and Rebecca J. Laird. Spiritual Direction:

Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith. HarperOne, 2006

Nouwen, Henri J. M., with Michael J. Christensen and Rebecca J. Laird. (2006) Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith. HarperOne.

Parry, Jim. Robinson, Simon. Watson, Nick J. Nesti, Mark. (2007) “Sport and Spirituality an Introduction.” Routledge.

Puhl. J. Louis (1952), The “Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius” Louis J. Puhl. Loyola.

Silver, Anne Winchell. (2004) “Trustworthy Connections”: Interpersonal Issues in Spiritual Direction. Cowley Publications.

Smither. L. Edward. (2009)“Augustine as Mentor”. B&H Publishing Group.

Websites Used

https://www.london.anglican.org/articles/faith-and-fitness/

https://www.freenfit.org/single-post/2019/03/06/Free-Fit-Challenge-2019-Psalms-Planks-Prayers-40-Days-40-Workouts

https://www.freenfit.org/single-post/2018/10/22/Free-Fit-NYC-Atlantic-City-Marathon-2018-262-Miles-ran-by-Tim-Cheux

https://www.freenfit.org/single-post/2018/03/23/Free-and-Fit-Challenge-40-Days-and-40-Workouts

https://www.freenfit.org/single-post/2018/04/22/Free-Fit-Challenge-2018-The-Reason-I-Run-by-Tim-Chew

Love & Blessings

Tim & F&F team

Join Tim at Free and Fit events by signing up to our events online here at our website www.freenfit.org About the Free & Fit Challenge The Free and Fit course has been created to build strong social skills, charge healthy physical bodies and to instil a well balanced and sound mind. Participants who complete the full course over 12 sessions will learn how to work effectively with their team members to build strong values of power, love, and self discipline. Free & Fit Mission To reduce loneliness through Sports, the Arts, Social Justice and Service. Free & Fit Vision The vision of free and fit course is to engage, motivate, improve and hence find freedom in a physical and spiritual state. As such the freedom that leads to a peaceful heart; leads to a healthy body. The course is built upon the core value of learning together to be disciplined and motivated in our faith as well as our fitness. Free & Fit Website: https://www.freenfit.org/ Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCf4gjFopw_eyr6-w7c3bxiQ Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pg/freeandfitchallenge Twitter&Instagram: @freeandfitnyc Email: freeandfitnyc@gmail.com Freedom // Fitness // Fellowship Free & Fit Challenge © Copyright 2019 Free & Fit NYC/NJ © Copyright 2019 Free & Fit London © Copyright 2019