It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint | Stephen Chandler | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

It's a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Stephen Chandler

Union Church • Sep 7, 2026 • 42 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message, Pastor Stephen Chandler uses Peter's return to fishing in John 21 and his own experience running an endurance race to illustrate that the Christian walk is a marathon, not a sprint. While waiting on God can feel overwhelming, God uses seasons of waiting to test our hearts, refine our convictions, and prepare us to steward His promises. By keeping our spiritual covering intact through submission to authority and community, we can shift our focus from temporary concerns to discipling and caring for His sheep.

Themes

Endurance in the Christian WalkTrusting God's Timing and ProvisionSpiritual Garment and IdentitySubmission and Spiritual AuthorityKingdom Discipleship

Pastor's Points

1.

God uses time to test your heart.

2.

Keep your clothes on while you wait.

3.

Don't miss the flip.

Key Points

1.
God uses time to test your heart.
2.
Keep your clothes on while you wait.
3.
Don't miss the flip.
4.
The Christian journey is an endurance race that requires spiritual stamina rather than a quick burst of speed.
5.
God already has the provision prepared for our needs before we even recognize there is a problem.
6.
God uses seasons of waiting to test what is in our hearts and whether we will walk by faith over feelings.
7.
How we steward a promise before it comes to pass dictates how we will steward the miracle when it arrives.
8.
Taking off our outer garment represents removing our calling, righteousness in Christ, and submission to spiritual authority.

Sermon Moments

“What you can't catch, God already has it... He already has the solution before you even realize it was a problem.”

“The race is designed to drain all of your energy in the first quarter... this is not a speed race, this is an endurance race.”

“How you steward a word that is not yet in season will dictate how you will steward the miracle when it comes.”

“Everywhere you go, someone's looking at you... you're anointed by Almighty God.”

“How many times a week do we take off Jesus to live in the flesh?”

“There is safety in being under authority. There is supernatural acceleration when I submit my life to one another.”

“Christ said, "Here's what I want you to give the rest of your life to: helping other people grow into the fullness of who Christ made them to be."”

This Week

Practice patience this week by entrusting an unanswered prayer or delayed timeline to God's perfect timing.

Guard your spiritual covering by actively reflecting Christ's righteousness and calling in your everyday actions and words.

Commit to remaining plugged into a small group or local church community to maintain godly accountability and safety.

Choose faith over feelings when faced with frustration or inconvenient situations this week.

Identify a younger or newer believer in your life and commit to discipling and encouraging them in their walk with God.

Align your daily motives with spirit-led convictions rather than personal convenience or ambition.

Reflect on your personal legacy and focus on investing in people and kingdom relationships rather than temporary successes.

Remember This

The Christian life is an endurance race where true success comes from staying spiritually covered, trusting God's timing, and devoting our lives to discipling others.

A Challenge for You

Surrender your life afresh to Christ, stop going back to what you left behind, and remain focused on helping others know and grow in Him.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.