The Christian Journey

Comparison:  Israel's Journey from Egypt to the Promised Land

Application = 1 Cor. 10:1-6, 11

This = parallel to the Christian journey.
Egypt = land of bondage
Wilderness = wandering, teaching, growing
Promised Land = place of blessing

We are looking at the 1st. generation coming up out of Egypt.
Note:  we are in bondage to sin before accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior

I)  What did they do wrong?
They stopped!!!!  = didn't stop believing, owning God as their God,, following Him
                            = stopped short of His plan.  ie:  the blessing

II)  Where did they stop?
On the brink of blessing!!
God's plan for them - Ex. 3:7-8

III).  Why did they stop?  were on the brink of blessings
Answer:  easier to wander than to fight!
God's plan is NOT always easy, comfortable, ... BUT = BEST!

IV)  How did they fare? 
OK!  They got by .... Deut. 29:5

V)  What did they miss?  
Only God's BEST!! 
A)  What He had for them!
B)  What He had for their kids!
NOTE!!   on one hand, this is your journey.  However, others are affected by it!

VI)  What did they leave behind?  
A legacy!!... of a bad example!!
On one hand, God is going to use you.
However, YOU decide how!!  2 Tim. 2:20-21
You can be a flower pot or a chamber pot.  

SOME APPLICATIONS FOR US!!

How to NOT get stuck??
Don't stop!  Keep going!
Note: you don't make the journey all alone.  (God, brothers and sisters in Christ)
However, nobody is going to Carry you into the Promised Land!!

What if I Have stopped?
Then..... Re-Start!!!  We get more than one chance at the Promised Land.   Rev. 2:4-5 - to the church in Ephesus.

This journey requires....
(1)  a decision - (a) going to accept and get out of bondage
                         (b)  where you are going to spend the rest of your life?

(2)  A start - from Egypt AND From the wilderness

(3)  Continuity = doesn't mean never stumble, fall. 
                       = always get back up
Hang in there, keep going, keep moving
Example:  the tortoise and the hare

(4)  Self-discipline because = WORK!!!   Phil. 3:12-15    It's a whole lot easier to NOT do the things needed to do to get God's blessings

(5)  Regular re-adjustment - example:  self-guided missile.  (self-correcting)

(6)  An occasional Re-start
Because, we all tend to 'slip away', get lax, etc.

(7)  Confidence in God - (religious terminology = FAITH!!!)

Back to:  1 Cor. 10:11-13
POINT = (1)  You can DO THIS!! = is God's plan, will, desire for you!!
                (2)  with the help of  ... (a) God
                                                    (b) your brothers and sisters in Christ

This is YOUR Decision!!

Closing Scripture:  Heb. 11:1, 6

Priority Problems

Do you find yourself busy, doing stuff,  but accomplishing nothing?  Worried & stressed and have regrets at the end of the day.

The world today = directionless, anxious, unproductive.  However, we, as Christians, should not be that.       We have direction, we have purpose.  The Bible tells us not to be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and thanksgiving to let our requests be known to God.  And the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

We know if we are honoring God with our life, we should be bearing good fruit.  But, we live in a world that is directionless, anxious, and unproductive, and, we, as Christians can fall into this, too.

One of main reasons we do this = priorities get out of line, are off.

Here are some things that should be priorities and will make life more productive, less anxious,  and more direction and purpose to life.

First of all:
1)  Put your faith in Jesus.  Are never going to be effective in the life you are meant to live without a relationship with God..

     John 14:6 - You can't run from the author of life!

Just we live in a Christianized part of the world doesn't mean everyone is a Christian.  You have to make that decision yourself.  Someone else's faith will not save you!!

2)  Make meeting with God top priority.   Matt. 6:33 - seek God before seeking even necessities.

     a)  Spend time in the Bible - Psm. 119:105
          Read, meditate, memorize - God's Word gives direction, guides your path.  Helps set our mind on God, and puts our view of ourselves in its proper place.  He has a way of using His word in a huge way to work through your life.

    b)  Pray - Jer. 33:3  Starting your day with prayer and scripture, sets the tone for the whole day. 

3)  Eliminate distractions.  Distractions lead to procrastination
     Do you have a problem with procrastination?   Pretty universal problem.  When we eliminate some distractions in our life, helps us to better do the things we SHOULD do.
     Eph. 4:11-14 - God has given us these resources to make us solid in the faith.

Do we let the world dictate our life?  What we think about?  what we value?  what we work for?  spend time?  spend money?  
   What we see on our  Phone, TV, social media, Video games, podcasts, videos we let dictate what we think about that day.  Are they good hobbies, do they help with tasks?
Col. 3:1-2

Challenge:  Don't consume anything until you've met with the Creator.  Not just food.  Before we start taking in what the world has to say this morning.  Before all this, spend time with the Creator whose every word is true.

4)  Write down priorities and order efforts accordingly.
   Example:  1) God  2)  Family  3) Work   4) Ministry

 Question:  How am I ordering my priorities?  Am I doing the big things first, or spending all my time on the small stuff.

Little book - quick read - "Tyranny of the Urgent" by Charles G. Hummel

You'll be amazed when you start doing the important things first, how there will be time enough for all the smaller things. 

What are the effects of proper priorities?

---Peace - Psm. 1:1-6, Isa. 26:3  Peaceful heart should set Christians apart.  You can't have peace, can't rest apart from God.  Are to rest in the presence of God.  God IS our rest!

---Fruitfulness, productivity - John 15:4-5, Titus 3:14

---Discernment - Rom. 12:1-2  Direction.  

Let us strive to put God first.

Closing Scripture:  Matt. 11:25-30

8 Words to Direct Your Life

Opening Scriptures:
Matt. 5:13 - you are the salt
Matt. 5:14 - you are to be the light of the world
Eph. 2:10 - you were created by God for good works
1 Cor. 12:7 - every Christian given manifestations of the Spirit for the good of others 

Point = You are here for a Reason!  a Purpose!
In other words -- to MAKE A DIFFERENCE    (MAED)  - make an eternal difference

in light of that.....  8 words to direct your life... FROM A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

#1.  CONSIDER = stop and think, examine, reflect on LIFE and YOUR life
Jesus said, "life is more than food and clothes"  - more than material things.
Should ask self "where I came from?  Where am I going?  WHY am I here?  - sum total of philosophy

Prov. 14:8, 15, 21:29    Matt. 6:30-33

#2.  CHOOSE - on one hand, can't choose all things (when and where born, to whom, siblings, etc)
                      however, CAN choose what to DO with what you have
Deut. 30:11-15, 19

John 1:11- given opportunity to accept Christ.

#3.  DEVELOP- IF you choose Christ, THEN are to Develop your Christian Character!  2 Pet. 1:3-9
This requires... attention, effort, discipline, continuity

#4.  INFLUENCE - "salt, light, fishers of men, helpers" = INFLUENCE
in other words, guide, direct, convince, sway, shape, change for the better
2 Cor. 5:17-20
"ambassador" - seeks to Represent Christ
                     - seeks to influence people for Christ

Lest I present Christianity as ALL work and responsibility ... add
#5.  ENJOY!  1 Tim. 6:17
Proverbs says a lot about "glad heart, cheerful heart"
Ecclesiastes - "nothing better than Be Happy - Do good - eat, drink and find satisfaction in your work - this is God's gift to man"
Nehemiah 8 = "Go enjoy choice food, sweet drinks, do not grieve FOR (1) this is a holy day" AND "the joy of the Lord is your strength"

But also...
#6.  PREPARE   Luke 12:13-21 - this man had an Abundance!!  Was prepared to ENJOY it!! But failed to prepare for most important time of his life!!! (ie:  death and thereafter!!)  Hence = "Rich Fool"

#7.  REVISIT - ie:  Reexamine, Review, Reevaluate these things! 
Is often repeated in Scripture: "Remember, don't forget, be careful, watch out, etc....
BECAUSE We = forgetful... Especially when times are good!!!
2 Pet. 1:12-13  - The value, benefit of attending a good Bible based church!

#8.  READJUST - compare to self-guided missile.  Knows the target but has to readjust course many times during the trip there.
But, we are not machines, we don't automatically readjust.  We have to consciously choose to readjust course.
must apply 'self.... attention, examination, willingness, effort

This seems intense!  A lot of effort and work and self-discipline!  And it IS!!! But.... John 13:17 - "not you know... blessed If you DO....!!
This I know about you..... in other words, You Want to Be Blessed!!!

Closing Scripture:  Deut. 28:1-6

Faith for the Fire

Recap = Daniel 1.  (See last week's notes.)  605 BC - Jerusalem invaded, best and wisest of young men taken to Babylon to make them into Babylonian wise men.

Today:

Dan. 2:1-2 - Nebuchadnezzar's dream.  Offered death or riches to magicians, enchanters, sorcerers (all forbidden) to not only tell him what the dream was but then EXPLAIN what the dream MEANT!! 
Apparently, these wise men could do something things. 
Examples:  Egyptian magicians, sorcerers - mimicking some of the signs that Moses showed Pharoah. 
                 Witch of Endor and calling up Samuel for Saul.  
The Bible CONDEMNS dabbling in witchcraft, substances, black magic, etc.  It will mess you up, and has nothing to do with Jesus.  Continuing in these things can ruin a society.  

Dan. 2:10-11 - what king asks is impossible for all but the true God.

King very angry at this.  Set decree to destroy all of the wise men.  This included Daniel and three friends. 

Dan. 2:12-18 Daniel responds with prudence and discretion.  Then  schedules meeting with the king.  Goes home and prays with his friends.  You need Christian brothers and sisters in your life.  Join a church.  Get involved with those that are there.
Daniel tells the king his dream and the interpretation. 
Interpretation:  head of gold
                       chest of silver
                       body of bronze
                       legs of iron
                       feet of iron mixed with clay
                       large stone
(descriptions of coming kingdoms after Babylonians)

When things get crazy in the world, Christians should be the most calm.

Dan. 2:25-30   Daniel gave all the credit to God, not himself.

Point #1:  God's best servants are humble servants.

Dan. 2:46-49
Question:  did the King get saved?  Answer:  NO!!  Paid lip service.  Bowed down and paid Daniel homage.  Shouldn't have done that!!Was stirred but not changed.

Point #2:  God's servants don't just give lip service!  Matt. 15:7-8
Jesus to the Pharisees,
See that in many folks - they have an experience, but no submission to God.

How do you know King Neb wasn't changed?

Dan. 3:1-7 - Image of gold - 90 ft. tall, 9 ft. wide.    Set up probably near where the Tower of Babel was built.
Ordered everyone to fall down and worship the image when heard the music.  Clearly Nebuchadnezzar was not changed. 
Everyone went along.  

Point #3:  God's people don't follow the crowd.
If the whole world is chasing something, you need to stop and question - is this honoring to God or not?
The mark of a Christian is not how much you can look like the world. 
John 15:18 - if the world hates you, understand, it hated me first.  However,
Rom. 12:18 - as far as it depends on you, live in peace.

Dan. 3:8-12
Point #4:  God's people will be hated - 2 Tim. 3:12
Chaldeans had lost their influence to these Hebrew boys whose God was not a god of the Babylonians. they'd been put in places of authority  So, they tried to have Shad, and Misch, and Abed killed. 

Just like Jesus was rejected by the elites (Pharisees and Sadducees) who were trying to hang on to their control.   John 9:41 - knew the truth of who Jesus was but but tried to suppress it.

Rom. 1:20-22 - they were without excuse.  Claiming to be wise, became fools.   Word for fool = Nabal. - morally corrupt, willingly disobedient, 
If you are suppressing God's call, drop your pride and come to Jesus.  

Dan. 3:13-18
Point #5:  Obedience to God is always right 

Dan. 3:19-23 - king sat down to laugh

Dan. 3:24-27 - 4th. man in the fire?  son of the gods?  Christophony?   I believe was Jesus!
God saves his people. not even the smell of smoke on their clothing.

Psm. 103:11-12
Point #6:  Jesus Saves  His blood was so precious and powerful, it can save YOU!  Murderers, adulterers, thieves, even tax collectors.  Saves completely!!!

Eph. 2:8-9 - if you've never put your faith in Jesus Christ, let go and follow Jesus.  If He's drawing you to Himself, don't fight it.  Don't put it off!

For those of us who ARE Christians, let us not be afraid to stand for truth, for God, let us think about what we're doing, what we are going along with.  Make sure our confessions and our praise goes to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

 

 

Set Apart for the Lord

 Can learn a lot from Sunday School Bible stories.  They stick with you throughout your life.

This morning from book of Daniel.

Dan. 1:1-2 - takes place about 605 BC. Later, were more sieges, more captives taken, finally temple overthrown.

Question:  The Lord gave.......?  Why? 
Answer:  to discipline His people.  They were living in sin. Had abandoned God.   Can read about that in Jeremiah, Ezekiel, 2 Kings.  Were serving other gods.   Would offer up sacrifices to these foreign gods.  Even to sacrificing their children.  

Point #1:  God disciplines and purifies His people.
 Does this because He loves us.  The Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son. - Heb. 12:6

Psalm 94:12 - Blessed is the man whom You discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law.
When we are disciplined by God, is a good thing.  That means we are His children.  We're His people. 

Psm. 94:14 - For the Lord will not forsake His people;  He will not abandon His heritage!  Jesus' blood is precious for us to continue in our sins.   He will not let us go our own way.

He disciplines us because He loves us and we are HIS people.  We are called by His name for a purpose.
Discipline is for our good!

2 Tim. 2:21-22 - "....flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace,...."
God can discipline individuals, nations, communities, and churches.  From the outside, looks like a defeat.  But
God is NOT defeated.  He allowed this for a purpose.

Point #2:  God doesn't lose - He works through calamity.

Daniel 1:3-7
Took the brightest and best to Babylon to teach them Babylonian ways.  )Not a good kingdom.  Not a good king.)  Mainly young people.
   *Education
   *Religion
   *Identity - gave them new names that mocked the meaning of their Jewish names - names pointed to YHWH
To teach them how NOT to be Jews, but how to be Babylonians.

Purpose was to deconstruct them down to nothing and rebuild them into Babylonian wise men. 

Today much of the same is happening to our young people through Hollywood, politics, academia, social media, etc.  Whole purpose = to destruct, confuse and abuse - from Christianity, family, basic identity as man/woman, from truth of God's Word.

Challenge:  keep our eyes open!  Be on guard!  Set our minds of true things.  A lot of things are discussed as normal, good, acceptable are not neutral.  Enemy's #1 target is young people - and the best and brightest of our young people.

Daniel 1:8-14 - resolved in innermost being.
  They were all alone (no parents, priests, teachers) - they'd seen great calamity.  Would be easy to forget about or doubt God.
  Were not Vegans, but didn't want to eat unclean, and food sacrificed to idols.  Not only would they be partaking of the king's food, would be partaking in the worship of the king's idols.  They resolved in their heart to honor God.  They denied themselves.  - No one else did!  Seemingly, everyone else was going along with the king's orders.

We can get to the point where we judge right or wrong by what is socially acceptable?  What does everyone else think about this.  That can NEVER be our standard.  Daniel and his friends RESOLVED in their hearts to honor God by what they ate and drank.
How easy it would have been for them to NOT do this, to just fall in line with everyone else.   Most of these youths had seen horrible things - were totally separated from friends and family.

Question:  Do we deny ourselves?     Matt. 16:24 - If anyone would come after me......
Youth - dating, media, speech, treatment of others, what we consume - does it look different from the world around you?
Adults - time, money, media, spouse and kids, speech?  Do our lives truly look different from those around us who are not saved.  Do these things reflect our devotion to God?   The way we speak to each other?  to those who have wronged us?  to those in the community?  It is easy to point fingers at other people.  Easy to find the faults in other people.  Need to examine selves.  

It's amazing what God will do with young people when they are sold out to Jesus Christ.

1 Tim. 4:12 - don't let anyone look down on you.......in speech, conduct, love, faith, purity..  People are going to want to know what is different about you.

This could have cost Daniel and friends, as well as the chief eunuch greatly.  But God is always working - already working things out when we can't see - must just trust and obey.  

Dan. 1:15-21 - God is pleased with and blesses faithfulness.
Luke 11:28 - "Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!"

They were given understanding and wisdom (comes from God) and learning.  More than all in Babylon.  We given an audience with the king.  They used that wisdom for the glory of God.

Matt. 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men....
Stand out - be different.  Stay faithful to God.  Trust and believe that God will use us.
Don't let the world dictate your belief, your words, or your life.

God takes the low things of this world and uses them for big things.    

Let us honor God with our whole lives, be courageous, and stand firm.