Today I want to talk about pathways in life - roads that we walk on throughout our lives that lead us in certain directions. Now, no matter where you were born - or what family you were brought up in or what education you were given a shot at - No matter what your beginning was ..at some point as an adult you chose the road you walk on - spiritually, morally, relationally. The question is..do we know where the road leads that we find ourselves on? What does our destination look like? And the destination I'm talking about here is not just a 10 or 20 year destination - It's much longer than that. I'm talking about roads that lead to life and death - roads that lead us to destination points beyond this world - beyond our lives as we know them today - physically. See, we human beings have been created in a marvelous way - we have eternity in our make up. We were formed in the womb by the hand of God and within each of us..He placed a vision - a dream - a destiny for life..And that destiny was never intended to be seen as simply for this life (of 50 or 60 or 70 years), but for eternity - for the life to come as well. Folks hear this..
There is a road that leads to life and to God and to eternity..
And today our whole goal is to help you see that road more clearly and to give you an opportunity to choose that road..
Jesus said this - "I am the way, the truth and the life.No one comes to the Father - but through me." Folks, I stand up here every week and speak the same words to you. "Jesus is life. Jesus is hope. Jesus is clarity. Jesus is strength. Walk with Jesus. Walk on his path - it leads to life." Now some of you have been sensing this..You've been feeling more aware of God and your heart is wanting to be connected spiritually.
Well, today - I'm gonna ask you to take a long hard look at the road you're on..and then I'm gonna give you an opportunity to clearly step onto Jesus' road - with your life.
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1. Alternate Routes
I love taking new roads to places - like say from here to Swift Current. Highway to Rosetown - Elrose - Kyle - Swift Current - great. But #219 can get you there as well - and that country around Beechy is so pretty. (lots of ways to get to Swift.) I love taking gravel roads too - just to see some different country..or old farms or maybe find a short cut. That's my favorite - In fact it's not the shortcut that's great. It's the search for a shortcut.
I remember one time we were coming back from our home farm at Archerwill..and I decided to take some backroads back to Saskatoon. Pam and the kids were asleep..Well somewhere behind Humboldt - I got onto a grid road that I thought would hit another road that would take me south..Well, the road swung north - then west - but I kept following it..thinking it would come around. But what happened was the road started getting thinner and the ravel road turned into a dirt road..and it was getting darker..and the dirt road then turned into a path through a farmer's field and the path suddenly and very abruptly just ended at a big slough..and then the worst thing happened -- Pam woke up and asked where we were. And I answered as confidently as I could -just north of Humboldt.
Key - there are very few actual shortcuts.
Jesus talked with a lot of people about shortcuts and alternate routes in life..And his message was always the same. He's say - life is about choices, and every road we choose leads us somewhere -- But there is only one road that leads to life.."Follow me" he would say.
In John 9..a guy came up to Jesus and said I'll follow you, but I've got a few pretty big things on my schedule to take care of first -
a couple family things that are really pressing. Let me do those then I'll follow you..Another guy says I'll follow you, but first let me get my financial life in line a little bit. I've got a mortgage and some bills and I really should take care of that first. Then I'll follow you..To each of these, Jesus said the same thing. You can't choose me and something else. You can't choose both - because it will divide your focus. There are lots of alternate routes in life - not bad things at all - most of them. But they're choices we make that don't have a whole lot to do with eternity or our spiritual lives. You'll notice their answers to Jesus were a whole lot like ours..
Here's the first one - Busyness. The #1 answer when you ask someone how they are. "Busy - lots going on. I've got work - career - it's really taking off. New house - just painted and redid the kid's rooms. And we redid the deck and backyard in the summer - got 2 kids in hockey and wow - 13 tournaments this winter - Every weekend it's run run run."
We live in a society that honors busyness above nearly everything else..I've got a 3 year old son and a 5 year old son..Do you know how many times I've been asked why I'm waiting to put Kaden into hockey? He's 5..but if I don't get him into the system soon, there's no way he'll be able to get to 13 tournament weekends in a couple years..and on the right midget team when he's 19. But I'm just not sure the goal of a 5 or 7 or 10 year old playing hockey should be that busy..
Folks, listen to what I'm saying. Hockey or sports or whatever - isn't wrong or bad -- at all. But busyness is, if it keeps you from seeing Jesus..Hear this - busyness is a road we choose - it's a decision - and folks, you will never develop your soul by being busy. You'll never find life and eternity, you'll never truly find Jesus by being busy. In fact, busyness will keep you from seeing the truth about your spiritual life. And busyness will keep you on a different road than Jesus walks..if it becomes your first priority. Remember what the man said to Jesus..I'll follow you - but first let me go and do what my life is full of. And Jesus said ok, you go ahead, but you're choosing a different road.
Here's the second alternate route in our society..
#2 - Money pressure. Listen to how Jesus responded to this guy who wanted to follow him: Luke 18:18-25 -- "Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: 'Good teacher, what should I do to get eternal life?' Jesus said, 'You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.' The man replied, 'I've obeyed all these commandments since I was a child.' 'There is still one thing you lack,' Jesus said. 'Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' But when the man heard this, he became sad because he was very rich. Jesus watched him go and then said to his disciples, 'How hard it is for rich people to get into the Kingdom of God!
Wow - pretty in your face challenges. Now what was Jesus saying? Did he really mean he should go sell everything? No probably not. Jesus' point was - what's first in your life - God or money? Which road are you gonna walk on..What are you trying to fill your life with? Is the pursuit of money our #1 focus in life?
You know folks, this is one that we wrestle lots with in this culture. How much do we need and how much focus are we gonna put on creating wealth. Immediately we say - "well there's nothing wrong with making a little money. I've got bills to pay and it's pretty important for me to retire well. That takes more than you think."
Well, I was trying to picture what Jesus would say to us, in this very affluent culture, about money..I think he'd say - yes, pay your bills, but don't let your bills be your focus. Don't keep adding so much debt and stuff and possessions to your life so that the bills are what must be your focus..and not your soul
Bumper sticker: "I owe, I owe, it's off to work I go." We live in a culture where families are smaller but homes must be larger..
- and cars must be newer -- and the payments become our focus. You've felt that pressure. And folks, here's a thought - who was it that said retiring at a certain age with a certain amount of wealth is a principle we should all want to attain to? (Freedom 55)
You know what Jesus might say? Watch what you're putting your life into..Is your whole life being given to work..in the hopes that you can someday retire and then do the things you should have been doing all the time. Well folks, instead, maybe we should develop our spiritual lives.. or be with our families, or develop a relationship with our spouses than simply going to work so we can some day retire..Do you know how many people hit that magical freedom of 55 and realize that they don't know their kids..and they have nothing to say to their spouses because they've been going to work for 30 years and haven't built the most significant relationships in their lives. Folks, the push for more and the push to get enough ahead to someday retire need to be looked at in our lives.
One more thing..who ever said this desire for the comfort of retirement was a spiritual principle at all? I don't believe God calls everyone to that just because they're 60..
If anything, that's the season to dive into life deeper..You've got wisdom and experience - precious commodities.
Hear this - these are not bad things - money and retirement. But do a gut check - are these your sole focus? And if they are - guess what Jesus would say. You're not following me - you're on another road.
Folks, whether it's busyness or money or other choices - whatever it is - realize this -- Jesus said this is the highest road we can choose. "Love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37) That's the road that leads to life. Jesus called people to be of singular focus. Choose me he said..and the rest of your life will fall out of that. This doesn't mean you have to be poor - hear that. It's a matter of focus. But you know what? It's a choice. A choice to step off the road we're on - the road we've chosen - and follow Jesus - to walk with him with our lives first..and then trust him with all the rest. To walk clearly with Him and not try an alternate route. Alternate routes lead to trouble.
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II. Painful Corners
Now for several weeks we've been talking about suffering and pain - where it comes from and what, if any, good comes from it.
The main points being..God does not always stop pain from entering into our lives - nor does He stop us or other people from making choices that lead to pain in our lives. He's given us a free will - the ability to choose..and those choices we make cause much suffering and hurt in our lives..
In my family history alone - (pretty normal guy) - there have been some major choices that have led to much pain -- physical abuse, sexual abuse, alcohol abuse..In the last 100 years of my family tree - those 3 choices have damaged more people over 4 generations than you can imagine..People who now find themselves lost in pain - who can't find health and wholeness - who can't hold down a job or a marriage. Broken people - who pass brokenness on to their kids. And you know what? There is only one answer to this stuff - one way to wholeness. And that is Jesus Christ. People who have that kind of hurt in their lives and pasts..don't need another Band-aid or Oprah or a book. They need transformation and complete healing.
Folks, clearly from what I've seen first hand, Jesus is the only answer to getting out of the cycles of pain we walk in..And Jesus is the only answer to getting through pain to the point where we can see wholeness..Jesus said this - "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
In 2 Corinthians 1:3&4 the Bible says this, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles."
Folks, if that's you, go to God with your hurt..and leave it there. (Start today). And slowly - the load you're carrying He will make lighter..as He transfers life and health and peace and completeness. He'll help you make that corner.
Now, there are also some other painful corners we've taken that really had nothing to do with anybody else - as we've tried to find fulfillment in life. I mean, lots of us have made personal choices that have hurt us..Choices that were only ours that have turned into addictions of one type or another - whether it's unhealthy habits connected to work, or pornography, or food, or sex, or alcohol,
or gambling, or drugs - whatever we've tried to fill our souls with..Well, some of these choices have led us to walk on very lonely and damaging roads. Somehow, we've got in this cycle of weakness that we can't get out of. And it's really screwing up our lives. We can't stop spending money. We can't stop going to that internet site. We can't stop eating or drinking or working..and it's hurting us and it's hurting those we love. Folks - today is a day to step out of that cycle and begin the process of healing. (12 step groups..Support & Recovery Groups) Hear this..this cycle of sin in our lives ultimately can only be broken in one place - that is at the cross of Jesus Christ. The cross is where our brokenness and God's power come together. It's the place where we can get clean - where our sins can get taken care of - forgiven.
The psalmist David puts it very clearly for us..Psalm 130:3&4 says this: "Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness." Only in Jesus Christ will we find the new beginnings we need in our lives.
By the way - I mentioned these hurts within our family history - physical abuse, sexual abuse, alcohol abuse. Just in case anyone here thinks that alcohol is the least of those 3 dark things..hear this..In about 90% of the cases of physical and sexual abuse, alcohol was a significant factor.
Folks, out of control booze in our culture is killing people - some fast, some slow. If you can't control it, get help. I believe the state of your soul is at stake. (12 step) Whether it's booze or money or sex that's holding back your soul - you can't fix this stuff on your own. We need Jesus to break these cycles that lead to pain. Today is a day to be set free from sin - to sense the reality of forgiveness - to begin the steps you need to move forward with Christ.
III. Life Path
Let me tell you about a different road.Listen to these promises.
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" (Isaiah 30:21)
Jesus' call to us is very clear in this life -- He asks us to follow him and to walk on his pathway. He asks us to journey with him through life - on a whole other road.
That's the call - that's the essence of Christianity - the essence of the spiritual life - That our #1 focus would be Jesus Christ -
That our first priority would be developing our souls by following Jesus. And when we do that, when we follow Jesus Christ, this amazing thing begins to happen inside of us..Our life begins to be transformed on the inside. See folks - the big news about Jesus isn't just about forgiveness and healing - about getting our pasts cleaned up..That's important - but the big news is this - transformation. Here's how the apostle Paul put it in the Bible - "Those who become Christ followers become new persons.They are not the same anymore - for the old life is gone - a new life has begun." (2 Cor.5:17)
See, when we give our lives to Jesus - our future begins to look different -- as he begins to guide us..clearly taking us by the hand directing us through life.
Again, Isaiah 30:21 says this."Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way, walk in it.'" Amazing promise from God. And folks, not only does He guide us, but Jesus also gives us power in our lives - power to live and love like He does..You see, when we walk with Jesus - He transfers to us wisdom and strength and love and joy and peace directly into our souls..and the outcome of this inpouring from God is this - We start to live like we were intended to live..There is a new confidence to move forward in life because Jesus is with us. There is new strength to battle anything that used to have a hold on us..And there is this new love - for people. You know..I never cease to be amazed at how God increases our ability to love - and how He heals our relationships.
People that begin to follow Jesus with their lives always say that their relationship improve and deepen because of Jesus - amazing. The best part though is that God begins to slowly replace all those false things we tried to fill our lives with - with things that last. Let me explain..This is part of His transforming power. He can replace a dark thing like greed and stealing and gambling with a heart that is giving - a life that is controlled and compassionate. He can replace pornography or destructive sexual habits or one night stands with a depth of relationship and sex that you cannot imagine..Did you know - stats prove - that people who are actively following God have the most fulfilling sex lives and marriages of anyone in North America? Why? God replaces everything with good. He can replace the very short high of booze or drugs with a fulfillment in life that lasts forever..not just a few hours. He replaces our need for recognition or adventure with a sense of destiny and self-esteem that is immeasurable. And the list goes on and on.
Folks, hear this. Jesus is about the work of making us new inside. I just need to be honest with you today - and tell you that following Jesus Christ is the very best decision you will ever make with your life..It's also the most important decision you'll make, because it can't be a decision to just tack Jesus on to everything else you've got going..No, Jesus calls us to a singular focus - to set aside anything else that is our focus now..and walk with Him..believing that as we put Him first - the rest of those other priorities will fall into place. But folks, which road you walk on is a choice..and you've gotta do the choosing. And today, I'm gonna give you that opportunity to choose.
I got thinking about this early this morning - praying for these moments. There are several different groups of people here this morning..and each group will make a different decision.
1. Seeking
Checking out church and God - pretty new - your choice might be today to just keep seeking - keep opening your heart and life up to God - That's a great decision. God honors seekers.
2. Decision Point
Today is the day - you want to step onto Jesus' road. You want to choose today to follow Him with your life. You're feeling Him call you to walk with Him..(more to you in a moment)
3. Recommitment
You've followed Jesus Christ for a while, but you've walked away from Him. You've let sin interrupt your relationship with Him. Today, your decision is to confess and ask for forgiveness - recommit.
4. Continue to Walk
You're walking with Christ. Your spiritual life is alive and well. You just want to say thanks to God and continue to walk..confirm your commitment to Jesus Christ.
That's the 4 groups. Group 2 & 3 - today, I believe that God is calling many here to make a life changing spiritual decision. Today, I'm going to call you publicly - just like Jesus did - He said follow me, and give your heart and life to this singular focus. |
