November 17, 2013 Sunday Sermon - Is God Pleased With Our Journey

It is the common experience for many to grow cold in their Christian walk, or to stumble (getting off track, meander).  Today I want to return to 1 Corinthians 1:1-14 as we look at this example of stumbling and consider what caused it all.

Please turn to 1 Corinthians 10:1-14

• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13
  
• I am more than a conqueror.  Romans 8:37
  
• If anyone is in Christ he is a new creature…all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

In light of these promises why are so many stumbling, falling or standing still?  Why are so few walking in victory?

Exodus 3:7-8
Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Israel was in slavery to Egypt.  We are (or have been) in slavery to sin.  As God provided a way in the wilderness for Israel, He hears our cry and promises our deliverance.  The example of Israel is the story of the journey and God’s provision. Is God pleased or displeased with our journey?   God does not blame the culture for our wandering.  God’s provision insures we have everything we need to be conquerors through Christ, but it will not happen without our active, intentional,  cooperation and appropriation of God’s grace.

Romans 1:21 & 24-25
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Claiming to be wise, they became fools.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator…

Idolatry – giving divine honor to any created thing. Choosing self rule (failing to deny ourselves and fully embrace God’s will as our rule for life) is idolatry.  
Is God pleased with your journey?
Do this daily…  present yourself as a living sacrifice to God. Pick up your cross daily and follow Jesus.  

Proverbs 3:5-7  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.