Let’s Go!

What have we been doing regarding the building?

1. Seeking wise counsel

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. —Proverbs 15:22

2. Getting the right advice

“Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom Yahweh has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that Yahweh has commanded.” 2 And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind Yahweh had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work. —Exodus 36:1–2

3. Assessing who we have in our body

But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. —1 Corinthians 12:18–20

4. Counting the cost

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ —Luke 14:28–30

STATUS UPDATE 1: We are not ready.
STATUS UPDATE 2: We have incomplete information.
CONCLUSION: It’s clearly time to move!

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares Yahweh. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. —Isaiah 55:8–9

Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. —Proverbs 3:5–6

STATUS 1: “We’re not ready”
REALITY: If perfection is a requirement, you’ll never follow Jesus… or do anything… ever

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” —Luke 9:57–62

STATUS 2: “We have incomplete information”
REALITY: Expecting 100% accurate information from God is folly. Demanding 100% accurate information from God is pride.

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. —Mark 1:16–20

Our information is INCOMPLETE, not ABSENT

1. We know God is with us

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:18–20

2. We know God is for us

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. —Romans 5:8–10

3. We know that when we have all the answers, it will be too late

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. —1 Corinthians 13:12

Then Job answered the Lord and said: 2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4 ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ 5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”—Job 42:1–6