Back on Track - Pitfall or Purpose
August 25, 2023

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Back on Track

End of Summer

In God all endings become new

Revelation 21:3-5 (ESV)

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”

A celebration

Shifting seasons and getting in gear

The mission of God’s people

Pitfalls and Purposes

Three Pitfalls and Purposes

1. Pitfall: Fear of the Future

Choosing security over

Numbers 14:3-4 (NIV)

“Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

It’s not just about you getting into Heaven, it’s about Heaven getting into you

It’s easier to get the people out of Egypt than it is to get Egypt out of the people

Getting Heaven in and Egypt out

Purpose: Remember the Mission

This is our mission

Wherever you go

Broken trees can still bear fruit. And we’re all broken trees. - Rick Warren

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fftVnYA96Og

Revelation 7:9-10 (NIV)

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Many don’t know and haven’t heard

What are you going to do about it?

2. Pitfall: Preoccupied with the Present

Civilian affairs

2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV)

Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

A sense of purpose and

I am coming soon

Today is the day of salvation

Purpose: Be Occupied by the Presence

filling the temple

Revelation 4:3-5, 15:8 (NIV)

And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. …And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power…

You are the temple

Shifting the atmosphere

Attracting attention

Housing power and presence wherever you go

3. Pitfall: Stuck in the Past

Nostalgia can be healthy or unhealthy

Forgetting that

is ahead

Behold, the dwelling place (home) of God is with man.He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Purpose: Renewing the Future

God at work in education, occupation, and relationship

The city of God

Revelation 21:10-11 (NIV)

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

Work as unto the Lord

Pausing to celebrate along the way

How? One

at a time

First get on your feet

Action Step: Back on Track

Work as Mission

Housing the Presence

Carrying the Gospel