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
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
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
First get on your feet
Action Step: Back on Track
Work as Mission
Housing the Presence
Carrying the Gospel