Inttersection Series

Road Trip #1 – Intersection

Galatians 2:20 (p. 811) July 13, 2014

Introduction:

Rick Rusaw is the lead minister at Life Bridge C.C. in Littleton CO. He was president of the North American Christian Convention a few years back. He’s a graduate of Cincinnati Christian University and the author of some great books...one called “The Externally Focused Church” another “Living Your Life on Loan.” I recommend them both.

In “Living Your Life on Loan” Rick has a chapter called “Intersections” and he writes:

“I don’t remember much about my Driver’s Ed class in High School but I do remember our teacher’s unique technique for preparing us future drivers for the upcoming test. As we approached the intersection he would scream at the top of his lungs...“LOOK OUT FOR THE STOP SIGN!!” Rick says, “His roar startled me so much that I accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brake and flew through the intersection...After this incident our teacher didn’t yell at us very much anymore.”

But Rick Rusaw said, “The one quote I remember from this teacher after all these years is: “Pay attention at the intersections...keep your eyes open...good things and bad things can happen at intersections.”

I believe that is exactly God’s message for every single person.

“Pay attention when you come to the intersections...keep your eyes open...This is a place where you are going to encounter God or meet other people on this road trip we call life.

That’s what this series of messages is about...life is a journey. God’s Word even describes it this way:

Proverbs 16:9 says “A man plans his journey in his heart, but the Lord determines his steps.”

Jesus describes two roads and two very, very different destinations in Matthew Chapter 7. One very narrow that leads to eternal life and one very wide that leads to death and destruction. One will be travelled by a few...one will be travelled by many...and every person will chose one of these roads for the trip we call life.

But none of us travel outside the knowledge of God. Many travel outside the will of God, but no one travels outside the knowledge of God. “Nothing in all of creation is hidden from God’s sight...everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.” (Hebrews 4:13)

I share this truth because every one of us will choose to make this journey trying to fulfill our own plans...or make the journey seeking God’s plan.

Galatians 2:20 became the apostle Paul’s map for life...His G.P.S. (God’s Planned Scripture)

And like the great Apostle:

I. OUR ROAD TRIP ENDS AND BEGINS AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE CROSS

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live (say this with me “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live.”)

The cross is an intersection...in fact it’s not just an intersection...it is THE intersection.

It is the place where past, present and future meet. God’s plan...from beginning until end has at its core...an intersection, and that intersection for all history is the cross.

Peter wrote: “He was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” (1 Peter 1:20)

Jesus wasn’t an afterthought because of our sin. God’s plan always included a Savior, a Messiah, even before the Garden of Eden...Romans 5:19 says, “Through the disobedience of Adam the many were made sinners so also through the obedience of Jesus the many will be made righteous.”

The cross would be the intersection where God dealt with all sin, completely, totally...once and for all.

“You see at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly...But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)

The cross was where God performed the ultimate object lesson. He demonstrated who He really is to all mankind.

“He’s the perfect Lamb, the atoning sacrifice. The sinless sacrifice who died for his sinful creation so they could know how much He loves them.

This intersection, the cross took care of past, present and future. All sin, every sin, even those nailing Jesus to the cross, and the sin that was yet to happen in the future through you and I was paid for...covered in forgiveness through the blood of Christ.

How horrible is sin? It required the death of God’s son to pay for its penalty. Salvation is found only as we slam into the bloody horrible intersection called the cross...and we realize our desperate need for a Savior.

No one changes...no one chooses a different road unless there is a powerful, attention getting catalyst.

[Think about how most people live life...no matter how old or young we get in routines. Get up, shower, eat breakfast, go to work, come home, eat supper, play with kids, watch TV, go to bed...repeat. Weekends? Ballgames, church if it doesn’t interfere with ball games, projects, vacations are great, some non routines help. But only when there’s a wreck, a surgery, a death, does life get our real attention. It’s the broad road, the road trip of most people. Some who even attend church occasionally, some who claim Christianity is their religion. But God has very little to do with everyday life, my priorities, or my schedule. Sin is more covert...you haven’t murdered anyone...but there is no real relationship with God.