Works: Setting Up Camp Series

Works: Setting Up Camp

Series: The Great Adventure, Lessons

We’re going to move on this morning in our series on “The Great Adventure”. We’re using the Psalms of Ascent found in Ps. 120-134 to describe for us what we can expect to encounter as we live the Christian life.

This morning we’re going to be looking at the quality of life you can expect as you follow in the Lords footsteps. Ps. 126, 127 & 128 speak to superiority of the Christian life over every other philosophy of life that you can find out there.

And from each of these Ps. we’re going to look at a quality statement that David makes, and what it means.

To start out, lets read Ps. 126 from the Message version of the bible…

You need to know this morning that the Christian way of life is far SUPERIOR to every other way of living!

Now when I say that, I may sound a little bit ‘superior’ myself… but it’s the truth! Even if eternal life wasn’t part of the deal that God makes with us… living the Christian way of life would STILL be the best way to live life!

Listen to what God does for the person who decides to obey and follow Him… (write this down)

First…

1. He delivers us from the HOPELESSNESS of mundane living

One of the most surprising things you discover as you start your Christian life is how much laughter you hear, and how much fun you’re actually having! It takes you totally by surprise!

It’s all of the fun you thought you were having when you were drinking… but none of the hangovers!

It’s all of the enjoyment you used to have at parties, without any of the lingering guilt!

If you’re around the people of this church for any length of time, you’ll begin to see how much genuine, fun we’re having! And it’s all because of what God is doing in our hearts.

Now I know there may be a few so-called Christians you meet along the way that look like they’ve been sucking on sour lemons all their life

… but I’d say, all of the stories of Christians who can’t crack a smile or enjoy a good joke (for the most part), are a stereotype designed by the devil to keep people from what they’re really looking for!

The psalmist says… “We laughed, we sang, we couldn’t believe our good fortune.”

When you really begin to understand what God did when He saved you… you’re amazed at your good fortune in finding Him, or more correctly… that God found you!

Like bubbles in a soda, the joy just starts welling up in you! In fact, joy is one of the signs that you’ve truly found God.

I’d go so far as to say, that if you’re not experiencing true joy this morning… if you’re not genuinely excited about what God is doing in your life… I’d question whether you really are a Christian! Because joy is basic equipment for the Christian walk.

It’s the 2nd fruit in Paul’s list of the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ in Gal.5:22…

He says, “These are the characteristics that a true believer will exhibit as a result of having God’s Spirit in their lives… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!”

The bible says that joy is one of the “fruit” not because it’s a requirement of Christian living… but because it’s a consequence. Joy is one of the by-products of having God’s Spirit in your life.

When you become a Christian, you’re life begins to look more like a party than it does a wake! When Jesus was asked in “What is your kingdom like?”

He didn’t put it in negative terms… he put it in positive terms. In Mt. 9:14 and other places He said, “My kingdom is like a wedding feast!”

Ever been to a wedding? Is it a sour, down in the mouth occasion? NO! It’s a joyful celebration! It’s a lot of fun!

People who think Jesus was this somber, serious, melancholy person all the time, haven’t read their bibles very well! His first miracle was done while he was attending a wedding party!

Now Jesus was Jewish and let me tell you something… Jews know how to throw a wedding! Ever been to a Jewish wedding? The only difference between an Jewish wedding and an Jewish funeral, is that there’s one less person at the funeral! It’s still a party!

Jesus said, “If you want to get a good taste of what being a part of my kingdom is like, go to a Jewish wedding! That’s what it’s like! And I’m the bridegroom! As long as the bridegroom’s around, you don’t fast and mourn… you party!”

It’s still that way! Being a part of Jesus’ kingdom brings joy to your life and delivers you from mundane living!