Day 41 – Where Do We Go From Here? Series

DAY 41 – WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

Your Spiritual Journey — Post 40 Days #1

Revelation 2:2-5

Adapted from Outline by Rick Warren—Saddleback Church

INTRODUCTION:

What’s the highest point on earth? Mount Everest standing 29,035 feet. Since 1921 about 1,600 people have climbed to the summit Mt. Everest. They’ve literally made it to the top of the world. Of those who have attempted to climb Mount Everest over 160 have died; that means that 1 in 8 dies. The average cost to climb Mount Everest is about $60,000, plus 3 months “vacation time” to make the trip. I don’t think many of us will be making the journey to the top of Everest any time soon! Why do you think people want to attempt to climb to the top of Mount Everest? Because it’s there! Reaching the top of a mountain gives you a unique perspective of the world. Being able to look down on the world is compelling.

Let me ask you a question. Is it more dangerous to climb Mt. Everest, or to descend down the slope of Mt. Everest? More people have died descending the mountain than climbing it. Can you make the spiritual application to that? We have to be careful after a spiritual high; it is often after reaching the top or having a spiritual victory that we face the greatest challenges. Some never recover.

Together many of us have completed the 40 days of purpose. We have learned the answer to the question: “What on Earth am I here for?” Let’s take a couple of minutes and hear from some of you; what are some of the important lessons you have learned along the way through our 40 days of purpose? (Allow for responses.)

DAY 41 – Where do we go from here? (Alright for the Type A folks it’s really Day 43, but who’s counting?) How do we keep going and growing in our spiritual journey, especially, if we have been on a spiritual high? This morning we are going discover where we go from here.

We’re going to look at a message to the church in Ephesus. The Ephesian church was a good church. I don’t know if they had completed 40 days of purpose or not, but they were on the right track. Nevertheless Jesus had some instruction for this good church that will help us as we move beyond our 40 days. Yesterday isn’t good enough. None of us can live with our past successes and coast into heaven. We need to choose to fulfill our purpose each and everyday.

• Revelation 2:2-5 (NIV)

[2] I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. [3] You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. [4] Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. [5] Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Where do we go from here? We have had a spiritual high and grown as we have discovered our purpose for life. What next? This morning we are going to look at the condition and the cure. Just as Jesus gave instruction to the church in Ephesus, may we too hear what the Lord would say to us today so that we can continue to live a purpose driven life.

1. The Condition

Jesus said, “I know your deeds.” Jesus knowledge about the church is absolute. Here in Revelation 2-3 Jesus speaks to seven churches. Five times Jesus says, “I know your deeds.” He also says “I know your affliction;” “I know you have little strength,” and “I know where you live.”

Jesus knows the condition of the church; He knows us. We could put it this way: “I know you inside and out! I know all about you; you can’t hide anything from me.”

Jesus knows what we have done as a church during the 40 days of purpose. He knows some of us have worked a little harder; we’ve attended small groups; we’ve prayed. Jesus knows many of us have grown; many have taken steps of faith. Yesterday isn’t good enough.

What will the next 40 days be like? Will we continue to grow? Will we strive to live out our 5 God given purposes? Or will we fall back into old routines and lose the momentum we gained in the last 40 days together?

Our 40 days of purpose are a good indication of what the next 40 days will be like, but it is not a guarantee. While the last 40 days have been a wonderful journey of growth, we must daily choose to continue to put into practice the things we have learned.