Footprints In The Future Series

FOOTPRINTS IN THE FUTURE PART 1

Key Scripture for series: Jer 29:11 (Msg)

Whenever one person has a look at the future, he or she has a perspective on what it might look like. To some people it is very bleak while others have a better outlook on the future they have as believers in Jesus Christ. The difference is not us, but all because God is rich in grace and has given us a hope of a future spent with Him through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the death. Because of this, God has left some footprints in the future that we need to grasp with both hands and take hold of. What are the footprints that God has in the future for us as believers and how do we take hold of it?

1. God has given us His favour and this is available to us and anyone outside if they learn to trust God

1.1 Pro 3:5-10 (ESV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on our own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh, and refreshment to your bones.

Honour the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce

Then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will be bursting with wine

1.2 Mal 3:10

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. And thereby put Me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

1.3 Deu 28:8

The Lord will command the blessing on you in your barns and in all that you undertake. And He will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

The only time that we are commanded to test God in the Bible is with the tithes and offerings and the way we test Him is we learn to trust Him that He will do what He says He will do. We cannot outgive God because He is more generous than we can ever imagine but we need to learn to entrust everything that we are to Him, including our future.

2. God is rich in mercy and He demonstrates this by sending Jesus to die in our place.

2.1 John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life

2.2 Rom 5:8

But God shows His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us

2.3 Eph 2:4-5

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved.

We are not worthy of grace. What we deserve is judgment because of our sins, but God showered us with mercy by sending Jesus to die in our place and now we can have access to God because of the finished work of Calvary.

3. The key to this is faith

3.1 Heb 11:6

But without faith, it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him

How do I do this? There are three steps

1. Growth

1.1 1 Tim 2:3-4

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2. Reaching out

2.1 Mar 16:15

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

3. Influence

3.1 Matt 5:13-14

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under peoples feet, You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

God has instructed his Church to lead all people in a knowledge of the truth, to reach out and to be an influence. Jesus demonstrated this by giving His life in obedience. What about you?