How Did We Get Here In The First Place Series

How did we get here in the first place?

Series: Getting to the Promised Land

Theme: What does it take to get to the promised land and how did we get where we are.

Text: Jeremiah 29:11; Genesis 3 & 4

Introductions

Study Review

Thank you for being here tonight. Over the next few months we are going to look at an important subject in the church. The title of the series is called "Getting to the Promised Land". God has a place for all Christians to get to. A place where we are fulfilling the potential and destiny that God has called us to. This is God's desire.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

We like to quote this scripture but I ask how many are living in the purposes and plans of God? What percentage of Christians are truly walking in God's destiny and prosperity.

There are issues we face just talking about the word prosperity. For some this is material things. This is money and other things. Even ministers who preach the gospel and then live off the gospel lavishly. My goal is not to be critical of them, if that is the way they want to live more power to them. I think when God speaks of prosperity it is less of worldly possessions but living in fulfillment of God's purposes.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

NIV 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

When we think about the promise land we think about the journey of the Israelites. Starting out as a nation of one (in Abraham) then to nation of millions in Egypt. But Egypt was not the promised land. It was the land where they prospered numerically. But it was not the land to stay.

Egyptians Two Symbols

The World in Sin

Genesis 3:1-7 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" (2) And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; (3) but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' "

Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; (17) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

It was almost as if Eve resented the fact that God said NO!

(4) Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. (5) For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (6) So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. (7) Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Christian in Captivity

Genesis 4:1-7 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the Lord." (2) Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. (3) And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. (4) Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, (5) but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. (6) So the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? (7) If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." 8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; [5] and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.