John's Journey

JOHN’S JOURNEY

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

This is a lesson adapted from a sermon delivered by Larry Moore, Arkansas in 5/03. This is a two part series.

OVERALL VIEW:

JOHN’S JOURNEY LED HIM THROUGH VALLEYS OF WAITING:

1.DISAPPOINTMENT, HURT, OFFENSE

2. DOUBT, FEAR, WORRY

3. DESIRE, HOPES, WISHES

4. DESPAIR, AGONY, GLOOM

5. DARKNESS, RELIGIOUS DEBATE,

6. INDIFFERENCE, APATHY, COLDNESS, NUMBNESS,

7. DEATH, THE END

8. BELIEVEST THOU THIS?

WE ARE ALL ON A JOURNEY? WHAT ROLE DO YOUR DECISIONS MAKE?

We often accept the fact that we are headed toward heaven at 60 minutes an hour. To make this more urgent, let us

look at it this way, we head toward eternity at 1440 minutes per day.

Only one life, twill soon be passed, only what is done for Christ will last.

Many are so prepared for heaven they have little earthly value.

For example, of what value is the Bible or the church to you in your daily walk?

You can say one thing with your mouth, but your daily choices could prove you are not consistent.

We often loose the value of today? Value is the life giving power that we place as we establish priorities.

What is the value of a good teacher? Time will tell.

On your journey, time will tell what you value and what you deem less important.

The real value you place as you journey will be expressed in the amount of sacrifice you are prepared to make for what

you value on your journey.

It seems that what gives life real value --- you can find; --- you can lose; --- but you can never own it. For God’s greatest

truths must be valued and gone after. Somehow we place greater value on the hereafter than the present? The future can

be very deceitful, for all we really have is now. If we hate now, will we ever enjoy tomorrow? If I can stand it here, how will

I find joy there? If you can’t love those that you work with, are family to, and worship with, --- what makes you think you

can love those in Africa or over there?

Why is the grass greener? Maybe the water bill is much higher? Maybe the greener grows from a hidden septic tank?

Maybe the greener just means the grass needs to be mowed?

We are lonely, --- people are all around? It is my spouses fault I am lonely? It is other’s fault I am angry?

You know, sometimes I get worried about all the crazy people in the world.

Thank God, you and me are not crazy?

Well, to be honest, sometimes I am a little worried about you?

THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE?

We want God but we want what we want?

Recall the man standing in the great Forrest, pondering --- where are all the trees?

Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a TREASURE HID in a field; the which when a man hath FOUND,

he hideth, and FOR JOY thereof GOETH and SELLETH ALL, and BUYETH THAT FIELD.

46 Who, WHEN he had FOUND ONE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE, WENT and SOLD ALL that he had; and BOUGHT IT.

On this journey, we must make daily decisions as to what is of value and what is not.

We in the USA spend more on dog food than on missions.

After a recent earthquake in a southern nation, we gave them $10 million in aid, we paid one basketball

signee $90 million for a shoe contract?

We spent 12 million to save three baby whales, when they reached freedom, one was swallowed and eaten by another

great fish? The kid at church that smells like urine we avoid?

Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Or what shall a man give in EXCHANGE FOR his soul?

I returned from Haiti. I still had a lot of Haitian money on me. So while waiting for my flight out of Miami, I went to

the EXCHANGE BOOTH. I laid down the Haitian money, and the lady in the secure booth laughed at me.

The Haitian money was worthless.

Well, on this journey we walk through daily, we have purchased many worthless toys, and the eternal exchange rate

will be less than what we hoped to receive? Are you faithful in the little?

Can you imagine saying "God, I watched 40 hours of TV a week? God, I let the television babysit my kids?"

Seems, we are running so busy, we have omitted the weightier?

Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, ---- YOU HAVE OMITTED THE WEIGHTIER MATTERS ---MERCY, FAITH ---

THESE OUGHT YE TO HAVE DONE, AND NOT TO LEAVE THE OTHER UNDONE.