Momentum

Momentum

Scripture: Joshua 3

The momentum is building - no pun intended. Can you feel it? Today, we’re going to talk about momentum. Here’s a definition of momentum from Wikpedia:

In classical mechanics, linear momentum or translational momentum is the product of the mass and velocity of an object.

Like velocity, linear momentum is a vector quantity, possessing a direction as well as a magnitude. Linear momentum is also a conserved quantity, meaning that if a closed system is not affected by external forces, its total linear momentum cannot change. Although originally expressed in Newton’s second law, the conservation of linear momentum also holds in special relativity and, with appropriate definitions, a generalized linear momentum conservation law hold in electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, quantum field theory, and general relativity. In relativistic mechanics, non-relativistic linear momentum is further multiplied by the Lorentz factor.

Now if you understood all that big long definition, you’re way smarter than I am. Listen to the next sentence about the history of the definition. THIS I understand!

Momentum was not merely the motion, which was motus, but was the power residing in a moving object, captured by today’s mathematical definitions.

Now there’s a whole sermon in there if you take that statement, combine it with Faith Bible Church’s most recent decision and read Joshua chapter 3!! Wow!

1. Momentum is not merely the motion!

That tells me we can move and wiggle and have all kinds of motion and not have any momentum, huh? We can! And you know where we see that the most? When a church is in conflict. When spouses are so busy blaming one another they can’t see the good in each other. When employees are so busy complaining about their bosses, they can’t see the great job they have when so many are out of work.

Momentum is not merely the motion!

Momentum

2. Is the Power residing in a moving object. Wow!! Notice the capital “P” on POWER!! We’re the moving object, and it is the POWER residing in US, that gives us momentum!!

It is the power residing in us AS WE MOVE, that gives us momentum. It is THE POWER - the one and only, living, active, all-knowing, always present, all mighty God RESIDING in US when we’re moving!

If we’re not moving, we’re dead. But the movement is DEFINED by the power residing in us!!

3. Captured by today’s mathematical definitions.

Captured by our FAITH!!!

Without faith, it is impossible to please God! We capture the momentum when we are God-focused.

So the momentum that Faith Bible Church is experiencing right now then, is:

THE POWER OF ALMIGHTY GOD RESIDING IN US AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN FAITH!!

That’s spiritual momentum.

And that’s the introduction! Now, let’s look at the message.

When the Israelites got to the Jordan River, they camped there for a while - three days.

We’ve camped HERE for a little over 2 years. Actually, 2 years, 1 month and 9 days as of today. 770 days the Lord has had us camped here.

And it’s good to camp in one place for a while. When we stop, it gives us time to get cleaned up, empty the garbage, and take in some nourishment for the next leg of the journey. God never intends for us to stay camped out permanently.

As we leave THIS camp, we are going to encounter two forces. One is a Momentum Builder, the other is a Momentum Buster.

A Momentum Builder is one where Momentum is developed by humbly creating a God-focused movement.

A Momentum Buster is where momentum is drained by pridefully establishing a man-centered movement.

When I was very young, I remember my dad sitting down with me to help me with my homework. I was trying to draw a map of some sort. Dad told me to keep my eye on the point ahead, the next point, and I would draw a perfect line to it. He was right. What do we tell our children when we’re teaching them baseball. “Keep your eye on the ball.” When we go bowling, we keep our eye on the mark on the lane for a perfect strike. Teachers tell their students, “Keep your eyes on your own paper.”

Focus - where our eyes are - determines the difference between success and failure. What we focus on influences the direction of our life.

I had a friend in seminary who signed his emails, “The focused life is a successful life.”

How many of you have seen the Apostles of Comedy. FOCUS!!! (Hand to head, and outward)...

Churches that fail to center on Christ do like Esau did - they trade their birthright for a bowl of soup. They trade eternal consequences, for temporary influence, that brings some kind of fleeting satisfaction.