Move On! Series

Bust A Move

Pt. 1 - Move On

I. Introduction

If I had my wish/way this morning I would point your attention to a song that I remember from the soundtrack of a movie called Madagascar. Every time we would watch this flick our then, very young boys, would proceed to stand in front of the TV and give us hilarious and hind part moving frantically dance presentation. This song said, "I like to move it, move it!" However, the truth of the matter is we don't like to move it. We, by nature, prefer to stay the same. We avoid and fight change. We run away from resistance and stick to routine. In the process we plateau. We live life from the misperceived safety of the rut and in we fail to adapt, grow, expand, and fulfill potential and purpose. So, the hopes, dreams and desires from 10 years ago are unmet and unrealized and still the same hopes, dreams and desires today and we are no closer to fulfillment. So, I couldn't choose that song as the namesake of our series. Instead, there is another song that I remember from the late 1980s. It burst (pun intended) on the scene in 1989 and began climbing up the charts. The upbeat drums and catchy chorus caught everyone's attention and it became an instant ear worm. The song was a message to guys who were in need of a lady to bust or make a move. Quit stalling. Quit delaying. Quit hesitating. "Quit standin' on the wall like you was Poindexter." Bust a move. Although not his intent the concept of getting off neutral, idle, middle ground is a good and expected word of encouragement to begin a year. It is indeed time for us to bust a move! To get off the fence. To get it in gear. To make choices that make change. To make decisions that impact destiny.

Movement is defined as "a series of organized activities working toward an objective." I believe an absolutely essential action to take in 2022 is . . . to move on!

Acts 3:1-8 (TLB)

Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock daily prayer meeting. As they approached the Temple, they saw a man lame from birth carried along the street and laid beside the Temple gate—the one called The Beautiful Gate—as was his custom every day. As Peter and John were passing by, he asked them for some money. They looked at him intently, and then Peter said, “Look here!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting a gift. But Peter said, “We don’t have any money for you! But I’ll give you something else! I command you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the hand and pulled him to his feet. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankle bones were healed and strengthened so that he came up with a leap, stood there a moment and began walking! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

I know the tendency as Holy Ghost filled, fire breathing, power wielding Pentecostals is to read this account and to see yourself as Peter and John. However, I submit to you that the truth is most of us are really look and act more like the man being carried on the mat every day.

In fact, I recognize that there are those who seem to have a silver spoon in their mouth, sleep on a bed of roses and have the world by the tail while others walk through life obviously injured. It is apparent. It is undeniable.

However, I need to assure you and admit to you this morning that although (SLIDES 9-10) we are not all lame everywhere, but we are all lame somewhere. I mention this because if I don't some of you will assume that your lameness is so severe and so debilitating that you are disqualified and dismissed from making a move. If we are not careful, then we will award ourselves an excuse, a get out making a move card because we will determine that our lameness is more severe or more painful than those around us who seem to be walking through life unscathed. More than likely, they have just learned how to hide their limp! We are all the lame man in the account!

So, let's get that straight from the beginning. If we don't, then when I make my next statement those of you have awarded yourself an excuse, no one has dealt with what I am dealing with, I am in more pain than anyone who ever walked the planet, I have been victimized more than any other breathing soul - so I don't have to move on card will be offended!