Introduction

A supposedly true story, took place off the coast of Newfoundland with the Canadian authorities. The event was chronicled in the following transcript: Naval ship: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision. Canadians: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision. Naval ship: This is the Captain of a Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course. Canadians: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course. Naval ship: THIS IS AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS, AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES TO THE NORTH, OR COUNTER-MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP. Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call.

The story produces a chuckle. A good definition of Alignment is: Parts of something that are in the proper position (or alignment) relative to each other. The keeper of the lighthouse’s purpose was to keep proper alignment of the ships near the lighthouse.

Many of us choose to ignore instructions to follow the Lord’s directives for proper alignment with Him and his purposes. Even if we answer His call to take the gospel to the world, we choose to do it our way , not in alignment with His way.

Many of us choose to ignore instructions to follow the Lord’s directives for proper alignment with Him and his purposes.

Quit Looking for Payoff

The Great Commission says we are to go to all peoples—not just to the responsive ones. Western culture has taught us to look for immediate returns and results. We want an immediate payoff for our mission’s investment!

Had John Nevius held this attitude, he would never have gone to Korea in 1890 ... View this full sermon with PRO Premium