Determination
Sunday Sermon May 20, 2007 / Series: Getting Ahead
Intro: If we are to ever “Get Ahead” we must make a determination (coming to a decision based on the facts) and then walk in determination to the end.
Through out these last weeks we have been looking at the different, necessary heart changes needed to “get ahead” with God. These involve a far amount of sacrifice on our part. We may be asking ourselves “Why?”
- Why should we hunger and thirst for God?
- Why should we seek God?
- Why should we turn from our sin and our wicked ways?
- Why should God have control over our lives? (Changing the way we think and the way we live?)
- Why allow God to amend and prune our dreams?
- Why should we make sacrifices of our time and money?
God is leading those who desire to be wise to make a determination about their lives.
Do you wish to be wise in life?
If yes then you have several determinations to make; and then have determination to walk by faith towards those goals.
Text:
Isaiah 55:12-13
"For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."
Isaiah 55:12 starts with the Word “For”
This “for” is critical, it’s here for us to see that everything we were just told to do is “for” a reason!
“For” the whole purpose of the Gospel transitions in this “For” Here is the whole point of Creation, the Incarnation of God the Son, for Jesus Christ’s Life, Death and Resurrection comes into focus right here in Isaiah 55:12 first word, “For”
God gives us four reasons to answer the “Why?” questions.
As we read the promises of God in Scripture we often have to look at them several points of view.
• The first is the Localized fulfillment, (the fulfillment intended for the Jews of that time.)
• We also look at them from the spiritual point of view for a “right now” application.”
• Finally we can zoom all the way out and look at the broadest, most complete application.
This passage fits into those three views.
I. God will heal your heart
"For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace…”
I’m not talking about greeting-card theology. This isn’t just wishful thinking.
God is promising a huge transformation of the human heart.
a. God leads you out of despair into hope
Isaiah 54:10-14 “10 For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. 11"O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. 12I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. 13All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. 14In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
i. The single greatest anchor for our souls is the Love of God.
But not only must we have the existence of His love; we must live with the revelation of His love.
Matthew 16:15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
• Why seek, hunger and thirst? Because he will fill us!
• For if we have the revelation (determination) of His love we can walk with determination in our lives. We need not walk in fear.
ii. Are you being led or driven?
Most herd animals must be driven. Ever hear of a “cattle drive” the animals are basically chased using their fears as a motivator. Sheep are led by their Sheppard. Jesus said, ‘My sheep know my voice…”
Are you waiting for God to chase you out of sin or will you be led in peace
b. God leads you away from the hurtful past.
We probably all agree that fossil fuels are becoming a problem. Where do fossil fuels come from?
• Dead, rotted flesh, dead bones from the past they we dig up and use to power our lives to get us were we wish to go, it’s the fuel we use to heat our homes.
• They produce harmful fumes, including CO, carbon monoxide, a gas that kills people.
Isn’t this so much of what we do?
• We dig up the rotted, dead bones from the past and use those resentments and bitterness to motivate and power our present life.
• A life powered with these may in fact accomplish something in the world, but it is producing toxic exhaust. People are being hurt in the wake and life is actually lost in the process.
What is better?
• Solar power is what is called a “renewable” resource. It never runs out and it creates no pollution
• We need only to harness it and it will power our lives with enough energy.
• Sun-Blessed; Son-Blessed.
What fuel are you burning in your tank? Hatred, unforgiveness, resentment, victim mentality, bitterness?
Philippians 3:13 “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.”
i. I don’t mean to trivialize the painful experiences from our past, however, In Christ we are to forget those things that have hurt us.
ii. God will lead us through the process of forgiveness and/or repentance.
iii. There is huge difference between being driven by pain and being led by peace.
You shall go out in joy; not running for your lives, not trying to outrun the past.
You shall be led forth in peace; and not be driven by the past. It’s much better to led than driven.
Certainty in God’s unstoppable power and purpose must manifest in our lives.
II. Your Salvation is the Center piece of all Creation
“…the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”
a. God wants you to see this Great Mystery
Luke 10:24 “For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."
i. They longed to see what you see, to taste the goodness of God that is always available for our dining pleasure.
ii. Don’t allow the last 2000 years to take the edge off the wonder of the Gospel!
iii. Out of everything created, you are the most important to God!
b. Look at what heaven cares about:
Luke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Can you see how this revelation TRANSFORMS your outlook, and determination?
As I read this passage, I thought, “That’s Victory Lane.” In racing the winner goes to “Victory Lane” and is met by family, fans and the media. It’s a time of celebration and joy.
Here we see God’s Victory Lane for his people.
I wondered if I may be able to find an inspirational store about “victory lane” to use in my sermon. I didn’t, but what I did find on the subject is in some undisclosed location in the state of Georgia, is a 3000 acre subdivision called “Victory Lane” It boasts its own 4.5 mile race course, airplane landing strip, golf course, hunting reserve, country club and multiple lakes. All of these amenities are to be enjoyed by only the first 120 narcissists with enough money for the buy in. And of course they don’t publish the costs. After all, if you have to ask, obviously you can’t afford it. And all 3000 acres are surrounded by a 10 foot tall, privacy wall and monitored by “Victory Lane’s” private security company.
Man’s best efforts for utopia will be nothing more that the manure for Heaven’s grass.
The stroll down Victory Lane is preceded by much sacrifice. Thirsty to come, the sinner to turn, the ignorant to seek, etc. Victory comes only to the faithful, those who persist to the end. Determination;
A resolution and determination that will not die, for your God cannot die.
III. There is an End to Your Struggle
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
a. Human Sin brought the Curse
Genesis 3:17 God said to Adam, "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.
i. It’s easier to keep-on-keeping-on when you have the end in sight.
ii. Don’t blame God, look to Him for help.
iii. Don’t blame people; we live in a fallen world.
b. God’s Grace brings restoration
Isaiah 65:17-19 (ESV) 17"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. 18But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. 19I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.
i. Fellowship renewed
ii. Hardship and toil removed
iii. Here again we are looking forward to an ultimate fulfillment, but we also have a “right now” blessing also.
What a fantastic hope and assurance.
IV. Live Your Life for the Glory of God
“…and it shall make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."
Ephesians 1:13 “…you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
a. If we shall live for His Glory then, we shall live for His Glory now!
b. How should this guarantee of Glory form our pursuits?
Harvard University’s Dr. Nicholi, teaches a legendary course on Sigmund Freud and C. S. Lewis
Everyone has a worldview—whether we realize it or not. Our worldview is simply our philosophy of life, our attempt to make sense of our existence. After we arrive on this earth, we make one of two basic assumptions: we assume that the universe is all there is and that life on this planet is a matter of chance … or we assume some intelligence beyond the universe Who gives order to the universe and meaning to our lives. We embrace one or the other, and that worldview influences our motivation, our identity, our relationships, our valuation of people, our purpose in life, our destiny. No part of our personal history tells more about us than our worldview.
When we make these important determinations about our lives, we can walk with a heavenly determination through life.
Conclusion: So I ask you, “Is it worth it to live for the Lord?”
Determination still requires wisdom learned, love applied and many other life transforming, spirit formed character developments but when the end is guaranteed the struggle is never fatal. There it inspires courage.
