Need for Speed January 28, 2009
What is the most thrlling, exciting thing you have ever experienced? How did it feel? How long did that feeling last? Why do we need speed?
Roller Coasters: We wait an hour for a 30 sec thrill.
We all have a need for excitement, thrills, but that need can ultimately only be satisfied by God. Everything else is temporary. If we would learn to live the Christian life as it was intended, God would fill our “need for speed.”
Review: Danger Close: Is the Christian life safe? NO! But it is good…
Precision Bombing: Smart Bombs (God knows what he is doing)
If we are going to experience all that God has for us, the abundant life, we cannot live safe. We have to live Danger Close, close to the action, protected in the arms of our Father, reaching out to the lost and dying, the wounded and broken. Connecting with God and with each other.
How did Peter’s friends respond to him? Acts 11:18
When God shows up, learn to be silent.
Perhaps our lives are so full of noise that we miss God.
Psalm 46:10 (NLT) “Be silent, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world."
We can experience God when we learn to be silent – stop the noise.
We don’t like silence because it reveals our emptiness:
Then we fill our emptiness with noise and forget our need for God.
Zech. 2:13 (NLT) Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling."
When we get past the hunger, we realize only God satisfies.
Some people say “I have no life!” (but you are busy!) Does “noise” equal “life?” What does it mean to really be alive? Parties, friends, sex, cars, money? Have we really experienced life as God intended it, or do we settle for a poor substitute? How do we know: Are we really satisfied?)
“Laura” describes her life like this…"FUN!!! I like parties, movies, hangin out with friends... the usual.. I to be young and stupid I’m 20 and waiting for the big 21…I used to go to Bible college but i dropped out because im sick of it all... i used to go to church, but i havet gone since college... i drink way too much... but when im drunk...i forget about how much ive messed up my life.. i pray too little, which is my main problem... but my life is crazy and beautiful, and it has hurts and joys...but its life..” Really?
Illus: Book at 99 Cents store: “Maybe life is just not that into you!”
Perhaps we get bored with religion because we settle for a poor substitute
"A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." John 10:10 The Message Bible
What does the Abundant life look like?
Dangerous Faith: Bruce Olson: Missionary to Columbia, had trouble as normal teenager, being mocked by “friends.” He was frightened by God, but He met his Son, Jesus, full of love and acceptance. One night he prayed and accepted Jesus, and he felt alive. But he wanted more. He dreamed of being a language professor, but he found himself drawn to the people of Columbia, native Indians called the Montilones. For twenty-six years he lived with them, helping them know Jesus. The he was taken hostage by revolutionaries who chained him to a palm tree for four months. Near death, God healed him. Asking God to use him, he led many of his captors to Jesus. Still, the loaded their rifles, Bruce was ready to die for Christ. Several of the shooters cried as they prepared to kill the man who led them to Christ. They fired and Bruce stood still. The bullets were blanks. The revolutionaries apologized for the way theyn treated him and we went back to live with the Montilones. (Dangerous Faith, James Lund/Peb Jackson)
“Could it be that when we are bold enough to step away from our safety nets and into the “fire” of God’s call, this is when we’re most likely to encounter Him?” James Lund, Dangerous Faith
Cost/Benefit Analysis: It is not safe, but is it worth it?
For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. Mt 16:25
Jesus does not deceive us by promising a life of ease – he is straight up about the costs (Life) and the benefit (new life).
O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8
It’s an Acquired Taste – alcohol is a poison yet millions drink it. They use it for fuel! Maybe we have acquired tastes for the wrong things.
Need for Speed. Adrenaline– we were made to run! We crave purpose – but we find it the wrong ways. People do drugs, drive fast, have sex with anyone all for the rush that is supposed to come from God.
Adrenaline/Epinephrine is used as a drug to treat cardiac arrest and other cardiac dysrhythmias resulting in diminished or absent cardiac output.
“Runners High” Endorphins are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during strenuous exercise,[1] excitement, and pleasure. [3] and they resemble the opiates (drugs) in their abilities to produce analgesia and a sense of well-being. Endorphins work as "natural fever relievers", whose effects may be enhanced by other medications.
"God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure." Eric Liddell
“I Want a new drug...” (Huey Lewis) (about women)
We are getting high on sports, dating, money, cars, sex, drugs, school, work…but those are all temporary highs and we all fall down!
What is your “Speed?”
Have you noticed you can have ten things going on and be bored? My need for noise is directly related to my need for God.
“Busyness is an illness of spirit…” Eugene Peterson, Five Smooth Stones
"Do everything for the glory of God!” 1 Cor. 10:31
We need adrenaline – excitement is good for us – but we can find that excitement in living for God.
Are we are so full of the world that we don’t need God!
Habakkuk 2:20 (NLT) But the Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him."
If we want to know God, we must learn to STOP THE NOISE!
We need each other: “Hit me up – PLEASE!!” We crave relationship – but it starts with God.
We encounter God not just in church, but in life – in each other. I see God in you – or not. Not just in the good, but in the bad.
God is in the Ordinary – He is in the silence, the struggle, the pain. God is not just a church god, He is all the time! Look for God everywhere!
We need God moments everyday (not just at church)!
We often only see God in the supernatural, but He is natural too.
“He became flesh and lived with us!”
What if we had fireworks everyday? We would get bored!
Why do we question God’s existence? Could it be we have not fully met him?
If your life is full but empty, stop and listen for God.
Questions:
Have you ever had a God encounter that overwhelmed you?
How did it feel? Why did it end?
What would it take for us to experience more of God?
What is the noise that is keeping us from God?
