Drawing Lines in the Sand
Philippians 3:13-14
Introduction: The Incarnation of Jesus Christ drew a line in the sands of time. The birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Christ are the "turning points" in world history. It is interesting to note that the purpose of the BC / AD dating system we use was to make the birth of Jesus Christ the dividing point of world history. We designate time in our culture from Christ’s Birth – BC, Before Christ and AD, Anno Domini or in the year of Our Lord. The coming of Christ marked the end of the Old Covenant under the Law and the beginning of the New Covenant under Grace. It is fitting, therefore, that Jesus Christ is the separation of "old" and "new." As we celebrate His coming we also look forward to a new year and are encouraged to draw lines in the sand.
I. Drawing a line in the sand sets boundaries in our lives.
A. Drawing lines in the sand says I will not go beyond this point.
B. Knowing where our lines are helps us to know what we value and who we are. Those boundaries should encompass both what we believe and what we do.
C. Doctrinally we are to set boundaries based on the Word of God. We must stand firm in our faith, or we will not stand at all.
1. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.”
2. A recent survey revealed that 83 percent of evangelical Protestants agreed that good people of other religions can go to heaven. Ninety percent of black Protestants also believe good people can go to heaven. When prodded further, more than half, 54 percent, of evangelical Protestants said yes, people of religions other than Christianity can go to heaven. Sixty-two percent of black Protestants agreed with the statement.
3. Acts 4:12 “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
4. John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
D. Martin Luther is an example of one who was willing to draw a line in the sand. Luther, who through the church's excommunication for his teaching that the just shall live by faith was declared an outlaw and was summonsed to Worms to appear before the Emperor. Both the Roman church and Emperor wanted Luther to recant his teachings while he was there. But Luther drew a line in the sand as declared, “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen."
E. Morally we need to set boundaries drawing a line in the sand. Oscar Wilde said “Morality like art means drawing a line someplace.”
1. Christian Moral boundaries are set by living God's way according to biblical principles.
2. The Bible provides the boundaries and barriers for our moral actions. We are to stay within those moral boundaries.
3. Where do we draw the line when it comes to sin? For example, where do we draw the line when we are faced with decisions about drinking alcohol, taking habit forming drugs, or having sexual relations outside of marriage? Where do we draw the line as to what we see, say, or do? Do we see just how close we can get to the line and then convince ourselves we will not cross over the line? Do we run with a crowd that is always pushing the line and testing us to see just how far we will go?- adapted
4. 1 Corinthians 4:6 “...Do not go beyond what is written.”
F. Jesus was asked by the teachers of the law which was the most important commandment. "The most important one" answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:29-31).
II. Drawing a line in the sand says I will not go back or retreat.
A. Joshua 24:15 "And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
B. Luke 9:62 “But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’”
C. There are times when it seems impossible to go and we want to give up. It is at those times we must draw a line in the sand and refuse to retreat. We must realize God has called us and we fight the fight in the victory that Christ has already won.
D. In the Second World War D-Day finally arrived. Our boys drew a line on Normandy Beach – Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword – choked on the smell of death and the taste of fear. But they did not turn back. Many would have loved to have retreated. In all 30,000 GIs were killed and 200,000 wounded in the Normandy Campaign. But it was a turning point of World War II leading to Germany’s unconditional surrender. - copied
E. One hundred years ago a young man from a wealthy family entered Yale University. His family intended that after completing his degree he would enter a suitable career in America. But God gripped his heart with the needs of China and he volunteered to go to that country with the gospel, much to the dismay of his family and friends. He left America but never made it to China, succumbing to a disease before reaching that distant shore. After his death, a note was found in his effects that summarized his life: “No reserve, no retreat, no regrets.” I wonder how many of us could say the same thing. - copied
F. Philippians 3:13-14 “... one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead I press toward the goal’”
III. Drawing a line in the sand says I am starting anew from this point.
A. Philippians 3:13 “...forgetting those things which are behind...”
B. Drawing a line in the sand marks a new beginning. It is a line of demarcation that says from this point forward we are going to begin afresh, with total reliance on the Lord and seeking guidance and enabling power from the God of the second chance. Drawing a line in the sand allows us to stop being chained to our past failures and to go forth for Christ.
C. James 3:2 “For in many things we offend all.” (NLT - Indeed, we all make many mistakes.)
D. Lamentations 3:23 “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
E. God declares that we start today brand new in Christ.
F. On August 12th, 1849, the great British preacher, F.W. Robertson, said, “Life, like war, is a series of mistakes, and he is not the best Christian nor the best general who makes the fewest false steps. Poor mediocrity may secure that; but he is the best who wins the most splendid victories by the retrieval of mistakes. Forget mistakes; organize victories out of mistakes.” - copied
G. Henry Ford defined a mistake as “an opportunity to begin again, more intelligently.” – copied
H. Psalms 37:23-24, “If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”
I. Jonah who ran from God’s call was given a second chance, because our God is the God of the second chance. Peter who warmed his hands at the world’s hearth and denied Christ found a new beginning because our God is the God of new beginnings. John Mark who faltered and turned back found strength and a renewed commission because our God is the God of restoration. The prodigal son found reconnection with his family, forgiveness and love because our God is the God of the second chance who restores us and gives us a new beginning.
