2011.01.02.Sermon.Now Where do you think you’re going?
William Akehurst, HSWC
Now just where do you think you're going there Mr. (Miss)?
Getting Ready for 2011
Wisdom needed
Proverbs 3:5-6
Isaiah 55:6-8 (whole chapter)
Matthew 25:1-13
Has anyone ever asked you the question: “Now just where do you think you’re going?..Mr…Miss.”
Those words can put a check in our hearts to our intentions and dealings.
As we move from 2010 to 2011, I want to ask the question…Just where do you think you’re going?
But it brings with it this question
Diana Ross made the song famous: “Do you know where you’re going to?
Do you like the things that life’s been showing you
Where are you going to?
Do you know?”
How would you answer that series of questions?
Answer #1 I don’t know
Answer #2 I’ve got plans…This way or That way
James 4:13-15
13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
I used to find it odd to hear my Father-in-law always ends his sentences stating his plans with those words. "Lord Willing". This is exactly what James states. Unless the LORD's will is in it, what good are our plans?
Do you know where you're going?
And in order to answer that question, I want to reach into the Word and see what principles from the Bible we should consider?
Where are you going in 2011?
• Do you have plans?
• Will you continue as you have in the past?
• Are you making any changes in the future? And “getting older” is known…
What are the rumblings about 2011?
• All the predictions and talking of the end times. All these rumblings of Christ’s soon return. I believe we are getting closer and closer to Christ’s Return.
There are many predictions of 2011 as being the time of Christ’s return. I say if so LORD, let it be. If not, then let me be ready whichever way it goes.
1,2,3 John, James, Jude all warn us of being led by false teaching and false prophecy. Therefore, if you listen to these preachers take it and ponder the thoughts in your heart. And whether they are right or wrong, at the least, make sure you are ready to meet the LORD. It doesn’t matter if Christ Returns in 2011 or He calls you home. What matters is if you are ready to meet Him.
• Concerned about the future? The direction of our country and its economy?
What if the bottom dropped out?
What if things got really truly bad?
• What is important?
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth.
1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
What is most important?
1. Seek the Lord while he may be found Isaiah 55
2. Commit our way to the LORD and HE will establish our direction Prov 16:3
3. Trust in the Lord and he will direct your paths Prov 3:5-6
4. Be Ready Matthew 25:1-13
Matthew 25:1-13
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
This passage specifically tells us that we must remain ready at all times. For we do not know when we will be face to face with our Savior Jesus Christ. Whether He returns, or calls us home. We are to be ready.
Biblical principles to consider?
1. Commit your ways to the LORD, through Prayer
Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
How do you commit your plans to the Lord? Through Prayer.
Remember the acronym ACTS as a model for prayer: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication.
2. Make our plans committed to the LORD, and trust Him to guide and direct us
Proverbs 16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
We can plan, but it is not until we’ve committed our work to God, that we can trust Him to guide and adjusting our plans as needed for His glory and our best interests.
3. Align our plans with His
Proverbs 19:21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
We can be confident when we’ve committed our plans to Him that His greater purposes will prevail.
4. No human plan can go against the LORD’s, so Trust in the LORD
Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
In order to receive God’s blessing in our plans, we need to be sure our plans align with His ways and the truths as shown in His Word.
5. Get godly help from others.
Proverbs 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
We need to make sure those who help us in our plans are godly.
As we make plans this year 2011, let’s consider biblical principles to assure our plans are fruitful.
Here’s a bit of Wisdom from a father (David) to a son (Solomon)
1 Chronicles 28:9
9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
Seek him, and he will be found. Forsake him, and he will cast you off forever.
Get Ready, as Isaiah 55:6 says, Seek the LORD while he can be found, while he is near.
Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Isaiah 55:6-7
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
If you are to go forward into 2011, make sure you do it with Christ in your hearts. Seek him while he may be found.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved..
Trust in the LORD for direction in 2011 as it says in Proverbs 3
Seek Him while he may be found, as it says in Isaiah 55
Be ready as it says in Matthew 25. For we do not know at what day nor hour the LORD will return.
Will you do this? Are you Ready?
Let us pray
Communion
