Joh_14:4-6 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Where Am I?
I have here four different things that we use to find our way.
1. This first is a globe which we usually use when we want to find a foreign country.
2. The second is an atlas. This used to be the thing we would have with us as we travelled to help us locate the right highways that would take us where we wanted to go.
3. Now the third thing here is the high tech way that we find our way around today. It is a GPS. Now it is neat because it talks to a satellite and actually tells us where we are at the moment and shows us a map that leads us to where we want to go.
4. Now the fourth thing I have is more hi tech than anything because it not only tells us where we are at the moment and guides our way into the future it also tells us where we were in the past. It is the Bible God’s word.
We are led to believe that the world is billions of years old and that the dinosaurs roamed the earth 500 million years ago; but, as we study the word of God we realize that the earth is only a few thousand years old. We are told of the first day when God created the earth. Then, as you read through the Bible, you will realize that you are reading the only complete history of the world and of the human race. From Genesis to Revelation, we see the journey of man from creation to eternity. We also see God’s desire to have a relationship with the creature that he made specifically for that purpose. In Genesis, it tells of how God would come down in the evening and walk through the Garden having a conversation with Adam. It tells of the fall of man and how through that fall sin entered into the world. Speaking of Adam, we are told in Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered the world and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned.” As we continue to read, we see the history of mankind and centered in this narrative is Israel. I want to point out a few things here. As you read the Old Testament, you will find out some definite things concerning Israel.
1. One thing is that when they listened to God they prospered and became a mighty nation.
2. The second thing is that when they decided they wanted new gods then they got in trouble even to the point of being held captive and eventually destroyed as a nation.
Let me make a parallel with life here please. When we as individuals are receptive (listen to) God’s word and we obey the teachings of God we will find peace that surpasses all understanding and live a meaningful life. The second half is also true in life, when we think we are too busy for God or that some other thing in our life becomes our God (check your time and your bank account out and you will find your god) then we will find our life in turmoil and eventually face destruction.
GOD’S WORD TELLS US WHERE WE ARE.
You must know where you are to know where you are going!
Your GPS has to determine where you are before it can show you the way to where you are going.
Illustration
When you enter a large shopping mall there is usually a large map that shows where all the shops are located. However, it has a big arrow pointing to a spot on the map that reads,”YOU ARE HERE.” If you don’t identify where you are, you can’t get where you want to be.
Knowing where you are is essential to getting to where you need to be. Where are you?
The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; also, scripture reminds us in Ecc 7:20 “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
So where are we? The answer is that if we haven’t dealt with the sin in our life there is a need to do it. You see God created a universal plan to rescue us from where we are.
In Luke Chapter 15 we read the story of the prodigal son. Beginning in verse 17, we see where he determined that he was in the pig pen and it wasn’t where he wanted to be. I ask you today where are you? Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Unless you have realized that this is where you are you will never find the joy and peace that God has planned for you. Unless you realize where you are you may never inherit the eternal life that the Father has in store for you. You see John 3:18 tells us that, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believieth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Again in John 3:36 it says, “he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Being off a little is being off all the way!!!
So here is the question again where is your “big star” or where are you in your life?
God’s Holy Word interpretation Romans 6:23 is “The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Now God never intended for man to die. That was introduced into the world by man in his fall to sin. We all know that story of how it was all Eve’s fault. (ha ha) God saw this evil that man did and had compassion on him and created a way for man to still have eternal life. That way is the death, burial, resurrection, and coming again of Christ. There is only one way: “John 14:6 Jesus answered him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me. There is only one way if you are off a little you are all the way off.
If a plane flying from New York to Tel Aviv in Israel drifts off course one-degree north for the entire flight, it will end up in Moscow, Russia instead of Tel Aviv. That’s 1,644 miles off course! Without correcting their path they missed the mark.
God’s Word tells us where we can be.
John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life and that they may have life abundantly”.
This is telling us that we can have eternal life, that means live forever, but more important than that God is telling us that we can have an abundant, overflowing, life. There are only two choices as to what to do with your life----you can choose the life that God has planned for you or you can choose to perish in the flames of hell. You must decide what you want to do with your life:
ILLUSTRATION:
Alice in Wonderland:
• In one of the scenes from Alice in Wonderland she encounters a Cheshire cat
• She asks the cat which way she should go from where she was
• The cat asks where she wants to go
• She replies that it doesn’t matter much
• The cat then replies: THEN IT DOESN’T MATTER MUCH WHICH WAY YOU GO!
If you don't know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?
• A map, globe, GPS or God’s word is only good if you choose to use it. As we travel through this life there are times that we have to make course corrections. The first is to choose to accept Jesus as your personal savior. As John the Baptist said, “Repent and be saved”. When you choose to make Jesus your savior you make him your Lord and choose to live everyday with Him. Sometimes it calls for you to adjust your course.
Illustration:
• A flight from Atlanta to California plots the course to its destination:
• It begins with the end in mind.
• Because of external pressures upon the aircraft (Jet Stream) it must continually measure where it is on the planet (evaluate) and make course corrections (adjustments).
• Because the goal or destination is so far in front of the plane, the passengers usually don’t feel the corrections happening. However, if it waits until it is about to miss the airport – the corrections are extreme!
• Andy Stanley said: In life everybody winds up somewhere - a few people wind-up somewhere on purpose!
Where are you going with your life? You have the map but you must choose to use it.
Just as when you enter that mall and realize I don’t know where I am going and you start hunting that directory to find out which way you need to go in life you must determine where you are then find the path God has plotted out for you. God wants to be with you each day to help you along on this journey of life. As you travel you may find some difficult roads. Pot holes and bends in the road such as financial, family, or health problems will be in your way and can deter you path unless you have help and a guide to show you the way around them. God says here I am. Pro_3:6 in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. God stands waiting to guide you live. If you seek him He will be there not only to guide you through life but also to guide you through death. Life today is very difficult, I think most will agree to that but it can be made easier if we trust in someone other than ourselves. That someone is God. He has a plan for our lives but can only execute it if we allow Him too. So again, I ask you where are you in your life. Will you follow the map to an overflowing and eternal life with God? “The faith and love that spring from hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. Colossians 1:5-6
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Illustrations used were from Aaron McCollough (freshfireministries.com)
