TAKE A MULLIGAN
Isaiah 43:15-25
INTRODUCTION:
[This sermon was preached after the Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Miami Hurricanes to win the National Championship.]
A. So, how does it feel to be on the winning side? If feels pretty good, doesn’t it?
You have to admit that things looked dismal for awhile. As a matter of fact, at one point the opposing side even began to celebrate because they thought they had won. Almost before they knew what happened things changed and our side came out on top. And even though we weren’t there physically, we celebrate today because are able to share in that victory! I might add here that I’m not talking about football!
I will admit that I watched the game glued to my seat and when the Buckeyes finally won I stood up and screamed. I don’t want to bust your bubble, but it was just a game that doesn’t mean anything in the eternal realm of things. The victory that matters is what happened at the cross. The victory that matters is the one that Jesus Christ had over hell, sin, and death. This is the victory that ought to get us excited. This is the victory that ought to cause our souls to shout. Because of this victory we can be freed from our sins, escape the torments of hell, and look forward to a great eternity with the Lord. 1 Cor. 15:57 says: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
B. Ready or not, here it is–2003!
One of the things that I like about the new year is that it kind of gives us a new start–a new beginning. We hear a lot about making resolutions: To change a few things, Hairstyle, Lose a little weight. Maybe you have resolved to read your Bible daily, or to be more committed to the Lord and His work. Maybe you have resolved not to make some of the mistakes that you made last year. Since it is the beginning of the year, it gives us a place to start–a point of reference–a place to begin some lifestyle changes
C. As we look at this passage in Isaiah 43 we find at least three keys to help us becoming more the people that God wants us to be in 2003
This is the message that God was giving to the Israelites in the passage that we are going to look at this morning. The Israelite people were having a difficult time because they were being punished by God–a result of their continual rebellion. Yet, God still wanted to give His people encouragement. He wanted them to know that in spite of the things they were going through, that He had not left them nor forsaken them–that He was still there for them. Something that we need to remember as well.
The Israelites figured that they had gone too far–that their sin was so great that God would no longer be their God. But God reminded them that He had been there for His people before and He was still there to deliver them again.
READ: Isaiah 43:15-19a
ILL> The popular Christian singing group "DC Talk" had a hit song a few years ago that said:
My God is doin’ a brand nu thang
But, since time began, He remains the same
Faithful, forever to His word
And solid, a cornerstone unstirred
But, look down through the ages and you will find
God doesn’t change, but He knows the time
God is doin it–God is doing a nu thang!
D. What new thing does God want to do with your life in 2003?
How is He going to accomplish it? What do you need to do in order to allow God to make a difference in your life this year?
I> MOVE BEYOND THE FAILURES OF YOUR PAST
A. In order for God to do a new thing in your life, you need to move beyond the failures of your past. Look at verse 18
ILL> The Mulligan
We’ve talked about football. Now I would like to spend a few moments talking about golf and the very important golfing concept of the mulligan.
When you go out and play a friendly game of golf, you can decide whether or not everybody gets a mulligan.
Now, a mulligan is simply a "do-over". If you slice the ball and it goes into the middle of the woods, then you get a do-over. Or, if you hit the ground and your drive only rolls about 10 feet, you can take a mulligan. The first shot doesn’t count against your score. It’s just like you never took it. You messed up–now you get a chance to do better.
I was thinking, wouldn’t it be great to have a few mulligans in life? As we enter a new year it gives us a chance to look back–and as we look back, maybe we would like a few mulligans. Maybe we wouldn’t buy that car that turned out to be a lemon. Maybe you would study harder for that test. Maybe you said a few things to a loved one or a friend that you would like to take back. Regardless, many of us here this morning have made mistakes that we would change if we had the opportunity
The good news is that I want to share this morning is that God, in a sense, has give us the opportunity to have a few mulligans. He wants to give us a fresh start–a new beginning. This is a major teaching of what Christianity is all about–the opportunity to start fresh. This is a constant theme in the Scriptures.
Romans 6:4 - We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
2 Cor. 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
And in the Isaiah passage, God says, "Forget the former things." The word "forget" here does not mean that we should never look back. The Bible is a book of history with important information about how we should live and how we are to submit ourselves to God in order to be saved. We can learn lessons from past mistakes
The second part of that verse is the key–do not dwell on the past
B. One of the ways that we do that is: we need to quit making excuses
If I want God to do a new thing in my life, then I’ve got to stop making excuses for the mistakes that I’ve made. I have to stop blaming others. We are good at making excuses. Sometimes people say, "Well, I’d like to be more involved in the church, but you’ve got to understand that I’m just so busy." This is a good sounding excuse because we’re all busy. My wife and I are learning that when you’ve got teenagers in the house that there is constantly something going on. The real reason, though is, "I haven’t make God a priority in my life."
Some say, “You don’t understand. If you were married to that spouse of mine you would have done the same thing."
Others say, “Everybody’s doing it" My mom use to say, "Everybody’s not doing it because you’re not doing it."
Proverbs 28:13 - He who conceals his sins does not prosper,
but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
God can start doing a new thing in your life if you will admit to your faults and failures
II> COMMIT YOURSELF TO GOD IN THE PRESENT
A. In order for God to do a new thing in your life, you need to commit yourself to God in the present–in the here and now
It would appear that the Israelites were dealing with an age old problem–A Lack of Commitment. Look at verses 20, 22-24. "You call out to me for help, but in what ways have you tried to honor me?"
ILL> I received a call recently from a family in need of some help. The lady on the phone said, "I learned a long time ago that when you are down and out that you need to turn to the church." The first thing I wanted to say was, "No, you need to turn to the church before you are down and out."
Our human nature is to call out to God when things are tough–when we don’t know what way to turn. But God wants us to call out to Him when things are good. He wants our commitment when things are running smooth and life is great.
B. Anything that you are commitment to requires sacrifice. If it doesn’t require anything from you, then you’re not committed to it.A lot of you guys (and gals) like to hunt. Buy guns, ammunition, hunting license, bow, arrows, whatever. It requires time, preparation
Hunting doesn’t cost me a cent. In the last 20 years, I have not spent a dime on hunting. I’m not committed to it.
If you have a computer and use it, there is a cost involved: Internet hookup, printer, upgrades, ink cartridges.
Sports, costs: New equipment, tickets to watch
What does your faith require of you? Too many times we easily give up the church first
ILL> My wife’s brother asked what I was preaching on because they were not going to in church because they had made plans to go to an NFL football game. I told him I was preaching on priorities and not allowing things to get in the way of our commitment to God and to being in His house on Sunday mornings.
C. A greater commitment to God’s Word
Not just knowing what you believer, but knowing what the Bible says
D. A greater commitment to God and to worship
One of the areas in which we really need to grow this year is in our Sunday School because it is such an important part of learning
God will start doing a new thing in your life when you make a greater commitment to Him right now.
III> LOOK FORWARD TO A WONDERFUL FUTURE
A. In order for God to do a new thing in your life, you need to realize that God’s side wins and He is preparing a wonderful future - Verse 25
Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
John 14:1-6 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. [2] In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. [4] You know the way to the place where I am going."
[5] Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
[6] Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
IV> CONCLUSION:
QUOTE> After the win Friday evening, someone asked the coach of the Buckeyes about future plans for the team. Jim Tressel - Life is about what comes up next.
A. The same holds true in our spiritual lives
1. I can preach on commitment every week, but you are the one that makes the choose as to whether you will be committed or not
a. God wants to be alive and active in your life–will you let Him
2. God may want you to be more involved in ministry this year or to get involved with in a way that you have never considered
a. Will you allow him to open the door?
3. Most of God, God wants to be Lord or your life
ILL> Little girl was perplexed as she looked at the picture of Jesus standing at the door, knocking. She simply stared without saying anything. Her preacher came to her side and the little girl continued staring. Finally she asked: "Did he get in?"
