WHY SOME GOT CLOSE - BUT THEY DIDN’T GET IN
Numbers 14:26-30
Many times in life - people have set goals that they would like to achieve – but for some un-forseen reason - be it comes through you - or some other source - these goals become a distant dream.
We have our eyes on the prize – but can’t put our hands on the posession
Down through the years many sort things in life – that only there children reaped
In the times of slavery – there was a dream on freedom – but many never saw it
There were dreams to one time possess the very land these labored
Many set out to go place in life – but found themselves falling short
My brothers and sisters – These got close – but they didn’t get in
As I have observed people – I’ve found people allow many things to cause them to miss the mark.
Because of this many that think they are on there way to heaven will find themselves falling short.
1. Because of UNBELIEF – many may get close – but they won’t get in
2. By becoming engulfed in PROBLEMS – that you lose faith in Jesus – Many may get close – but they won’t get in
3. Some will allow PEOPLE – to cause them to go to hell –
listening to what other people say – when it is not the truth
allowing people to lead them in the wrong direction
those that allow people to cause them to live on a shaky foundation
These may get close – but they won’t get in
4. PASSIONS
Those that hold on to things that cause them not to know Jesus
Those that will not give up things of the pass
Those that think that the whole world is against you – thinking that you are the only one having problems
I stopped by to warn you that passions are temporary – And that Jesus is eternal
Those that insist on holding on their passions – these will get close – but they won’t get in
5. FAILURE TO LOVE ON ANOTHER – you may get close – but you won’t get in
God can allow you to survive wars - even make it through famines of life – only to find that you have gotten close – but won’t get in . . . .
Look at the nation Israel – Followed pagan practices that lead to depraved and corrupt moral conduct inter-relating these practices as a part of their worship.
Israel to live as religious community – in which each person was to care for others
This was the first example of the living church – as God Jehovah as their champion.
(Is God your champion)
But just as the church in the wilderness practiced exploitation – today the church behind the still practice this same exploitation. ---- What is the church guilty of ????
1. Disobedience to the Word of God
2. Disobedient to the spiritual leader
3. Not helping the helpless
4. Casting aside strangers
5. Forsaking the widows
6. Neglecting the orphans
In the Mosiac Law (Deut. 24) God introduces the first welfare system as the church as the social worker.
God promised to provide a land for the Israelites in which they could settle in obedience to the covenant law as a Holy Nation – witnessing the existence and power of God to other nations. . . .
But because of disobedience – they were close to the promise land – but did not get in. . . .
God promised the church - -that He was going to prepare a place – where the wicked would cease from troubling and the weary would be at rest – A land of many mansions - where all things shall become new — A place where His people can live as a Holy Nation – but because of disobedience – many will get close – but they won’t get in. . . . . .
Through out their history – God’s covenant people were meant to be an example of spirituality to the world. Their goal was not to be political activist – or to indulge in territorial conquest — But to allow God to lead them to victory and assurance. . . .
As a church – again God set in order to be spiritual example to the world — but instead of being the church in the world – Religious people have brought the world into the church — making it political arena and a place where those that have sur-press those that have not. . . .. Killing the hearts of the meek and the humble. . . .
These may get close – but they won’t get in
Israel saw no wrong in idol worship – these felt that God should accept both their ways and their worship. . . . CHURCH – I hope today that you don’t feel as if God should accept either your ways nor your worship. ... We want to use the words, “Lord you know.” Well I stop by to tell you that God does know.. . . . . Feeling as if the way you live – the way you worship – and the things you do – is alright before God and the church.
God Charges us to be ye Holy as I am Holy - (I AM suggest that God is Holy in all things)
Not just holy on Sunday morning or Wednesday night
Because of their ways, practices and disobedience – Israel spent 40 years in the wilderness
There are those today whose live consist of a wilderness experience (Yes!! You may live in a nice home, work a daily job) But God has caused your spiritual life to dwell in the wilderness. Most of us understand wilderness as a place of dense growth or where animals live. . . . But when a christian live in the wilderness (eremos - er ‘ay-mos) meaning that you are deprived of the aid and protection of God – becoming exposed to the firy darts of satan and becoming a victim to the conditions of the world.. . .
After the death of Aaron – the Israelites finally moved forward – where they were to prepare to conquer canaan — Aaron was a spiritual leader – but hindered both growth and progress. . .
There are times when God has to remove corrupt leadership – so that His people can move forward and grow. Even in this there are some that try to continue and carry out corrupt ways. .
It’s because of this that many may get close – but they won’t get in.
The Israelites got close – but they didn’t get in
Moses was allowed to look over into the promise land – He got close – but didn’t get in
A samaritian lord –whom watched Elisha perform a miracle – but because of his unbelief – Elisha says unto him, “Behold thou shalt see it thine – but not eat thereof – He was close – but
The scribes discerned the Word of God – searching the scriptures daily – these became hearer of the word – but not doers — they will get close – but they won’t get in
The pharisees and saducees – practiced the law of God – but did not heed unto it’s doctrine....
Because of self righteousness – they were close – but they won’t get in
The brothers of Jesus knew Him – but because they did have a relationship with Him –
My brothers and sisters – they were close – but they won’t get in
The unbelieving Jews – were close – but they won’t get in
The Ephesian church – was close – but they won’t get in
The Elders in the days of Jesus – being men that were religious but not christians – they were c close – but not in
The rich young ruler – wanted to grasp eternal life – but didn’t want to bear his cross – he was close – but he won’t get in
The rich man (Diadees) died and lifted up eyes in hell — could look over and see Lazarus in Paradise — He was close — but not in
Jesus said that I am the way the truth and the life – no man can come to the Father – but by me
Many today – thinking that you’re on your way – But there are some that will get close – but you won’t get in. ....
Preachers – if you’re leading God’s people astray – you may get close
Deacons – neglecting the duties of the church – you may get close
Deaconess – keeping up confusion in the church – you may get close
Choir – bickering and fighting one another – you may get close
Ushers –
Members – Keep on talking – keep on back-biting – keep on ditch-digging – there will come a day that you may get close – but you won’t get in . . . . . .
