The Danger Of A Lean In The Wrong Direction

Vs 12-13 Abram dwelled in the land of Caanan and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain

(and pitched his tent toward Sodom)

But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.

One of my favorite songs is an old hymn of the church called ( Leaning on the everlasting arms) The whole song is about the blessing and the strength and the peace and joy that fills our lives as we lean on Jesus.

Another one that is very similar is the chorus: Learning to lean, I’m learning to lean I’m learning to lean on Jesus, finding more power than I ever dreamed I’m learning to lean on Jesus.

I always loved these songs: then I got a little older and I found out that they were based on the word of God

Song of Sol 8:5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness leaning upon her beloved.

(Of course it’s talking about the church leaning on Jesus).

Then I read Jn 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved

(of course that disciple was John the beloved) The very one that Jesus entrusted the care of his mother to as he died on the cross.

Then Heb 11:21 Says: By faith Jacob when he was a dying blessed both the sons of Joseph, and worshiped (leaning) on the top of his staff.

I loved that verse because it puts Jacobs life into perspective

Early in life Jacob had been a liar, a cheat a usurper, a supplant-er he would do anything to get what he wanted. (he was a self made man)

He would lie cheat and steal, and he did.

He cheated his brother out the birthright of the first born son, and then he deceived his father and got the blessing of the firstborn son through deception.

But one night he had an encounter with the angel of the lord, and he wrestled with him all night long till the break of day and the angel said let me go ( but Jacob said: I will not let you go until you bless me,

Somewhere during that wrestling match Jacob came face to face with the wicked and corrupt man he had become and he realized that he couldn’t fix himself.

When Jacob said: I won’t let you go till you bless me, the angel of the lord put forth his hand and touched the hollow of Jacobs thigh and threw it out of joint, and the sinew or muscle of his thigh shrank)

From that day on, Jacob (leaned) to the side the Lord had touched

That day he received a new name, He was no longer called Jacob the liar, heel grabber and supplant-er and deceiver.

But his name was called Israel (Prince who hath power with God)

Israel’s power was not in his standing, and it was not even in his wrestling even though he wrestled all night long) His blessing and his power and his strength and his transformation came through his leaning.

When he learned to lean he found the power of God.

Tell your neighbor lean into the power

I know it doesn’t make sense sometimes but the strength and the power of the child of God is found in his weakness.

2 Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches in necessities in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: (For when I am weak then am I strong)

2 Co 12:9 He said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee for (my strength is made perfect in weakness)

The greatest battle we will ever fight as believers is not with the devil, it’s not even with sin ( it’s with self)

Our fight is with the spirit of self pride that makes us feel strong and independent

Pride is a killer

Pride will tell you, (You can do it on your own, you don’t need to wait on God, you don’t need to pray, you don’t need anyone’s help, you don’t have to read the bible you already know what it says) You are so talented you don’t need anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Pride will tell you (you can stand on your own, your smart enough to make the right choices ) you don’t need no preacher telling you how to live.

1 Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

The strongest believer the most anointed and effective believer is the one who has learned the secret and the necessity and the joy of (leaning on Jesus).

But my message tonight deals with a lean in the wrong direction

As believers we are all leaning ( the only question is, which way are you leaning?)