The Uncharted Adventure Series

1. Psalm 57:1-3 [2 slides]

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

for in you my soul takes refuge;

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,

till the storms of destruction pass by.

2 I cry out to God Most High,

to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

3 He will send from heaven and save me;

he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah

God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

• The heading for this Psalm: To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

• Bible characters did not have an easy path – sometimes wound up in dark places like a cave

• I’m sure this was not on David’s agenda

2. We have security in GPS; Maps, etc. But what happens when we get off our maps and plans?

[Alexander the Great set out to conquer the world and spread Hellenism. He conquered all he could by his early 30’s and wept because, “There are no more worlds to conquer.” When he died shortly after, his generals got out their maps to determine where they were and how to get home. They soon found that Alexander had literally marched them off of their maps. They did not know where they were or how to get home. Eventually they made their way back, but what great stories they must have been able to tell!

3. I want to let you in on a little secret, Jesus wants to March you off of your map and out of your comfort zone – Acts 1:8

I. Our Uncharted Journey With God

A. The Journey May be Uncharted to Us but is Clear to Him

1. In the wilderness was Israel wandering or was God leading? Perspective

2. The Open Door is sometimes a step into the unknown

a. Abram – Genesis 12:1-4

b. Entering the Promised Land – Joshua 3:2-4

2 At the end of three days the officers went through the camp 3 and commanded the people, “As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. . . Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”

B. The Journey May be Uncomfortable to Us but It is Controlled by Him

1. David and Goliath – 1 Samuel 17 (too big to miss)

2. Ever feel discomfort in following Jesus?

a. You’re not alone – Jesus does not promise ease – John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

b. God is more interested in our character than our comfort

3. God is calling us to an adventure with him – 1 Samuel 3:9

C. The Journey Must be a Trusting Dependence on Him – 2 Corinthians 11:30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 12:7-10 (Thorn in the flesh)

II. God Makes Us a Prepared People for an Uncharted Adventure

USN Recruiting ads in 1980’s “It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure!”

A. God Prepares Us for the Challenges

1. Off the map is scarier than on the map

2. I wonder if we would go if we really understood what we are getting into. Matthew 8:20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

3. For some the cost is too high – RYR Luke 18:18-25

4. Staying on the map leaves God out – we can chart our own course!

B. God Prepares Us to be Unhindered by Uncertainty –

“I don’t know what tomorrow holds but I know who holds tomorrow.”

1. Abram went to the unknown country

2. Jonah fled to a well-known location and eventually back to Nineveh

3. God always knows best – Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

C. God Prepares Us to Bless by Being Blessed – Genesis 12:2b and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

1. We have the opportunity to KNOW God and to bless others

2. Compare Lot’s motivation in his choice of land compared to Abram (Genesis 13)

1. What is God wanting to do through you/us?

2. The $64000 question: Are you/we willing to go where He leads? Can you pray, “Lead me wherever you want me to go and I will follow”?