To Much Luggage

What do we do that keeps us from getting as close to God as could be.

I. God wants us to be close to Him

1. John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not parish, but have eternal life.”

2. As He did with many characters in the Bible, God tries to walk with us.

3. Luke 15:4-7

“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety –nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons need no repentance.”

II. The barriers we install

Philippians 4:8

“Finally brethren, whatever is true whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

1. Movies/TV

a. Rated R

b. Advertising things of poor taste

2. Music

a. promoting violence

b. promoting drug and alcohol use

c. promoting elicit sex

i. adultery/fornication

ii. lust

d. degrading another person or group

i. opposing sexes

ii. racial groups

iii. handicapped

3. Friends and other Relationships

a. you don’t need relationships that cause you to loose sight of God

b. friends that pull you down are not really your friends

4. Affiliations (i.e. Job, social functions, habits…)

a. “I don’t work on Sunday’s”

b. The party you go to will affect your witness

c. The things you do tell people who you are