TVLand Families - Heritage
5/25/08 AM
Where are we?
Pastor Brad Dyrness
Sparks Nazarene Church

Colossians 3:17  (The Message)
Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

We’re gonna be remembered… What do you want to be remembered for?

Whatever you do people will remember and if we claim to be a follower of God the question is:

Is what we are doing being done in the name and character of Jesus?

Let’s look at the story of Joshua Chapter 3-4

God’s people had started out so well but they struggled in the face of difficult times. 

What they were doing was not being done in the name and character of the Lord.

As a result a 40-day trip from Egypt to the Promised Land ended up taking 40 years!

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus…

1.  The point is sometimes we get headed down the wrong path by accident.  We still need to change direction if we are going to make it to the Promised Land! 

Matthew 16:21-26   “…Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me…”

2.  When you are headed in the wrong direction because of your stupidity or rebellion, there are consequences if you don’t turn around.

--Numbers 14:23 …not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.

You’re probably way ahead of me here today!

3.  To get to the place where we can look back and laugh, we must rely on those who have the resources we need.  We are raised to new life with Christ! 

Col 3:1  His victory is ours, his Power is ours, His character can be ours if we will surrender to it.

Psalm 119 - ¹⁰¹ I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. ¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Turn around when we’re headed in the wrong direction and depend on a resource beyond ourselves to keep us going!

4.  The Holy Spirit wants to use us to help those on the journey!              --Joshua 1:6 - be strong and courageous…

The Holy Spirit wants to redirect some of us today. 

For others He wants us to declare our need of Him. 

To be able to stand on the riverbank and look back at the memorial of our spiritual success, we must be willing to seek His direction and help!