Look and Learn Pt. 2

Intro

Last week we spent some time working through our past and present. We talked about how we are called to look to our past and learn. Learn not only what we could have done better, but remember how God’s grace has carried us through all the times we did fail.

We were challenged to look to the present to examine where our priorities are. So that we could be like Mary and sit at Jesus’ feet when the Savior comes in. So that we could not be like Martha who was so busy ministering that she forgot the whole ministry - Jesus.

Today, for a short time, let’s look and learn one more thing.

Now, we aren’t prophets, but we are called in scripture to keep on looking. To look to the future to see Hope!

All of Scripture is dedicated to looking to the future for the Messiah! But, Jesus has come. So, what are we looking for now?

Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Look to the Future in Hope

This is the call that Paul is giving us here. To look forward, to press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

To look to the future in hope.

But, hope for what?

Three things come to mind.

Hope for Sustenance

Matthew 6:9–13 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

Each and every day, we must look for the hope of continued sustenance.

Not just our daily food, but our daily Bread!

You may say, Pastor what is the difference!

We don’t need just food for the day, we need the Savior for the day. We need Christ Jesus in our life every day in order to press on as Paul encouraged us.

We need sustenance every day. We need the Word of God every day. We need the Holy Spirit every day. We need the encouragement and peace that only God can provide.

We need answered prayers. We need a life that is every day filled with God!

Now, some days you may not feel the presence of God in your life. That does not mean that He isn’t there. It doesn’t mean that you needs aren’t being met.

He will supply all your needs, even if you don’t know what those needs are. Even if you can’t feel His presence.

When I was a teenager, I needed daily food … and lots of it! I was a growing boy! I could eat an entire meal and still feel hungry. But, my body had all that it needed! I had my needs met even if my faulty and sinful mind didn’t sense it.

The same is true for the daily sustenance that we receive in Christ. Even if your mind and emotions won’t let you feel it, the Savior is with you if you are His child.

But, as a teen, in order to be fed, I had to pick up the fork!

Church, in order to be sustained by God, you must pick up His word and read it, digest it. You must spend time in prayer and communion with him.

One preacher said “If you want to hear God speak to you, read the Bible. If you want to hear Him speak audibly, read it out loud!”

Look forward in hope for the daily sustenance that God provides.

Hope for A Deeper Relationship with God

And look forward in hope for a deeper relationship with God.

We have used this verse a lot in recent weeks at Genesis, but it is great!

James 4:8 “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

It is that simple.

If I don’t draw near to my wife, we will eventually drift apart.

If you do not draw near to God with the sure hope of a deeper relationship with Him, then you simply won’t have a relationship with Him!

A relationship with God is vital for this life and the next, and one of the many things that prevents folks from that relationship is past sin and regret.

Be like David who we talked about last week, repent and move on. Move on knowing that God forgave you and you can have a deep, deep relationship with Him.

Be reminded that a deeper relationship may involve pain! But the blessings after make the pain seem so insignificant.

Live everyday looking to the future with a sure hope that you can and will have a deep relationship with the Creator of the universe.

Which leads to a lasting and sure hope for heaven.

Hope for Heaven

Church, this is what helps us to lay our head down each night in peace with God. A sure and true hope that we are going to heaven.

But, this peace is reserved for the people of God, not unbelievers.

Genesis church has had a past, we have a present, and friends we have a sure future full of divine hope that we will be taken care of, that we will have a deeper relationship with God, and that we will have heaven eternal.

All through Christ Jesus.

When you realize what Jesus has done for you, then you can look and learn. You can look to the past with a deeply grateful heart for God. You can look to the present to measure your priorities, and you can look to the future with a sure a lasting hope that Jesus Christ can forgive you if you simply repent.

This is the hope that Paul had when he wrote Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

SONG

There isn’t anything in this life that you cannot face when you have hope in and help from the Savior

Conclusion

But it is up to you. It is up to you to realize your need for a Savior and repent. It is up to you to be done with you sin filled life. It is up to you to seek repentance.

Jesus is inviting you, won’t you answer.

Church, won’t you see the hope that lies before you? Won’t you take those steps to have hope in sustenance. Won’t you strive for that deeper relationship with God our of a heart of love for Him?

Won’t you live a life of joy knowing for certain that heaven awaits?

Won’t you come pray?

*Salvation plea*