Function needs Continuity

Intro

bridge didn’t align-

2003- city of Laufenburg spans river connecting Germ and Switzerland—city on both sides- 2003, built bridge covering ____ feet, and expected great results until connected two parts—met in Germ- 54 cm gap in elevation- measured off sea level- Germ uses North Sea, Sw uses Mediterranean…—but problem wasn’t that they didn’t know—only 27cm difference—someone did math in wrong direction—had to raise Germ side 20 “

Everything in life that works like it’s supposed to needs continuity—all the parts have to match

France several years ago modernized fleet of trains—2,000 of them nice wide berths… problem, too wide to fit dozens of train platforms on rails where they run...

Everything in life that works likes iuts supposed to needs continuity

That includes your new chapter

Every new chapter in your life will align with some decision you make—either teh decision creates teh moment or the moment requires a decision—whethere you meant to go to the next place or not, there it is

sometimes decision to do new thing

sometimes decision to keep course (Cf Columbus—1 month… mutiny… 3 days before land… Cf also shift in directions)

Because of this, every new chapter in the story of life will flow from the result of these 5 words--”what will I do now?”

I guess that means we better get good at answering that question

Rom 11:

Romans 11:36–12:2 ESV

36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

“WILL of God”

2 responses--

want to know how to know

wonder why i would (who wants that?)

*** Look at description--

good- by nature, virtuous

pleasing—fits what is xpected in the moment—follows direction

perfect—matches the ultimate goal that your life is meant for

BUT LOOK--

teh goal is not for God to knock you over...

It’s for your mind to continually be trained in a whole new way of operating...

*** Whole system of Christianity that somehow wants the most spiritual moments to buypass… God’s will is to align your mind with His own

*** TEST the thinsg

But how--

2 things show through--

1. Your story is part of God’s story—go back to 11:36...

2. God’s story is a template for your story

Cf “”

Cf “”

Cf

Hebrews 13:7–9 ESV

7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.

Past, present future… all integrated—all present all the time—all in continuity (OT, TO COME, NOW)

*** But then, CF REV1

“is comes first—why? all of past and future are meeting in the moment—YOU NEVER LIVE ANY OTHER DAY THAN TODAY—it’s always today—but today needs continuity w/ where came from and where headed--

3 Key words—

1- past is where you find definition… what you are (image of God) and what you aren’t ()

it’s where we get the definitio nof what’s good

2- future is where you get destiny (Cf Paul—press to take hold of that for whiuch...”

3- present- where you get direction from God

Cf Columbus—2 changes of direction...

*** w/out definition...

w/out destiny… (priorities)

w/out directions.. (purity)

*** Progressive

*** Living sacrifice—wants to make you a better decision-maker—decisions create destinations../