Why

Why?

Intro

Does living a good moral life impress or please God?  Can we do all the right things and yet be far from God’s heart?

The why of doing things is just as important if not more than the actual doing.  For example if a parent asked a child if they would steal and they answer “no.”  you would be pleased.  But if you asked them why and they responded “cuz I would be punished if I got caught,”  then your earlier pleasure would turn to ash.  Because instead of them saying “it’s not honest,”  they simply feared getting in trouble, showing a lack of depth and moral bankruptcy. 

Why do we come to church, why do we come to Forerunner, why are we alive, why are we here?

!!! Hiding from God

We can hide from what God is calling us to, by doing all the right things, and making ourselves feel like we are doing ok. 

I know and have known people that think that they are doing great because of the moral life that they live, but their hearts are far from God.

Matt. 15:8-9a  “These people draw near to Me with their mouth,  And honor Me with their lips,  But their heart is far from Me.  And in vain they worship Me…”

This is where hypocrisy enters in like we talked about a few weeks ago.

If we are going to be the authentic people of the Lord that God is calling Forerunner to be, then we must deal with ourselves constantly and ruthlessly in light of God’s Word.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Earning Heaven?

!!! Pleasing God

So what does God want from us?

Honesty.  Soul-wrenching honesty.

Faith.

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Love.

God loved the teens of Michigan City enough to die for them.  We must seek and have that same kind of love.  And be absolutely genuine in it.

Action.

This Summer is not down time, we have to kick it up a notch.  God is calling us with an SOS Summer of Service!…each one of us.

Invite to rafting.

Help build a stage in the next few weeks.

Help paint the room.

Get involved with the new drama team!

PRAY!