Just Do It

Introduction

Good evening classmates. This is the 3rd sermon in our series titled: Realignment.

In our previous sermons we discussed realigning our worship and making room for God in our daily lives.

Now, we’ll conclude this series in Deuteronomy 5:32-33

Deuteronomy 5:32–33 CSB

“Be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or the left. Follow the whole instruction the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live, prosper, and have a long life in the land you will possess.

God’s renewed his covenant with Israel. God has given them instructions to follow. They’ve listened to God’s demands and have responded. In verse 32 and 33, God leaves Israel with this advice for a productive life.

Here’s what God says .....

READ SCRIPTURE

Tonight, I want to title this sermon: Just Do It!

Nike is one of the most lucrative retailers in the world. In 2020, Nike sold more than $39 Billion in merchandise worldwide.

38% of all sports teams use Nike equipment. Nike is home to some of the world’s most elite athletes like Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Tiger Woods, and Kobe Bryant.

You don’t have to go far on Baylor’s campus to see Nike’s influence either. Baylor Athletics is sponsored by Nike. Every sports team wears Nike clothes. The Nike logo is even on the football stadium billboard.

Nike dominates the sports scene worldwide. What’s even more impressive about Nike is their motto. Not only does their clothes make them an exceptional brand their motto stands out above the crowd.

Their iconic motto is simply: Just Do It!

That’s what God is telling Israel in our text --- Just Do It. I’ve given you the instructions, Just Do It.

I’ve told you how to worship — Just Do It.

I’ve told you how to love one another — Just Do It.

I’ve told you how to manage your possessions - Just Do It.

I’ve told how you to live a fruitful life — Just Do It.

And most of all --- I’ve told you how to love me --- Just Do It.

That same message is applicable to us today, because we have a that touches every category of circumstance we face today.

You don’t have to rely on gimmicks.

You don’t have to spend unnecessary money.

You don’t have to perform weird rituals.

You don’t have to walk hundreds of miles for an answer.

God speaks to us through the Bible --- and if God said it … we don’t need to negotiate the terms and conditions

We don’t need to argue or try to fix the rules.

We don’t moan and complain.

If God said it, we should Just Do It.

I believe God is telling us two things in the text:

First, God is telling us to trust his word without compromise.

Point 1

Look at verse 32 (Deuteronomy 5:32 )

Deuteronomy 5:32 CSB

“Be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or the left.

God wants Israel to pay close attention to His words. Be careful to do as the Lord your God commanded you.

We’ve got to have care and concern for the Word of God. We can’t treat the Bible like an optional assignment. We’ve got to take ownership of our devotional life and live out our faith with passion.

The word “careful” in verse 32 carries a sense of responsibility and protection.

In the Army there are 3 General orders. These general orders govern the conduct and responsibility of Soldiers in the field regardless of the environment and conditions.

The opening clause of general order #1 says: “I will guard everything within the limits of my post ....”

That’s the mood of verse 32 --- we’ve got to guard the word of God in our hearts with everything we’ve got.

We’ve got to treat the word of God has the most valuable knowledge we’ve got.

We’ve got to be like watchmen on 3rd shift. Even when life seems dark and lonely --- we’ve got to carryout the roles and responsibilities that God has given us in his word.

We’ve got to be obedient without compromise.

We’ve got to guard the word of God in our hearts as if our lives depended on it.

And the truth is our lives absolutely depend on following god’s word.

That’s why we can’t compromise the Gospel, because someone’s life is dependent upon the truth.

And as Christians we’ve got to strive for obedience daily. So we’ve got to trust God’s word without compromise.

The second thing I believe God is saying in the text is this:

Obedience is the pathway to goodness

Point 2

Look at verse 33

Deuteronomy 5:33 CSB

Follow the whole instruction the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live, prosper, and have a long life in the land you will possess.

Scholars suggest the verse speaks of goodness in the present and future tense.

Goodness in the present tense is a faithful life on earth. This doesn’t guarantee the greatest collection of material possessions and wealth on earth. But it does signify favor with God.

Meanwhile, Goodness in the future tense is eternal life in heaven. However, we can’t be so quick to bypass life on earth for the goodness of heaven. God wants to do a good work in an evil world and his instrument of choice is people.

God can choose whomever God wants to accomplish His work on earth. However, God’s preference is to use faithful Christians to accomplish his God word as a testament to a sovereign God.

Because Godly character leads to good actions.

Good actions leads to fruitful habits.

Fruitful habits leads to positive outcomes.

And positive outcomes glorify God.

That’s why obedience is the pathway to goodness on earth, because God uses faithful people to do a good work in an evil world.

And good works inspire people to glorify God.

But, we can’t live faithful lives without a relationship with God. Because a relationship with God is required for eternal life.

So, living a faithful life is a consequence of relationship with God. And a relationship with God leads to goodness on earth and in heaven.

And goodness in heaven is eternal life!

And the only way to maintain faithfulness in our relationship with God is being obedient to God’s word.

Closing

That’s my encouragement to you in this sermon. Trust the Lord without compromise.

God has given us instructions through Scripture. It’s our responsibility to Just Do It.

Obedience leads to a good life. We don’t have to wait until eternity to experience goodness. We can experience good works in an evil world.

When we finally meet Jesus, we’ll be able to experience God’s goodness for eternity.

I pray this sermon series has encouraged you to realign your walk so you can experience the goodness of God’s presence in every area of your life.