Programming Your GPS January 11, 2015 Sermon #665

January 11, 2015 Sermon #665

Programming Your GPS

Introduction: I have had problems with my car's GPS system. I have found out that I have to program where I am (and to do that I have to know "where I am.”) Then I have to program where I want to go (and to do that I have to have exact locations where I am going.) And, last but not least I have to trust the GPS!

Genesis 24:1-4(NKJV)

1Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.

2So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, 3and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; 4but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”

I. Abraham Had to Recognize the Truth About His Place in Life

1. He was old!

2. He was blessed!

3. He still had to hand down an inheritance

Time to set your GPS

• Where are you now?

• Where are you spiritually?

• Where are you financially?

• Where are you emotionally?

• Where are you relationally?

• Where are you physically?

• Where are you occupationally?

• What would you like to change?

II. Abraham Had to be Specific as to What He Wanted

Genesis 24:3-4(NKJV)

3and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell;

4but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”

• What do you want to be?

• What do you want to do?

• What do you want to have?

• Why do you want it?

III. Abraham Had to Look for God's Promises

Genesis 24:5-7(NKJV)

5And the servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?” 6But Abraham said to him, “Beware that you do not take my son back there. 7The Lord God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, ‘To your £descendants I give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.

The size of your God determines the size of your goal!

Genesis 35:1-3(NKJV)

1Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.” 2And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. 3Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.”

ILL: Look to the past and see what God has done.

IV. Pray for Success

Genesis 24:12(NKJV)

12Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.

His prayer life:

1. Before he starts: (v. 12)

2. After he arrives

Genesis 24:13-14(NKJV)

13Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”

3. In front of Rebekah's family

Genesis 24:50-52(NKJV)

50Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing comes from the Lord; we cannot speak to you either bad or good. 51Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the Lord has spoken.” 52And it came to pass, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, that he worshiped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth.

V. Identify the Road Conditions

1. What are the conditions?

2. How long will the trip take?

Genesis 24:5(NKJV)

5And the servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?”

ILL: Pastor Mike Gilbert describes four football teams.

1. The coach is the only man on the field - he gets stomped

2. The next team gets into a huddle, and the huddle and huddle till the ball is moved back over their line

3. This team comes out of the huddle but breaks into small criticism groups (one criticizes the coach,

another the uniforms, another the long hair in the choir, - they have great criticism but no one moves the ball! It's easy to criticize from the side lines if you not playing the game!

Acts 2:40-47(NKJV)

40And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41Then those who £gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,

45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

46So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added £to the church daily those who were being saved.

• They taught and heard the word

• The fellowshipped

• They prayed

• The supernatural was evident

• They ministered from "house to house" cell groups

• They praised God - joyful worship

• They grew numerically - (anything that is not growing is dying!)

ILL: Before the end of 2015 I plan to minister on Sunday morning to 1,000 worshipers in the Cathedral! That's where I have set my GPS!

Conclusion:

In 1989 for the international exposition a structure was built. The public demanded that it be torn down. It was called by every name men could devise. Yet, the architect who designed it defended it and declared inspiration was in its design. They said it could not stand, it would fall in ruins, the goal could not be reached but Alexander Eiffel said it would be the symbol of Paris. In 2015 the Eiffel tower still stands! The Cathedral of His Glory was built of God's inspiration it will reach souls for Christ after I am gone. What is your destination - where have you programmed you GPS?