Essentials Of The Faith / Sunday Morning Sermon Series / Special Services

Pioneer Girls Sunday 2008

Message: ‘Road Trip ‘08’ Text: Psalm 16:11

Introduction: A minister was asked to conduct a service at a mental institution. Things went well until the sermon. He began his message with a rhetorical question: “Why are we here?” A patient responded, “Because we’re not all there!” (Robert LeRoe)

Finding purpose in life is a challenge. Whatever we do, we’re tempted to ask

·       So what?

·       What does it all really mean?

·       Is this what I’m really supposed to be doing with my life?

In the book ‘Alice in Wonderland’, Alice comes to a fork in the road and doesn’t know which way to turn. She sees the grinning Cheshire Cat and asks which direction she should take. The cat replies, “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.”

Throughout history there have been many famous trails. Perhaps the most famous in American history was the Oregon Trail. And history clearly shows again and again that it was important to stay on the Oregon Trail if you were going to Oregon. It doesn’t take a lot of grey matter to figure out why.

Many trips ended in disaster because they chose to get off the trail and find their won way.  

Those who had gone on before and found the trail that led safely to Oregon also found, along the way, what they needed for their journey. And you can count on those hard working trailblazers to mark the path for others to follow.

So let me ask you this morning. Which path are you on? Maybe you never thought of it this way before , but we’re all on a journey. Perhaps you’re at a fork in the road and like Alice you’re asking which way you should go. My answer is the same as the Cheshire Cat… ‘That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.’

This morning we’re going to pause on our journey to take a look at the Path of Life God has set before us. As I was putting together this message it reminded me of a needlepoint hanging on my wall and it reads

·       ‘Those who walk with God will always reach their destination?

We ‘ll find this is true as we examine the National Pioneer Clubs verse for the year for 2008.

Transition: Open your Bibles to Psalm 16:11 (pg. 411 in the Bible under the chair in front of you.) Here we’ll find that on the Road Trip of life, there is a path that leads to Heaven.

I. The Path of Life is before us.

Read: Psalm 16:11a

It was once said that ‘All roads lead to Rome.’ Some have mistakenly assumed that ‘All roads lead to heaven.’ There are a lot of people who believe, that when it comes to your eternal destination we will all make it to heaven if we just live a good life because ‘all paths lead to Heaven.’

While it was true that Rome built many elaborate roads, it was not true that all roads lead to Rome…that was just foolish boasting by the Romans and wishful thinking by others.

The same is true about all roads leading to Heaven. Those who say that are only hoping and wishing it’s true because they don’t want to deal with the consequences if they’re wrong.

What is true about the path to heaven, is what the Psalmist tells us.

Read: Psalm 16:11a ‘You have made know to me the path of life.’

The psalmist was speaking of God when he said ‘you’ and he was specific when he said ‘the path’ and not ‘a path’. There is a difference. The Bible tells us over and over again that there’s only one way to heaven, to eternal life with God…and it’s through faith in Jesus.

Read: John 14:6 ‘Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’

Read: John 10:9 Jesus said ‘I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.’

Folks, Heaven only has one gate, there’s only one way in…Jesus. Here’s the good news: God has shown us the way to heaven. We don’t have to go down a lot of dangerous, dead end trails. God has set the path before us and when we stay on that path we will get to heaven.  Remember:

·       ‘Those who walk with God will always reach their destination.’

And notice that the Psalmist said ‘You (speaking of God) have made known to me the path of life.’

That tells me that God wants to be our Guide! It tells me that he’s not indifferent or unresponsive to us. God hears us when we cry out to him for help.

God isn’t angry or holding a grudge against us. He’s patient, forgiving and wants to show us the way on the path of life. Isn’t that what the Pioneer Clubs key verse is all about?

Like the trailblazers of the Pioneer Trail marked the road for others to follow so that will reach Oregon…so God has given us his Word to light our path to heaven. Psalm 119:105 Pioneer Girls and leaders…say it with me.

Read: Psalm 119:105 ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.’

Great!!! The question is ‘Will you let God lead you on your road trip to Heaven?’ Will you start your journey by going through the gate (which is faith in Jesus) or will you try to find your own way? And there are other paths to take…but their destination is not the same.

People make choices everyday about which path to take. And they make the choice based on many different reasons:

·       Does it make me feel good?

·       How much money can be made?

·       Will I get recognition or become famous?

·       Will it make me happy?

·       Will it be easy?

People make decisions often giving no thought to the way God wants them to go. Like ‘old Blue Eyes’ they want to be able to say ‘I did it my way.’ But that’s not a new idea.

Read: Proverbs 14:12 ‘There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.’

Read: Isaiah 53:6 ‘We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way…’

God isn’t surprised when we choose the wrong path. But there’s good news… God Allows U-Turns! He wants to lead us to the Path of Life.

Read: Isaiah 53:6 I didn’t read all the verse to you before. ‘We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.Is 53:6

Jesus has taken the punishment for our wrong turns, our disobedience, our sin. He made the Path of Life to God certain for those who place their faith in him. He just asks us to trust him.

Read: Deuteronomy 30:19-20a ‘This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life…’

Does that sound like a God who’s out to get you, a God who wants you to have a horrible life? It sounds to me like a God who loves you and wants the best for you.

So…what path are you on? Do you know where you want to go? Remember:

·       ‘Those who walk with God will always reach their destination.’

Transition:  OK,  what can we expect to find along the Path of Life God has set before us?

II. The Path of Life promises joy in the

     presence of God.

Read: Psalm 16:11b

ILL: Are you familiar with the annual Jerry Lewis Telethon? Jerry raises money for children who have Muscular Dystrophy. At the end of his telethon, he sings a song…remember what it is? ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’ Through song and the money raised by the telethon, he’s telling all those who suffer with Muscular Dystrophy

that they are not walking through life alone…

there are many who walk with them so be

encouraged. He’s so passionate that he rarely makes it to the end of the song.

I wish I could express to you that same kind of passion, that same kind of assurance. Because I’m just as certain that when you enter the path of life through Jesus who is the gate, you can expect that you’ll never journey on it alone. God has promised that his presence will be with you every step of the way.

You know, Moses wanted that same kind of assurance of God presence.

Read: Exodus 33:14-15 ‘The Lord siad, My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Then Moses said to him, If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.’

Moses was not willing to take a step forward in life unless God promised to be with him…and God promised to be with him…and with all who journey on the Path of Life.

·       God’s presence will strengthen you in times of weakness.

·       God’s presence will guide you in times of indecision.

·       God’s presence will comfort you in times of grief and loss.

·       God’s presence will assure you in times of uncertainly.

·       God’s presence will empower you in moments of doubt.

And in God’s presence…there’s great joy.

Read: Psalm 16:11b

You will fill me with joy!!! Not just let me experience it once in a while…Filled with Joy. Joy comes in the presence of God. Joy comes from what the presence of God brings…

·       Strength

·       Guidance

·       Comfort

·       Assurance

·       Empowerment

·       Peace

The Apostle Paul said

Read: Romans 15:13 ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’

·       Joy won’t be found in the abundance of things and success in business.

·       Joy won’t be found in huge bank accounts.

·       True, lasting joy is only found in the presence of God as you journey on the Path of Life.

Transition: Well, I said

·       Those who walk with God will always reach their destination.’

And the destination of those who walk with God is heaven.

III. The Path of Life leads to eternal rewards.

Read: Psalm 16:11b-c

Many people think it isn’t worth being a Christian because of all the things they think they have to give up. But think about the eternal benefits?

ILL: An elderly couple passed away and found themselves at the pearly gates. Peter was there to welcome them. First he showed them their mansion. The man overwhelmed by the sheer luxury of it all asked, "How much does this place cost per night?" Peter replied, "Sir, this is Heaven, it doesn’t cost anything." Then Peter took them to the dining room where table upon table was piled high with the most delicious foods you could imagine. Again overwhelmed by the glory of it all the man asked, "How much for the meals?" Peter said, "You forget, this is Heaven, it’s free." Peter then took them out back where they saw a fantastically beautiful golf course. As the man stood there open-mouthed Peter said, "Now before you ask, there are no greens fees, this is Heaven, everything is free." The man looked at his wife and said, "You and your confounded bran muffins, I could have been here 10 years ago!" (Paul Humphrey)

Sometimes when people think of heaven they think of it as dull and boring. This joke however captures the promise of eternal life - a place of unbelievable beauty and delight.

The path of life leads us to an eternal reward far greater than anything this world could ever offer us; much more than anything we might give up in order to obtain it. It’s what we look forward to because God has promised it.

·       How many of you really wanted something special for last Christmas?

·       And now how many of you 2 months later, think that special gift you got isn’t such a big deal anymore?

Heaven won’t be like that. What God promises to those who journey on the Path of Life is permanent… ‘eternal pleasures.’ How great is that?

Conclusion

But what about shortcuts? We’re always trying to find an easier or faster way to get someplace. Sometimes shortcuts end up being more difficult and longer than the original route. Shortcuts always offer the hope of an easier path but often wind up destroying those who take the easy way out.

Let me assure you…on the Road Trip to Heaven, there are no shortcuts. Satan will try to convince you otherwise, but don’t listen to him…he’s not God and he doesn’t want the best for you. Maybe he’s suggesting to you a few shortcuts right now.

·       Divorce your wife because she no longer makes you happy.

·       Compromise your ethics to make that big deal at work.

·       You don’t have to go to church on Sundays to be close to God.

·       All roads eventually lead to Heaven.

They’re lies...all of them. Don’t listen.

But what do you do if you have listened? What do you do if you are on the wrong path? 4 things.

First, recognize you’re on the wrong path. No one will get off the wrong path if they think the path they are on will eventually get them to where they want to go.

Second, turn around and face the opposite direction. Remember, God allows U-Turns! A U-Turn in the Bible speaks of repentance, a changing of the mind and then acting differently.

Third, place your faith in Jesus as the gate that gives you access to the Path of Life. You do that by believing that Jesus died on the cross to pay for your wrong choices in life…also called sin.

Fourth, keep on following Jesus.

·       Use the lamp God has given you to light your path to him…the lamp is the Bible, God’s Word.

·       Seek fellowship along the way…you never walk alone when you’re on the path of life…God is there with you, and so is your Christian family, your local church. Wouldn’t you agree that it is more fun to travel together.

Read: Psalm 16:11

And remember

‘Those who walk with God

will always reach their destination.’