Sunday, September 29, 2013

Focus on the Mission

REACH FOR THE GOAL
courtesy photobucket.com

The scriptures for Sunday’s sermon by Pastor Jerry were Jeremiah 32: 1-12

The king was upset because Jeremiah prophesied that unwanted changes were coming including the fall of Jerusalem.  He was put in prison for prophesying the truth. 
 
The word of the Lord came to him to purchase a field which gave him assurance that the Israelites would indeed return to their land in God’s time.  Even when in captivity, there was hope if they would take their eyes off their present circumstances and focus on their future.

Deliverance finally came and along with it new policies, and much rejoicing.

The second scripture was from: Philippians 1: 12-26 - -

Paul in chains
Christian clip art
Paul was in prison for preaching the Gospel of Christ Jesus.  He was confident that his chains brought boldness and fearlessness to his fellow ministers to continue to preach and teach. 
 
Paul was persistent to write and minister even while bound; and the prison guards were also influenced by his life and message.

Philippians 1:12-14 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Pastor gave an illustration of a ship and the various parts.  Port (left) and Starboard (right), the aft (rear) and bow (front), and the bridge where the ship is controlled by the captain.  The crew members follow the directions of the captain, and at all times must be focused on the goal, purpose and destination of the ship.
 
In many of our lives there is turmoil, anxious moments, even fear, however, we must keep our sense of direction on the goal.  May our ears ever be tuned in to hear the voice of our captain.

Our focus must be on Jesus and to set a steady course to reach our objective which is heaven and to bring as many with us as possible.

 

3 comments:

Caleb Suko said...

I love that passage from Philippians. I've preached on it many times myself. "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain" What a powerful statement!

TC Avey said...

God's awesome! I posted on prison today too!

thanks for your wisdom. It can be hard going through the storm, but God is our captain and if our eyes are fixed on Him then a calmness can settle our hearts and keep us.

Floyd said...

Great analogy! I just got through reading Jeremiah. Funny how people don't listen. Didn't then, don't now. The idols or anything we put before our Father separates us and leads to destruction.