“Blind Intersections”2 Samuel 2:1-4

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February 15th & 16th

Every Been Lost?

1. Max Lucado once said, “I couldn’t track an elephant through four feet of snow.”

2. He admitted that he even got lost in the hotel where he was staying.

3. “I told the receptionist that my key wasn’t working only to realize I’d been on the wrong floor trying to open the wrong door.”

Getting Lost?

4. For people who get lost from time to time, we can relate to Columbus, who discovered the Americas. A. He didn’t know where he was going when he

left; B. He didn’t know where he was when he got

there;C. He didn’t know where he had been when he

got back.

Can You Relate?1. Of course you can!?!2. We all have scratched our heads a time or

two in our lives…A. If not at a highway intersection;B. At least at the cross roads of our life;C. We may asked?

i. Do I take the job or leave it?ii. Accept the marriage proposal or not?iii. Do we build or buy?iv. What kind of treatment option should I take?

One of Life’s Giant Size Question

1. How do I know what God wants me to do?2. David is faced with such a question as he

learns of the death of Saul and Jonathan.3. Suddenly Israel’s throne is empty and David

wonders what are his options?4. But notice what David does at his inter-

section of life.5. God answered and told David what to do.

Consult Your Maker

1. That’s what we need to do when standing before the blind intersections of life.

2. Our God has not changed. He wants to guide, direct and lead us in life.A. Isaiah 30:21 “Whether you turn to the right or

to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

B. John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Are You Reading Your Bible?1. I have read a lot of book reviews but never

one described like this?A. Hebrews 4:12 “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.”

B. In the Message Translation: “God’s powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey.”

God’s Word1. God’s Word is “living and powerful.”2. The words of the Bible have life in them.

A. These are nouns with a pulse rate.B. Muscular adjectives and vibrating verbs that

move in and through us.C. God works through these words of His Bible!

3. The Bible is to God what surgical gloves are to the surgeons.

4. God reaches through His Word to touch us deeply and guide us on the path of life.

God’s Word

A. In one of those late and lonely hours, you read the words “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:15) comforting you like a hand on your shoulder.

B. When anxiety termites away at your peace, and someone shares “Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

God’s Word

C. We can put the Word of God to work in our lives, letting “the words of Christ live in your hearts and make you wise” (Colossians 3:16).

5. Don’t make any decision, whether large or small, without FIRSTFIRST sitting before God with your Bible, an open heart and open ears, imitating the prayer of Samuel, “Speak Lord for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).

Consult the Family of Faith

1. Okay, you have a Bible, so read it!2. You also have a family of faith, so consult it!

A. Don’t you think that others have asked the same question you are wrestling with.

B. You aren’t the first person to ever face this problem.

C. Others have stood where you stand and have wondered what you now wonder.

D. Seek out their advice.

Consult the Family of FaithE. Hebrews 13:7 encourages us to “remember

your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their life and imitate their faith.”i. Marriage in trouble? Find a strong one.ii. Wrestling with business ethics? Seek out the

advice from a Christian businessperson.iii. Battling a medical decisions? Before you forge

ahead into the wind, get some good Christian counsel. Talk things over; ask some questions.

F. You are part of the Family of God – Consult them!

Have a Heart for God

1. Two weeks ago, we read Acts 13:22 “David was a man after God’s own heart.”

2. I think that simply meant that David had a “Heart for God.”

3. It is the same thing that happens when Christ nudges our hearts to think and then move in a certain direction.

Have a Heart for God

1. Jesus has promised that “It is God who works in us both to will and do His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

2. Sometimes our decision or choice just “feels right.”

3. As a believer, where do you think that feeling came from?

4. Sometimes our intention is to do this, but there is an uneasiness with that decision.

Have a Heart for God

8. God may be pushing us in a different direction.A. Jude 1:3 “Beloved, while I was very diligent to

write to you concerning our salvation, I found it necessary to write, exhorting you to contend for the faith…”

B. Jude had intended to dedicate his epistle to the topic of salvation, but he felt uneasy with that decision, and God moved him in a different direction,

Have a Heart for God

C. Personal example: In 1984 I had the Call to be Pastor in Waupun, Wisconsin.

4. But be very careful to not make decisions based solely on feelings.A. If I felt God leading me to…

i. Cheat on my wife;ii. Disregard my bills;iii. Lie to my boss;iv. Flirt with my married neighbor;

Have a Heart for God

B. God will not lead you to violate His Word!C. God will not contradict His teachings.

9. God has promised that He will lead you through the words of His Scripture and the advice of His faithful people.

F. B. Meyer Wrote…

“Each child of God has a heart cleansed in the Blood of Christ, a spiritual nature filled by the Holy Spirit…” “Are you in a difficult way? Go to God with your question; and get direction from the light of His smile or the cloud of His refusal … but get alone with God.”

F. B. Meyer Wrote…

“While all those around you insist on an immediate decision or action, wait on the Lord and the Will of God will be made clear to you. You will have a new and deeper understanding of God.”

Conclusion

1. Because of faith in Jesus, you already have a heart for God.

2. Because you belong to this special Family of Faith.

3. Because you have a Bible.4. You have a loving God who will empower

you to face all the giant-size, blind intersections of life.

Key Events

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On Sunday,April 27th

@ 7 pm