IF
YOU WANT TO CLIMB MOUNTAINS
WHY
ARE YOU HEADED DOWN HILL?
Song;
Each Step I Take.
Lesson
Texts: Ecc.1:3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he
taketh under the sun?
Ecc.2:11
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the
labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and
vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
Ecc.12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep
his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Introduction:
Many things trigger the thought process which leads to sermons;
It
may be a statement overheard which illustrates the attitude of most
of the world. It could be an observation of acts, facts or
conditions.
This
message stems from all of these.
1.
Concerning young people being allured by the world.
2.The
ACT of a 'flower child' of the 60's stating she had been driven by
facts and logic to accept the long-rejected moral standards of her
mother.
3.The
FACT that many of God's professed people are searching, some quite
aimlessly, with no concept of the object of their search.
4.
The ACTIONS of many Christian which state , loudly and clearly, that
their Christian experience is ineffective in giving purpose and
direction and in changing their lives.
5.
The condition of aimless, joyless, powerless 'spectator Christians'.
These simply look on and perhaps 'wish I could do that' but never
seem to get the ambition to begin! [Sometimes they even approach the
task with the same determination many dieters seem to have. 'Someday
I'll lose weight.', 'I'll break it just this once' etc
I.
The Analogy of the Christian journey [Pilgrims Progress.]
Between
the cross and the judgment seat of Christ, there are snares,
blessings, traps, side roads, dead ends, trials and opportunities..
A.
Without a clear view that the ultimate goal is the 'well done' of our
Master, the journey itself becomes pointless. We might as well be
saved and go home!
B.
To become obsessed with self-accomplishments makes the evasion of
pitfalls, the gaining of blessings, etc. the ultimate goal and we
lose sight of Christ.
The
Pilgrims purpose was NOT to simply evade 'Vanity Fair'. He steered
clear of the place because he had a clear view of the heavenly city!
II.
Our Goal as stated in the Scripture. {Until you set your sights on
this, all intermediate activity is an exercise in futility, however
hard you may labor at it.
["I've
tried so hard, but they----"]
A.
Have you done this? He.12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are
compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside
every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us
run with patience the race that is set before us,
2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the
joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
B.
Or this? Phil 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I
counted loss for Christ.
8
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of
the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the
loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win
Christ,
9
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of
the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith:
10
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the
fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11
If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect:
but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am
apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing
I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth
unto those things which are before,
14
I press toward the mark [scopos- an object or a goal
set up in the distance, toward which a person races.] for the
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15.Let
us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in
any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto
you.
First
proposition; Will you make THIS your goal in life? The Bible makes
no room for any other.
III,
The Journey toward that goal.
However
bright and clear the goal, it cannot be reached except by following
the course laid out. We MUST have a determination to press toward the
mark.
A.
Avoid the pitfalls.
1.Escaping
from the lion. I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour:
9
Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions
are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
In
whatever endeavor you find yourself, you must ask, 'Is this God's
will for me?" If it isn't, Satan will use it to destroy you!
B.
The snare of making GAIN your goal. I Tim.6:9 But they
that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many
foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and
perdition.
C.
The trap of youthful lusts. {These can trap you even in your old
age!]
II
Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith,
charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do
gender strifes.
24
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all
men, apt to teach, patient,
25
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God
peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the
truth;
26
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil,
who are taken captive by him at his will.
D.
The briar patch entanglement of foolish questions. Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and
strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. [How
many angels can dance on the head of a pin?]
E.The
short-sightedness of making intermediate blessings the final goal.
Phil.3:13
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing
I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth
unto those things which are before,
14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus.
15
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in
any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto
you.
Israel
didn't want to leave the wells of Elim. 2 1/2 tribes chose to remain
on the wrong side of Jordan but had to fight the battles anyway!
Application? You WILL have tribulation. Whether because of Christ or
BY Christ, it's up to you!
Propositions;
Adults;
Young people aren't getting proper guidance if you are drifting.
All
-Will you commit yourself to faithfully following the path of Christ
to the proper goal? Will you Steer clear of snares; Escape them
when caught? Will you not long for past blessings but reach out for
new ones.
Lost;
Will you place yourself at the starting point of the journey? The
Cross.