We began a new series last week to help us prepare for our upcoming, momentous decision. As we’ve been saying, the wrong question is, "What can we do to survive?" That will always lead us down the wrong path!
The question we need to be asking (after, "God, what is your will for us?") is, "What’s the best way to make disciples of Jesus Christ?" It’s not about survival; it’s about the mission! That will involve putting aside personal feelings, attachment to a building, and the quest for survival.
What happened?
The scouts saw how difficult the mission was; they saw the obstacles! Ten scouts were convinced that it was NOT possible. They said, "We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!" And because of their report, the Israelites wanted to quit and die in the wilderness; some wanted to go back to Egypt!
But two scouts, Joshua and Caleb, saw the obstacles in light of God’s power! They saw the opportunities before them. Caleb said, "Let’s go at once to take the land. We can certainly conquer it!"
What obstacles are you facing in your life today?
The words of an old gospel song come to mind …
Got any rivers you think are uncrossable?
Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through?
God specializes in things thought impossible.
And He can do what no other one can do.
What obstacles are we facing?
We, as a charge, are facing obstacles today, too. Where will we worship? What will happen to our buildings? Will we survive? What about unity? Will we lose our individual identity?
Well, when we face obstacles, how should we respond?
>> HAVE FAITH IN GOD!
“I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Jesus, Matthew 17.20)
What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. (Hebrews 11.1)
>> SEE OBSTACLES AS OPPORTUNITIES!
You must choose what you will focus on. Will you focus on the obstacles or the opportunities?
"I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me" (Philippians 4.13, NLT). The CEV says it this way: "Christ gives me the strength to face anything."
>> DON’T TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT!
"Shortcuts don’t pay off in the long run." (John Maxwell)
>> ATTEMPT BIG THINGS FOR GOD!
I agree with D.L. Moody, “If God is your partner, make your plans big.”
It will involve stepping out of our comfort zone and taking risks.
“In order to be true to what I read in the Scripture, I have to take risks.” (Don Bubna)
The good news is that God will walk with us through every obstacle. You will never face any obstacle alone.
God says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."
The question you have to answer for yourself today is …
How big is your God?
Is God bigger than your obstacles?