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Sermon:
The Seven Guideposts of God
It is published by the Evergreen State Volkssport Association.
Volkssport means “sport of the people.” The sport is also called Volksmarching.
All around the State of Washington there are a number of Volkssport Clubs that set up hikes in beautiful and interesting places in Washington. Do the brethren in Port Williams know there are at least a dozen hiking clubs in Nova Scotia including three Volksmarching Clubs?
You simply walk for the fun of it and for the love of the outdoors.
Now since you are almost always walking in unfamiliar surroundings, the Club sets up guideposts all along the trail so you never get lost.
I looked up the definition of “guidepost” the other day and here is what my Webster’s said…
A guidepost is a sign giving directions for the traveler, usually placed at a crossroads.
It is something that serves as a guide or an example, a guideline.
As we see in the Word of God, we, you and I are walking down a path of this life and we need guideposts to show us the way.
Psalm 27:11--SAYS Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Proverbs 4:14-15--SAYS 14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
If we are to walk in the path of righteousness and avoid the path of the wicked we need guideposts.
God provides these guideposts for us. These guideposts clearly show us what God expects of us.
My purpose today is to describe for you…THE SEVEN GUIDEPOSTS OF GOD and urge you all to FOLLOW GOD’S DIRECTION.
Each Guidepost is an attitude….a pledge to Almighty God
Guidepost #1 -- I will do more than belong---I will participate or Do Good Works.
James 2:20, 26 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Titus 3:8-14 9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. 12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. 13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. 14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Point: The Word of God is our manual to Good Works.
Hebrews 10:21-24 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Guidepost #2 -- I will do more than care---I will help.
Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
The definition of “caring” is to feel trouble or anxiety…to feel interest or concern.
From this definition we see emotion, we see mental concern but no involvement.
Clearly, just caring for your fellow brother is not enough.
Look at James chapter 2 and verse 15 to see what I mean… 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Romans 15:1-7 1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Guidepost #3 -- I will do more than believe---I will practice what I believe…I will do.
James 2:19-26 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Psalm 31:23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
Notice the distinction between the faithful and the doer.
Now turn over to James chapter 4 and beginning in verse 10
James 4:10-11 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
Guidepost #4 -- I will do more
than be fair ---I will be kind.
--Having or exhibiting a disposition that is free of favoritism or bias; impartial.
• impartial • nondiscriminatory • disinterested • dispassionate • evenhanded • indifferent • just • unbigoted
Being fair is just not enough. Being “fair” is another form of “caring”…emotion without involvement. Being “kind” on the other hand, takes involvement.
Turn now to Matthew chapter 25 and beginning in verse 31
Matthew 25:31-46 31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Luke 6:35-37 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Romans 12:10 SAYS… Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.
Guidepost #5 -- I will do more than forgive ---I will forget.
We always hear that people say in a fit of emotion towards someone that has wronged them, “I can forgive you but I will never forget!”
We have heard that all our lives but is it God’s way?
First, let us look at the admonitions to forgive.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Colossians 3:12-13 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Now let us look to God’s example to “forget”.
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Psalm 103:6-12 6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 51:1-12 1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Guidepost #6 -- I will do more than earn --- I will enrich.
Just rolling those words over in your mind, you can see a vast difference between them….EARN….ENRICH.
Let’s look at the definitions:
EARN: · To acquire or deserve as a result of effort or action.
From the Thesaurus:
Related words: gain….obtain….get
And we know about the way of get.
Understand, it is all right to earn money…
…we have much admonition to work hard and provide for our families…
…but what we are seeing here is that it is not enough…we must also enrich.
Take a look at what the word means:
ENRICH: · To make rich or richer. · To maker fuller, more meaningful or more rewarding. · To add nutrients to · To add to the beauty or character of.
From the Thesaurus: Nourish, fertilize, feed and sustain.
Quite a difference….one is incoming and the other outgoing.
Let’s look at a verse or two…
1 Timothy 6:17-19 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
1 Corinthians 10:24…SAYS Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
Now I want to look at two rich men referred to in the Bible. One is an earner….the other an enricher.
The Earner…turn over to Luke 12 and beginning in verse 16 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Now look at an enricher…turn over to Matthew 27 and verse 57 57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: 58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
Follow God’s Direction---Be an Enricher
Guidepost #7 -- I will do more than give ---I will serve.
Again with this final guidepost, we see that giving is not enough; we must also serve.
The Work of God has never been accomplished by those who just “pay and pray”. It takes hard, prolonged service and sacrifice.
The other countries of this world have always seen Americans as givers but not always wanting to get involved. Europeans by contrast will always get involved and even open their homes to you
Let’s look at a few verses on giving…
Luke 6:38
Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
But now notice Proverbs 19:6 (Living Bible) Many beg favors from a man who is generous; everyone is his friend!
So we see here that it takes more…
Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Live in the Spirit of God and do more than give………SERVE
So, then, these are the 7 Guideposts of God. USE THEM!! They, together, will take you down every good path that God wants you to walk
In Closing …turn to Proverbs 2 and beginning in verse 1. 1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
STAY ON THE GOOD PATH OF GOD |
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