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On the Road Again
[10 things for the checklist]
Matthew 7:13
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A. Jesus often used object lessons.
B. Behold a Sower went forth to sow.
C. What man of you having 100 sheep.
D. They help to impress spiritual lessons.
E. Today let’s use a familiar object-our cars.
I. STEER STRAIGHT.
A. Steering determines success and safety.
B. When driving, important not to swerve.
C. The way to heaven is straight and narrow.
Matthew 7:13
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
2. Devil lures us- must say no.
3. Lk. 9:62 "No man having put his hand…” [veer!]
- God instructs us not to turn-
Joshua 1:7
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Measure your tread, don’t let wheel-wells get snow packed.
II. DON’T SLIP CLUTCH.
A. Clutch connects motor to drive wheels.
Hebrews 2:1
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
C. Deut. 4:9
Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;
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Slipping clutch gradual- spiritual slipping is also gradual.
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III. KEEP BATTERY CHARGED
A. Car battery must be continually charged.
B. If alternator goes out- short time you have trouble.
C. Our spiritual batteries must be continually re-charged.
1. Isaiah 40:30-31
- Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: [31] But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
- 2. 2 Cor. 4:16
- For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
- 3. Col. 3:10
- And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
- 4. Psalm 51:10
- Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
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IV. GOT FUEL?
A. The most beautiful and powerful car in the world is helpless without
fuel.
B. Must have spiritual strength to do great things.
C. Samson was strong because of fuel from God- Judges 16:20 And she said,
"The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" So he awoke from his sleep, and
said, "I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!" But
he did not know that the Lord had departed from him..
D. Paul’s fuel was Christ- Phil. 4:13 "I can do all ..."
1. 1 Tim. 1:12
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
2. 2 Cor. 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound [high octane!] to every good work:
V. DON’T BLOW YOUR OWN HORN.
A. A horn is of value- unless it’s abused.
B. Some boast of themselves.
1. (Matthew 6)
2. Matthew 23:5
But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, [scroll worn on heart or forehead] and enlarge the borders of their garments…
VI. OBEY LAWS.
A. Get tired of laws when driving, but for our good. [ride in back!]
B. Auto laws should be obeyed- Rom. 13:1.
C. STOP does not stand for "Slightly-Tap-On-Pedal."
1. Ezra 7:26
And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73
in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often?
When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror.
The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand.
Bob? Bob from Church?
Jack sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket.
A cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow.
Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform.
"Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this."
"Hello, Jack." No smile.
"Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."
"Yeah, I guess." Bob seemed uncertain.
"I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit , just this once." Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement "Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean"
"I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct." Ouch. This was not going in the right direction.
Time to change tactics.
"What did you clock me at?"
"Seventy. Would you sit back in your car please?"
"Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65." The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket. "Please, Jack, in the car."
Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window.
Bob scribbled away on the pad. Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license?
Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again. A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand Jack rolled down
the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.
"Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice.
Bob returned to his police car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this?
Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read:
"Dear Jack,
Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it--a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters -- All three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until Heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now.
Pray for me. And be careful, Jack, my son is all I have left."
"Bob"
2. Tit. 3:1 Remind them to be subject to
rulers and authorities…
3. (Matthew 22:21) And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the
things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s."
4. (1 Peter 2:13-14) "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the
Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; {14} Or unto governors,
as unto them that are sent by him …
We are to be examples even when feeling inclement…the world is watching!
VII. CHECK THE BRAKES.
A. Car is a dangerous machine without brakes.
B. Proper brakes help you avoid accidents.
C. Christians must have self-control.
1. Acts 24:25
And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
2. 2 Peter 1:5-6
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience…
3. Proverbs 16:32
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
VIII. STUDY THE MAP.
A. Have you ever tried to guess the way?
Prov. 14:12 "There is a way that seemeth ..."
B. Must do the will of the Lord.
Examples:
a) Gen. 6:22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him,
b) Gen 22:2-3. Abraham to offer Isaac.
c) Josh. 11:15. As the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses
commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the
Lord had commanded Moses.
Gideon—only 300 Lord?
IX. KEEP EMERGENCY KIT
"Spiritual Hazard Kit"
1. Non Perishable Food--Scripture
Have some things on hand to sustain you through. Memorized Scriptures can help more than anything. Just a phrase of Scripture to grasp in the dead of our "winter" can be a great comfort to us.
2. Extra Blankets and Warm Clothing--Fellowship
During a "winter" some people forget about attending church and fellowshipping with other Christians. How much more it is needed when trials come into our lives. Having fellowship with other believers strengthens us. We need their love, support, and prayers. It becomes a real warmth to us.
3. Drinking Water--Christ the Living Water
Bottled water in a winter emergency is a must. We need it to survive just like we need the Living Water. We need Christ and His Word to live. Relying on Him will keep us from a parched existence.
Drink in His love, His promises, His blessings, and His strength.
Matthew 24:12
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
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