Reset Series: Return

Reset Series
Return - Part 4
January 21, 2018

 Gen 26:23-25

 23 From there he went up to Beersheba. 24 That night the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham." 25 Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well. NIV
The title of my message is Return!
Speaking of returning I heard about a lady who returned to her home from her weekly prayer meeting, where the study has on Acts 2:38 which tells us, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.NIV
When she came into the house she found she was being robbed. Coming face to face with the robber she shouted out, "Acts 2:38, Acts 2:38, Acts 2:38. The robber quickly gave up & the lady rang the police. While handcuffing the criminal, a policeman said, "Gee mate, you gave up pretty easily. How come you gave up so quickly?" The robber said, "She said she had an axe and two 38's!"
Well, …. We have been in this series “Reset” - studying and seeing how this year can and will be different for us! This morning the Lord has laid on my heart that a powerful apart of our rest for 2018 is to Return!
To reset and make this year different we will have to return to …
  1. The Altar – My Relationship with God
Throughout the Bible, the altar has represented many things. This morning I want us to consider that the altar was and is …
  1. A Place of Commitment
The truth of this is powerfully displayed in the story of Abraham and Issac. Abraham proved his commitment to God by taking the son of promise Isaac and placing him on the altar. His commitment was so strong he literally laid his dreams, his hopes, his aspirations – His Future on the altar to sacrifice.
How different from us today. We go to the altar bring our dreams, hopes, his aspirations, our desired future asking God to line up with what we want instead of asking him what he wants!
Kenneth Bailey tells the story of teaching some short courses at the Lutheran Church of Latvia. While there, he observed the interviewing of prospective students and inquired of the interviews what questions they asked. They said, “The most important question is ‘When were you baptized?’ And he asked why is that so important? They answered, ‘If they were baptized during the period of Soviet rule, they risked their lives and compromised their futures by being baptized. But if they were baptized after liberation from the Soviets, we have any further questions to ask
God is asking us to return Him to his rightful place in our lives – this place is a place of full surrender and complete commitment regards of the cost!
  1. A Place of Consecration
To consecrate someone or something is to dedicate it to or for a specific purpose, to set it apart for a particular purpose or use. In the Hebrew, the word for consecration might also be translated “sanctification’ which means set apart for a holy purpose.
1 Thess 4:1-3
Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact, you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: NIV
EVERYONE of us has been set apart for Holy Purpose!
Many people who call themselves Christians today have a surface relationship with God. It is superficial, a swallow relationship that sees God as their fire insurance policy, their life preserver in the stormy times. Their go to when they have nowhere else to turn. It reminds me of what Wilbur Reese wrote:
"I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine ... I want ecstasy, not transformation. I want the warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy three pounds of God, please" (Wilbur Reese).
If this year is to be different for me $3 worth of God will not do! If I desire transformation I’m going to have to return to the Altar.
The next place we need a reset to make this year different is we need to return to …
  1. The Tent – My Relationship with Family
How many here love to camp out! – Do you love roughing it? Fighting the heat, the bugs? I’m reminded of a family camping we did a few years back here at Abundant Life. We had a night of Worship over at Joe Pool lake around a campfire. It was a pretty special time of worship and testimonies. Afterward, the plan was for those wanted to stay and camp. Think it was August – so it was hot as usual in Texas!
Can I just say, I don’t know what you all did here in Texas to sleep before air-conditioning!!! --- I take it back I know what you did – you did sleep much! Well back to the church campout – the word of Lord Came to one of the brothers – Mike Geisinger --- and he heard from God and brought a camper with beds, ac – running water and all! And we camped! (I was feeling bad for Josh Weiss when he pulled up and started setting up a tent until he unloaded air mattresses, an ac unit for his tent etc.)
The tent here in our text isn’t referring to camping! The tent in out text represents his home – it’s the place of the family!
Can I tell you this morning our nation, our schools, our communities and society at large is in trouble today because we have neglected the tent! If we are to regain a civil society, a god fearing – crime free atmosphere in our country it will be because we help returned our attention to God’s plan for the family.
  1. A Place of Training (Spiritual & Secular)
  • Home and Family is where we ought to learn love and respect – not intimidation and fear!
    • The Turpin Family in California is/was the antithesis of love and respect.
    • The rule was intimidation and fear – this is NOT the model of scriptures
  • Home and family is where we ought to learn responsibility
  • Home and family is where we ought to learn obedience
  • Home and family is where we ought to learn a good work ethic
  • Home and family is where we ought to learn to Love Jesus and Follow HIM!
  1. A place of Tenderness
  • The Bible says in … Col 3:21 Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush their spirits. (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
  • Tenderness avoids criticism without encouragement - do you fail to see the positive when correcting the negative
    • One of the haunting words that ring in my head from our oldest at the dinner table, “I can’t be perfect!”
  • Tenderness avoids expectations without understanding – their heart and gifting from God. Not what I want them to be…
  • Tenderness avoids Promises without fulfillment
We discourage our children when we make promises to them that we don't keep. When we don't show up or don't have the time it can embitter our children. Now I know that at times it is impossible to do some of the things we planned. Emergencies do happen . . . but children understand this.
Finally, today, we need a reset to make this year different is we need to return to …
  • The Well – My Relationship with Community
Cities, towns, and communities flourished around wells and the refreshing life they offered. Our text speaks of the life that comes through community.
Francis Shaffer said, “Christian Community is our final apologetic to the world.” In reality, he just restated what Jesus said when he declared, “By this shall all men know you are my disciples by your love for one another.”
  1. A Place to Support
  • Our continued growth in Christ – maturity in Christ can ONLY happen in Community – that’s what all the one another for scripture are about
  • This world and culture are hostile to our faith. Dog eat dog – enemy seeks to devour. To have brothers and sisters I intentional meet with who strengthen and encourage give the courage to press on.
    1. A Place to Serve
  • We move beyond self-interest and find ways to serve others
  • We see opportunity to express what God has given us (time/talent/treasure)
  • We grow as others serve us – washers & washer-ee’s (Jesus with Peter humility)
Conclusion:
You what this year to be different join a connect group that meets tonight! But most importantly return to the Altar – Let me ask you a question, “Have been closer to God than now?” He hasn’t moved – you have – its time to return to the altar.
Pray for Families today that are struggling
Location: Abundant Life Assembly of God

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