The Change That Is Worth Making

“THE CHANGE THAT IS WORTH MAKING”
(DEUTERONOMY 27: 9)

Intro:
Allow me to begin by saying, change is hard. Those who say that change is easy are usually those who are too afraid to make a change. Consider the changing of the calendar. Once 08 has past and 09 is upon us, we will spend most of the year trying to remember to write 09, rather than 08 on our checks. However, writing the correct year on your checks should be the least of the changes, which concern you at this time.
As we consider ourselves this morning, we want to conduct our examination with an eye toward change. We want to examine the areas in our lives, which could use improvement, and then make the changes, which are called for.
Now, I'm sure you are saying to yourself, "Rusty, if you understand that change is hard, then why do you want to force me to make them?" Simply put, there are some changes that are worth making. The biggest of these is the change, which will improve your relationship with God.
If we are to make these changes, then there are a couple of guidelines, which we need to follow if we are to achieve success. I pray that you will join me in an honest effort to make the changes that are worth making in our lives.

I. DON’T PUT LIMITS ON WHAT GOD CAN DO

1. One of the major problems which we face as we try to make changes is that the past has a strong and powerful pull on our present.
A. 1Tim 1: 15 certainly the past had a strong hold on the Apostle Paul.
B. Gal 2: 11-14 likewise was the apostle Peter seduced by the temptress song of the past.
C. 2Sam 11-12 consider King David and all which dwelt within his past.
D. In each of these cases, the men in question had done horrible things, and there present selves often suffered for those sins.
2. Is the same not true for you and me today?
A. Ro 3: 10 each and every man and woman that lives has a past, and a past which often shames us.
B. If you yourself were to think back on the past year, you would recall things you did which would bring a blush to your face.
C. Often, even without thinking, you can feel the shame associated with past sins.
D. The problem is that we, much like the apostles of old, believe that our sins are so bad that there’s no way God can love us.
3. However, when we think this way, we are placing limits on the awesome power of God!
A. Acts 9: 1-6 though he had certainly made mistakes in the past, God wasn’t limited by Paul’s sins!
B. 2Pet 3: 18 despite Peter’s follies, God wasn’t limited by his mistakes either!
C. Psa 4: 3 as for David, God so completely released him from his past that he was able once again to believe that God would hear and answer his prayers!
D. Dan 6: 21-22 likewise, just as he was able to deliver Daniel from the Lions den, so he is able to deliver you and I from the degradations of our past!

II. DON’T PLACE LIMITS ON WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO

1. Throughout history, there have been those who fought against God’s will, but perhaps none is as well documented as Jonah.
A. Jon 1: 1-2 God called unto Jonah, and commanded him to go to Nineveh.
B. Jon 1: 3 in spite of the call of God, Jonah decided that his way was better.
C. Jon 1: 4-2: 9 because of his refusal to walk in the path of God, he spent a great deal of time in some very unpleasant circumstances.
2. Again, we can certainly see ourselves in the actions of Jonah.
A. God says, “GO”, and we say, “No thanks, I think I’ll stay.”
B. God says, “Be still and listen”, and we say, “I’ve got to move and do!”
C. God says, “I’ve got a plan”, and we say, “Yes, but I’ve got a better plan.”
D. Unfortunately, it is only in the end that we realize that where the Lord wants us is where we need to be.
3. Let us stop placing limits on where God wants us, and instead just do what he asks.
A. Psa 1: 2 where does he want us? He wants us in meditation on his word!
B. Acts 1: 8 where does he want us? He wants us in motion to share his word!
C. Heb 10: 24-25 where does he want us? He wants us in meeting with one another to find encouragement, inspiration, and provocation!