HOW TO NAVIGATE THROUGH LIFE – 5.07.2017

INTRO:  A Captain of a ship is not starting navigating once out at sea. Would you like to be on his ship?

Jesus gave us a navigational course for our life. Jesus provided good instruction for us on issues such as integrity, anxiety, conviction, problem solving, greed, jealousy, priorities, and trusting God.

Jesus intended to navigate life for us and to teach us how to live successfully.

The Lord’s perspective on success in life involves:

1. Decisions: We must know the truth an accept it.

Psalm 25:25 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.

John 8:32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

2. Servanthood: We must find a need and fill it.

1 Samuel 12:24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

3. Determination: We must face a challenge and meet it.

2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.”

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

4. Sacrifice: We must lose our life to find it.

Sacrifice is pleasing to God

Hebrews 13:16 “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased”.

Sacrifice is an everyday occurrence

Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship”

5. Preparation: We must develop a plan and follow it.

Luke 14:28-32New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁸ “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? ²⁹ Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. ³⁰ They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

6. Action: We must discover God’s will and obey it. Are you an inactive or active Christian?

Taking action is a necessary part of our relationship with Christ. Our enemy, Satan, takes advantage of those believers who choose passivity instead of action. Action requires faith in God and trust in His word to accomplish great things for the kingdom. The faint-hearted, fearful, and doubters will always struggle with taking action. However, there’s hope for those who long to be courageous in their Christian walk.

Action #1) Be Quick!

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19).

Many of us struggle with fully and attentively listening to what other people are saying. We tend to brashly speak what we think  right before we’ve either heard a person out or listened to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. The discipline of listening can be misunderstood as passivity; however, those who’ve learned to take action with quietness have the greater advantage in wisdom and insight.

Action #2) Be Sober!

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming” (1 Peter 1:13).

It takes action to have a sober mind. A soberly minded believer takes the necessary action of protecting their mind and hearts from the influences of the world. They aren’t passive about what they allow to infiltrate their minds through mediums of social media, TV, or movies. Being sober is setting a high standard of morality and integrity in the spirit, mind, and body.

Action #3) Be Alert!

^“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

A passive attitude about the devil will always lead to his entrapments; however, being overly attentive to him can cause a believer to shift their focus off of God’s power. The action needed for the Christian is to never let their guard down when it comes to Satan. We are aware of the tactics and temptations he has used on us in the past—so we stand at alert as good soldiers of Christ.

Action #4) Be Vigilant!

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12).

We take action not only against Satan, but our own desires of the flesh that long to be fulfilled. As followers of Christ, we must be vigilant about our sanctification—that is, being set apart for God’s purposes rather than following the dictates of our own will and passions. Fighting the good fight of faith can’t be avoided when we desire to grow up spiritually and know Christ more intimately. There’s great joy in living a life filled with God’s purposes and direction as we take action in steps of faith.

Action #5) Be Prayerful!

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2).

While many people may believe that prayer is passive—it’s one of the greatest actions a believer can incorporate into their daily life. Prayer is our participation in breaking down the spiritual barriers built up by Satan to kill, steal, and destroy other people. When we actively and regularly engage in prayer, our faith is broadened, tested, and stretched to ask for the greater blessings of God on our lives and for those we intercede for.

Action #6) Be Faithful!

“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown” (Revelation 2:10).

Believers who take action for the body of Christ are typically faithful to God’s calling on their lives. The faithful keep doing the will of God even when it gets tiring, overwhelming, and frustrating. Christians who keep showing up and working everything as to the Lord will experience His peace and presence in greater measures.

Take action today!

Are you an inactive or active Christian? Don’t worry…take action today in your spirit, mind, and body by laying hold of the high calling of God on your life. You will never regret it.

7. A Gift: We must find our talent and share it.

1 Peter 4:10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

Matthew 25:14-30

“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.

 

8. Durability: We must to keep a firm hold and finish well.

2 Timothy 4:7-8New Living Translation (NLT)

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. ⁸ And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.