The Way Forward

Larry Siegle
12/29/24 - Sun AM

Link to sermon video: The Way Forward - L Siegle

THE WAY FORWARD

“2025”

(Psalm 91)

Series:  ----

Thesis:  The greatest sensation in life is knowing the value of looking ahead to what is next

INTRODUCTION

1.    The title of this message is The Way Forward

2.    1978, I woke up, turned on the radio while I was getting ready for work and Z93 was playing a Boston song:

“Don't look back, ooh, a new day is breakin'
It's been too long since I felt this way
I don't mind, ooh, where I get taken
The road is callin', today is the day…

It's a bright horizon, ooh, and I'm awaken
I see myself in a brand new way
The sun is shinin', ooh, the clouds are breakin'
'Cause I can't lose now, there's a new game to play”

3.    There is something so powerful about seeing the future with a sense of confident expectation of what lies ahead.

        a.     Have we ever notices that the windshield of the car of so much bigger than the rearview mirror?

        b.    Our human tendency is to dwell on the past… (should a, could a, would a).

               1)    Over the years I have sat down with people whose lives were a tapestry of so very many regrets that they

                       could not envision the ‘next step’ in life or see that better days are ahead for them.

               2)    There was a moment in time when ‘Saul of Tarsus’ who later became the ‘apostle Paul’ gave all of his energy

                       in persecuting members of the church (Acts 8:1-3)—thinking he was doing the ‘right thing’ (Acts 22:1-5;

                       23:1).

        c.     There comes a point of realization that we are sometimes mistaken in our thoughts, words, and actions of the

               past—there is a need to ‘turn around’ and change course, set out in a new direction.

4.    Decades later, the apostle Paul pauses to reflect on who he was, where he came from, where he was going… (Phil.

        3:1-15).

        a.     Our tendency is that of allowing the negative experiences of our past determine our direction for the future.

        b.    God has something better for us, something greater, something that helps us to see, ‘a bright horizon, a brand

               new way, the sun is shinin, the clouds are breakin’ theres a “new game to play”

5.    Most of us here realize there are 12 football teams that have never won a “superbowl”—but the past shortcomings of

        a team does not prevent the looking forward to “better days ahead” in the future.

PSALM 91

1.    In the list of the most popular psalms (yes apparently there is a “rating system” Psalm 91 is ranked #23 on the list of

        the “top 30” psalms.

2.    Scholars are uncertain as to who wrote this particular psalm.  Some attribute it to David, while others (because of

        psalm 90 having been penned by Moses attribute it to him).

        a.     Those who see this as a psalm written by Moses believe that it must have been written during the 40 years of

               wandering in the wilderness (mere speculation).

        b.    It is a powerful psalm that brings both hope and comfort into our hearts and lives.

A PLACE TO LIVE

1.    The psalmist begins with telling believers where to “dwell” each and every day.

        a.     The “secret place” (NKJV) or “shelter” (ESV) means ‘the place of concealment’ a ‘hiding place’ of safety.

        b.    The “shadow” is from the Hebrew word that describes a place of “shade” (where the scorching heat of the sun

               cannot damage a person) (Rev. 7:15-17)

        c.     God’s promise is one of “shelter” and “protection”

2.    God Himself is the place of “refuge” (A Mighty Fortress is Our God—Martin Luther, 1527 to 1529)—a celebration of

        God’s greatness in the midst of trials.

        a.     In 2025, will our faith we tested? (James 1:3, 4).

        b.    In 2025, will each of us experience some difficult things that we could never have imagined? Yes.

        c.     In 2025, will God come to our rescue in a mighty way, beyond what any of us could have thought possible? (Eph.

               3:14-21).

        d.    In 2025, will this congregation continue to grow both spiritually and in number?

        c.     In 2025, will each of us draw closer to “one another” in demonstrating our love and kindness for “one another”?

CONCLUSION

1.    We stand on the threshold of so many good and amazing things in the coming year…

2.    It is our thought our attitude our actions that will determine what becomes the outcome of 2025.

        a.     We are not the victim of circumstances…

        b.    We are not predestined for a life of weakness and failure!

        c.     We are not just on a ‘treadmill’ going nowhere…(I walk and ride the bikes at the gym for miles and miles)

3.    As believers, now is the time to get a sense of direction as a congregation, and as individuals.

        a.     What can each of us to this coming year that we are unable to do last year?

        b.    Do we have friends and relatives who were once involved in the work of the church but now have fallen by the

               wayside?  Introduce me to them.

        c.     There are still people in Warren who are unaware of the Cortland congregation…

        d.    There is so much God can use us to accomplish for Him and for the sake of His Kingdom.