SERMON - DO NOT LET LOGIC REPLACE YOUR FAITH

Do Not Let Logic Replace Your Faith     A common and erroneous mistake that Christians make is to replace and follow their own logic instead of relying on the faith God has given each of us.   As a prime example as to what I am telling you look at how God relates this to us.   Lot was visited by and led by two angels that told him of the imminent destruction to befall Sodom and Gomorrah .   Genesis 19: 13 because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it." Initially Lot acted on faith.   Genesis 19:14 14 So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry [a]his daughters. He said, "Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city!" But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.   Lot ’s actions reflected that he seriously took the message delivered by God’s angels as truth. But…   Genesis 19: 15 With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished."  16When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them.   We see that after dawn Lot “hesitated,” thereby prompting God’s messengers to, “grasp his hand,” and lead them away. Had they not done so Lot would have faced destruction along with those God was to destroy.   Read on and you learn of Lot ’s continued lack of faith. God had instructed Lot to, ”go up the mountain.”   Genesis 19: 19 Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can't flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I'll die. 20 Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it—it is very small, isn't it? Then my life will be spared."   Rather than do as God asked Lot requested that he be allowed to forgo the mountains and be allowed to go to a nearby city. Lot did not display absolute faith in God as he spoke of “disaster” as well as his fear of death. Although God allowed Lot to do as he wanted we learn that Lot allowed his on logic, whatever it might be (fear of disaster and death), to prevail against God’s stated wish He had made known.   This, sadly, is the way many Christians act even after God has made clear His wishes. They hear, “Go up the mountain,” and deny God’s wish of them to obey. Who can say what God had in store for Lot had he chosen to, “Go up the mountain,” as Lot chose to forgo any added blessing God would bestow upon him. Had he but thought, “I have been delivered by the very angels of God! Surely the Lord has His hand on me and I can trust on His merciful love. I will travel any path God chooses”   Lot chose his own way much as do many Christians today.   The mountain God directed Lot to climb would have, most probably, been difficult to climb. The paths many of us are directed to walk may be just as difficult to travel but travel those paths we must! We must not, as Lot did, disobey the Lord…Ever! We must not choose our own logic, whatever it may be, over the wishes of God!   Many may be fighting the urge to perform such actions that you know are not of God’s desire for you. Those that succumb to such urges are not ‘where God wants them to be or to be doing what He wants for them to be doing.’   Oftentimes we deem some of the things we are doing to be insignificant and of little value  We don’t always recognize that we are doing exactly what God wants us to do at that very time and in that very place. However, if we rely upon God and rest in His peace we will be blessed.   We must learn to listen for God to speak to us, to guide us to the path He has chosen for us and to have the faith, in Him, and not rely on our own ‘logic,’ to a place or action of our own choosing.   I too have been guilty of questioning the direction God has chosen for me. But, I am learning and am depending, more and more, on His grace and mercies to see me through what His desires are. I have leaned that He will bring me through whatever trials I must face in my duties for Him.   Brothers, sisters, God has a purpose for each of us and He will lead us to so many blessings that we can only imagine. All we have to do is trust in Him, have faith in Him and obey His every wish while placing our logic below what He knows is best! God cherishes each one of us as He is our Father in heaven and knows what is best for us. Again I say, TRUST IN HIM!   (Closing prayer)   Abba, Father in Heaven, we come to You with praises for Your greatness, in awe of Your mighty powers, and with love in our hearts. Lord we ask that we be allowed to bow before You in worship and with all the thanks we can muster for all You continue to do for us.   O Lord we say, Holy, Holy, Holy…Holy are You Lord King of all there is. Lord we ask that You speak to each of us with instructions of the paths You choose us to follow. We seek to obey You in all things and to have the faith in You that You want each of us to have. Guide us O Lord and see to our safety. Our total trust is in You. There are those amongst us that need guidance in the life You want us to live. Lord, grant us Your word and allow us to live in accordance with Your desires.   Father, You are aware of the troubled time within which we live. Be with us in times of strife and may we be at Your side and enjoy the happiness You intend for us to share as Your children.   We ask that You bless and protect our military, our fellow Christians throughout the world and have Your angels watch over us all.   These things we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who is one with You and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever,   Amen, amen, and amen.

Pastor Lee S Gliddon Jr
God's Word Christian Ministry
Conservative Patriot http://conpats.blogspot.com