4.23.12 "The Deal is Off!"

"The Deal is Off!"

Judges 1:1-2:9
Luke 21:29-22:13
Psalm 90:1-91:16
Proverbs 13:24-25


"One day the Angel of the Lord arrived... and announced to the people of Israel, 'I brought you out of Egypt into this land which I promised to you ancestors, and I said that I would never break my covenant with you, if you, on your part, would make no peace treaties with the people living in this land; I told you to destroy their heathen altars. Why have you not obeyed? And now since you have broken the contract, it is no longer in effect, and I no longer promise to destroy the nations living in your land; rather, they shall be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you.'" (Jud 2:1-3)

What a sad portion of scripture. God gave such tremendous promise to the people. He delivered them from slavery. He performed awesome miracles. He equipped them to walk in obedience. He gave them all they needed.

Yet they didn't follow through.

It sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? Jesus warns us of the same thing.

"Watch out! Don't let my sudden coming catch you unawares; don't let me find you living in careless ease, carousing and drinking, and occupied with the problems of this life, like all the rest of the world. Keep a constant watch. And pray that if possible you may arrive in my presence without having to experience these horrors." (Luke 21:34-36)

We serve a God of promise. His faithfulness is unwavering. He will do what he has promised he will do. We have to remember, however, that we must fulfill our end of the deal!

So many times we flirt with partial obedience. We don't completely destroy the "Canaanites" of our old life. We don't get rid of the sin that's around us. We fall into the trap of delayed obedience.

God only asks one thing of us: Obey.

Why is that so hard? Why can't we stick to his word? Can you imagine what the Promised Land would have been like if the Israelites would have obeyed him fully? Can you imagine what life would be like if the people of God would walk in radical, unwavering obedience?

What is the one thing God is telling you right now to obey him in that you are delaying? We need to realize that God's commands are tied to promise. We need to live up to our end of the bargain. The amazing thing is that it's not even like we have to do any work. He gives the strength, He gives the victory. We just obey.

Where we get into trouble is when we pursue comfort. Comfort is a death trap in the life of a believer. Comfort leads to compromise & complacency. Those are deal breakers in the promise of God.

We need to stay the course & live in radical obedience. We need to Live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship!



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

Pastor Greg Lathe

Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ