(Ministered 12/29/12 in the AM service. The last Sunday of 2012)
Intro. It is so easy to get weighted down with the daily problems and circumstances that surround us. To become encumbered with the daily grind of life; paying bills, raising kids to be productive Godly citizens, overcoming the consistent problem of making ends meet. But in spite of it all I believe one of the greatest abilities given a Christian is the ability of “Looking Beyond" what is to what will be. It is in truth "faith sight ". No matter what the circumstances, good or bad, things will change.
The Problem: The problem most of us have is the ability to dis-connect. We find it hard, if not impossible, to disconnect from the pain, the problems, the offenses, the hurts, the weights of our yesterday's. They have become the un-necessary weights that keep, and will continue to keep you, locked in your present prison of anger, loneliness and despair, hindering you from looking beyond what was and what is and receiving what will be.
Note Paul's encouragement in Phil 3:13b-14, “ forgetting those things (the pain, the problems, the offenses, the hurts, the weights of our yesterday) behind (past), reaching forth for those things (peace, joy, inner healing) which are ahead (present),. I press toward the mark (future) for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. “ He had his eyes upon tomorrow, the mark, the high calling”. (God calling me on high. Dake)
Jesus said in Matt. 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
We must determine to not allow anything or anyone control or destroy what we are or what we are destined to become. We must “Look Beyond”!
Note with me others before us that looked beyond.
I. God Looked Beyond:
a. Man had disobeyed.
b. Did what God said he should not do.
c. God kept His Word. Man suffered spiritual death... separation from Spirit Life.
d. The curse was placed upon man.
e. The serpent had won!
f. But God looked beyond the darkness and despair of the hour....looked beyond to
Calvary and said in Gen. 3:15, " And I will put enmity ( a feeling or condition
of hostility; hatred; ill will; animosity; antagonism) between thee and the
woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise (crush; fall upon) thy
head..."
II. Moses Looked Beyond:
a. Miraculously raised in the home of the enemy of God’s people. Never lacked
for anything.
b. It is easy to become comfortable surrounded by prosperity though they that are around you are living in bondage of sin and moral poverty of a depraved society.
c. BUT there came a time that Moses chose to look beyond the prosperity and the privilege ( sometimes a problem ) of being called the son of Pharoah’s daughter. Note Heb. 11:25-27 “ By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God , than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Esteeming ( hold in high expectation ) the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasure in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompence ( give compensation to ) of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible “. Faith that a better thing was in store for God's chosen!
III. Isaiah Looked Beyond:
a. During Isaiah’s time Israel was in bondage and controlled by heathen nations.
b. Time and time again God had sent His Word through the mouths of His
prophets calling for the repentance of Israel. For a season they would return
and be blessed but the pull of the world around them would pull them back to
the sins of their surroundings.
c. Isaiah looked beyond and said in Isa. 9:6 , "For unto us a child is born, unto
us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his
name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace."
“ And the redeemer shall come to Zion...” Isa. 59:20
" In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne,
high and lifted up, and his train ( glory ) filled the temple. " Is.6:1
IV. Jesus Looked Beyond:
a. In Matt. 16:18 He said, "I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not
prevail ( overpower it, or be strong to its detriment, or hold out against it )
against it.
b. In John 14:3 He said, “ I go to prepare a place for you " He also said, " I will
come again receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be
also.“ John 14:3
V. We Can And Must Look Beyond:
a. Ps.91:2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge ( the state of being covered or
protected: something to which one turns for assistance in difficulty or need in
the absence of a usual means or source of supply ) and my fortress ( a place
offering resistance to a hostile force ): my God; in him will I trust
( lean and rely ).
Conc. To each present here today I want you to know God has given you the ability to “Look Beyond” the present circumstances and know there are better days ahead. You do not have to be satisfied with the bondage, the darkness, the despair of the hour.....this same Jesus is saying that to us today in " And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. " Lk. 21:8
It is time to “Look Beyond"!!
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