HEAVEN, WE HAVE A PROBLEM
Psalm 121
Introduction:
I do not know if anyone here has seen the movie "Apollo 13" or
remember the event. Nonetheless, there was a phrase that was uttered by one of
the Astronauts in response to some difficulties that had arisen. He said,
"
A. As a church, when we are faced
with difficulties we must turn to the only place that we know can help us --
the high hills of heaven.
1. Our help must come
from the Lord
2. We must follow His
wisdom to combat the evils that threaten us
B. As with Apollo 13, we too have a
mission to carry out (1 Pet. 2:9)
1. Some things that
threaten that mission (devil, discord, adversity)
2. Some Christians, when
things go wrong, are ready to abort mission
C. Apollo
13 had to follow the guidelines set down by mission control to the letter if
they wanted to get back to
1.
We cannot take upon ourselves the task of getting
to heaven when we lose our way, nor can we overcome obstacles by our own
designs
2.
If we are going to get to heaven we must do it
God's way
I.
God's ways are not our own (Isa. 55:8-9)
A.
When problems arise that threaten our mission, it
would be disastrous for us to try to solve them on our own (Pro.
1.
Must turn to heaven because of the wisdom that’s
there (1 Cor.
2.
Our confidence must Be in the wisdom of God (2
Cor. 2:5)
B.
All we need to complete our mission & get to heaven is found God’s Word
1.
2 Peter 1:2-4
2.
2 Tim. 3:16-17
C. We must
follow these guidelines found in God's word to ensure a successful mission and
a safe return for our souls
1.
Our souls will go back to God (Ecc. 12:7)
2.
How they go back is up to us
D. Unlike
Apollo 13, the mission will not be aborted
1.
God's word will not fail (Isa. 55:11)
2.
God will not fail (Psalm 33:8-11)
II.
What should we do when problems arise?
A.
We must be willing to look to heaven from whence
cometh our help
1.
Must be willing to trust in the wisdom of God's
counsel
2.
As opposition arises we must be willing to hear
from heaven (Mat. 4)
3.
When we are uncertain about what we should do we
must look to heaven's guidelines (Acts
B.
When faced with troubles, concerns and doubts, we
best not try to resolve ourselves or rely on human reasoning and wisdom as
answers for our hope (Isaiah
1.
We must go to the law and to the testimony
2.
Failure to do so will add to our troubles as we
have learned in the past; such is characteristic of those who have no light in
them
3.
As God's people we must be in the light (2 Pet.
Conclusion: Whenever we have a problem,
meet adversity, or have lost our way, let us let heaven know we have a problem
and seek its wisdom and guidance to resolve it. Brethren, our mission and the
safe return of our souls to God depends upon it.