The Big Picture

This weeks sermon THE BIG PICTURE

In our reading from 2 Samuel 7:1-14 David seeks to build a temple to house the Ark of God. At first it seems like a grand idea. But God had bigger ideas than just building a temple. He was building a Kingdom.

We learn important lessons for our own spiritual journeys from this passage.

1.Attempting the small things leads to the bigger things. Whilst David didn’t have his focus entirely correct, he at least attempted to do something! It often seems that way in our spiritual journeys. Doing something is always better than doing . God can use that ‘something’ in ways we never expected.

Is there a project you have been putting off? Maybe it’s time to launch out and test the waters. It may not turn out exactly as you planned, but if you allow God to lead and guide you then there is no telling where it may lead!

2. Accomplishments are stepping stones not standing stones. A journey is a journey. In Christian life we never arrive. We reach milestones along the way but our final destination is not of this world. Wherever we are now (however good or bad it may seem) is a stepping stone towards further growth.

Be thankful to God for where life has led you thus far. You have learnt many lessons. You have had your share of accomplishments and failures. But don’t allow yourself the luxury of thinking ‘that’s it’. Ask God to continue to lead you and guide you through His Holy Spirit.

3. Appetizers are good, but the dessert is out of this world! One of the re-occuring messages of Scripture is that ‘The best is yet to come.’ We are encouraged to live as though all of the experiences that come our way are a prelude to something greater.

Try and think things through from the perspective of a bigger picture… namely the framework of the love and grace of Jesus Christ. You are a deeply loved child of a God whom knows all that you are travelling through and has your ultimate best in mind.