CrossLife Church

Have you ever struggled with looking back on what could have been or fearful of what the future may bring? Most of our discontentment is the result of focusing too much on the past or future while living for the wrong reward.

Can you imagine coming to the end of your life and dying with your reward in sight but out of reach?

Deuteronomy 34 is not only the last chapter of Deuteronomy but the last chapter of Moses' life. One of the greatest lessons to learn from Moses is not only how he lived but more importantly how he died. More often than naught, a person dies how they lived!

There is much encouragement for us to gain, looking at the greatness of Moses and more importantly, the glory of Christ.

A Song to Remember

Music is powerful! People may disagree about styles, genres, and volume but few would ever deny the power of music to evoke emotions or trigger the recall of memories previously forgotten.

"Generally, the music has a massive influence on the people and their emotions. It really doesn’t matter whether we like a specific kind of music, it will trigger an emotion – positive or negative. This is probably the reason why some of our deepest memories are closely connected to music" (Music and Memory).

The final task God gave Moses before his death was to write and sing a song for the nation. A song for them to remember. A song for them to make clear who God was, who they were, and what their future descendant would need to know.

Deuteronomy 31:21, "For I know what they are inclined to do even today before I have brought them into the land that I swore to give.”

This may just be a song we also need to hear!

Transitions and Change

Life is full of transitions. Everyone is on the verge of a new transition, in the midst of a transition, or coming out of a transition. We may not like change but you will never be able to avoid it.

As Moses finishes his final message to the nation of Israel a great transition begins. Moses knows he is about to die. After many years and many miles, Moses is at the end of his life.

After faithfully serving God he knows he will not be allowed to lead the nation into the Promised Land. There are valuable truths to explore as we see Moses walk out his final days (Deut 31).

The most pressing question to consider as we look at Deuteronomy 31: How do you handle transitions and change?

I come from a long line of expert gardeners. My grandfather and my mother alike would cultivate from seed, bountiful gardens, and beautiful landscapes. I am generally able to keep various vegetations alive and sometimes even maintain their health.

I have worked on some Hydrangeas for years unable to get them to bloom. I play with the soil a bit, throw in some used coffee grounds and a rusty nail then I wait assuming next year will be better.

One thing I do know is that our hearts are like soil. The soil of our hearts is such that anything we allow to be planted there will grow. Bitter roots and blessed roots alike. Poisonous roots will flourish unless we are tending to the soil of our hearts. Whatever we allow to root will eventually fruit!

“Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit.” Deuteronomy 29:18

In this message, we will continue to examine what it means to be God’s Covenant people and how we can rightly relate to God.

BLESSINGS & CURSES

When is the last time you read the terms and agreement on a program you added or updated, or on a contract you signed? A Deloitte survey of 2,000 consumers in the U.S found that 91% of people consent to legal terms and services conditions without reading them. For younger people, ages 18-34 the rate is even higher with 97% agreeing to conditions before reading.

In Deuteronomy 27-34, the Bible lays out God's terms for how people can relate to God and how God relates to His people. It is important to understand the terms are non-negotiable and not ours to determine. God has graciously laid before us a contract for how we can be His people and He be our God.

In this message, we will be focusing on Deuteronomy 28 where Moses goes deeper into the blessings that result from obedience and the curses that result from disobedience.

A COVENANT PEOPLE

When is the last time you read the terms and agreement on a program you added or updated, or on a contract you signed? It is easy to skim or skip all the fine print and look for the "I have read and agree" box to check and move on. Terms and Conditions are a part of our everyday life, so much so, that we can take the implications and importance of some contracts for granted when we flippantly agree.


How well have you considered the "Terms and Conditions" of knowing God and following Jesus?


Can we really have a relationship with God? Considering God is holy and transcendent, and by contrast, humans are less than holy and quite limited.

In Deuteronomy 27-34, the Bible lays out God's terms for how people can relate to God and how God relates to His people. It is important to understand the terms are non-negotiable and not ours to determine. God has graciously laid before us a contract for how we can be His people and He be our God.

Like any contract or covenant, you would be wise to read the fine print.

Convictional Leadership

Among the greatest challenges of our day is the lack of leaders who possess the courage to stand for their convictions. This is becoming especially obvious among believers today. There is a cost to pay for anyone who possesses convictions that are not in line with the power brokers today. The tendency for most people is to go with the flow or keep your head down and hope to fly under the radar.

The leadership crisis is actually two-fold. There is a need for courageous and effective leaders and there is also a need for leaders with Biblically informed convictions. “If our leaders are not passionately driven by the right beliefs, we are headed for disaster. At the same time, if believers cannot lead, we are headed nowhere” (Mohler, The Convictional Leader, 20). How can we raise up, encourage, and equip convictional leaders in our families, church, and community?

The promise and marketing of technology are "constantly telling the masses that the future will be better because the conditions of life are going to be softened” (Weaver, Ideas Have Consequences,108). Richard Weaver says this has resulted in a softening of concepts of heroism, hard work, and perseverance. Those who are driven by conviction and purpose are not concerned with the easiest and most comfortable path. “Since he who longs to achieve does not ask whether the seat is soft or the weather at a pleasant temperature, it is obvious that hardness is a condition of heroism. Exertion, self-denial, endurance, these make the hero, but to the spoiled child, they can note the evil of nature in the malice of man”(Weaver, 109).

“Without work do, especially without work that is related to our dearest aims, the mental sinews atrophy, as do the physical. There is evidence that the masses, spoiled by like conditions, encourage similar flabbiness and in crisis will prove unable to think straight enough to save themselves”(Weaver,116).

In Deuteronomy 25:1-4, Moses is preparing a nation of former slaves and current nomads for war and conquest. He tells them, “let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic…” How can we be, and equip, leaders with the courage of their convictions for the battles that lie ahead?

What Does the Resurrection Mean for Me?

“Your own personal Jesus. Someone to hear your prayers, someone who cares. Your own personal Jesus, Someone to hear your prayers, someone who's there.” - Martin Gore

In the mid-1980s, the Alternative Rock band Depeche Mode released a hit single called, Personal Jesus. Inspired by the autobiography of Priscilla Presley, "Elvis and Me," Martin Gore the lead singer of the band explained the song was about everyone’s need for a personal savior who cares for them and gives them hope.

The song was covered by Johnny Cash in 2002, as what he called a Gospel Song. Cash said, “I don’t know that the writer means it to be that (a Gospel Song) but that’s what it is.”1

For most people, it is easy to approach Easter in the same way. Celebrating and worshipping their personal version of Jesus. A Jesus who died for their sin and was resurrected on Easter. The trauma and horror of the cross are painted over by bright or pastel colors Easter eggs and springtime.

It is easy for the cross and resurrection of Jesus to become a part of “my” own personal story rather than an event that was and is life-altering. The resurrection of Jesus turned the world upside down.