We live in a time when some are confused about what church is supposed to be and what produces growth and revival. Many churches are concerned with things that will make their church successful. The definition of success should be what God wants. If man defines success differently than God, he is wrong and God is right. In our text, David made two attempts to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel. The Ark of the Covenant had been in the hands of the Philistines between 40-70 years. David was anxious to return it to its proper place. His first attempt was born of noble intentions, but the way in which he went about it was not God-centered. David had a plan and an idea of how to accomplish the task, but it was not the way that God wanted it to happen. When we look at David’s first attempt, we see all of the things that man would judge to be the right ingredients. First he had a crowd. By the world’s standard, a crowd is the measure of success. A crown does not guarantee the blessing of God. We must make sure to measure by God’s measure, not man’s measure. It is little value to gather a crowd if we are doing things that are displeasing to God. In addition to a crowd, he had pomp and showmanship. David called all the prominent people. While talent and abilities are important, if God is not glorified by the talent and abilites, they are not valuable to Him. Next David had new equipment. The problem is that The Ark of the Covenant was never intended to be on a cart, but to be carried by His people. The Philistines had carried it on a cart, so David chose to do the same. We do not need the Philistines defining church for us. By man’s definition, David had all the pieces. They had a crowd, they had new equipment, they had excitement, they had the best musicians. But man’s definition was not what was required. God is not opposed to talent, equipment, or crowds. However, but the underlying motive has to be God-centered.

David’s first attempt to bring the Ark home was a failure. Uza lost his life trying to steady the Ark on its journey. David was shaken and left the Ark in the home of Obededom. There it remained from between four to seven years. During that time, Obededom’s house was blessed. Finally, David decides to bring the Ark home again. This time, he focused on what was pleasing to God. People driven measures will always fail. We will fail whenever we are more concerned with what pleases people and less concerned with what pleases God. It would have been a lot wiser for David to consult God before he gathered the crowd and the new cart. If we will pray as hard as we play, God will be glorified.

We live in a time when some are confused about what church is supposed to be and what produces growth and revival. Many churches are concerned with things that will make their church successful. The definition of success should be what God wants. If man defines success differently than God, he is wrong and God is right. In our text, David made two attempts to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel. The Ark of the Covenant had been in the hands of the Philistines between 40-70 years. David was anxious to return it to its proper place. His first attempt was born of noble intentions, but the way in which he went about it was not God-centered. David had a plan and an idea of how to accomplish the task, but it was not the way that God wanted it to happen. When we look at David’s first attempt, we see all of the things that man would judge to be the right ingredients. First he had a crowd. By the world’s standard, a crowd is the measure of success. A crown does not guarantee the blessing of God. We must make sure to measure by God’s measure, not man’s measure. It is little value to gather a crowd if we are doing things that are displeasing to God. In addition to a crowd, he had pomp and showmanship. David called all the prominent people. While talent and abilities are important, if God is not glorified by the talent and abilites, they are not valuable to Him. Next David had new equipment. The problem is that The Ark of the Covenant was never intended to be on a cart, but to be carried by His people. The Philistines had carried it on a cart, so David chose to do the same. We do not need the Philistines defining church for us. By man’s definition, David had all the pieces. They had a crowd, they had new equipment, they had excitement, they had the best musicians. But man’s definition was not what was required. God is not opposed to talent, equipment, or crowds. However, but the underlying motive has to be God-centered.

David’s first attempt to bring the Ark home was a failure. Uza lost his life trying to steady the Ark on its journey. David was shaken and left the Ark in the home of Obededom. There it remained from between four to seven years. During that time, Obededom’s house was blessed. Finally, David decides to bring the Ark home again. This time, he focused on what was pleasing to God. People driven measures will always fail. We will fail whenever we are more concerned with what pleases people and less concerned with what pleases God. It would have been a lot wiser for David to consult God before he gathered the crowd and the new cart. If we will pray as hard as we play, God will be glorified.

Our title seems like an oxymoron. If it is right, why is it hard to do? If we could answer that question, a great deal of trouble would be cleared up. The trouble is not with the thing, but with the person that is behind the thing. We like to blame our issues and situations on things. But the truth is, that most of the trouble we experience in life is because of us. Our text is a glimpse into the thought of God. It is as if He is talking to us personally. In this case, God asks if a man falls, won’t he get back up, or if he is going the wrong way, he will return. This is the expectation, but spiritually that is not always the case. In the natural realm, if we make a wrong turn and go the wrong way, we will correct our course and move in the proper direction. In our text, God questions why Israel was not behaving spiritually as they would in the natural realm. Why is it that we find it so hard to do something spiritually that is so easy naturally. If we get knocked down, we get up, but some get knocked down spiritually and stay down. If we make a wrong turn on a journey we turn around, but spiritually, some people continue to go the wrong way. Why is it so hard to recognize that we are in the wrong environment and then do something to change that? Why do men stay down when they fall? Why do men continue to travel the wrong way? God reveals the reason. He says that we hold fast to the wrong thing. One of the problems with doing the right thing is that we hold fast to the lies that we tell ourselves about our situation: “I’m not lost”, “ I know where I’m going”, “I know how to get back”, “I know what I am doing.” Our flesh likes to tell us what we want to hear. Most times, our flesh will tell us something is okay when we know that God says it is not. The reason it is hard to do the right thing because of the lies we tell ourselves. The second reason it is hard to do the right thing is that we are unwilling to accept and actively denying that things are as bad as they are. We allow our minds to believe that things are alright. Because we deny it, we do not realize that we have fallen, or that we are off track. We stubbornly cling to our own thoughts and are resistant to any suggestion that we humble ourselves and listen to God. The third thing that makesdoing the right the right thing hard is the most evil and hard to overcome: Pride. Pride has a way of trapping us in our failure. It is hard to admit we have failed. It is hard to go to an alter because “everyone will see me.” Getting back on track starts with overcoming pride. All it takes to get back on track, it for us to confess it to God, and ask for forgiveness. Pride keeps us wrapped in chains, and keeps us down. It steals peace, sabotages joy and destroys hope. What could be repaired if we would simply ask for forgiveness? God can release us from bitterness, hatred, and darkness if we will simply give Him the opportunity.

Our title seems like an oxymoron. If it is right, why is it hard to do? If we could answer that question, a great deal of trouble would be cleared up. The trouble is not with the thing, but with the person that is behind the thing. We like to blame our issues and situations on things. But the truth is, that most of the trouble we experience in life is because of us. Our text is a glimpse into the thought of God. It is as if He is talking to us personally. In this case, God asks if a man falls, won’t he get back up, or if he is going the wrong way, he will return. This is the expectation, but spiritually that is not always the case. In the natural realm, if we make a wrong turn and go the wrong way, we will correct our course and move in the proper direction. In our text, God questions why Israel was not behaving spiritually as they would in the natural realm. Why is it that we find it so hard to do something spiritually that is so easy naturally. If we get knocked down, we get up, but some get knocked down spiritually and stay down. If we make a wrong turn on a journey we turn around, but spiritually, some people continue to go the wrong way. Why is it so hard to recognize that we are in the wrong environment and then do something to change that? Why do men stay down when they fall? Why do men continue to travel the wrong way? God reveals the reason. He says that we hold fast to the wrong thing. One of the problems with doing the right thing is that we hold fast to the lies that we tell ourselves about our situation: “I’m not lost”, “ I know where I’m going”, “I know how to get back”, “I know what I am doing.” Our flesh likes to tell us what we want to hear. Most times, our flesh will tell us something is okay when we know that God says it is not. The reason it is hard to do the right thing because of the lies we tell ourselves. The second reason it is hard to do the right thing is that we are unwilling to accept and actively denying that things are as bad as they are. We allow our minds to believe that things are alright. Because we deny it, we do not realize that we have fallen, or that we are off track. We stubbornly cling to our own thoughts and are resistant to any suggestion that we humble ourselves and listen to God. The third thing that makesdoing the right the right thing hard is the most evil and hard to overcome: Pride. Pride has a way of trapping us in our failure. It is hard to admit we have failed. It is hard to go to an alter because “everyone will see me.” Getting back on track starts with overcoming pride. All it takes to get back on track, it for us to confess it to God, and ask for forgiveness. Pride keeps us wrapped in chains, and keeps us down. It steals peace, sabotages joy and destroys hope. What could be repaired if we would simply ask for forgiveness? God can release us from bitterness, hatred, and darkness if we will simply give Him the opportunity.

Tonight’s text is often quoted: “You have not, because you ask not” and “If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it” The part about that that we forget is that these things have to be asked in Jesus name. There is also the concept that, even if it is asked in Jesus name we have to ask for it in the right context. Selfish and self-service prayers are not likely to be answered. We have a list of reasons why we do not ask for things in prayer. Sometimes we feel that it is too insignificant for His attention. On the other end of that spectrum is the idea that our situation is too big a thing to ask. There is nothing too small for God to care about, or too large that He cannot do. He will get the glory for answered prayers. These answered prayers provide an opportunity for testimony. We can take everything to God; great or small, and He will care about it. If it matters to us, it matters to God. In Philippians, the bible tells us to take everything to God in prayer. We must not be hesitant to pray, as the bible says about everhtying; even the big things. It is our Father’s good pleasure to grant our prayers; even the very large things.

Tonight’s text is often quoted: “You have not, because you ask not” and “If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it” The part about that that we forget is that these things have to be asked in Jesus name. There is also the concept that, even if it is asked in Jesus name we have to ask for it in the right context. Selfish and self-service prayers are not likely to be answered. We have a list of reasons why we do not ask for things in prayer. Sometimes we feel that it is too insignificant for His attention. On the other end of that spectrum is the idea that our situation is too big a thing to ask. There is nothing too small for God to care about, or too large that He cannot do. He will get the glory for answered prayers. These answered prayers provide an opportunity for testimony. We can take everything to God; great or small, and He will care about it. If it matters to us, it matters to God. In Philippians, the bible tells us to take everything to God in prayer. We must not be hesitant to pray, as the bible says about everhtying; even the big things. It is our Father’s good pleasure to grant our prayers; even the very large things.

It takes a lifetime of living to appreciate how amazing the word of God is. It saves us from spiritual failure. It becomes a confidence builder and comfort as we deal with the ups and downs of life. There is nothing in the word that is insignificant. Every word is God ordained and inspired. Perhaps the most amazing thing is that not only is it His word, but it is His word to us. Some would say that it is old fashion or a book of history. But His word is a living word that is relevant to our life today. Our text has been the basis for many messages. Bro. Hughes returns to this familiar text tonight to remind us that God is not satisfied with our failure. To the casual observer, Jesus’ walking resulted in a chance encounter with some men. This meeting was not a chance encounter, but a divined meeting. The setting indicates that these fishermen were done for the day. They were washing their nets and preparing for tomorrow. But, God comes along and declares that He is not finished with today. How often have we decided that we are done for the day? Jesus tells Simon “now” it is time to launch out to the deep. Simon begins to tell Jesus that they had worked all night, but had not been successful. Jesus tells Simon to get the nets back out to receive a blessing that was greater than could be imagined. How many services have we been in trying to pray through, but to no avail? We give up and start to prepare for another day. God is not satisfied with waiting until tomorrow. God said today. He wants to help today. He wants to strengthen and bless today. In order for Him to do it now, we have to let Him in. Simon protested at first but said “nevertheless I will do as you say” The response to God’s invitation will determine the outcome. God is calling us to get our nets out. Even though we do not think it will be productive, God has better plans. Don’t put up your nets quite yet.

It takes a lifetime of living to appreciate how amazing the word of God is. It saves us from spiritual failure. It becomes a confidence builder and comfort as we deal with the ups and downs of life. There is nothing in the word that is insignificant. Every word is God ordained and inspired. Perhaps the most amazing thing is that not only is it His word, but it is His word to us. Some would say that it is old fashion or a book of history. But His word is a living word that is relevant to our life today. Our text has been the basis for many messages. Bro. Hughes returns to this familiar text tonight to remind us that God is not satisfied with our failure. To the casual observer, Jesus’ walking resulted in a chance encounter with some men. This meeting was not a chance encounter, but a divined meeting. The setting indicates that these fishermen were done for the day. They were washing their nets and preparing for tomorrow. But, God comes along and declares that He is not finished with today. How often have we decided that we are done for the day? Jesus tells Simon “now” it is time to launch out to the deep. Simon begins to tell Jesus that they had worked all night, but had not been successful. Jesus tells Simon to get the nets back out to receive a blessing that was greater than could be imagined. How many services have we been in trying to pray through, but to no avail? We give up and start to prepare for another day. God is not satisfied with waiting until tomorrow. God said today. He wants to help today. He wants to strengthen and bless today. In order for Him to do it now, we have to let Him in. Simon protested at first but said “nevertheless I will do as you say” The response to God’s invitation will determine the outcome. God is calling us to get our nets out. Even though we do not think it will be productive, God has better plans. Don’t put up your nets quite yet.

Jesus uses a sparrow to speak a powerful truth to his Apostles. The sparrow is one of the least significant of all the birds. Jesus begins by addressing fears. Everyone can relate to fear. All have experienced fear and had to deal with it. In the text, Jesus addresses two of the greatest fears that man will encounter in life. First is how we will be treated by others. We are all fearful of how others will treat us. We go through life in a certain protective mode to keep us from getting hurt by others. Some of us do things that are not wise in order to fit in with others. Jesus admonishes the apostles to not let others opinion of us to trump God’s opinion of us. The second fear he addresses is the fear of insignificance. This is perhaps the most prevalent fear we have: Do I matter? Our opinion of our worth is influenced by the fear of how others treat us. Our vision and view of our worth has been warped by others. God is clear in our text that we are worth so much to Him. There are a lot of people who have let how others have treated them, depreciate their perception of their value. Jesus says that even the lowly sparrow is forgotten; Not one of them. We fear nothing more than we fear insignificance. We can easily be overwhelmed by the bigness of life, and the smallness of ourselves. We feel that we have made too many mistakes to recover. We see the path ahead, and doubt that we can make it. God speaks plainly to us that we matter. The lies that people have told us about who we are, are just that. God says that we really do matter to Him, and that is all that matters. No one will be forgotten.

Jesus uses a sparrow to speak a powerful truth to his Apostles. The sparrow is one of the least significant of all the birds. Jesus begins by addressing fears. Everyone can relate to fear. All have experienced fear and had to deal with it. In the text, Jesus addresses two of the greatest fears that man will encounter in life. First is how we will be treated by others. We are all fearful of how others will treat us. We go through life in a certain protective mode to keep us from getting hurt by others. Some of us do things that are not wise in order to fit in with others. Jesus admonishes the apostles to not let others opinion of us to trump God’s opinion of us. The second fear he addresses is the fear of insignificance. This is perhaps the most prevalent fear we have: Do I matter? Our opinion of our worth is influenced by the fear of how others treat us. Our vision and view of our worth has been warped by others. God is clear in our text that we are worth so much to Him. There are a lot of people who have let how others have treated them, depreciate their perception of their value. Jesus says that even the lowly sparrow is forgotten; Not one of them. We fear nothing more than we fear insignificance. We can easily be overwhelmed by the bigness of life, and the smallness of ourselves. We feel that we have made too many mistakes to recover. We see the path ahead, and doubt that we can make it. God speaks plainly to us that we matter. The lies that people have told us about who we are, are just that. God says that we really do matter to Him, and that is all that matters. No one will be forgotten.