When Abraham was an 75 years old, God told him to pick up and go. He didn’t disclose where, He did not offer any more plans other than just go. Abraham did not hesitate, he went. God made Abraham and Sarah a promise that he would be the father of many nations and that all of the people of the earth would be blessed. So Abraham left believing in the destiny that God had for him. As he entered the land of Canaan, God tells him to look in all directions and that all the land that he could see would be given to him and his offspring. There was a couple of problems: Abraham and Sarah had no children and they were very old. Once again, God reminds Abraham of his destiny and the promise. Abraham and Sarah tried to “help” God out by having a child with her servant Hagar. Ismael proved to be a distraction to the plan God had. When Abraham was 90, God fulfilled his promise and gave Abraham and Sarah a child. The destiny that God promised, arrived just when He wanted it to. Through his life, Abraham demonstrated great faith. Event to the point of offering his only son Isaac, Abraham believed in God. Abraham’s faith was the key to his life. In times when he did not understand how God was working, he continued to follow the direction he was given. Abraham knew what we need to understand today: Don’t Doubt Destiny.

When Abraham was an 75 years old, God told him to pick up and go. He didn’t disclose where, He did not offer any more plans other than just go. Abraham did not hesitate, he went. God made Abraham and Sarah a promise that he would be the father of many nations and that all of the people of the earth would be blessed. So Abraham left believing in the destiny that God had for him. As he entered the land of Canaan, God tells him to look in all directions and that all the land that he could see would be given to him and his offspring. There was a couple of problems: Abraham and Sarah had no children and they were very old. Once again, God reminds Abraham of his destiny and the promise. Abraham and Sarah tried to “help” God out by having a child with her servant Hagar. Ismael proved to be a distraction to the plan God had. When Abraham was 90, God fulfilled his promise and gave Abraham and Sarah a child. The destiny that God promised, arrived just when He wanted it to. Through his life, Abraham demonstrated great faith. Event to the point of offering his only son Isaac, Abraham believed in God. Abraham’s faith was the key to his life. In times when he did not understand how God was working, he continued to follow the direction he was given. Abraham knew what we need to understand today: Don’t Doubt Destiny.

Our text is a familiar one. Much has been preached about this woman with the alabaster box. Her name was Mary. She was Martha and Lazarus’ sister and some believe that she was a grievous sinner. She brought the alabaster box filled with precious perfume, broke it and poured it over Jesus’ head. Her motive in doing it is lost on all who observed except Jesus. We will never know what compelled her to do what she did, or how much Jesus meant to her to cause her to do it. There are things in everyone’s life that are not understandable except by Jesus. There are some gifts that are too lovely to be comprehended by the human mind. The disciples were critical of her. Jesus was quick to explain that she was worshiping. We must be careful to not criticize how others worship or the way they sacrifice. Only they know what God has done for them. The sad tragedy was that in the room where she was in that moment, no one understood the significance of her sacrifice. The value of what she offered that day was a year’s wages. They struggled with the same problem with which we struggle; The struggle between worth and value. They knew how expensive that perfume was and all they could see was the worth. What they failed to see was the value. We all struggle with that same thing. Is it worth it? Is there any value to it? Worth is the definition of an item’s cost. Value is a much broader term that encompases not only the cost, but the emotions. A life jacket costs about $30 at the local Academy. The worth is not too much, but in the middle of the Gulf when the winds are high and the boat is in trouble, the value of the life jacket is much higher. That is what gets us in trouble living for God. We always ask “What is the cost?” All the disciples could see was 300 Denarii worth of perfume running down Jesus’ face and onto his clothes. They failed to see the value of her act. Some people come to church and see all the singing, the praising and activity and they do not see the value. Worship requires something and too many do not feel that the value is worth the effort. There is something that is more important than the cost. It might cost us a little pride, but the value is forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration. We cannot place a value on receiving forgiveness. We cannot place a dollar amount on grace. What is the value of a sacrifice? A lamb did not cost much in comparison for the forgiveness of sin. The disciples were focused on the cost of her act. That day she set in motion something that would never die. Jesus said that her act would be told as long as the gospel was preached. Giving forgiveness can set in motion something in someone’s life that would last forever. Worship and prayer will cost us a little bit, but the value of what we get for that will be worth it. Living for God is not about the cost, it is about the value.

Our text is a familiar one. Much has been preached about this woman with the alabaster box. Her name was Mary. She was Martha and Lazarus’ sister and some believe that she was a grievous sinner. She brought the alabaster box filled with precious perfume, broke it and poured it over Jesus’ head. Her motive in doing it is lost on all who observed except Jesus. We will never know what compelled her to do what she did, or how much Jesus meant to her to cause her to do it. There are things in everyone’s life that are not understandable except by Jesus. There are some gifts that are too lovely to be comprehended by the human mind. The disciples were critical of her. Jesus was quick to explain that she was worshiping. We must be careful to not criticize how others worship or the way they sacrifice. Only they know what God has done for them. The sad tragedy was that in the room where she was in that moment, no one understood the significance of her sacrifice. The value of what she offered that day was a year’s wages. They struggled with the same problem with which we struggle; The struggle between worth and value. They knew how expensive that perfume was and all they could see was the worth. What they failed to see was the value. We all struggle with that same thing. Is it worth it? Is there any value to it? Worth is the definition of an item’s cost. Value is a much broader term that encompases not only the cost, but the emotions. A life jacket costs about $30 at the local Academy. The worth is not too much, but in the middle of the Gulf when the winds are high and the boat is in trouble, the value of the life jacket is much higher. That is what gets us in trouble living for God. We always ask “What is the cost?” All the disciples could see was 300 Denarii worth of perfume running down Jesus’ face and onto his clothes. They failed to see the value of her act. Some people come to church and see all the singing, the praising and activity and they do not see the value. Worship requires something and too many do not feel that the value is worth the effort. There is something that is more important than the cost. It might cost us a little pride, but the value is forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration. We cannot place a value on receiving forgiveness. We cannot place a dollar amount on grace. What is the value of a sacrifice? A lamb did not cost much in comparison for the forgiveness of sin. The disciples were focused on the cost of her act. That day she set in motion something that would never die. Jesus said that her act would be told as long as the gospel was preached. Giving forgiveness can set in motion something in someone’s life that would last forever. Worship and prayer will cost us a little bit, but the value of what we get for that will be worth it. Living for God is not about the cost, it is about the value.

The word opportunity comes from a latin words for a sea faring practice. In those times, seaports were not always deep enough to accept larger ship into the docks. Ships would have to wait until the high tide before they could enter. The term literally means to wait until they could enter.

In 1260, Marco Polo’s father and uncle ventured into what is modern day China. As they were preparing to leave, the emperor took an interest in Christianity. He ask the brothers to deliver a letter to the Pope requesting that 100 missionaries be sent back to teach the people about the gospel. The Pope did not deem it necessary to honor the request, and instead only sent two men. What what a different world we would live in now if Kublai Khan's request had been honored. Someone did not recognize an opportunity. In the 1960’s a young boy attended a Baptist church in San Antonio. In the three years that he attended, that Sunday School department failed to recognize the opportunity that was there and they failed to connect with a young Sirhan Sirhan. No one should underestimate the power of an opportunity. In scrabble the word opportunity is worth 18 points, but in life it can mean everything. I can be the difference between success and failure. The right opportunity can be life, or world, changing.

In our text, Jesus sends the disciples out to the world offering opportunities. These men carried a powerful message to those that would hear it. A message of hope and life. Many today have lost their hope. We look at our world and are unable to see anything but a bleak future. All that it would take is an embracing of hope like was sparked at Azusa Street. That is what the spirit of God does; it changes, it heals, it delivers. Our world is one that is in desperate need of healing; of a divine touch. The disciples an opportunity of hope, restoration and life. We have that same opportunity. God is unchanging, and the opportunity offered then is still valid today. Our world; our neighbors need that message of hope, of love, of life. Where will they get it if we do not bring it to them? The disciples brought God into these people’s homes. What a transformation when God is there!

The disciples did not look like the religious leaders of the time, but they had the message. It isn’t what the package looks like, it is what is inside. The responsibility of opportunity is that we respond. We have to give Him a chance.

The word opportunity comes from a latin words for a sea faring practice. In those times, seaports were not always deep enough to accept larger ship into the docks. Ships would have to wait until the high tide before they could enter. The term literally means to wait until they could enter.

In 1260, Marco Polo’s father and uncle ventured into what is modern day China. As they were preparing to leave, the emperor took an interest in Christianity. He ask the brothers to deliver a letter to the Pope requesting that 100 missionaries be sent back to teach the people about the gospel. The Pope did not deem it necessary to honor the request, and instead only sent two men. What what a different world we would live in now if Kublai Khan's request had been honored. Someone did not recognize an opportunity. In the 1960’s a young boy attended a Baptist church in San Antonio. In the three years that he attended, that Sunday School department failed to recognize the opportunity that was there and they failed to connect with a young Sirhan Sirhan. No one should underestimate the power of an opportunity. In scrabble the word opportunity is worth 18 points, but in life it can mean everything. I can be the difference between success and failure. The right opportunity can be life, or world, changing.

In our text, Jesus sends the disciples out to the world offering opportunities. These men carried a powerful message to those that would hear it. A message of hope and life. Many today have lost their hope. We look at our world and are unable to see anything but a bleak future. All that it would take is an embracing of hope like was sparked at Azusa Street. That is what the spirit of God does; it changes, it heals, it delivers. Our world is one that is in desperate need of healing; of a divine touch. The disciples an opportunity of hope, restoration and life. We have that same opportunity. God is unchanging, and the opportunity offered then is still valid today. Our world; our neighbors need that message of hope, of love, of life. Where will they get it if we do not bring it to them? The disciples brought God into these people’s homes. What a transformation when God is there!

The disciples did not look like the religious leaders of the time, but they had the message. It isn’t what the package looks like, it is what is inside. The responsibility of opportunity is that we respond. We have to give Him a chance.

Our message tonight is for all who have suffered the pain of rejection, anxiety or grief. People are being affected by things that happened in their yesterdays. We can be past it, but not over it. Ernest Hemingway said all are broken by life, but some are strong in those broken places. It is not possible to live life without experiencing failure or brokenness. Things will not always work out the way we expect. All will experience failure at some point. It could be relationships, it could be at work, or a medical issue. Failure is an extremely difficult thing to endure. Jesus sent his disciples on a mission. He sent them into strange cities and environments. They were to teach the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out devils. In part of our text, He told them what they could expect. He told them that they would not be welcomed in every place they went. In some places, they would be rejected. In those cases where they were rejected, Jesus told them shake the dust from their feet and move on. Shaking the dust off their feet would be a testimony against the house that had rejected them. It was a testimony of their own future. They were to remove event the smallest reminder of their rejection as they left. No matter what happened to them, they had to go on. Jesus tells them, and us, that we have to get even the dust of rejection off of us. The temporary setback or rejection is not the end of life. There are things that we will all experience that will make us feel dirty or weighed down. How we deal with our failure and frustration is just as important as the fact that we had to endure it. What happens to us is not as important as what comes out of us at at time like that. We cannot become bitter about problems. Bitterness will not help us and it won't hurt those that hurt us. We cannot let those things determine our reaction to life. Failure can teach, or failure can destroy. It is what we do with failure that makes for frustration or learning. The simple message of our text is that failure will happen. This text tells us that failure will happen to all. These were not back sliders, these were the disciples. Finally our text tells us that failure will happen even when we are doing all we can to serve Him. Jesus was telling them that their failures were just part of the journey. Their future was not going to be destroyed because of failure. Jesus spoke of dust. Dust is small. But the little things and announces in life can derail even the best of intentions. There is no such thing as a little bit of bitterness. Though small, dust can accumulate in life and cause big problems. Jesus was telling them to leave even the smallest thing about their failure behind. Here is how to be strong in broken places. Do not let little things get us down. Remember that dust tells where we have been, not where we are going. Finally, failure will happen to all of us, so deal with it and move on.

Our message tonight is for all who have suffered the pain of rejection, anxiety or grief. People are being affected by things that happened in their yesterdays. We can be past it, but not over it. Ernest Hemingway said all are broken by life, but some are strong in those broken places. It is not possible to live life without experiencing failure or brokenness. Things will not always work out the way we expect. All will experience failure at some point. It could be relationships, it could be at work, or a medical issue. Failure is an extremely difficult thing to endure. Jesus sent his disciples on a mission. He sent them into strange cities and environments. They were to teach the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out devils. In part of our text, He told them what they could expect. He told them that they would not be welcomed in every place they went. In some places, they would be rejected. In those cases where they were rejected, Jesus told them shake the dust from their feet and move on. Shaking the dust off their feet would be a testimony against the house that had rejected them. It was a testimony of their own future. They were to remove event the smallest reminder of their rejection as they left. No matter what happened to them, they had to go on. Jesus tells them, and us, that we have to get even the dust of rejection off of us. The temporary setback or rejection is not the end of life. There are things that we will all experience that will make us feel dirty or weighed down. How we deal with our failure and frustration is just as important as the fact that we had to endure it. What happens to us is not as important as what comes out of us at at time like that. We cannot become bitter about problems. Bitterness will not help us and it won't hurt those that hurt us. We cannot let those things determine our reaction to life. Failure can teach, or failure can destroy. It is what we do with failure that makes for frustration or learning. The simple message of our text is that failure will happen. This text tells us that failure will happen to all. These were not back sliders, these were the disciples. Finally our text tells us that failure will happen even when we are doing all we can to serve Him. Jesus was telling them that their failures were just part of the journey. Their future was not going to be destroyed because of failure. Jesus spoke of dust. Dust is small. But the little things and announces in life can derail even the best of intentions. There is no such thing as a little bit of bitterness. Though small, dust can accumulate in life and cause big problems. Jesus was telling them to leave even the smallest thing about their failure behind. Here is how to be strong in broken places. Do not let little things get us down. Remember that dust tells where we have been, not where we are going. Finally, failure will happen to all of us, so deal with it and move on.

When the bible describes a crooked and perverse nation, it is easy to apply that description to our own time. Out text describes how to live in such a corrupt environment. Socially and politically we live in a world where it is hard to be shocked or surprised. Statistically, we know that church attendance is on the decline. People are turning away from God and seeking their answers in another place. On the eve of our country's elections, we can find ourselves fearful of what the future will hold. We must remember however, that whomever is in control of the government, God is in control of the world. The world in which we live is in great darkness. If we look only to the world, we do not see any reason for hope or relief. Paul, writing to the church at Philippi, described a way to live for God even in the worst of times. The things that he describes to the first century turch, can be applied to our times today. Simply put, a child of God has to live differently than the world. We are to live defined by different principles and purposes. Paul begins by addressing an attitude problem. He says to do things without murmuring and disputing. We must not let the times affect our attitude. We must not let the world’s attitude to make us a complainer or a whiner. Secondly Paul admonishes us to not live by the same set of rules that the world lives by. The world will always change and adapt it’s rules to accommodate whatever is the prevailing attitude of the day. This moral relativism is contrary to God’s absolutes. God’s rules have not changed, and neither can our observation of those rules. We must live in a way that the world can never discredit God because of our actions. Paul reminds us that we must recognize a crooked and perverse world for what it is. We cannot make excuses for sin or try to try to justify it. We must go back to God’s word and never try to mix the light and the dark. We have to reflect the values of His world and not this world. The things that Paul described to the early church are still relevant to us today and are a pattern for life in a perverse world.

When the bible describes a crooked and perverse nation, it is easy to apply that description to our own time. Out text describes how to live in such a corrupt environment. Socially and politically we live in a world where it is hard to be shocked or surprised. Statistically, we know that church attendance is on the decline. People are turning away from God and seeking their answers in another place. On the eve of our country's elections, we can find ourselves fearful of what the future will hold. We must remember however, that whomever is in control of the government, God is in control of the world. The world in which we live is in great darkness. If we look only to the world, we do not see any reason for hope or relief. Paul, writing to the church at Philippi, described a way to live for God even in the worst of times. The things that he describes to the first century turch, can be applied to our times today. Simply put, a child of God has to live differently than the world. We are to live defined by different principles and purposes. Paul begins by addressing an attitude problem. He says to do things without murmuring and disputing. We must not let the times affect our attitude. We must not let the world’s attitude to make us a complainer or a whiner. Secondly Paul admonishes us to not live by the same set of rules that the world lives by. The world will always change and adapt it’s rules to accommodate whatever is the prevailing attitude of the day. This moral relativism is contrary to God’s absolutes. God’s rules have not changed, and neither can our observation of those rules. We must live in a way that the world can never discredit God because of our actions. Paul reminds us that we must recognize a crooked and perverse world for what it is. We cannot make excuses for sin or try to try to justify it. We must go back to God’s word and never try to mix the light and the dark. We have to reflect the values of His world and not this world. The things that Paul described to the early church are still relevant to us today and are a pattern for life in a perverse world.