Tom Claibourne's sermon preached on August 1st, 2021 at Bethlehem Church of Christ in Winchester, OH.

Outline:

I. To climb higher we have to WANT TO. (Ps. 61:1-4; 62:1-2; 63:1-8)

     Do you want the result without the EFFORT?

     Are you actively WORKING at your relationship with God?

II. To climb higher we have to PREPARE adequately.

     A. Physical preparation for a Mt. Everest climb.

     B. SPIRITUAL preparation for our climb. (Eph. 6:13-18; Heb. 12:1; Prov. 24:3-5)

III. To climb higher we have to STICK TOGETHER. (Eccl. 4:9-12)

IV. To climb higher we have to TAKE some RISKS.

     *God did not save us so we would live SAFE, decent lives. (Ps. 18:31-33. 28-29)

V. To climb higher we have to PERSEVERE when things get TOUGH. (Acts 14:22; II Cor. 4:8-10; Heb. 12:1-3)

Am I wanting God to bless MY PLANS, or am I really allowing Him to LEAD ME?