An “Eleven Day” Journey

-Introduction
-With school now being out, the summer break has begun and the “travel season,” in 
  spite of gas prices, begins.
-I suppose I’m like many other guys in the fact that when I am traveling somewhere – I 
  simply want to get there.
	-I certainly don’t try to set any land-speed records, but I do like to make good time.
	 So, I don’t like to stop much along the way.  If I’m traveling through a metropolitan 
	 area, I’ll try to avoid the high-traffic times.  And, I try to coordinate eating times and 
	 restroom breaks with an empty gas tank.  So, hopefully, we can take care of most 
	 everything without stopping multiple times.  Oh, and I’m one of those who doesn’t
	 mind studying the map prior to a trip to “hunt” for any possible short cuts and time 
	 savers.
-Yet, I would venture to say that many of you – like me – have made some wrong turns, 
  missed exits and had unexpected delays along the way.
	-example of Grandma and Grandpa going to Iowa and ending up in Nebraska
	-example of a college student (at that time - soon to be son-in-law) driving through 
	  the night while others slept – they were driving from Alabama to Colorado – When 
	 one of the passengers woke up, they were in central Illinois.  Obviously, their trip 
	 had become a little longer than expected.
-Of course, when we travel we want to take the best route possible.  Such should be our
  approach spiritually as well.

-Life:  A Journey
-Several times in the book of Isaiah, we find references to a highway.
	-Is 11:16; 35:8; 40:3
	-Such an idea could have certainly been a source of hope for God’s people during the 
	  Babylonian captivity.  A way would be provided for a remnant to return.
	-However, ultimately, we can find here a message of great hope for our God has 
	  provided a way to salvation.
-Of course, the way (road) to salvation was provided through Jesus – Jn 14:6, Ac 4:12.
	-So, we need to make sure that we’re on the right road.
	-How many times have you been traveling and had the feeling that you might not
	  be on the right road?  What do you do next? – consult the map
	-That’s what we must continually do.  We must consult the map – God’s inspired word.
		-Jer 10:23; Ps 85:13; Ps 37:23; Ps 17:1-7
		-On our spiritual trip, we can’t just simply set out on our own and expect to reach our 
	                  destination.

-Scriptural Patterns
1.  When people turned to the Lord, sought after Him and followed His word, the results
      were always good.  The way wasn’t always easy, but the results were good and the goal
      (destination) was always reached.
2.  When people failed to turn to the Lord and sought their own path instead in contradiction
	of the will of God, the results were bad.  (Pr 14:12)
-Rom 15:4
-example of the exodus
	-The Israelites were delivered from the Egyptian bondage with power, taken to 
	  Mt. Sinai where they received the Law and then proceeded toward the promised land.
	-At Kadesh-Barnea – Deut 1:5-8
		-Yet, we know (as Moses goes on to explain) that the people rebelled against God
		  and wouldn’t go in as He instructed.
		-Due to their rebellion, God turned them away to wander in the wilderness.
			-Deut 2:14 – Over a course of 38 years, the original generation died.
-Now, let’s notice a couple of things regarding the time frame involved:
	-Deut 1:3 – “fortieth year”
	-Deut 1:2 – The journey from Horeb to Kadesh was eleven days.
	-What should have taken about 11 days had become 40 years.
		-Obviously, their journey had become much, much longer than necessary.
		-Why? – their rebellion against God
-The worst thing:  The original generation brought out of Egypt never even reached 
  the destination.
	-Heb 3:8-11, 4:1

-Summary and Invitation
-When it comes down to it, there are only two roads to choose from – Matt 7:13-14.
-Pr 4:26 – “Ponder the path of your feet…” (ESV)
-We don’t know how long our journey is going to take.  But, we need to regularly consult
  our map and make sure we are on the right road and then we need to make sure that 
  we stay there.
-What about you this morning?  What road are you on?
-To get on the right road, you must obey the Gospel of Christ:  believe (Jn 3:16, 8:24); 
  confess (Mt 10:32, Rm 10:9-10), repent (Lk 13:3,5, Ac 17:30), be baptized (Mk 16:16, 
  Ac 2:38)
-To stay on the right road, we must continue to live faithfully (Rm 6:4).  If you’ve obeyed
  the Gospel but have taken a wrong turn along the way, get back on the right road:  confess
  your shortcomings, repent and pray for God’s forgiveness (1 Jn 1:7-9, Ac 8:22-24).