“The Truth Concerning Moving Forward!” (TRUTH MATTERS) “The Truth Concerning Moving Forward!” Exodus 14:10-15

Exodus 14:11-12 “…Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”

…We are in like circumstances as was Israel …We are in like circumstances as was Israel. We have been brought out of bondage. The world has placed all sorts of obstacles before…

Purpose: to better understand the Church of Christ in Eaton has also been summoned to go forward

I There Must be PROGRESS

Luke 13:6-9 “Then He told this parable: A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.”

I There Must be PROGRESS A. Opportunities are Here B. Uselessness Invites Disaster

Uselessness not only invites disaster, but, it also makes some really strange inventions…

“Die when I may I want it said of me that I plucked a weed and planted a flower wherever I thought a flower would grow.”

I There Must be PROGRESS A. Opportunities are Here B. Uselessness Invites Disaster C. Going Forward is Growing

Dr. Joe S. Ellis Cincinnati Bible Seminary “If a visitor from another planet were to visit some of our churches, attend their leadership meetings, read their bulletins… what might they conclude their purpose was?” Dr. Joe S. Ellis Cincinnati Bible Seminary

II There is a Proper DIRECTION A. Toward a Greater Faith

Let the Word of God be your sole source of authority in matters of faith and practice…

II There is a Proper DIRECTION A. Toward a Greater Faith B. Toward a Greater Appre- ciation

Christ said in Luke 7:47 “…he who is forgiven little, loves little Christ said in Luke 7:47 “…he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Going forward is having a greater appreciation for our forgiveness through Christ!

II There is a Proper DIRECTION A. Toward a Greater Faith B. Toward a Greater Appre- ciation C. Toward a Fuller Service

One’s life in Christ doesn’t consist of passive emotions/feelings One’s life in Christ doesn’t consist of passive emotions/feelings. It consist of faith in action…

III There Will be HINDRANCES A. Hindrance of Looking Back

Those who look to the past neglect the present and hinder the future Those who look to the past neglect the present and hinder the future. We can’t afford to mark time!

III There Will be HINDRANCES A. Hindrance of Looking Back B. Hindrance of Satisfaction

May God help us to be content, but never satisfied… May we always mover forward to His honor!

III There Will be HINDRANCES A. Hindrance of Looking Back B. Hindrance of Satisfaction C. Hindrance of Fearing

Romans 8:31-32 “…If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things.

Victor Hugo said, “A few drops of water, more or less, were enough to bring Napoleon to his knees.”

Summary and Conclusion “Onward Christian Soldiers,” “Marching on, Marching on,” “Onward, forward, shout along Hosanna, Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.” Even our hymns speak of our Lord’s marching orders. With God’s grace, power and might (i.e. with TRUTH) how can we do anything but go forward?!