Now, let me talk to you about the title of this message. Divine Direction: GO or NO? The question is Go or No? Here is the big idea of this message is. It is our mindset in the way we approach the will of God… or receiving Divine Direction! I have observed many, people who love God…yet...they have a “NO” mindset when it comes to receiving DIVINE DIRECTION. What is a NO mindset? It is when we automatically assume that God is telling us NO! That God’s first answer is NO! God…should I change jobs? NO! Should I get married? NO! Should I go on a mission trip? NO! Should I teach a class? NO! Should I serve in a ministry? NO! Here is the problem…it is very subtle…if God does not give us a clear and definite yes…then we won’t do anything. As a matter of fact…most people use two phrases that imply a NO mindset…and most are not even aware of it. What are the two phrases? (1) God is not calling me…or is God calling you? (2) God is not leading me…is God leading you…or “I don’t feel led.” We say things like I don’t feel called or I don’t feel led. God is not leading me to…teach, change jobs, get involved…you fill in the blank…with your situation! Now…what if we approached it from a GO mindset? What if I said…God…I am going to change jobs…unless I hear a no! I am going to teach a class…unless I hear a no! I am going on a mission trip…UNLESS you tell me no! Wow! Wow! Wow! Just think of what would be done for the Lord…if we developed a Go mindset…instead of a NO mindset!

Today, we are beginning a new series on sin. What is sin? Sin is when we MISS THE MARK. Anything that God has set as a standard and we do not meet that standard…is sin! It is more that just murder or lying. We sin when we miss the mark of loving others the way that God teaches us to love! Our series is entitled…Sin…what is the big deal? Did you know that some people do not believe in sin?  The truth is…sin touches everything in our lives.  Sin is at the root of all the problems in the world!  This world is sin stained!  Sin is at the root of all the problems in your family.  Sin is at the root of all the problems you face!  You see we are all touched by sin!  That is why Romans 3:23 says…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  There has only been one who has not been stained by sin.  And that is Jesus!  Guess what…we are not Jesus!  All humanity has been contaminated by sin.  If we do not understand sin…then sin will affect our worship and our desire to worship!  If we do understand how sin affects our lives…then we will not understand all that God has done for us…and that affects our worship!  Our worship will be cold and indifferent!  We won’t sing and enter in to worship!  We won’t get excited about coming to church and hearing a message!  We won’t get involved in ministry!  We won’t live a holy life!  A poor understanding of sin hinders our worship!

Perhaps the 2 greatest gifts God has given us to steward is (1) our family and (2) our future! Your family will have a tremendous impact on your life. The family you grew up in and the family you have now…or the family you will probably have. You see the family you grow up in will definitely impact what kind of mate you will choose. The impact could be negative or positive. One thing is for certain...your spouse will absolutely affect your future. (2) the 2nd thing that God has given you to steward…is your future! Now…we need to understand that…HE does not tell us what our future holds! He does not tell us how long we will live. He does not tell about the struggles we will face or the victories we will have. He does not tell us what pains or joys we will experience…what our highs and lows will be…or WHY we WILL have them. Do you know what the greatest thing we can do with these 2 gifts that God has given us? We can trust God!

Today, we are beginning a series on stewardship. How many of you are familiar with the term stewardship? How many of you know what a steward is? The Bible teaches that we are stewards. A steward is kind of like an estate manager, an overseer or a caretaker! A steward is given a responsibility to take care of something for someone else.