Connected Way Connecting the best players and even the best cheering squad is very necessary, but there is something else that must be in place for there to be triumph on the field of competition. Without a clear goal and plan for accomplishing that goal, there will just be a bunch of cheering and furious action without any real purpose. Apart from an established plan, there can be no nope for accomplishing anything. There is an interesting phenomenon going on right now in the college NCAA playoffs. A team with small players from a small school has been defeating teams of much greater stature and established winning tradition. They do have exceptional athleticism, but what really sets them apart is the direction they are given from a very skilled and inspiring coach. Both defensively and offensively you can tell that they always are fulfilling some well-thought-out strategies that take whatever the opposition presents and very effectively overcome it. In Christ and His Word we’ve been given everything necessary for life and Godliness, along with the Spirit that joins us together with Him and His body. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. However, we are yet in need of adhering to the way that only comes from Him. For His way to be chosen, there is first of all need for knowing the destination, where our connection with Him will take us. With Him as the destination, any diversion from His direction will be shunned. All preparations to meet Him will be given highest priority, driven by an overwhelming understanding of the alternative’s separation from Him. With an ever-increasing passion for what lies beyond this temporary, there will be an ability to hear and follow the voice of the Spirit at every turn along the way that is connected to Him. Notes Connected Way – Destination/Preparation/Dedication Destination Trouble from the world – abandoned in the vision of our Destination John 14:1-7 1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.” 5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. God’s plan – freedom and prosperity Jeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Preparation With rested hope in His coming - holiness 1 Peter 1:13-16 13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” His way - holiness Isaiah 35:8 8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. Preparation for our Destination – driven by both rewards and consequences Luke 13:23-30 23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where you are from,' 26 then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ 27 But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.' 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last." Connected life – unashamed – aware of the ultimate destination Mark 8:34-38 34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Dedication To pursue what seems right – death Proverbs 14:12 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. The way will not win the polls Matthew 7:13-14 13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. From the Father alone – what to do John 5:19-20 19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. Our constant coach John 16:13-15 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. When destination is fixed – direction at every turn Isaiah 30:21 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” The Father’s way – overcoming all to be with Him. John 17:24 24 "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. The Destination of our Connected Way 1 Thessalonians 4:17 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Revelations 2-3 7 times – to him who overcomes Eat of the tree of life Not hurt by the second death Hidden manna with a personal name Power over the nations White garments, name in the Book of life, confession before the Father Pillar in the temple, written on with the Name Sit with Him on the throne Overview: Without direction, ability and spirit are scattered and aimless. In connecting to the way of the Father, there is overcoming over every earthly trial. The Father’s way begins with a fixed vision on the destination – seated together with Christ. To follow in His way requires the preparation of holiness provided in grace. With holiness comes reception of the Spirit’s direction at every turn. There are rewards in overcoming for those who forsake all to pass through the narrow gate to His eternal presence. Prayer: Father, the more I encounter Your presence, the more I desire to see You face to face in the place You’ve prepared for me at Your side. Fill me with the revelation of this and let its overwhelming reality keep me ever-prepared and ready for Your coming. I am attentive and listening for Your direction at every turn as I dedicate my way in connection with Yours. Declarations: My heart is drawn to know and be with the One who laid down His life for my salvation. In Him I have been provided with everything for life and godliness and am able to do all things through Christ. I set my heart to be continually mindful of His presence as I prepare by grace in holiness for when I will see Him face to face. As I am one with Him in spirit, I am attentive to the sound of His voice directing at every turn. I joyfully forsake my own way to be connected to the way of the Father and its amazing eternal destination.