STOP AND CELEBRATE! THEN RESUME YOUR JOURNEY(A Sermon for Academic Recognition)11:00 AM Worship Service | Sunday, June 8, 2025 Deuteronomy 12:9-10 (9) For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the Lord your God giveth you. (10) But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the Lord your God giveth you to inherit, and when He giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety. Introduction The children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Periodically, Moses would stop in a favorable place, and there they would celebrate the goodness of God and praise Him for things being as well as they were. There was a tendency by some to make this location their permanent residence. They wanted to settle there and not go to the promise land. Conversations could have gone like this: “This valley looks pretty good. We can turn it into productive farm land. We are tired of living as nomads. Why go to the promise land when this terrain is habitable?” Moses had to show some tough love and said, “This is not where you will homestead. This is not your final destination. It is good, but God has something much better. We have worshipped and celebrated; now, it is time to resume our journey to the promise land.” Moses knew that the children of Israel had to get to the promise land for their own benefit, as well as God had to keep the promise He made to Abraham. What am I saying? You have done well academically. Celebrate your achievements. Yet, realize that God has much more for you to accomplish. This is a paradox, but God can make it so. We can be content both with our present achievements and still know there is much more to achieve. Scripture is like a suitcase packed with beautiful garments. Let’s open this suitcase and pull out a few of these garments. Exposition 1. When You Celebrate Your Achievements, Give God The Glory And Your Supporters The Recognition They Deserve. (In All Things Give Thanks.) (Apostle Paul Always Thanked The People Who Supported Him.) (The Book Of Philippians Is Really A “Thank You” Letter.) 2. Constantly Release A Newer, Better Version Of Yourself. (Luke 2:52; 2nd Peter 1:5-9; 2nd Peter 3:18.) (Be A Life-Time Learner.) (Accept Constructive Criticism.) (Set Personal Standards For Yourself.) 3. Don’t Stop Until You Achieve What God Wants You To Achieve. (Don’t Settle For Anything Less.) (God Has A Unique Plan For Your Life.) (Discover God’s Plan And Implement It.) (His Plan For Your Life Is Much Better Than Your Plan For Your Life.) (Jeremiah 29:11.) (Stay Connected To The Church.) Closing Statements I will close with the lyrics of a well-known spiritual. “We are climbing Jacob’s ladder, We are climbing Jacob’s ladder, We are climbing Jacob’s ladder, Soldiers of the cross. Ev’ry round goes higher and higher, Ev’ry round goes higher and higher, Ev’ry round goes higher and higher, Soldiers of the cross. Keep on climbing, when you get weary, Keep on climbing, when you get weary, Keep on climbing, when you get weary, Soldiers of the cross. Nothing can stop us; Jesus is with us, Nothing can stop us; Jesus is with us, Nothing can stop us; Jesus is with us, Soldiers of the cross.” Give God Glory! Give God All The Glory! Copyright © 2025 by James C. Ward All Rights Reserved
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