May 25, 2025

YOU ASKED FOR IT: SETTING THE GUARDRAILS IN LIFE

May 25, 2025

 Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Today, we finish the series ‘You Asked for It,’ as we have studied God’s will regarding the topics our congregation most wanted to hear. Our subject this Sunday is how to set boundaries that will prevent our spiraling down the sewer pipe of any habits or hangups detrimental to our spiritual life. There are so many things every day that would put us in bondage if we let them: addictions of technology, what we put in our mouth, what we listen to, what our eyes watch, and how we conduct ourselves in relationships to take us off the path God has set. Yet it is only by being so firmly rooted in God’s word that it convicts us instantly if sin enters our mind. We confess quickly, getting right with God at once, thus avoiding any such addictive behaviors. May we all be grounded in God’s word, loving Him with our whole heart.

Focal Passages: Psalms 119:9-16, Psalms 119:1-3, Proverbs 4:14-15.

Follow the rules of the road:

  • Read Psalm 119:9. What a simple question, and simple answer this verse begins with! What does it mean, to keep yourself pure? Why is the answer so hard to carry out? What wars against our good intentions? How does Romans 7:15-25 fit into this analogy?
  • What does God mean when He says to ‘keep His word’? What would you say if your child asks what that involves?
  • How can we who are sinful raise children who are pure? When God saves us, are all of our sins forgiven? Do your children or spouse see you reading your Bible daily, pouring over the words so they go deep into your soul?

Notice the need for purity:

What shows us that we have a need for purity? How can we be blameless? How do we walk according to God’s instructions, seeking Him with all our hearts?

See the dangers:

As we walk the road of life, what are the dangers that we should heed? How does 1 Jn. 2:16-17 address our walk? How can we be in the world, but not part of it?

Do all you can to avoid the dangers:

Read Prov. 4:14-15. What are the five instructions in this passage to avoid evil in the world? Can anyone memorize them? (See Close). Why is it so hard to ‘Stay Away!’?

Knowing the signs along the way:

  • Read Psa. 119:10-11. Most of us can think of a time—even recently—when we have looked fervently for an item we have misplaced. Can anyone share? How desperate were we to find it? How does that picture resonate with the word for ‘sought’ used in verse 10?
  • When we received our driver’s license, we had to memorize the road signs, the highway laws, and hundreds of driving facts; it was necessary information in order to pass the driving test, so we did it. How is that applicable to the rules we need to learn about knowing how to act while on our Christian journey? What are three rules? (Answer: 1) Be holy; 2) Remember 1 Jn. 2:16-17; 3) Fully grasp that we have to know God’s word.
  • How do we protect ourselves from Satan? Read Matt. 4:1-11. How did Jesus protect Himself in the wilderness? Why is it so vital to know God’s word in times of temptation? Read James 1:14. Why are we so easily tempted? What, according to this verse, does Satan use to tempt us? How does he know which bait to use, to get us to fall?
  • What is our only hope of avoiding sinful situations? What always works??

Getting help when you need it:

  • Read Psa. 119:12-13. What generally happens when a believer tries to clear up his/her addiction (of any type) on their own? What are some practical ways to handle this?
  • There is no excuse for an adult in today’s world to not know God’s word. It is crucial for everything we face. So why is it so easy for people to disregard?

Celebrate your arrival:

  • Read Psa. 119:14-16. As you study God’s word, what should you find yourself doing?
  • We have almost all received love letters. How sad would it be for the sender to have seen us lay aside their letter, unopened? Why do we think God will excuse our busy lives, leaving His entire book of ‘love letters’ unread? How much of the Bible do you know?
  • Read Eph. 5:11-14. Don’t go near anything that will distract you from Jesus: 1) If you are not addicted, don’t start! 2) If you are, get help! 3) Recognize the only way to stay out or get out is to be locked into God’s word!

CLOSE:

How many times have you heard someone say, “I have tried all my life to memorize Scripture, but I just can’t do it”? We may sympathize with them, knowing we have struggled. Or, we may not say anything. Or, the possibility is, we have discovered ways that help us learn, and we can encourage them. For instance, some people—not artists, just normal people—will draw a ‘stick’ picture for each phrase of a verse, illustrating the concept (i.e., ‘Jesus said, “Lazarus, come forth!”.’ Jn. 11:43). That would be easy for most young children—and for us. Soon, you would find yourself mentally picturing what you have drawn. Or what about the person who says they can’t memorize, but suddenly, in a conversation about baseball teams, they give you the statistics on all games during the season, and tell why they think the team should go to the finals? Perhaps they mean it is their mindset, not their ability, that is the crucial area. Scripture doesn’t interest them as deeply. Another idea is to teach your children one verse a week—not necessarily difficult ones, but meaningful to their walk in the world. Between two years old to five, they will have learned 152 verses. By ten years of age, they will know over 400 verses, and can have gone to more difficult passages. In simpler terms, you will have established a habit that may last for the rest of their lives, and you will have learned the verses with them. This knowledge may save them from some very tough situations as they become teenagers, and you will be able to see the fruit of your labors. Bottom line? There’s no excuse for not ‘hiding His word in your heart so you might not sin against God’ (Psa. 119:11)!

By Sandy Day

May 25, 2025

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