If you are a Christian then you are on a journey. You have started out. You have not arrived yet, you are somewhere in the middle. Some start and never finish. Some never start, they live for the moment never giving a second thought to their origins or destination, they just live and hope for the best.

ENEMIES ALONG THE WAY

On this faith journey we face great difficulties, which, traditionally are described as the World, Flesh and Devil. The flesh and the Devil are not easy to resist but are more easily recognized than the world. Every generation has the world to contend with in a different form. The essence remains the form changes. The world is an atmosphere, a mood, an outlook, a mentality. There is a sense, a feeling, that things aren’t right, that the environment is not whole, but just what it is often eludes us.

The Tourist mindset…

One of the most dangerous aspects of “the world” is the influence that anything worthwhile can be acquired immediately. Religion has been captured by the tourist mindset. The mindset of the now. Not so difficult to get a person interested, but to sustain it is a different story. Fall off rate is alarming. Novelty wears off. The religious life is defined by the latest and the newest. Today’s passion is for the immediate and the casual. Always in a hurry for results. Short cuts, bottom line etc. Fill out the form and get instant results. The Pastor in this scenario becomes a tour guide, keeping everybody’s interest until the novelty wears off.

We cannot mature as Christians under these conditions, we need help…

HELP ALONG THE WAY

Two words that are helpful.

Disciple – A person who spends his life apprenticed to his Master; the journey is long and arduous. It is not a 100m dash, it is a marathon. We get tired along the way.

Pilgrim - A person who spends his life going somewhere. 1 Pet 2:11…

A.V - Strangers and pilgrims.

Todays Eng. Version – strangers and refugees

NIV – Aliens and strangers.

RSV – strangers and exiles

NEB – Aliens in a foreign land

J. B. Philips – Temporary residents.

Others – foreigners and sojourners.

Ken Taylor – Only visitors.

To help us stay on the track of discipleship and pilgrimage we find help from an ancient song book…

SONGS ALONG THE WAY

Songs of ascent. Psalm 120-134. We need help to stay on the journey. Need to develop skills, to follow the Master. Here is a source of help. Series of 15 messages which deal with different aspects of the journey and provides help along the way. These songs deal with things like perseverance; joy; worship; security; hope among others. Let’s journey together with help along the way.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• What do you think are the implications of being a disciple?
• Think of some other ways the world influences and discourages us.
• We are aliens and strangers! How should this knowledge affect our life in this world?
• Discuss this journey of faith together. What has been your personal experience? Where are you at the present moment? Be honest and real with each other.