You skirted this

mountain long enoughDEUTERONOMY 2:1-3

The Text• Deuteronomy 2:1-3

1 "Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness of the Way of the Red Sea, as the Lord spoke to me, and we skirted Mount Seir for many days. 2 And the Lord spoke to me, saying: 3 'You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward.

The Background• God did not want us to get

“stuck” in a rut.• Rut = a grave with both ends

kicked out• God does not want us to be

side-tracked on the way to heaven.

• Don’t get spiritually “stuck”.• What can cause us to be stuck?

Unforgiveness• Matthew 6:14-15

14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

• Not saying:– Ignore it, – Pretend it never happened

Unforgiveness• But – we must learn to:

–Let the past be in the past–Let go–Focus ahead, go forward–Bury the hatchet, don’t leave

the handle sticking out

Neglect • James 4:17

17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

• We must not neglect:– Worship– Work– Family– Giving

• Many are bound up with stinkin’ thinkin’

Neglect • We often neglect what is most

important• The urgent takes its place

– Urgent = The doorbell or phone– Important = Prayer, Bible study,

communicate with family, spiritual growth

• Neglect will cause us to be stuck• We will not grow and develop as we

should

Hypocrisy • Romans 2:1

1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

• Don’t criticize others• When you do the same things• OR Fail to do the same things

Hypocrisy • Hypocrisy = a self-righteous

attitude– I am smarter than you. I know

how it should be done.– I will not do it. I will just watch

and criticize.• Hypocrites have caused more to be

lost and not obey the Gospel – than any other thing

Selfishness• Galatians 5:17

17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

• Self-centered thinking• Burger King – “Have it Your Way”

Conclusion• Remember the old westerns?

– Chase scene – pass under the same tree 3 times

– Israel was going around the same mountain

• Aren’t you tired of complaints, criticism, griping and grumbling?

• Are you ready to step out in faith?• Are you ready to get out of the rut

your life is in?