STOPPING SHORT OF THE PROMISED LAND

GENESIS 11:3

A. "TERAH DIED IN HARAN"
  1. This is a brief but thought provoking obituary of Terah, the father of Abram:
    1. He was on his way to Canaan, but he never made it.
    2. He was very close, but not close enough.
  2. Death overtook Terah before he could reach the promised land:
B. STOPPING SHORT OF THE PROMISED LAND
  1. Three heart searching questions press themselves upon our minds:
    1. How far may a person go toward the land of Canaan, and yet, like Terah, die in Haran?
    2. We think of Lot's wife; she left Sodom, went a good distance, but never made it to the place of refuge - Gen. 19:26
    3. God's ancient covenant people left Egypt nearly seven hundred thousand strong, but only two of them actually made it to Canaan.
    4. God's people are in similar danger today as in the last days; if that is not so, then why does the Lord give such specific warning -
      1. "Remember Lot's wife" - Luke 17:32
      2. "Now these things were our example, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they did . . . Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" - 1 Cor. 10:6-11
  2. What are some of the dangers that disrupt the progress of God's people toward the kingdom of God?
    1. Entanglement in the pleasures and sins of the world is one serious obstacle - 2 Tim. 4:10; 1 John 2:15, 16
    2. The cares of life are still another snare the devil uses to slow down the pace of God's people - Luke 21:34, 35
    3. Unwillingness to part with some hidden sins is another barrier to progress - Heb. 12:1-6; Acts 24:25
    4. An inward aversion to the way of God, a dislike of walking on the straight and narrow road impedes our onward march toward the kingdom of heaven - Matt. 7:13, 14
  3. The third point of special consideration in this subject is one of sorrow and regrets:
    1. Consider those who stop short of the kingdom of God or Canaan.
    2. They have been members of God's family, have had part in the activities of the church, but, at the end of their journey they lose out altogether; they fall short of the promised land.
    3. What will aggravate their sorrow is that it is all their own fault!
C. STOPPING SHORT OF THE PROMISED LAND
  1. Terah died in Haran:
    1. That disrupted the family fellowship, and also Terah's journey toward the promised land -- all caused by death!
  2. Experience shows:
    1. That when death comes it stops everything, all our plans, hopes, desires, and opportunities.
    2. But what is far worse than physical death is spiritual death.
    3. To be dead in trespasses and sin is a calamity of great magnitude.
    4. Think of the prodigal son; of Judas, and other examples - Luke 15:11-32; Matt. 27:1-5
    5. Some people allow one sin to keep them out of the kingdom of heaven. Judas loved money and that led him to commit the crime of the ages.
    6. If the curtain were dropped upon your life today and you could see the epitaph which would say: "John Doe died at the borders of the kingdom of heaven", how would you feel about this final verdict of your life?
    7. Why not resolve right now to make sure of reaching the promised land!
    8. Take a tip from Paul, read prayerfully Phil. 3:13- 15
    9. Go on your knees and plead with God to give you grace to make it to His kingdom.


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