Neutral is not an option in life – Alta Vista Baptist Church

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

“The waiting is the hardest part.” – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

1) Life in NEUTRAL (Exodus 32:1-3)

“When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron...”  (Exodus 32:1a)

Neutral living; Israelites, David, A whole bunch of the Kings, Job’s wife, Jonah, The Rich Young Ruler, Pontius Pilate, The GOATS (Matthew 25:44-45)
We live in Neutral when we;

Fail to TRUST the Purposes of God (31:1b)
Forget the GRACE of God (32:2-3)

What does God say about living in Neutral? “PICK A SIDE!”

Matthew 5:13, 6:24, 16:26, 1 John 3:10, Revelation 2:4-5, 3:15-16

2) Life in REVERSE (Exodus 32:4-8)

“He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” (Exodus 32:4)

Reverse Living: Cain, Pharaoh of Egypt, The Israelites (at times), A whole bunch of the Kings, The Prodigal Son, Pharisees and Jewish Leaders, Saul
We live in Reverse when we ;
1. Distort the WORSHIP of God (32:4-6)
2. Exchange the GLORY of God (32:7-8)

What does God say about living in Reverse? (Matthew 12:30-33)

“Come To Me!” Matthew 11:28-30, John 7:37-38, Romans 6:23

“I LOVE You!” John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 John 4:9-10

“I FORGIVE You!” Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:13-14, 1 John 1:9

3) Life in DRIVE (Exodus 32:9-14)

“But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God.”– Exodus 32:11a

Driven Living: Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Nehemiah, some of the Kings, the OT Prophets, Jesus, Peter, Stephen, Paul
We live in Drive when we;
1. Appeal to God’s character and FAITHFULNESS in prayer (32:11-13)
2. Seek the WILL of God not our own Selfish Desires in prayer (32:10)
3. Believe that God ANSWERS prayer (32:14)

What does God say about living in Drive? “I Will CHANGE You!”

Proverbs 3:5-6, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Philippians 3:13-14

Digging Deeper

Q1: What are some things/people that our society worships? Are any of those things a temptation for you?

Q2: How does human pride interfere with obedience to God? Why do we resist worshiping God in the way He has prescribed?

Q3: Along with your own personal prayer, what percentage of your prayer life is spent in intercession for others?

Q4: In what ways have you been leaning on your own understanding?

Q5: What areas of your life do you need to acknowledge God and trust Him?