Scripture:
Psalm 63:1-8; Joshua 5:13-15
Sermon Transcript:
Introduction
In part three of the series “His Needful Place,” Pastor Gil Tartaglino challenges believers to examine the destination of their spiritual lives and make a commitment to put Jesus Christ first. The central theme is moving Christians from a superficial relationship with God to a profound, deep relationship that the world might view as “abnormal”. By establishing a dedicated place of choice and necessity for daily communion with God, believers can stop merely taking from the Lord and begin finding true satisfaction in His presence.
Main Points
I. Moving from the Normal to the Abnormal
The standard in modern Christianity is to maintain a superficial relationship with the Lord, which has become the accepted “norm”. However, God views this lack of deep devotion as abnormal. Believers must intentionally align themselves with what God considers normal, separating from worldly distractions to cultivate a profound relationship with Him.
II. The Danger of a Busy Life and Forgetting God
The busyness of the day often tempts us to forget God. Believers frequently lay their heads down at night exhausted, satisfied with their own accomplishments, and only give God a fleeting thought. We must pause, reset, and purposely meditate on God during the night watches.
III. Establishing a Place of Choice and Necessity
To give Christ His needful place, believers must carve out a specific “place of choice” and a “place of necessity” for solitude and communion with God. When facing formidable obstacles, our first instinct should be to return to this designated place of fellowship with the Lord.
IV. God is Our Help in Duty, Conflict, and Impossible Odds
As we purpose to follow God, He provides the necessary help for our spiritual duty. When Joshua faced the impenetrable walls of Jericho, he encountered the pre-incarnate Christ (the Captain of the Lord’s host) and realized the battle belonged to the Lord. When we keep our eyes on Jesus instead of the battle, we find grace to help in our time of need.
Key Scripture Passages Quoted (KJV)
- Psalm 63:1-3: “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is…”
- Philippians 2:12-13: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
- John 15:5: “I am the vine, ye are the branches… for without me ye can do nothing.”
- Joshua 5:13-15: “…as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship…”
- Hebrews 4:15-16: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Pastor’s Illustrations and Examples
- The Four Men Demonstration: The pastor asked four men to stand and visually demonstrate the shift from a superficial relationship with God to a deep one, showing how believers often teeter back toward the world.
- The Air Force Friend in Alaska: A friend stationed in Alaska experienced incredibly long summer days. The pastor used this to illustrate how the constant “daylight” of busyness can tempt us to forget to pause and rest in God.
- Visiting Mom Just to Take Things: The pastor shared an analogy of visiting his mother’s house just to raid the refrigerator, without ever asking how her day was. This illustrates a life of “merely taking from God” without true communion.
Application Points
- Move away from a superficial relationship with God and commit to daily devotion.
- Do not let the busyness of your schedule crowd God out of your day.
- Pause at night to purposely reflect on and meditate on the Lord.
- Establish a designated “place of choice” and “place of necessity” to meet with God daily.
- When facing life’s “Jerichos,” stop focusing on the battle and focus on the Captain of the Lord’s host.
- Read at least one chapter of Proverbs every day for wisdom.
Conclusion / Invitation
The sermon concludes with a call to action to establish devotions immediately, warning that we cannot rely on “yesterday’s breakfast” to sustain us spiritually today. Pastor Tartaglino invites believers to the altar to do business with God, urging them to find their place of choice and necessity and to keep their hearts “stayed upon Jehovah” for perfect peace.
