Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 11:8–9

Introduction

A. Deuteronomy contains instructions for how God’s people were to conduct themselves in Canaan if they wished to remain there.

B. These instructions will serve us well today if we wish to maintain our relationship with our heavenly Father.

Discussion

I. Once in Canaan, Israel needed to do some things to stay there.

A. They needed to rid the land of all signs of idolatry (Deuteronomy 12:1–6; 18:9–14).

B. They needed to strive to keep themselves pure (Deuteronomy 7:3–6; 22:9–11).

C. They needed to put their trust in God instead of men (Deuteronomy 17:14–20).

D. They needed to remember to teach the next generation (Deuteronomy 6:6–15; 11:18–25).

II. Once in Christ, we must do some things to keep our hope in Him.

A. We must strive for pure religion (James 1:27; cf. Jeremiah 7:1–7).

B. We must keep ourselves holy and separate from the world around us (John 15:19; 17:14–17).

C. We must learn to trust God to deliver us (2 Peter 2:4–9).

D. We need to teach our children (Ephesians 6:1–4).

Conclusion

A. If we work and sacrifice to lose weight or get out of debt or achieve some other goal, what good is it if we do nothing to maintain that goal once we achieve it?

B. If it is your desire to “dwell in the house of the Lord forever,” never cease to follow where the Shepherd leads.