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Sermon: Door 1 or Door 2
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In Genesis, chapters 1 & 2 we see God creating the heavens and the earth and all the plants and animals. We see Him create both Adam and Eve. We even see Him creating and sanctifying the Sabbath day. However, there is something else created in the creation story that is rarely pointing out or discussed. Let us see if we can find it by reading in Genesis 2, beginning in verse 15… Genesis 2:15-17 15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof (and clearly they were able to) thou shalt surely die.
Did you catch it? Did you see what was created just then? Let us try another verse. Turn to Joshua 24:13
Here, Joshua gathers the people of Israel together for his farewell address at She-chem:
Joshua 24:13-15 13 And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat. 14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
How about that time? Did you see this great concept created and established by God? Okay, one more example.
Turn to 1 Kings 18 and beginning in verse 19…
This part of 1 Kings chronicles the ministry of Elijah and part of his ministry was to confront Ahab and Israel about their Baal worship. Actually, they were attempting to worship both Baal and God the Father.
1 Kings 18:19-21 19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. 20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
….and the people answered him not a word……WHY? Because they could not and often refused to make a CHOICE.
The concept created by God was the concept of choice. Making choices and decisions was created early on because this concept is at the very foundation of our Spiritual Salvation and the Plan of God.
Today we are going to learn about this process as I encourage you to go forth in your life and …
BOLDLY MAKE DECISIONS
So, if we are going to understand this process of choice, we need to ask the obvious question:
“Why does God allow us the freedom to make choices?”
Clearly when God told Adam and Eve about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, He could have just made that tree inaccessible but He actually left it open for them to make up their own minds. They made a decision.
He is giving us the same opportunity. I can readily think of two reasons why He gave us choice.
1.
We can learn from our mistakes. Psalm 66:10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
2. We demonstrate our obedience to God through the choices we make.
Deuteronomy 13:4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
The problem is that mankind is WITHOUT GOD.
He does not learn from his mistakes. He does care about obeying God
He relies on his own ways. Notice this definition of “Decision” from the International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia
DECISION Methods of Forming Decisions: Perplexing questions were many times decided by the casting of lots. The people believed that God would in this way direct them to the right decision. Casting lots must have been a common method of deciding perplexing questions. It was resorted to by the apostles to decide which of the two men they had selected should take the place of Judas. The custom gradually lost in favor, and decisions, even of perplexing questions, were formed by considering all the facts.
Even this definition shows that man has moved from God in the decision making process.
Following are the 3 main reasons why we decide what we decide:
1) Circumstances
Man often just let the circumstances force the issue. They become overwhelmed and instead of controlling their circumstances, they allow the circumstances to control them.
Some in the World, thinking they know and understand the Bible play a game of Bible roulette.
(Explain) Some have done literally but most do it through their lack of knowledge and wisdom of Spiritual things.
2) Conscience
The second way that people make decisions is by following some part of their anatomy.
You have heard people say the following things:
a) Always go with your gut. b) I just listen to my heart or “follow your heart” c) I vote my conscience or “act on conscience.”
Well clearly the conscience is where we all do our thinking but relying on it alone defies God and often does not work.
Proverbs 16:25---says There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
3) The Crowd
Many just go along with the crowd or look for some sort of majority consensus. Many rely on the latest Harris poll and elements such as these.
All of these are, of course wrong, because they leave God out of the process.
Now, there is another thing which man does regarding decision and choice and that is to avoid making any altogether. They think they are making a decision but actually they are making what is called a “Pseudodecisions”
These are ways people typically react when they can not seem to make up their minds. One Dr. Theodore Rubin has identified several of these false decisions as follows.
1. Procrastination - We decide to "wait and see what happens" or "think about it some more." Procrastination paralyzes performance.
3. Impulsiveness - Impulsive decisions are not real decisions. They are a desperate attempt to "just do something" in order to relieve fear, anxiety, guilt, or boredom. Impulsive decisions have a nasty habit of turning into disasters.
4. Codependency - This happens when you develop the habit of always letting some-one else decide for you. You yield your freedom of choice in exchange for false security.
5. Non-conformity - Some people mask their insecurity by always deciding to do the opposite of whatever others do. They are compulsive rebels. They think they are expressing independence but actually they aren't. They are simply reactors. They have to wait and see what others will do first before they can make a move.
6. Partial commitment - These people try to walk on both sides of the road at the same time. They may call it "Keeping my options open" but actually it is immaturity being demonstrated in fence-sitting. It's another way of avoiding a real decision.
7. Nostalgia - You spend so much time thinking about the past and "what might have been" than you avoid making the tough decisions you need to make today.
These are all the ways of the world. These are NOT the ways of God. God would have us to be more bold and to have OUR decision making process on a solid foundation.
Let us now take a look at the elements which make for a good decision foundation. Entitle it:
BEING PREPARED TO MAKE DECISIONS
These are not steps to making a right decision but rather a “Spiritual” place we should always be in “Preparation” for making right decisions.
I. The Role of Conscience
In telling you how most people make choices, I told you that they rely on their human conscience. A Christian must act according to one’s conscience but only as that conscience is within the framework of God’s Laws and Principles.
Look at a key verse in Romans 14. This is the chapter about new brothers in the faith and not being a stumbling block for our brothers. The subject is whether we should eat meats offered to idols. There is nothing wrong with doing so but some in the faith may be uncomfortable with it so we should not eat such meat in front of them. Now notice the key verse regarding conscience. Verse 22…
Romans 14:22
Our conscience is only reliable when tied to faith which means the Holy Spirit.
II. The Armor of God –Ephesians 6
We must always have on the armor of God. This means having Truth, Righteousness, the Gospel, Faith, Salvation and the Word of God.
Two key verses…
10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (the Spirit of God).
Then, after the armor is described…verse 18…
18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Best prayer? With the armor on!!
III. Study the scriptures
2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
IV. Be prepared in season and out
2 Timothy 4:2—(for ministers but also by extension the brethren) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
V. Keep your head in all situations
2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Now that we have the foundation, let us look at 4 basic steps to making right decisions. I call them the 4 Cs.
1. Consider the Choices
Ask yourself, “What choices do I have and who determines what is right or wrong in this situation?” (hint: It is NOT us---not man).
2. Compare It To God
This step answer the question, “Who determines what is right or wrong absolutely?” We must compare our attitudes and actions to Him and His Word to know whether they are right or wrong.
3. Commit to God’s Way.
This is where we make the decision. We commit our decision to His way, His Word, His Laws, and His Principles. We commit our decision to the Holy Spirit.
4. Count on God’s Protection and Provision.
When we commit to God’s way, we can count on His loving protection and provision. This does not mean that everything will be rosy. We will suffer for righteousness’ sake, but notice this…
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
If we make right decisions, God does promise us success.
Now from the General to the Specific.
ONE: Prayer is an essential resource in good decision making.
There is the account of Nehemiah while in captivity. His brother comes to him to tell him of the deplorable conditions of the men in Judah and the condition of Jerusalem with its broken down walls. Notice Neh. 1:3-4
Nehemiah 1:3-4 3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.
4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
As one commentary I read said:
Heartfelt prayers like Nehemiah’s can help clarify (1) any problem you may be facing, (2) God’s great power to help you, and (3) the job you have to do. By the end of his prayer time, Nehemiah knew what action he had to take.
When God’s people pray, difficult decisions fall into proper perspective, and appropriate actions follow.
TWO (of specific steps): Wise
decisions result from seeking information. Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
This knowledge comes from 3 places:
(i) The Word of God.
2 Timothy 2:15-16 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
(ii) Wise Counsel.
Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
(iii) The Holy Spirit
1 John 2:20
But ye have an unction from the Holy One,
and ye know all things. THREE (of specific steps):
Jesus Christ is our best model for good decision making
John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
Now the Living Bible renders it this way:
But Jesus replied, “My Father constantly does good, and I’m following his example.”
Jesus made all His decisions based on the Father. We make all our decisions base on His Son, Jesus Christ.
He is all principle and all good decisions and choices.
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Now finally, a couple of points to ponder in thinking about making bold choices.
Point 1: Be aware that attractive choices sometimes lead to sin.
Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Point 2: Don’t Let Doubt get in your way.
James 1:6-8 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
God is telling us here to be bold in our decision making.
Point 3: Remember that right choices are sometimes difficult.
Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
Ever think about what Matthew just gave up? He gave up a lifetime career and a lucrative one at that.
Sometimes the decision to follow Christ requires difficult or painful choices. Like Matthew, we must decide to leave behind those things that would keep us from following Christ.
Point 4: Remember that good choices have positive long-term results.
Proverbs 13:6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
The Living Bible renders the verse this way:
A man’s goodness (or continued right decisions) helps him all through life, which evil men are being destroyed by their wickedness.
One good decision leads to another. One bad decision leads to another one.
And now we come to the ULTIMATE DECISION.
God gives it to us in Deuteronomy 30:19
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
So, on this very important day of Pentecost, Let us make that choice.
Let’s Boldly Choose Life…….Eternal Life |
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