Decisions (4)

Good morning, CHURCH!

(Opening joke)

So, I decided to talk to God one day about the differences in things to him versus us.

First, I asked, “God, how long is a million years to you?”

God responded, “Son, a million years is but a second to me.”

Next, I asked, “God, how much is a million dollars to you?”

God responded, “Son, a million dollars is but a penny to me.”

Finally, I said, “God, if a million years is but a second to you and a million dollars is but a penny to you, can ya boy get a penny from you?”

God responded, “Sure son, just give me a second.”

Are you ready to be equipped today?

Let me see your Bibles.

Let’s go to the book of 1 Kings 18:21 ESV for this week’s wisdom Vaccination.

This Week’s Wisdom Vaccination 1 Kings 18:21 ESV

And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.

We are in a series titled:

Decisions

In this series we’ve talking about how our decisions to disobey God cause our brokenness and cause broken relationships in us and others close to us.

Today we’re going to talk about some of the most important decisions we make and the affect they have on our lives and our families’ lives.

We will also investigate what goes into some of the decisions we make.

We’re covering a very important topic in this series because life itself is about decision making.

We can’t escape making decisions and I’m talking about life altering decisions.

And don’t think not making a decision is any better because indecision can often be as costly as a wrong decision.

As believers we have no reason to fear making decisions because we have parameters throughout the scriptures that aid us in our decision making process.

e.g. (Who to marry is a decision that seems to haunt a lot of singles.)

But scripture gives parameters to help make your choice safe.

The Bible never tells a man to look for a woman with a certain type of body shape or length of hair or skin complexion.

You’re fooling yourself if you think that just because someone is super attractive to you, that will keep you feeling like you love them or like them.

You’re more likely to be successful based on what is in someone’s head versus what type of hair they have.

You’re more likely to be successful based on what’s in someone’s heart versus the physical body shape that covers the heart.

We are however told to find someone who is equally yoked.

And that yoke is supposed to be both of us being followers of Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?

16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God as God said,

“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,

18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

The reason that the marriages in the church have the same divorce rates as the world and the same problems as the world is because instead of making decisions based on the parameters God has set, we do our own thing our own way.

Because there is a way that seems right to us.

Today’s message title is:

What’s behind our decisions

Our focus passage for today will be:

Hebrews 11:24-27 ESV

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.

Let’s look at this in the passion translation

Hebrews 11:24-27 TPT

Faith enabled Moses to choose God’s will, for although he was raised as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, he refused to make that his identity, choosing instead to suffer mistreatment with the people of God. Moses preferred faith’s certainty above the momentary enjoyment of sin’s pleasures. He found his true wealth in suffering abuse for being anointed, more than in anything the world could offer him, for his eyes looked with wonder not on the immediate, but on the ultimate—faith’s great reward! Holding faith’s promise Moses abandoned Egypt and had no fear of Pharaoh’s rage because he persisted in faith as if he had seen God who is unseen.

Point #1

Grown up decisions

1 Corinthians 11:13 ESV

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

Are we going to continue to make decisions as believers in childish ways or will we begin to put away childish ways.

Let’s look into what was behind Moses’ decisions.

We know that Moses grew up in the house of Pharoah like a son of the King. He had every possible privilege known to man.

We also know that when he witnessed the abuse the Egyptians were putting on his native people, he didn’t turn a blind eye to it.

He didn’t go back to the palace and pray for them.

He didn’t send them a small donation.

Hebrews 11:24 TPT

Faith enabled Moses to choose God’s will, for although he was raised as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, he refused to make that his identity,

Have you allowed something else to become your identity other than God’s will for you?

Moses left the palace and its pleasures and joined the Hebrews.

There is no way this could have been considered a childish or immature decision.

Let’s look at some steps to grown up decision making.

1. Begin with prayer. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)

Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

2. Explore all options. (Wise decisions are informed decisions.)

3. Seek biblical wisdom.(Psalm 119:105 ESV)

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

4. Seek godly counsel.(Proverbs 15:22 ESV)

“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”

5. Trust God in your decision.(Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

6. Be flexible if needed.(If we make a wrong decision be willing to admit the mistake and change course.)

Finally, when your decisions turn out for the best, give God the praise for your success.

Point #2

True treasure decisions

Hebrews 11:25-26 ESV

choosing instead to suffer mistreatment with the people of God. Moses preferred faith’s certainty above the momentary enjoyment of sin’s pleasures. 26He found his true wealth in suffering abuse for being anointed, more than in anything the world could offer him, for his eyes looked with wonder not on the immediate, but on the ultimate—faith’s great reward!

Moses made a decision not based on momentary pleasure.

He had a scripture that set the parameters for that decision.

James 1:14-15 ESV

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

This scripture must be enough to keep you from falling to the temptations of your fleshly desires.

Point #3

Faith filled decisions

Moses knew that his decision to leave Pharoah and the Egyptians would be met with great hostility from Pharoah.

He knew that decision would make him an enemy of Pharoah.

He knew the natural power and authority that Pharoah had at his disposal.

But faith!

Hebrews 11:27 ESV

Holding faith’s promise Moses abandoned Egypt and had no fear of Pharaoh’s rage because he persisted in faith as if he had seen God who is unseen.

Faith in God was the key to everyone of Moses’ right decisions.

(Closing illustration)

Faith in God is what led me to make the decision to follow God and start a ministry called Flourishing Families.

Faith in God is what led my wife to tell me to quit my job and go full time as a Pastor knowing that God would provide for our family.

Faith in God starts with knowing that God’s ways are superior to our ways and better for us in the long run than the temporary desires that we may have.

If you’re watching online or here in the room, I have a very important question to ask you.

What is Holy Spirit saying to you right now?