Choose God

Introduction

Life is full of choices. We face choices every day, what will we wear for the day, what will we eat for breakfast, should we have that second (or third) cup of coffee. What shoes should I wear? Should I pack a lunch or eat out? Do I put a coat on to leave the house? These are just the choices we make before leaving in the morning.

Some choices are extremely important and should be processed. Choices like, what career should I pursue, should I go to college or not, where should I live, should I get married, what will our family look like?

Some choices are thrust upon us. Do I move for my job or look for something else. Some choices are easy, choices like choosing to marry the love of my life? Some choices are hard, choices like where should we eat after church? This is one of my families most difficult choices.

In our passage today God offers a choice to the people of Israel, they may either choose to live with God or they may choose to live apart from God. They may choose life or they may choose death.

But we realize God is all powerful so why would God allow us to love? Why wouldn’t God just make us love him? Because.........

With Choice Love is Impossible

God could make us puppets for his will.

God hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 14:4)

God drove Nebuchadnezzar mad (Daniel 4:33)

God has power over all of creation

God parts the Red Sea

God speaks through the wind

Jesus Calms the storm

If we were God’s puppets we could never love God

Your phone is not something that could love you.

Your car doesn’t love you.

These are tools, there is no love there

In order for their to be love, there must be a choice to love

True love is can’t be forced

It must be chosen

God Gives us a Choice

God created us for relationship

God does not need us

We are not God’s tools

We were created to glorify God

Isaiah 43:7 NIV

everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

We were created for Relationship

It is not good for man (created in God’s image) to be alone (Genesis 2:18).

If we draw near to God he will draw near to us (James 4:8)

We are to be at home with God (John 14:23)

God loves us and wants our love in return

God loves us

Psalm 86:15 NIV

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

God desires us to love him

1 John 4:19 NIV

We love because he first loved us.

But to love God we must choose to love God.

No love without choice

Choices have Consequences

God sets before us two Choices

Life and Death

Choose a life apart from God = Death

Hell is a place created for those who choose a life apart from God

In Revelation it is called the “Lake of fire and sulfur” and we are told this is where Satan and the false prophet will be tormented day and night forever.”

It is a place God set up for those who choose to be separated from God,

meaning while hell is a place of torment it is still an instrument of God’s grace.

God created hell for those who chose separation from God.

Choose a life with God = Salvation

When we choose God we are offered salvation

When we choose God we are offered eternal life

When we choose God we are offered relationship

Heaven is an instrument of God’s grace

Set up for those who choose God

Choose God

We choose God through faith

Ephesians 2:8 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

We choose God through our words

When we confess faith we are choosing God

Romans 10:9 NIV

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

We choose God through action

Actions speak louder than words

James 2:14–18 NIV

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

We choose faith through submission

When we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and transform us we show that we are choosing God.

Conclusion

The choice is yours and yours alone. God stands with outstretched arms waiting for your to choose him and him alone. Will you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, will you confess with your actions that you are sold out to God, will you through faith submit to the transformation of the Holy Spirit?

If you have not made a decision for Christ and choose to today, or if you wish to re-commit yourself to Christ I invite you to pray this prayer of repentance with me. Let these words be your choice, let these words be your transformation. As we are praying or as the worship team is playing the altar is open if you would like to come to offer your life to Christ or re-affirm your commitment. Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, I come to you in Jesus’ name. I thank you for your love for me. Thank you for the plan of salvation and for giving up Jesus Christ, your only begotten son to die for my sin.

I accept that I am a sinner and that Jesus took my place on the cross of Calvary, to pay the full price for my sin and iniquities.

The Bible says if I confess with my mouth that “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved. I believe with my heart and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is the Lord and Savior of my life.

Today, I confess all my wrongdoings and ask that you forgive me all my sins.

I repent of my sins and decide to follow you for the rest of my life.

Thank you for saving me. I am now a child of God. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen