Wisdom and God's Will

Introduction

Set up the problem — How do I know when I’m making the right decision? Sometimes we want to honor Jesus as Lord but don’t know how. Some things like spiritual disciples are obvious and others are more complex.

How much time should I spend with Christians or non-Christians? Should I rush or not rush? How much time should I give to school? Should I go out this weekend? Should I date this person or not? How far is too far? (Really the wrong question here.)

Also bigger picture decisions

What major should I pick? Where should I move? What job should I get? Story about peeing self in 1st grade Set up the passage — Read Genesis 13:5-13, 18

Who Abram and Lot were What God’s promise to Abram was (Isaac and the nation of Israel) Canaan was a land of wickedness promised to Abram Sodom/Gomorrah was also wicked A lot of us find ourselves in Lot’s shoes. Do I go right or do I go left? It can be paralyzing. 2 Q's

Explanation

Look at how Lot decided

Lot chose by sight (verses 10-11). He picked what looked better! How much do you pick things because they look better or the world says it’s better? In reality, his decisions had terrible consequences. He lived near the people of Sodom. 14:12/19:1 show Lot going from looking, to moving, to living, to sitting in the gate The decisions you make today orient your heart in that direction going forward Now compare with how Abram made a decision and how it shaped his life

God had already promised but trying to forcibly take Canaan might’ve increased tensions Would he trust that God would fulfill his promise even without Abram being in control? He chose by faith, not by sight, and it shaped his life—he was willing to sacrifice Isaac later. What is going to shape me more into the image of Jesus?

• But Lot’s decision was also “big picture”. How do we make decisions like that? What if one major doesn’t make me more like Jesus than the other?

Abram had God’s ultimate mission in mind. That mission from Genesis 12 to Revelation 7 is to redeem a people from among every tribe on earth. Your job is a secondary calling (really anything else is…major, city, even spouse). Your primary calling is to glorify God by making his name known throughout the earth. It doesn’t mean that those things aren’t important, but it means that everything we do ought to be viewed through the lens of Revelation 7:9-10. We have to choose by faith to live our lives towards that end, even when we don’t see it (Hebrews 11:39). What is the most strategic thing I can do to help finish the Great Commission?

Sometimes you’re given a choice. Both seem equally strategic and the Spirit gives you peace about both. Great! Just pick one. In that situation, wherever you go, follow Jesus, make disciples, raise a family that does the same, and faithfully follow God step by step, year after year.

Christ-Centered Exhortation

Romans 12:2a — transformed into the image of Jesus. What is going to shape me into the image of Jesus? Romans 12:2b — knowing God’s will only comes after Christ-centered living Romans 12:1 — offer yourself as a living sacrifice, lay it all on the altar What is the most strategic thing I can do to help finish the Great Commission? We can make decisions by faith and not by sight—that going Jesus’ way is better—because Jesus did the same before us, “…who for the joy set before him endured the cross…consider him…so that you will not grow weary and lose heart…” (Heb. 12:2-3)