Make the Best Choice

Introduction: This Sunday I want to speak on the topic of: Make the Best Choice. Now, I have read that everyday each of us has some 612 decisions to make. How many of those decisions (choices) that we make daily are BEST for us? Which of these four words speak to you when it comes to the choices you make:

1. Bad

2. Good

3. Better

4. Best

When it comes to choices, we make which of those four words define them? I really believe that most of us want to make the BEST choices that available to us.

As believers our choices reflect our commitment in following Jesus Christ. In a world filled with countless options, decisions, and distractions, it becomes crucial for us to make intentional choices that align with our faith and values.

There are FIVE Best Choices that I would ask you to consider

today. Here they are:

I. Choose Jesus Christ over nominalism – John 3:16

What is a nominal Christian?

The term "nominal Christian" typically refers to someone who identifies as a Christian in name or by affiliation but may not actively practice the faith or hold strong religious convictions. In other words, they may claim to be Christian based on cultural or family ties, tradition, or social reasons, but their beliefs and commitment to the teachings of Christianity may be minimal or superficial.

Nominal Christians may attend church services on occasion, participate in religious rituals, or identify with Christian cultural practices without necessarily embracing the deeper spiritual or moral aspects of the faith. It's important to note that the term "nominal Christian" is not a theological category but rather a descriptive term used to distinguish between those who identify with the Christian label in a superficial way and those who actively live out their faith.

Most people have heard of John 3:16,

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

As a follower of Jesus Christ, it is important to have a good foundation based on God’s love. Christians need to know that God loves them. Yes, the God who created you is madly in love with you.

We read in 1 John 4:19,

We love Him because He first loved us.

And who hasn’t heard of the children’s song:

Jesus Love Me

Jesus loves me! This I know,

For the Bible tells me so;

Little ones to Him belong;

They are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me!

The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! He who died

Heaven's gate to open wide;

He will wash away my sin,

Let His little child come in.

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me!

Each one of us must make a choice (the best choice) to follow Jesus Christ with our entire essence. Those that Jesus called He said to them,

“Follow Me.” (See: Matt. 8:9, 16:24; Mark 8:34,9:38; John 1:43, 12:26)

Those words are used over 200 times in the New Testament. Being used that often ought to tell us how important they are. It’s not good enough to know that God loves you – you must make the better choice in life to follow Him. Give God your all.

Are you aware that our world is better today because people in the New Testament heeded the call to follow Jesus? The Bible speaks of them as,

“people who turned the world upside down.” (See: Acts 17:16).

Today can be the beginning of something greater in your life – choose the best for your life. Choose to FOLLOW Jesus Christ. Make the decision to follow Jesus afresh or make it for the first time. But make the choice to follow Jesus now. Don’t put it off for another day.

How do you choose to Follow Jesus? What are the steps you need to take? They are all found in John 1:12,

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:”

There are three key words in that verse. They are:

1. Believe that Jesus died for you – John 1:12

2. Receive Jesus Christ as your Savior – John 1:12

3. Become a full-fledged follower of Jesus Christ – John 1:12

The best choice in life is to follow the God who designed you, then to follow your own pursuits and live as if there is no God, or to call yourself a believer and live a nominal Christian life. And please don’t give God lip service – that’s not following Him. Give Him your whole life (Romans 12:1-2). All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give.

II. Choose Character over Reputation – Proverbs 22:1

The Bible teaches,

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches” (Prov. 22:1)

You see, what I am asking of you today is to choose the BEST – choose a good name. Your family name matters! Your character matters!

It has been said that Reputation is what others think of you, and character is what God thinks of you. Character takes a lifetime to build. Character is who you are when no one is looking. It is how you live when no one is around to see you.

Reputation Vs. Character

Back in 2014 just before the news media received the recorded message of Donald Sterling racial remarks that got him banned from NBA for life, and a 2.5 million dollar fine he was about to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).

It appears that Don Sterling (owner of the L.A. Clippers) had a reputation, and he was going to receive an award, but what Donald Sterling lacked was CHARACTER! He was a different man when he was not around others.

Will you choose to live differently? Will you be more concerned with developing your character than your reputation? Develop your character and your reputation will follow. The Bible has a lot to say about reputation, but upon closer inspection you discover people of Character.

III. Choose Church over Selfishness – Matthew 16:18

Far too many people today have walked away from the church. Why? Because our culture promotes self-centeredness and individualism. The church is not an organization, it is an organism – living and breathing. God created the church for the welfare of mankind – people were created for community (Christian Fellowship). You need the Church. You need other Christians in your life. Stop fighting it.

There are three institutions created by God (all three had there beginning in the Book of Genesis). They are:

1. Marriage (Home) – governs your personal and private life – Genesis 2:24; Deuteronomy 6:6-7

2. Government – governs your public life – Genesis 9:6

3. Church – governs your Spiritual life – Ephesians 2:20; Matthew 28:19-20

If God created these institutions, don’t you think we should respect them? I believe we should. Many people stop attending church, or never attend church because of the following reasons:

· No one wanted to know me.

· Other choices for Sunday (like sleeping in).

· Running from the truth.

· They been offended by someone.

· They’ve grown cold in their spiritual life.

· They have no spiritual life.

Listen to what Jesus said about His Church,

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18)

The rock upon which the Church is built upon is Jesus Christ – He is the foundation stone. If we make church about anything other than Jesus Christ, then and then alone will it become easy to walk away from.

I would challenge all of us to choose the BEST – choose church over selfishness. It is so very easy to begin to think that all things are about me.

The apostle Paul penned in Hebrews 10:24-25 these wonderful words,

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Marriage, Government, and the Church are the three institutions that provide direction for a nation, and when they are neglected, people become self-absorbed (it becomes all about me). Think about this – marriage is about a relationship between two people (husband and wife). Government is about a relationship between millions of people (states). Church is about a relationship (tens, hundreds, and even thousands of people).

Choose the BEST in life – Choose to plant yourself in a local Church. Grow in that church. Serve in that Church. Give to that Church. Reach lost people through that Church.

I have told people that the church provides everything from the cradle to the grave. You can be Hatched, Matched, and Dispatched all in the Church.

Choose the BEST – Choose the Church! It is a place of support, encouragement, and spiritual growth.

IV. Choose Impact over Money – Proverbs 23:5

I can remember attending the first graduation held at Timberlake High School. The commencement speaker was a Hollywood actress, who said the following words (and I paraphrase her), “Go for the Gusto”. It was like she was saying to the graduates, “Eat, drink, and be merry. You only have one go around so make the most of it.” Is that how we want our young people to live their lives? I would challenge you to choose impact over money. Go for God, not the Gusto.

The Bible says the following about money (and it is so very true),

“Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.” (Proverbs 23:5)

Some time ago someone was telling Debbie and I that she got a taste of money and that she likes it, and like others she said, “I want more.”

In Proverbs 27:20, we read the following words,

“Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied.”

Didn’t I preach that verse last week? I did. Why? Because it is so true. Man’s eyes are never satisfied, we always want more. A little money is not enough, and like J.D. Rockefeller, the oil business tycoon when asked, “How much is enough?” responded, “Just a little bit more.”

Some time ago, I was visiting with a man outside in our church parking lot. I asked him, “So what are you out doing today?” He responded, “Oh’ I’m out chasing the dollar.”

Will More Money Satisfy?

· Michael Jackson died of a drug Overdose, and he was worth 1.2 billion dollars.

· Philip Seymour Hoffman (who was voted as one of the top 50 Hollywood actors) had millions (35 million) and died from a drug overdose.

· Alexander McQueen, the British Clothing Designer died from Cocaine suicide. His net worth was 30 million dollars.

· Robin Williams was worth 50 million dollars. He made people laugh for a living but ended his own life through suicide.

My point is simple – More money does not satisfy. Money only provides, but it offers little else. I would challenge you to be more interested in making an impact with your life, rather than just making money. Choose to leave a lasting legacy!

Here is what the Bible says is the purpose for making money,

“working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” (Ephesians 5:28b)

Work to earn money so that you can GIVE! Choose the best – make an impact with your life. A lasting impact for the kingdom of God.

V. Choose Marriage over Sex – Hebrews 13:4

Everybody is doing it, so we are told, and you don’t even have to have a commitment. Fornication (sex before marriage) occurs everywhere. No community is exempt. You can have a lot of sex, but what happens is when you choose to get married that you bring all your history with you into that future relationship. How you live in the present will become your past, and it will make its way into your future. What happens in your past doesn’t stay in your past! And what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas.

Many young people go off to college to get away from their parent’s influence (they say that they want to find their own identity, become their own person), and when they arrive on campus, they often connect with the wrong crowd. They are invited to parties, they lower their inhibitions through alcohol and drugs, and many start sleeping around (a nice way of not saying, fornication). It can become a real animal house!

Lest you think I’m too hard on young people, adults are right up there with them. There are so many Christians who are shaking up before marriage today.

In the Book of Hebrews, the author pens the following words,

“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4)

Do you want to know God’s will for your life in the areas of marriage and sex. It is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7. We read,

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.”

A guy does not honor you young lady, if he wants to have sex with you before the ring and the “I do”. A girl does not honor you young guy, if she wants to have sex with you before the ring and the “I do”. It’s not honor it LUST! Don’t damage your soul by a poor choice.

Once again, I would challenge everyone present to choose the BEST over the “passing pleasures of sins” as Moses called it (Hebrews 11:25). Choose God’s BEST for your life. Write it down and make a commitment to these things. Don’t cave in, stand your ground. Don’t give in to culture. No, as a follower of Jesus Christ Honor God with your body, after all, He bought it with a price (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).

Conclusion: So, then, Life is full of choices! You’ll make about 612 decisions today. This equals to 4,900 decisions in a week and 254,800 decisions in a year. Remember, choices fall into the follow four categories:

1. Bad Choices

2. Good Choices

3. Better Choices

4. Best Choices

As your Pastor/Shepherd I desire the BEST for you – but all my desire cannot become your reality. You must make the choice to choose the BEST! So, determine that you are going to nail down the BEST CHOICES for your life. And I close by reiterating the top five BEST Choices for your life:

1. Choose Jesus Christ over Nominalism – the Best choice!

2. Choose Character over Reputation – the Best choice!

3. Choose Church over Selfishness – the Best choice!

4. Choose Impact over Money – the Best choice!

5. Choose Marriage over Sex – The Best Choice!

Say goodbye to bad choices. Don’t be satisfied with just good choices. Don’t put your energy into better choices. No, live for the BEST choices for your life. In making these choices, we align ourselves with the transformative power of the gospel and bear witness to the love and grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.