NJ - The Choices We Make
Notes
Transcript
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To what clothes will I wear
What have I got to do
Am I going to be self focused or God focused
Am I going to read my bible or not
No matter the choices we make there are consequences that we have to accept for those choices.
20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]— 21 To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).
“SO BE IT”
“SO BE IT”
POINT 1
POINT 1
CHOOSING WELL
CHOOSING WELL
Have you ever felt like you are a a cross road and have to make a choice which way you should go, this can bring up a lot of emotion and pressure. How we handle this has a big bearing on the decisions/directions we choose to go. I believe it boils down to two choice:
First do I choose God - Gods ways
Second Do I choose me - my way
If you don’t make a choice, you are making a choice
Two Choices The concept of two is also crucial to the possibility of choice. The two options usually symbolise opposites, frequently good and evil or right and wrong. This tension was built into the created order by God himself when he placed Adam in a bountiful garden filled with trees from which he could enjoy many fruits along with one tree from
POINT 2
POINT 2
THE RESULT OF NEGATIVE CHOICES
THE RESULT OF NEGATIVE CHOICES
Time and time again we can see in the bible the results of the bad/negative choices that people made over time. Israel would get to a place of repentance and make the choice to follow God, but after time they would start to do things their own way, choices that they thought would benefit them.
It is easy to fall into the trap that if we choose to do things our way that it is going to be better. The thing I have learnt over the years is that Gods ways are higher then my ways and His thoughts are higher then my thoughts. We can be in the middle of captivity and God has the answers for us. Gods plan for us is always better,
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
As we recognize who God is and His love for us, give us confidence to choose Him and not me is a far ether option.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Leads to my next point
Leads to my next point
POINT 3
POINT 3
THE RESULT OF GOOD CHOICES
THE RESULT OF GOOD CHOICES
Joshua - Choose this day who you will serve, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord
Balak got Balaam to curse Israel, but God would not let Balaam curse but only bless them
9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose to make war against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you. 10 But I would not listen to Balaam; therefore he continued to bless you. So I delivered you out of his hand. 11 Then you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho. And the men of Jericho fought against you—also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. But I delivered them into your hand. 12 I sent the hornet before you which drove them out from before you, also the two kings of the Amorites, but not with your sword or with your bow. 13 I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.’ 14 “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
CHOOSING GOD:
CHOOSING GOD:
When we choose God, we have the opportunity to share in the benefits that God has given us. Choosing God brings us to a place of relationship with God, Abraham chose God and was called the friend of God, as we choose God, I believe this brings us to a place where we are a friend God. Not just a friend, His children.
We know choosing God, we can have His:
We know choosing God, we can have His:
JOY:
11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
We know choosing God, we can have His:
We know choosing God, we can have His:
SECURITY AND PEACE:
How safe does a child feel when he/she knows his or her Father is near, even at their side?
10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.
We know choosing God, we can have His:
We know choosing God, we can have His:
HEALED AND MADE WHOLE:
1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
OUR FUTURE IS ASSURED:
2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
SALVATION OPPORTUNITY
SALVATION OPPORTUNITY
CLOSE
CLOSE
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
