HEROES HAVE A CHOICE
Notes
Transcript
Good evening! So good to have yall here tonight! Several weeks ago, we talked about how if we live a life that honors God and not us, then we not only avoid pride, but we learn to glorify God’s name for the things that only He can do. How that when it comes to matters of our walk with Christ, we need to check our pride at the door. That means we acknowledge our limits.
And then a couple of weeks ago, we talked about anger and how it is okay to be angry when it is for the right reasons. We shared that it is when we sin in our anger that our anger becomes a problem. All too often we get caught up in the moment and we lose control. That’s not ok. Even in moments when we feel that we are justified in doing what we did in anger because of what someone did to us. It is time for us to stop doing that. Ephesians here reminds us to direct our response to anger in good and Christ honoring ways. For us, that might mean that we go and blow off steam. That we remove ourselves from the situation to go and pray for wisdom. We can be angry and express how we feel about someone or something that someone did that hurt us.
Last week, we talked about how there is only one way to salvation. There is no other way by which we are to be saved. It is only through Jesus Christ. Peter echoes what Jesus said when He said that He is the only way, truth, and life. We cannot be good enough, are do enough to get saved. We can’t receive forgiveness through any other way.
But to be a hero in the faith means that we are to share this with everyone we know. What this means for us who follow Jesus is that we are to show others that same truth. We are to share the good news of Jesus and that He is the only way to salvation.
Today, we are going to conclude our series by talking about choices. Did you know that people make about 35000 choices everyday?! As we dive in, I want to ask yall a couple of questions:
What are some of the choices that you chose today?
Are you ever hesitant to try something new? Why or why not?
Have you ever chose doing something that you never did before but were glad you chose to do it? What was it?
Talk about floating the Buffalo with James.
Have you ever chose doing something or going somewhere and regret doing it?
Talk about trying House of Pizza
Do our choices matter?
Is every choice an important choice? Which ones are an important choice?
Today, I want to show you a clip from Superman. Most of you know that Superman is my favorite hero. I love who he is, what he stands for, and how he sees the good in people. Superman’s adopted name is Clark Kent. What has just happened is that Clark has arrived at his parents house after being held captive by his arch enemy Lex Luthor and finding out that his parents did not send a message about helping the people of earth, but to rule them. Clark Kent is struggling with what he is supposed to do, given the realization of his parents wish. I want you to listen to what his dad says to Clark about choices:
Show “Choices” clip from Superman
I want to ask you some questions:
What stood out to you in that conversation?
How did Clark feel about who he is supposed to be?
What did his father tell him?
There is a lot of truth behind Clark’s dad’s advice: “Your choices determine who you are.” I was thinking about that. How when especially when it comes to our faith, our choices do determine who we are. The Bible shows the relationship between our choices and who we become, especially when it comes to following after God. In the Old Testament, Joshua understood this. He knew that when it comes to following God, our choices matter. Just like for Superman, it is a choice to do good, it is a choice for you and I to follow God. The people of Israel were about to enter the Promised Land. They had been traveling on a 40 year journey, and they are about to go in an dwell this land that God has given to them. Joshua reminds the people of their history of where they began, where they were and where they are going now when we pick up in Joshua 24:14. Let’s read and see what Joshua challenges them to do as they enter and live in the Promise Land.
14 “Therefore, fear the Lord and worship him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and worship the Lord. 15 But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship—the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.”
What does Joshua say to the people?
Why does Joshua tell the people to choose who they are going to worship?
Joshua tells the people to choose who they are going to follow. Joshua knew and understood that their choice would determine who they would become. He knew that their choice would reveal who they would become as a people. If they chose to do wrong and follow other Gods, they would become an evil people. Yet if they choose to follow God, they would be a good people, holy and pleasing to God.
Notice that Joshua doesn’t say that it was their ancestors that made the choice for them. He didn’t say it was their parents choice to make for them. It wasn’t even his choice. He tells them to choose who THEY will serve. There is no one that can make that choice - only they can for themselves.
The same is true for you. Only you can make the choice to be the person that God wants you to be. It is your choice to follow God or not. It is your choice to obey God or not. There are consequences to following God as well as not following God. That’s why Proverbs says:
20 The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.
Choices matter. Choosing to follow God or not follow God. It is our choices that reveal who we become and are. That’s why Scripture teaches that we as followers of Christ will be known by our love. By our choosing to follow or not. Heroes understand that they have a choice, and they choose to do right. You and I have a choice. Who will we choose to follow? God or our self?
