SF303 - THE CROSSROADS OF LIFE (Acts 17 32-34)

@PAGE NUMBER = SF303

@RECORD = Cornerstone 08‑91 2 prof

@RECORD = Mountain View 9/91

@TITLE = THE CROSSROADS OF LIFE

@LEVEL ONE = ACT 17:32‑34

@LEVEL ONE = INTRODUCTION

@LEVEL TWO = Textal Background

@LEVEL FOUR = Paul preaching in Athens

@LEVEL FOUR = Atoning Death‑Burial

@LEVEL FOUR = Victorious Resurrection

@LEVEL FOUR = Glorious Return

@LEVEL TWO = The Crossroads

@LEVEL THREE = Four way stop at Ball Camp and McKamey

@LEVEL THREE = The Gospel places each person at the crossroads

@LEVEL THREE = A decision must and will be made

@PAGE NUMBER = Page 2

@LEVEL ONE = 1A. TURN LEFT ‑ REJECT CHRIST (v.32a)

@SCRIPTURE = "sneered" = chleuazo, from  to throw out the lip, i.e. jeer at:‑mock.

@SCRIPTURE = Acts 2:13 (NIV)<R>Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."

@LEVEL TWO = 1B. Cain (Gen 4:3‑8)

@LEVEL FOUR = He wanted God on his terms

@LEVEL TWO = 2B. Judas (Luk 22:3‑6, 47‑48)

@LEVEL FOUR = He wanted Jesus to serve Him

@ILL TITLE = THE ULTIMATE JUDGMENT

@ILL TEXT = Aaron Burr, the third Vice President of the United States, was reared in a godly home and admonished to accept Christ by his grandfather Jonathan Edwards.  But he refused to listen. Instead, he declared that he wanted nothing to do with God and said he wished the Lord would leave him alone.  He did achieve a measure of political success in spite of repeated disappointments.

@ILL TEXT = But he was also involved in continuous strife, and when he was 48 years old, he killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel.  He lived for 32 more years, but through all this time he was unhappy and unproductive.  It was during this sad chapter in his life that he declared to a group of friends, "Sixty years ago I told God that if He would let me alone, I would let Him alone, and God has not bothered about me since."  Aaron Burr got what he wanted.

@PAGE NUMBER = Page 3

@LEVEL ONE = 2A. STRAIGHT AHEAD ‑ REFUSE CHRIST (v.32b)

@SCRIPTURE = 2 Cor 6:2 (NIV)<R>...now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

@LEVEL TWO = 1B. Noah's Day

@SCRIPTURE = Mat 24:37‑39 (NIV)<R>...For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage...

@ILL TITLE = Too busy making a living to make a life

@LEVEL TWO = 2B. Felix

@SCRIPTURE = Acts 24:25 (NIV)<R>...When I find it convenient, I will send for you."

@ILL TITLE = "I INTENDED TO BE SAVED!"

@ILL TEXT = Some years ago a young man was critically injured in an automobile accident.  Before it happened, he was filled with expectation, for he was in the bloom of youth and thought he had many years ahead of him.  But suddenly everything changed, and he stood on the brink of eternity!  Lying in his hospital bed, he momentarily regained consciousness and confessed to the pastor who had been called that he had no peace in his soul.  "I didn't think I would die so soon," he said with tears in his eyes.  "I fully intended to be saved before the end of my life." Sensing that his time was short, the poor fellow was desperate. But before the minister could help him, he again lapsed into unconsciousness and within 2 hours was dead.  The saddened preacher said later, "That young man's words haunt me.  I shall never forget his unavailing sorrow that he had put off becoming a Christian."

@PAGE NUMBER = Page 4

@LEVEL ONE = 3A. TURN RIGHT ‑ RECEIVE CHRIST (v.34)

@SCRIPTURE = Believed = pisteuo, to have faith; to entrust

@LEVEL TWO = 1B. Dionysius

@LEVEL FOUR = Name means divinely touched

@LEVEL FOUR = Intellectual status

@LEVEL FOUR = Refused to allow intellectualism to sent him to Hell.

@LEVEL TWO = 2B. Damaris

@LEVEL FOUR = Social Status

@LEVEL FOUR = Refused to allow ego/pride to send her to hell.

@LEVEL ONE = CONCLUSION

@ILL TITLE = THE FOUR CALLS

@POEM TEXT = The Spirit came in childhood and pleaded, "Let me in,"<R>But oh! the door was bolted by thoughtlessness and sin;<R>"I am too young," the child replied, "I will not yield today;<R>There's time enough tomorrow." <R>he Spirit went away.

@POEM TEXT = Again He came and pleaded in youth's bright happy hour;<R>He came but heard no answer, for lured by Satan's power<R>The youth lay dreaming then and saying,<R>"Not today, Not till I've tried earth's pleasures. <R>The Spirit went away.

@POEM TEXT = Again He called in mercy in manhood's vigorous prime,<R>But still He found no welcome, the merchant had no time;<R>And so, repulsed and saddened,<R>the Spirit went away.

@POEM TEXT = Once more He called and waited, the man was old and ill,<R>And scarcely heard the whisper, his heart was cold and still;<R>"Go leave me; when I need thee, I'll call for thee," he cried;<R>Then, sinking on his pillow, without a hope, he died!

@LEVEL TWO = Only Three Responses

@LEVEL THREE = Reject Christ

@LEVEL THREE = Refuse Christ

@LEVEL THREE = Receive Christ