MAKING RIGHT CHOICES IN A WRONG WORLD

Ephesians 5:15–17 KJV 1900

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Introduction:

Interstate 65 is approx. 885 miles in length. It goes from Gary, Indiana on the northern end to Mobile, Alabama on the Southern End.

There are around 50 major junctions that connect with other interstates or major roads. There are over 250 more junctions that connect with smaller roads or exits.

You have many choices when traveling I-65-go straight, or chose a place to turn off of the interstate. Each one of these junctions(choices) will lead you to a different destination, but each one of these junctions(choices) have one thing in common....

THEY EACH LEAD YOU OFF OF INTERSTATE 65!!!

In life we each have a path that God has chosen for us, but there are 1000’s of junctions(*choices). They may lead us to different destinations, but they all have one thing in common...

THEY EACH LEAD US OFF OF THE PATH THAT GOD HAS SET BEFORE US!!!

All of us have the power to choose but when we choose then the choice has power over us.

For this reason we need to make our decisions carefully.

Life is essentially a series of right or wrong choices.

Knowing and doing the Will of God is the result of making right choices.

“Every choice we make is a reflection of our values. We make choices based on what we value most.”

How we spend our time, money and talents reflect what we value.

Circumspectly=cautiously, with watchfulness against surprise or danger.

I. The Priority of a Right Choice- vs. 15-16

Why should I be concerned with making a right choice?

A. Because time is short-vs. 15

Redeem=buy back

Proverbs 27:1 “1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”

(Proverbs 27:1) Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

(James 4:14) Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

(James 4:17) Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Time, Use of

Time, Use of

A study revealed that an average seventy-year-old man has spent twenty-four years sleeping, fourteen years working, eight years in amusements, six years at the dinner table, five years in transportation, four years in conversation, three years in education, and two years in studying and reading.

His other four years were spent in miscellaneous pursuits. Of those four years, he spent forty-five minutes in church on Sundays, and five minutes were devoted to prayer each day. This adds up to a not at all impressive total of five months that he gave to God over the seventy years of his life.

Even if this man had been a faithful churchgoer who attended Sunday school and three one-hour services per week, he would have spent only one year and nine months in church!

If you have a question about the above arithmetic, sit down and figure out how you have been using your time. How large a portion of it is for the things related to God?

B. Because the days are evil

Galatians 1:4 “4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”

Galatians 1:4 KJV 1900

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

C. Because the reward is Great

(1 John 2:17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

(Joshua 1:8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

(Psalms 1:1) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

(Psalms 1:2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Matthew 25:21 “21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

D. Because the option is disobedience

We are either walking with God or we are not…there is no in between!!

Titus 1:16 “16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”

(Titus 3:3) For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

The priority of a right choice-choose early and choose God’s direction!!!

II. The Path to a Right Choice- vs. 17

Note- the path that we choose today will determine our destination tomorrow

“Understanding what the will of the Lord is…”

How do I determine what is a right choice?

A. Search the Scriptures

(Psalms 119:105) NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

(Psalms 119:130) The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

(John 6:63) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

John 8:30–32 KJV 1900

30 As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

B. Be willing to Surrender

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 5306 Man’s Power of Choice

Man’s Power Of Choice

God has no policeman to pass around and grab us by the neck and say you must read your Bible, or you must go to Church, or you must give to Missions. When God created man, He made man superior to all other creatures. He gave man the power and privilege of CHOICE. Up to now the Lord respects that privilege. He will not force us. With that privilege of Choice, goes the terrible responsibility of abiding by the results or consequences of our choices.

God desires that we would voluntarily surrender to His leading in our lives.

Romans 12:1–2 “1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

(Psalms 19:14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

C. Be ready to Suffer

God’s purpose for suffering is our sanctification or purification. He is either conforming us to the image of Christ or He is chastening us for unconfessed sin.

1 Peter 2:20 “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”

(1 Peter 2:20) For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

(1 Peter 4:1) Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

(1 Peter 4:2) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

(1 Peter 4:19) Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

(Hebrews 11:24) By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

(Hebrews 11:25) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

The priority of a right choice

The path to the right choice

III. The Product of a Right Choice- vs. 17

Note- when your make it a priority to make the right choices and actively seek the path to help you make the right choices then there are some things that are produced in your life.

“The will of the Lord”

What will happen when I choose God’s way in right choices?

A. Protection

(Romans 8:13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Proverbs 11:14 “14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: But in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.”

B. Purpose

(Psalms 37:4) Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

(John 15:7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

(1 John 3:22) And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Ephesians 2:10 “10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

C. Peace

Philippians 4:6–7 “6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7 “7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

(Proverbs 3:1) My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

(Proverbs 3:2) For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

(John 14:27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

(Romans 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Conclusion:

A wrong choice in your past does not prevent you from making a right choice for your future!

A wrong choice yesterday does not prevent you from making a right choice today.

The greatest choice that one can make is to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour.

(1 Timothy 2:3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

(1 Timothy 2:4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Where does doing God’s Will rank for you? Priority

How are you going to do God’s will for your life? Path

Are you experiencing the products of making the right Choices?

Just because you have made some wrong choice in the past does not change the fact that you can make some right choices beginning today!!!