Introduction: Walk of Repentance Week 15 Choices The word to choose (bachar -), or choice appears 170 times in the Old Testament. We see in our study tonight that Lot chose (man has an option to choose), but frequently in the Old Testament God is the subject and He chooses i.e. children of Israel to be the chosen nation. In the New Testament the word for choose is eklegomai or ek-leg-omahee) which means to make a choice. For our purposes tonight I d like to consider the Greek word Haireomai (hahee-reh-om-ahee) which is to take for oneself, to choose. What choices will we make for ourselves? Will we resist the devil? Will we choose to exercise the fruit of the Spirit? Will we choose to practice 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7? Will we make choices that are consistent with obedience to Christ? Josh 24:15 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." NKJV I submit to you that every day we are faced with the making choices. Sometimes these choices are of our own doing and sometimes they catch us by surprise. Sometimes the choices are overt and sometimes they are subtle as to go completely unnoticed. Choices can be made in secret or in concert with others. Choices can affect multiple persons (Joshua 24:15, or individuals (Acts 5: 1-11) one or two people. Suffice to say, choices and the ability to make choices began very early in life (steal or not steal, lie or tell the truth) and are ever present in the life of the believer even as we speak. Early on in my Christian walk, I discovered that my life could be so much compliant when I remained alert to the choices that I made on a moment by moment basis! Choices like: to look (a second time or not), to pray or not pray first thing in the morning, to spend alone time with God even if
it meant getting up an hour early in the morning, practice 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (in everything give thanks), 1 Thess. 5: 17 (pray without ceasing), 1 Thess. 5: 21 (test all things; hold fast what is good). The list of choices we face daily are too numerous to thoroughly list or ponder at this time. This week s study is foundational to our Christian Walk as men of God. If we grasp the importance of choices during our daily walk with God; we will find ourselves ALWAYS living the Will of God to the best of our abilities. I submit to you that Jesus, in his discussion with the Pharisee in Chapter 12 of Mark, presented a huge challenge when he spoke of the greatest commandment. To obey the greatest commandment is to make a choice. To receive the gift of God (Romans 6:23) and exercise free will, requires us to make a choice. I made a choice in 1975 when I asked Jesus to come into my life, take control of the throne of my lousy pathetic good for nothing but the trash heap life and I say hallelujah! Praise be to God that: Rev 3:5 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. NKJV Our study tonight takes an aerial (30,000 ft.) look at choices as they relate to temptation, source of temptation, avoiding sin s snares by making provisions that guard or protect us from being led astray by the schemes of the Devil. The writer walks us through resisting the devil and spiritual test that strengthen our faith and resolve to walk with God. I d like to briefly look at our state of being prior to making choices. Over the years, God has really impressed upon my heart this imperative: The Man of God of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills must be fully equipped to make the right (in the NT - diakios equitable in character or act; (by implication, innocent, holy, just meet or right) choice. Eph 3:16-19 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. NKJV My heart s desire is that our inner man is fully prepared to make right choices. These choices are based upon three essential components which will make up our outline tonight: 1. We are men who make choices because we seek after God s own heart. 2. We are men who make choices because we have the mind of Christ. 3. We are men who make choices because operate in the Strength of the Holy Spirit. 1. We are men who make choices because we seek after God s own heart. 1 Sam 13:13-14 And Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you." NKJV A. Seeking after God s own heart involves seeking His wisdom and knowledge via godly teachings and his word. Jer 3:14-15 Make sure you re getting verse by verse, solid biblical teaching. "Return, O backsliding children," says the LORD ; "for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. 15 And I will give you shepherds [pastors] according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. NKJV
2 Tim 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. NKJV B. Seeking after God s own heart involves obedience to God. Acts 13:22 22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David* the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.'* NKJV C. Seeking after God s own heart involves Reverential trust. Job 1:8 8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" NKJV Job 2:3 3 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause." NKJV Scofield: the fear of the Lord is an Old Testament expression meaning reverential trust [in God], including a hatred of evil. 2. We are men who make choices because we have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor 2:14-16
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?"* But we have the mind of Christ. NKJV The Greek word (nous) mind: the desire or human in thought, feeling or will, mind, or understanding. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 To "have the mind of Christ" does not mean we are infallible and start playing God in the lives of other people. Nobody instructs God! (Paul quoted Isa 40:13. Also see Rom 11:33-36.) To "have the mind of Christ" means to look at life from the Saviour's point of view, having His values and desires in mind. It means to think God's thoughts and not think as the world thinks. (from The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.) A. We will make choices based upon our mind set to be servants. Matt 20:27-29 7 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." NKJV B. We will make choices based upon our mind set to be compassionate. - Our choices should reflect our concerned for others. Matt 14:14-15, Mark 6:34 (sheep with no shepherd), and Matt. 9:36 (sheep with no sheep) 14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. 15 When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food." NKJV C. We will make choices based upon our mind set of going to God because He knows about our weaknesses in making the right choice.
Heb 4:14-16 Pray first, pray first, pray first!! 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,e Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV 3. We are men who make choices because operate in the Strength of the Holy Spirit. 2 Cor 3:16-18 We have the freedom in Christ to make right choices! 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. NKJV A. The strength of the Holy Spirit provides power when we make choices. 2 Tim 1:6-7 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. NKJV B. The strength of the Holy Spirit provides teaching when we make choices. 1 Cor 2:13-14 Choices will be based upon what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach us. We must allow ourselves to be teachable at all times. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy* Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things
with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. NKJV C. The Strength of the Holy Spirit provides counsel when we make choices. John 14:25-27 Again, let our choices be based upon the Holy Spirit s counsel. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. NKJV Application: Let s be men of God who Act and not re-act when we make choices. We need to be men who have a purpose in all we choose to say and do. We have an opportunity to be a blessing or a nightmare to those we meet and interact with on a daily basis. Agree with me that when it comes to making right choices, we will choose to please God and be a bondservant of Christ: Gal 1:10 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. NKJV