Therefore Choose Life
Introduction:
Some choices we make are over and done with. We choose to
eat a hamburger for lunch as opposed to a salad. Other
choices are ones where we must continue to choose because
our choice requires constant attention. Choosing to raise a
family involves countless choices throughout life. Choosing
to go to heaven and be with God is the type of decision that
requires daily choices.
In
Deuteronomy 30,
God is going back over the covenant with the children of
Israel. He is reminding them of the importance of choosing
life, life with Jehovah. Read
Deuteronomy 30:11-20.
Text:
Deuteronomy 30:11-20
Body:
I.
Love the Lord Your God
·
Note
Matthew 22:37-38.
Your love and your affection for the One who gave you life
should be greater than your love for anyone or anything
else. Period! Choose to always love God the most.
·
When you love someone, you care about what is important to
him. Because I love my wife, what she wants is important to
me. So what is important to God is what should be important
to me. Things like holiness, truth, justice, integrity, and
righteousness matter. (Psalm
93:5, Psalm 33:4-5)
·
Are you allowing things of the world [job, hobbies, sports,
entertainment. . .] to crowd out time with God? Do you ever
not do what God wants you to do in order to do what you want
instead?
II.
Obey His Voice
·
His voice (Romans
10:17)
His voice is preserved for us in His Word. (Joshua
24:24-26)
We must have the right heart and be willing to listen to His
voice. (Mark
4:12)
Are you too busy to listen to His voice? Are you earnestly
seeking God’s will?
·
Obedience follows listening. (James
1:22-25)
(Luke
6:46)
·
The inspired writer, James, links obedience with one’s
faith. (James
2:17-18,24)
III.
Cling to Him
·
Hold fast. Glue yourself to Him. Be
inseparable. (Deuteronomy
10:20)
·
Many things in this world will try and separate you from
God. (Romans
8:38-39)
One such thing is your family; another is your friends. (Matthew
10:37)
·
One must be firmly committed to the Lord, not be lukewarm.
(Psalm
37:5, Revelation 3:15-16)
·
If you cling to Him, then whatever He says, you will do.
Conclusion:
You and I have the power to choose life. Love Him, obey
Him, and cling to Him forever!
Bobby
Stafford
November 24, 2013
|