The Lie: I Did It My Way Series

Back in 2010 there’s the true story of a British man named Shawn Murtagh who decided to wear a Halloween costume. To complete the costume he had a sequined top hat he wanted to wear at an angle on his head. But it wouldn’t quite stay on, so instead of attaching the hat to his head with a string, he decided to glue it on. He tried fabric glue. That didn’t work, so then he used … Super Glue. The Good news was… the hat stayed on. The Bad news was: It wouldn’t come off. He tried using soap and warm water, but that didn’t work. So he went to the emergency room, and the ER doctor told him “Super Glue is actually quite strong. If I rip the hat off, it will tear your scalp and could lead to an infection.” So the nurse cut the hat off with scissors. She told reporters, “I cut off the top of the hat, leaving only the brim, so he won’t look like that much of an idiot.” The brim finally came off, but only after he soaked head in warm water for 12 hours.

There is a way that seems right unto a man… but the end thereof can be pretty embarrassing. Especially if you use Super Glue.

But, when it comes to the more serious decisions of life, if we insist on doing things OUR way, it can get real dangerous… real quick. The actual quote from Proverbs 14:12 says “There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is the way of death”

The sermon series we’re preaching this month deals with “Lies That People Believe.” And the lie we’re looking at today is … “I Did It My Way.”

Now, you might recognize those words from a song written back in the 60’s by Paul Anka and made popular by Frank Sinatra. It’s a powerful song, and it starts out with the singer talking about the difficulties of life. At one point, you hear these words:

“Regrets, I’ve had a few; but then again, too few to mention. I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption. I planned each charted course; each careful step along the byway. But more, much more than this, I did it my way. (Chorus) Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew when I bit off more than I could chew. But through it all, when there was doubt, I ate it up and spit it out. I faced it all and I stood tall; And did it my way.”

That last section builds to a crescendo and you can almost hear people in the audience say “YEAH! That’s the way to live life!!! Do it your way!!!”

ILLUS: In fact a 2005 survey showed that the song “I Did It My Way” was the most requested song at funerals in the United Kingdom. The spokesman said, “The words sum up what so many people feel about their lives and how they would like their loved ones to remember them.”

(https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/franksinatra/myway.html)

It’s an impressive song about facing life’s difficulties… and triumphing over the challenges - I Did It My Way! It’s a powerful song. And it’s also… a pagan song.

Scripture repeatedly warns us… that’s not a good idea!!!! “There is a way that seems right unto a man (he does it HIS WAY), but the end thereof is the way of death.”

Our text this morning says: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. BE NOT WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8

Don’t do it your way… Do it God’s way.

There’s all kind of stories in Bible that show what happens when people don’t do things God’s way. Cain probably knew what kind of sacrifice God desired, but he did it his way and offered God his own kind of sacrifice – and God rejected both Cain and his offering. After the flood God told the people multiply and FILL the earth. Instead they did it their way settled in one spot and built the tower of Babel. God came down and scattered the people and confused their languages. Abraham was promised that he and Sarah would have a child, but Sarah was getting old and impatient. So Abraham listened to her and did things her way and he had a child by her servant Hagar. They ended up with serious family troubles. Pharaoh did it his way. He mocked Moses by saying “Who is this God that I should listen to him” and refused to let the Israelites go. Ten plagues later, he learned the folly of his actions. And of course, Judas did it his way and betrayed Jesus for 30 pcs. of silver. And we all know how that turned out.