Choices Have Consequences

Choices have Consequences

Joshua 24:14-15

14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

14 “Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in truth; remove the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the [Euphrates] River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 If it is unacceptable in your sight 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 live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” AMP

In this review of Israel’s history, Schaeffer noted that Joshua contrasted God’s great work for Israel with three sets of gods, associated with three bodies of water.

· Joshua 24:2-4 shows that on the other side of the Euphrates were the gods of Sumerian and Babylonian culture – gods of heritage.

· Joshua 24:5-7a shows that on the other side of the Red Sea were the gods of ancient Egypt – gods of upbringing.

· Joshua 24:7b-13 and 24:15 shows that as they crossed the Jordan there were the gods of the Amorites – gods of the culture.

Joshua applied the principle. The LORD God of Israel is greater than all these idols; therefore, serve the LORD!

www.enduringword.com

How many of us have heard the old saying, “You get to make the choice but you don’t get to choose the consequences.” We’ve all heard it at some time or another but do we really pay attention to the truth in this statement.

I. The Challenge

a. Surrender – fear the Lord

b. Serve – in sincerity and truth

c. Sanctify – put away the gods

II. The Choices

BILLY GRAHAM: CHOICES

Billy Graham said, "The strongest principle of life and blessings lies in our choice. Our life is the sum result of all the choices we make, both consciously and unconsciously. If we can control the process of choosing, we can take control of all aspects of our life. We can find the freedom that comes from being in charge of our life. So start with what is right rather than what is acceptable.

"If you don’t make a decision, then time will make it for you, and time will always side against you."

a. Two world views – Biblical or secular

Specifically do we believe in a Creator God what made everything from nothing or do we believe that matter, space and time came into existence by some cosmic accident?

b.Two world values – principles or pragmatism

What is pragmatism? Pragmatism is the only philosophy native to America. Pragmatism eschews any hope of discovering ultimate truth. It is skeptical with respect to objective principles of righteousness and defines truth as “that which works.” In this philosophy, the end always justifies the means. The driving force behind decisions within the scope of pragmatism is the force of expediency.

We remember in the days of the trial of Jesus of Nazareth, two of the important players were Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate. Both men made their decisions to have Jesus executed on the basis of expediency (Mark 15:15; John 11:45–53). Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate were pragmatists with a vengeance.

www.ligonier.org

c. Two world voices – What voice are we listening too?

ILL: A young student in China decided to play a trick on his elderly teacher one day. He caught a small bird and cupped it in his hands behind his back. He then approached the sage with this plan in mind. He would ask the old man what he had in his hand. If he answered correctly, he would then ask the teacher if the bird was dead or alive. If the old man said, "Alive," he would crush the bird. If he answered, "Dead," he would release the bird.

Upon approaching the teacher, the young student said, "Old man, what do I have in my hand?" The man responded, "A bird, my son."

"Is he dead or alive, old man?" the boy asked with a grin.

The old sage thought for a moment and then he replied, "The answer to that question, my son, is in your hands......it’s in your hands."