"He Is No Fool....make A Decision" ~ For What Will You Give Your Life?

Title: “He is no fool….make a decision”

Text: 2 Timothy 1: 7, 12

Purpose: We don't have to be paralyzed by fear

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Introduction (Are there some things worth fighting for?) (For what will you give your life?)

a. Freedom

b. Good grades

c. Good health

d. Family values

e. Religious liberty

His name is Eric Liddell: Known as the “Flying Scotsman” (1)

• Born in 1902

• Son of Scottish missionary parents serving in China

• Eric’s story is chronicled in the award winning film “Chariots of Fire”

• He was an outstanding sportsman, eventually selected to run in the 1924 Paris Olympiad

• Liddell was a committed Christian and refused to run on Sunday (the Sabbath), with the consequence that he was forced to withdraw from the 100 meters race, his best event.

• He ended up running in the 400 meters race something that he had limited time for which to train. Even so, his success in the 400m was largely unexpected.

• The day of 400 meters race came, and as Liddell went to the starting blocks, an American masseur slipped a piece of paper in his hand with a quotation from 1 Samuel 2:30, "Those who honor me I will honor."

• Liddell ran with that piece of paper in his hand. He not only won the race, but broke the existing world record with a time of 47.6

• Eventually Eric would return to China as a missionary, during some very dangerous times to serve the Lord.

• He was eventually taken to a prison camp, and later died.

• And the reports said, that “All of Scotland mourned”

He was granted an opportunity to make a decision that honored God.

Quote: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” (Jim Elliot)

Today I want to talk to you about making a decision. Things worth fighting for.

My father in law told me when I was just newly married, “In life, you have to make a decision. It might be the wrong one, but at least you’ve made a decision from which you can learn.”

Question: What keeps you and me from making decisions?

Answer: Usually its fear

Whole industry geared to fear, especially on television

• Fear Factor

• Scare Tactics to name a few

Question: How do you handle fear?

1. Sometimes we try to hid it by burying ourselves in our work, or study or relationships

2. Sometimes we’ll avoid the situations altogether

3. Sometime we will even deny that we are fearful

But in reality, fear does exist. It can be a healthy fear that keeps us safe in dangerous situations and forces us to be alert. But fear can also be paralyzing.

Question: What are most people afraid of?

1. Public speaking 3. Heights

2. Spiders 4. Transitions or changes in life

TEXT: 2 Timothy 1:7 & 12

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline….For I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.”

Three people that faced very similar situations in Scripture who had decisions points about honoring God and then a closing illustration

I. Overcoming the fear of uncertainty or unknown

Story of Abram: Genesis 12:1 “The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.’”

Now remember they didn’t have GPS, MapQuest or OnStar on their camels. I’m sure they were lucky to have a map if they had that.

Verse 4 says, “So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran.”

The older I get, the harder it is for transition. Because I’ve got some things figured out

• I know what I like

• I know what works

• I don’t want to have to do it all over again

But Abram was obedient. Now remember, up to this point, Abram had not heard the voice of God. So listen to the promise that God gives in these first few verses.

a. I will make you into a great nation

b. I will bless you

c. I will make your name great

d. You will be a blessing

So Abram was faced with a choice. He could ignore the voice and continue life in the land of Ur, or he could respond to that voice with trust and obedience. No matter which he chooses, life could never be the same for him.

For Abram, he represents the life struggle with the “Fear of the Unknown.”

Question: Do you face the fear of the unknown? Is there uncertainty in your life?