Series: Pursuing Excellence. Focus of this message -- Making Excellent Choices.
*Josh.24:15 - "And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
1) FACTORS INVOLVED IN MAKING WISE CHOICES:
*Joshua 24:15 - "...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
a) Maturity.
*1Cor.13:11 - "When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things."
b) Motives.
*Ja.4:3 - "You ask and you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures."
c) Material.
*2Tim.3:16 - "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;"
>Wrong Information seldom if ever leads to Good Decisions.
<>Material shouldn’t be trusted merely because…
*It Sounds Plausible.
Prv.12:5 and Prov.14:9 - "There is a way (which seems) right to a man, but its end is the way of death."
Mt.4:4 - "...He answered… ’It is written, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."’"
*It’s Currently Popular.
Mk.15:15 - "Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified."
*It’s our Personal Preference.
Mt.26:39 - "and He...fell on His face and prayed, ’Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.’"
2) THE METHOD FOR MAKING WISE CHOICES...
a) Search the Scriptures.
Ps.119:105 - "Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path."
2Tim.2:15 - "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
b) Seek godly Counsel.
Pr.1:5 - "A wise man will hear and increase in learning. And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel."
c) Ask God in Prayer.
Ja.1:5 - "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, Who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
d) Watch God’s Activity.
Jsh.24:15 - "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
BRINGING IT HOME...
Are you giving your best to the Master?
Are you giving Him first place in your heart?
Have you consecrated every part of your life?
Are you giving Him the best that you have, not just the left-overs?
No more compromise, and no more wasted days!
