DECISIONS, DECISIONS
INTRODUCTION: Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decisions.
Surely, there must be someone here who needs help making a decision. How many are good decision makers? On what basis do you make your decisions? How will you present life be affected or your eternity? What constitutes a good decision? obtaining beauty? wealth? power? prestige?
Have you ever made a bad decision? Will you make more? Will you learn from experience? What are the consequences?
I. DECISIONS IN THE BIBLE
A. Bad Decisions
1. Eve Gen. 3:1-8
Factor(s): To be as gods --> wise; good for food; pleasant to the eyes.
Decision: She took, did eat, and gave to Adam. She chose to rebel.
Result: Human race cursed --> die Cain --> murderer
2. Achan Joshua 6:16-19 Joshua 7:1-11; 19-26
Factor(s): I saw, I coveted, I took. Quick money and success.
Decision: To take. Acted on lust.
Result: 36 men die at Ai. Achan and family die.
3. Saul I Sam 13:5-14 I Sam 15:3; 20-26
Factor(s): Pride, Pressured by people
Decision: Disobeyed, intruded into the office of the priest.
Result: Rejected, Lost his Kingdom, Suicide, Death of his sons.
4. Solomon
Factor(s): Pleasure, Wealth
Decision: Women, Riches, other gods, indulgence
Result: Uncertain eternity, Kingdom split under his son.
5. Belshazzar Daniel 5
Factor(s): Pleasure, wine, women, other gods
Decision: Dishonor God profaning vessels
Result: Kingdom lost v. 28; Death v. 30 "Thou fool, this night" Luke 12:20
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
6. Jonah Chapters 1 & 2
Factor(s): Pride in ministry, easy way out
Decision: Go the other way
Result: Swallowed by a great fish
7. Judas Matthew 27:3-5
Factor(s): Money, impatient for the kingdom
Decision: Sold out, betrayal
Result: Death by suicide, lost place in Kingdom
8. Pilate John 18:29 John 19:12-16
Factor(s): Pressured by people, power, position
Decision: Delivered Christ for crucifixion
Result: History says --> insanity
9. Demas II Timothy 4:10
Factor(s): Loved this present world
Decision: Forsook Christ and Paul
Result: Preached as a backslider for hundreds of years
The factors that influenced these individuals are the very things preachers warn you and I of constantly. Why? Just look at the results!!!!!!
B. Good Decisions
1. Enoch Genesis 5:21 -24
Factor(s): Desired to please God
Decision: Walked with God
Result: Pleased God Heb 11:5 and was translated
2. Joshua Joshua 24:15; Numbers 14:24 --> 29 --> 38
Factor(s): Godly desires, different spirit
Decision: To serve the Lord
Result: Died in the Lord with honor at 110 yrs old (24:29)
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Ps 116:15
3. Ruth Ruth 1:14-18
Factor(s): Godly friendship
Decision: To go with God's people.
Result: Wife to Boaz, a wealthy, godly man. Great grandmother to David.
In the lineage of Christ. Matt. 1
4. Joseph Gen 37
Factor(s): Dreamed (17 yrs.old) --> despised
At Potiphar's house Gen 39:9-13 --> flee youthful lusts
Prison Gen 39:22
Decision: Would not sin against God.
Result: Prime minister Gen 41:37 (14 yrs later)
"I am Joseph" Gen 45:1-4 Cared for his family.
5. Daniel Daniel 6:3
Factor(s): Excellent spirit in him
Decision: Prayed on in spite of opposition
Result: God delivered from den of lions --> prospered v. 28
6. Moses Heb 11:25-29
7. Peter, Paul, and other disciples
Choose you this day !!!!!!! Choose Christ !!!!!!! Let Jesus help in your decisions of life.
