DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS OF LIFE
By
Jerry Falwell
INTRODUCTION
Today, I am looking at the dangerous intersections in our life that affect the rest of our life. These can be a crossroad, blind intersection, fork, traffic circle, or an intersection with multiple streets.
Characteristics of dangerous intersections:
1. We are faced with a crisis, decision, or an experience that will affect the rest of our life.
2. A crucial time of God’s dealing with us.
3. Our future is on the line.
4. The way we cross dangerous intersections becomes an “indicator” of how we handle danger for the rest of our life.
5. At the end of life, we can usually trace the success or failure of our life back to that one point in time.
EVERYONE HAS A DANGEROUS CROSSROAD, WE ALL HANDLE IT DIFFERENTLY
WRECK: total loss (insurance says it’s not worth fixing)
ACCIDENT: a fender-bender can be repaired.
SAFE CROSSING: the other side of danger is a new level of service.
First: Wreck--total loss (insurance says not worth fixing)
1. Some people miserably fail. They destroy their life.
They deny God.
They fight God.
They rebel against God.
They run from God.
2. Saul’s early advantages in serving God.
Saul prophesied with the prophets. When they looked for him he was humble, hiding in the baggage. Early in his reign he won several battles and wanted God’s blessing before battles and wanted to worship the Lord.
3. Saul’s self-will.
He waited seven days for Samuel and then intruded into the priest office and sacrificed to God. Samuel told him, “Thou hast done foolishly. Thou hast not kept the commandments of the Lord” (I Samuel 13:13).
4. Saul’s incomplete obedience.
God told him to completely destroy the Amalekites, but Saul saved Agag the king, and the best spoils as a reward. God told him, “Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord” (I Samuel 15:19).
5. God’s reason for judgment.
“Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice” (I Samuel 15:22).
Results of Saul’s wrecking his life:
a. God appointed young sixteen year old David.
b. The Spirit of God left Saul.
c. He became a neurotic, persecute by an evil spirit, i.e. demons.
d. Misdirected: spent sixteen years chasing David, rather than fighting the Philistines.
e. Consulted with a witch for the future rather than praying to God. He tried to kill his son.
f. Defeated in battle. His son is killed and he and committed suicide.
6. Good news:
The Lord is a God of the second chance. “He will restore the years the locust hath eaten” (Joel 2:25).
Second: Accident--fender bender
Some decisions limit what we can do in life. We never do all we were supposed to do because of one bad decision. We have an accident, but the car never runs properly.
1. Demas made a bad decision.
“For Demas hath forsaken me, for having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessolonica” (II Timothy 4:10)
Demas was originally in good favor with Paul. Paul spoke well of him. “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you” (Colossians 4:14). “There salute thee Epaphras, Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas” (Philemon 24)
2. What did Demas have going for him?
a. Demas had good friends, Mark, Luke, and the other disciples of Paul.
b. Demas had a good environment, he was with Paul as a companion.
c. Demas was counted as a disciple.
d. Demas had a good mentor, Paul.
e. Demas had a good message. He was sent to preach the gospel.
f. Demas had a good goal, Paul expected much of him but in the time of crisis when Paul needed him.
g. Demas left him because, “having loved this present world” (II Timothy 4:10)
3. Characteristics of his bad decision:
a. Untimely decision, because Paul needed him.
b. Wrong decision, because it was for the world.
c. Wrongly motivated decision, because he had the wrong love.
Third: Safe Crossing
Certain men come to dangerous intersections in their life, and make a decision that determines their whole life. Let me tell you about these intersections.
1. We usually face more than one in our lifetime. Life is choice, we will always have to make good choices, in the first quarter and in the last quarter.
2. There are excruciating and extremely difficult decisions. Good decisions are never easy.
3. Usually there are some dangers on both sides, and so look out for the warnings with every decision.
4. We do not always understanding the eternal implications of a decision.
5. We usually have to climb over a barrier to make a good decision.
1. Money.
2. Power.
3. Pride.
4. Things (possessions).
5. Sex.
THE OTHER SIDE OF DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS.
1. Turnaround.
Sometimes the crossroad will result in brokenness, such as Isaiah who saw the Lord and cried out, “Woe is me” (Isaiah 6:5). When the angel challenged Mary with the birth of Christ, she yielded to God, “Be it unto me according to thy Word” (Luke 1:38).
2. New Direction.
“Sometimes you are choosing a new path, or you are choosing a new direction. Young people today call it a paradigm shift. It is a new focus in life. The Apostle Paul stepped through a new door when he had to stop persecuting the church, become converted and enter the church. He had to stop preaching the Law, and begin preaching grace.
3. A Step of Faith.
Certain people had to step out on faith and trust God as never before. They don’t have to repent or change their life. They are walking with God. But at dangerous intersections, they take a GIANT STEP FORWARD. When Peter was in the boat, he faced a crossroad. When Jesus said, “Come” he had to step out of the boat and walk on water, a whole new experience. When Moses was tending sheep he had to leave the desert and go tell Pharaoh to “Let God’s people go.”
a. Chose against Egypt.
“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:24-27).
b. The burning bush.
Moses met God at the burning bush. There he chooses to give up his shepherd’s way, go back to Egypt where he was a wanted man, and lead God’s people into the Promise Land.
c. Fasting on Mt. Sinai.
Moses chose to fast for 40 days to receive the 10 Commandments and the Law for God’s people.
d. Intercessory prayer.
“If thy presence do not go with me, carry us up not hence” (Exodus 33:15). “I beseech thee, show me thy glory” (Exodus 33:18).
HOW TO APPROACH A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION
1. Caution:
Like any crossroad you approach, look both ways (to past and future), be careful of the dangers, of things you don’t see, and what you see.
2. Study the track record.
Know what the Bible has said about men “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning” (Romans 15:4). “Now these things were our examples” (I Corinthians 10:6).
3. A daily sensitive walk with God:
So you can understand experiences whether they are normal or epic variety.
4. Have a Spirit-led caution concerning every decision.
5. Don’t be so overcautious that you lose your freedom of ministry or you are afraid to fail, so you do nothing.
6. Don’t ignore small decisions, for in small decisions you determine the big picture of your life.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Contact us and ask for a copy of The How To Book or use The How To Book Online (Falwell.com). It is a booklet that will answer many of the questions you are sure to have about living the Christian life. And when you contact us, tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
