WHICH LIFE DO YOU CHOOSE?
Romans 10:17
INTRO: Choices abound in our modern world. Freedom allows us to decide many things for ourselves. Man has always had certain powers to chose. Sometimes there are a number of choices which we can make. However, in many cases we must decide from only two. We have only two options.
I. WE CAN WALK BY FAITH OR OPINION.
A. Rom. 10:17, NIV “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message...”
B. 2 Cor. 5:7, NIV “We live by faith, not by sight”
C. The walk of faith is one guided by God’s word. The walk by sight is the following of one’s own opinion.
D. As Christians we must walk by FAITH.
II. WE ARE OF TWO CLASSES OF PEOPLE.
A. Not speaking of Rich, middle, lower, etc.
B. Matt. 13:49, NIV “...The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous.”
C. We are of either of theses two groups, the righteous, or the wicked. Our relationship to God and his will determines which.
III. THERE ARE TWO RULERS TO FOLLOW.
A. Matt. 28:18, NIV “...All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
B. 2 Cor. 4:4, NIV “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
C. At the temptation of Christ (Matt. 4:8-9).
D. Who is the ruler you follow? It is one of these two!
IV. TWO ROADS ARE SPOKEN OF IN THE BIBLE.
A. Matt. 7:13-14, describes the Broad & The Narrow. The broad way is characterized by those who live for themselves, pleasing only self and their desires.
B. The narrow way leads to life and is characterized by those who center their hearts on Jesus and follow his direction.
V. THERE ARE TWO FOUNDATION, FROM WHICH TO CHOOSE.
A. Matt. 7:24-27 describes the Rock & The Sand. For you to build upon the ROCK you must center your life in Jesus and his way for you. Live for him and him alone. Forsake the world and what it offers.
B. To build upon the SAND you simply have to follow your own way in life. Follow the crowd. Follow your opinions and those of others in matters of religious practice.
VI. WE CAN DIE ONE OF TWO DEATHS.
A. Rev. 14:13, NIV “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from now on. “Yes,” says the Spirit, they will rest from their labor; for their deeds will follow them.” There is DEATH IN THE LORD. 1 Thes. 4:14 “We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” Thus there is a death described as being “in the Lord.”
B. John 8:21, describes death in one’s sins. Those who will die in their sins are described in verses 22-27. Those who die in their sins are they who do not give themselves over to Jesus in submission, who is the only one who can remove their sins. To die in one’s sins is to have sin that has not been removed by the blood of Christ.
VII. WE WILL SPEND ETERNITY IN ONE OF TWO PLACES.
A. Rev. 20:13-15. The Lake Of Fire.
B. Rev. 21:1-2. Heaven.
CONC: We can choose only one of two things in these various areas of which the Bible speaks. Of extreme importance is this point.
1. Walk by Faith
2. Be in the group of the Righteous.
3. Follow our ruler Christ.
4. Travel the narrow way.
5. Build on the Rock foundation.
6. Die in the Lord.
7. Spend eternity in Heaven.
We have learned that you must act powerfully and purposefully in the direction of God and his will. To choose the opposite all you need do is little to nothing at all but live as the rest of the world. God wants you to be with him and enjoy all he has for you in this life and the next. He will help you. He wants you to choose the right and not the wrong.
