The Offer Of Life In The Light

The offer of life in the light

Deuteronomy 30:11-20

Introduction-

last week we looked at covenants. We closely looked at what God expects from us once we accept Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives. We saw that 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert because of complaining and their disbelief. The whole time God took care of them by their clothes and sandle’s not wearing out and met their needs for food and water. Today’s message carries much the same theme. God is talking, He is giving a warning. The Israelites had a choice to make. I will listen and obey God or, I tune him out and do my own thing. The covenant contract remained the same. I will be your God- you will be my people. If you choose not to put me first, if you choose to have other gods and idols. There will be a consequence because I am a jealous God and I will not share my glory with anyone or anything. I told you last week that society is shifting toward being agnostic, but God does not expect people who call upon the name of Jesus to think or be that way.

•Believe that there is a god, but that he does not want to have a relationship.

•Believe that he does not care what you do.

•Believe that there will not be consequences... because God is just out there in a distance.

God spoke to the Israelites and He is speaking to each one of us.. And He offers us Life In abundance In His Fullness For obedience and a relationship with Him. He also promises death and destruction for those who reject Him.

Deuteronomy 30:11-20

The lord is telling the Israelites , what I am commanding you is not more than you can handle. It is not difficult. You don’t have to ascend to heaven to get it, you do not have to cross the sea. No, what I am commanding you should be close to you, it should be in your words and actually in your heart. The commandment is simple to understand, but not easy to do.

Love the Lord your God....

Walk in my commandments...

Obey God, do as I have told you.

Then... you will live and I will bless you

But...(v17) change of direction, if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods- you will be destroyed

Life is full of decisions- each day we make big ones, (life changers) and one’s that really don’t matter in life. Sometimes we worry about what tie we will wear and forget the things of God that matter. When it concerns things between you and God, your destiny, your eternity, they are life changers

Illustration- SermonCentral

let me set the scene for you. You and your spouse decide that you are going to “go out” to eat. As you are driving down the street you say, sweetheart, where would you like to eat? And she says, I don’t care, you pick a place. He says, no, I picked the last time, you choose. I don’t care, just pick a place. Fine, lets just go to such and such restaurant. (Her attitude changes)She says, I hate that place. So as you are peeling out of the parking lot, you say.. (change of attitude)Where do you want to eat (change of attitude) “I don’t care”

Attitude of the heart matters Relationships matter Where we place our priories matter

Here is Moses at the end of his life- he has made both good and bad choices in the past. He has paid consequences for his bad choices, and he is giving final instructions to the people he led for 40 years in the desert. Moses is telling them, they have two choices.

• choose life- relationship with God

• choose death- be stubborn and have it your own way

Seems impossible to me that someone would not choose life, but I am sure they did. Everyday people are dying without a relationship with Jesus Christ. Choose life through Christ or death

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” John 10:10

God has given us a wonderful gift of choice

• some will accept the wonderful gift of Christ.

• Some will make horrible choice and decide that they want it their own way, or procrastinate and say they will make that choice later.

We have choices;

• Will I commit to a life of obedience or self-will?

• Will I commit to spiritual growth?

• Will I listen to the Holy Spirit or will I tune Him out until I can no longer hear His voice?