CHOICES

The main characters in the passion story all had one thing in common they each made life changing choices.

  • Judas chose silver over friendship

  • Religious leaders chose to falsely accuse Jesus of trumped up charges

  • Pilate chose to convict an innocent man

  • Christ chose God’s will over his own will

  • The disciples chose to run

Choices are nothing new to mankind.  We have been making decisions from the beginning of time.  Not just insignificant decisions like - what will I wear? – what will I have for dinner? – what color should we paint the kitchen?

Choices that have weight and significance attached to them – life changing moments based on a single decision have been with us since the beginning of mankind.

Abel and Cain.  Abel chooses God – Cain chooses murder. And God allowed it to happen.

Abraham and Lot – both pilgrims in Canaan – Abraham chooses God, Lot chooses Sodom. And God allowed it to happen.

 David and Saul – both Kings of Israel.  David chooses a heart after God – Saul chooses to attempt murder and to consult a witch.  And God allowed it to happen.

Peter and Judas both are disciples of Jesus – both deny Jesus – Peter seeks mercy – Judas seeks death. And God allowed it to happen.

Through out all of human history and on every page of scripture is the evidence that man can choose and God allows us to make our own choices.

No one delineates this point more clearly than Jesus.

A narrow road or a wide road – Matt 7:13-14

Travel with a large crowd or a small crowd – Matt 7:13-14

 WE CAN CHOOSE TO

  • Build on rock or on sand – Matt 7:24-27

  • Serve God or riches – Matt 6:24

Nowhere in the life of Christ is this idea of choice more defined than Calvary.  Calvary posted three crosses that day.  Why 3? – have you ever wondered why not 6 or 10?  Why was Jesus in the center? 

Could I suggest to you that the two crosses opposite Christ represent the gift of Choice that God gave to each of us.

The two criminals on either side of Christ have so much in common.  Both of them criminals, both guilty, both condemned, both within minutes of death.

 But the equality stops there. 

 LUKE 23:39-43

  • One of the criminals chooses curses the other chooses repentance. 

  • We celebrate the thief who changed - Though we know little about him we know this: he made some bad choices in life. 

  • He chose the wrong crowd, the wrong morals, the wrong behavior. 

  • Failure seems to be the epitaph for this man. 

  • Is he reaping the rewards of so many bad choices? 

  • No just the opposite. 

  • He is enjoying the fruit of the one good decision he made. 

  • All his bad decisions were redeemed by the solitary great decision he made.

The hill represents a choice.

  • One man chose to pray and Jesus loved him enough to save him

  • The other man cursed and mocked and Jesus loved enough to let him

Choices.

  • Choices matter – every time.

  • Choices matter even when you are in times of difficulty, change and times you would consider a trial.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Choices 

Choose the right attitude – Joy – verse 2

  • Fruit of the spirit

  • Not dependent upon circumstances

  • A choice

  • A decision to function in an attitude dictate by the Spirit of God in me – not the circumstances that surround me. 

 Choose the right heart – Faith – verse 3

  • The testing of your faith.

  • Please notice there is no question that you have faith

  • The process here is a qualifying, testing, enhancing, perfecting aspect of the faith that God has given you.

Choose the right emotion – Patience – verse 3

  • Again the Fruit of the Spirit.

  • The fruit of the spirit is manifest in our lives during these times

  • When a cup is shaken what comes up and out of it – is what is in it.

  • The right emotion is patience

  • Take that extra moment

  • To think

  • Before you respond

  • Prior to you answering

  • One last silent prayer in patience before you choose.

  • Impatience will only worsen a situation

  • When in trial – allow patience to do its work

4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [b]perfect (mature) and complete, lacking nothing.  

Choose the right thoughts – Wisdom – verse 5

Wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure then peaceable

Wisdom has great benefit

1. Wisdom gives you the power to change. 

2.  It also gives you the power to lead. 

3. Wisdom also gives you the power to decide.

4. Wisdom gives you the power to live life to the full everyday.

Click here to watch Pastor Bret’s message on Choices