Choices To Be Made In 2023

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-1-2023

Philippians 1:20-26

 

Introduction:   Happy New Year! 2023!  We made it through another year.  2022 has become history and 2023 is not the future arrived.  I do not know that this new year will hold but I do know Who holds it, so let us face it in hope.

 

A.  Life is full of choices, and they can be either right or wrong. 

 

1.  Choices are made by each of us every day and, for the most part, they have little temporal or eternal value.  But some choices have eternal value and MUST be made right.

 

2.  Little decisions, little consequences; big decisions, big consequences.

 

B.  I will make a lot of choices today:

 

1.  I can choose to have a good attitude or a bad attitude.  I choose to have a good attitude.

 

2.  I can choose to trust God or not to trust God.  I choose to trust God.

 

3.  I can choose to murmur and complain when trials come, or to learn a lesson from hardship.  I choose to learn a lesson.

 

4.  I can choose to be a blessing or a discouragement.  I choose to be a blessing.

 

5.  I can choose to smile or to frown.  I choose to smile.

 

6.  I can choose to be faithful or unfaithful.  I choose to be faithful.

 

7.  I can choose to be used of God or to live for self.  I choose to be used for God.

 

8.  I can choose to live in sin or to be pure and holy.  I choose to be pure and holy.

 

9.  I can choose God’s blessing or God’s cursing.  I choose God’s blessing.

 

C.  Here, we find Paul’s Choices - 17-24

 

1.  He chose to be Uncompromising - 17 “set...defense”  It cost Paul his friends and family.  There is an unspoken peer pressure by unsaved friends and family members that constantly pressures God’s children to compromise the gospel through acceptance and quietness.

 

2.  He chose to be a Soul Winner - 18 “do rejoice ... will rejoice”  It cost Paul his time.  To be soul conscious, we must not be self-conscious.  Jesus first, others second, and you last is the acrostic for JOY.

 

3.  He chose to be Unashamed - 20 “in nothing”  It cost Paul his pride.  When we become something, Jesus becomes nothing; when we become nothing, Jesus becomes everything!  By the grace of God, we are what we are.

 

4.  He chose to be Bold - 20 “with all boldness”  It cost him his comfort  - quietness brings no conflict but boldness brought persecution.  There is a time to be quiet and there is a time to speak out.  Wisdom is knowing when and where to speak.

 

5.  He chose to be a Testimony - 20 “magnified ... life”  It cost Paul his liberty.  Paul said that all things were lawful to him but not all things were expedient.  “If you can prove me wrong, I will stop doing what I am doing” instead of “I will stop what I am doing until I can prove that I am right by doing it” is the mentality of this newfangled “Christianity”.

 

6.   He chose to be Faithful - 20 “magnified ... death”  It cost Paul his life.  Is not our will but God’s will that must be done.  Our Lord prayed for this in the Garden.

 

7.  He chose to Trust - 20 “death”  It cost Paul his self-reliance.  We are to trust the Lord with all our hearts in this New Year.  To live is Christ or to die is gain.

 

8.  He chose to be Holy - 21 “Christ”  It cost Paul his worldly pleasure.  We live in a fun oriented society.  “If it feels good, do it” is the mentality of this world but is not to be the mentality of the child of God.

 

9.  He chose to be Used - 24 “abide ... needful”  It cost Paul his personal desires.  Paul made himself available in the service and work of the Lord.  President Kennedy said that we are not to ask what our country can do for us but for what we can do for our country.

 

D.  Some of our choices have little value but some are of great value both now and later:

 

1.  Making Right or Wrong Choices About Salvation. It’s heaven or hell and it is Eternal.

 

Deuteronomy 30:19-20  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20  That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. 

 

a.  God will not force you to be saved!

 

b.  God has done everything necessary for you to be saved!

 

c.  God gives you the choice:  eternal life or eternal death in hell!

 

2.  Making Right or Wrong Choices About Sin.  Its peace and safety or consequences and regrets.

 

Galatians 6:7-8  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

 

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Psalms 51:1-3  Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3  For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.  (That is one sad passage!  The sorrow and regret of a man after God’s own heart!)

 

3.  Making Right or Wrong Choices About Marriage.  Its heaven on earth or it is hell on earth.  I cannot stress this enough to our youth!  Make sure you find the Lord’s choice for a mate for life.

 

a)  Do not make quick decisions - Proverbs 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

 

b)  Do not simply go for looks - Genesis 29:17  Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.  (Leah was God’s choice!)

 

Proverbs 31:30  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

 

4.  Making Right or Wrong Choices About Service  It is happiness or unhappiness.

 

Joshua 24:14-15  Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15   And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

The Valley Of Confusion

Temple Baptist Church - 6-7-2020

Job 23:1-17

Introduction: 

A.  Job is said to be the oldest book in the Bible. 

1.  I will take their word for that as I do know the antiquity of the story.  Thus, what I am going to preach about this morning is as old as time itself.

2.  The Valley of Faith.  There will be times in our lives when we do not understand (Job did not) and or when we cannot do anything to alleviate our circumstances.  These times will try our faith!

B.  It is in these times that you had better know some things.

James 5:11  Behold, we count them happy which (1) endure. Ye have heard of the (2) patience of Job, and have seen (3) the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

1.  Job’s Predicament.  Life will be tough at times!

Job 23:1-9  Then Job answered and said,  (2)  Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.  (3)  Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!  (4)  I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.  (5)  I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.  (6)  Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.  (7)  There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.  (8)  Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:  (9)  On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:

1a)  Job’s Complaint – Verse 2  Job’s Complaint was legitimate!

2a)  Job’s Confusion – Verses 3-7  Murphy’s Law applied to Job.

3a)  Job’s Consternation – Verses 8-9  God was nowhere to be found.

2.  Job’s Patience. 

Job 23:10-12  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.  (11)  My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.  (12)  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

4a)  Job’s Consideration – Verses 10  God was still in control!

5a)  Job’s Continuation – Verses 11 And having done all to stand! Do Right!

6a)  Job’s Comfort – Verse 12  God’s comforting Word, the Bible.

3.  Job’s Perception. 

Job 23:13-15  But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.  (14)  For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.  (15)  Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

7a)  Job’s Conclusion – Verse 12-17  Trust in the wisdom of God!

C.  In this part of Job’s life, we find:

          1.  God’s Purpose – vs. 10  “I shall come forth as gold”

          2.  God’s Plan – vs. 11 – “his steps”

          3.  God’s Persistence – vs. 13 – “who can turn him?”

          4.  God’s Performance – vs.  14 – “he performeth”

          5.  God’s Presence – vs. 15 – “his presence”

Our Faith in our Confusion – vs. 11

1 Peter 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1.  His Steps Are Sure Steps

Psalms 18:36  Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

Psalms 18:33  He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.

Psalms 37:31  The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

2.  His Steps Are Ordered Steps

Psalms 37:23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

3.  His Steps Are Protected Steps

Psalms 57:6  They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves.

Psalms 139:3  Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4.  His Steps Are Righteous Steps

Psalms 85:13  Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

Psalms 119:133  Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Psalms 23:3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

5.  His Steps Are Joyous Steps

Psalms 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

6.  His Steps Are Good Steps

Psalms 25:10  All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Psalms 65:11  Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.

Psalms 3:17  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

7.  His Steps Are Plain Steps

Psalms 27:11  Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

Psalms 119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Proverbs 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

8.  His Steps Are Growing Steps

Proverbs 4:18  But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

9.  His Steps Are Living Steps

Proverbs 12:28  In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

The Valley Of Decision

Temple Baptist Church - 5-31-2020

Luke 23:33-43

Introduction:

A.  Someone once said, “Life has many choices; eternity only has two.”  We need to learn that choices have consequences: either good or bad!

1.  I am more than a little sure that these two thieves would rather be somewhere else on this day!

2.  Yet, for both thieves, it was the best place in the world to be on this day. 

3.  As they faced certain death and eternity, the Son of God—the Saviour of the World, hung dying between them and for them.

B.  Our lives are so full of decisions that could have been made, should have been made, must be made that we make many without much thought while others are thought provoking.

1.  Most of our choices are not as consequential.  They involve little “brain matter” to make because, as the old saying goes, “Are six of one or half a dozen of the other.”  We choose when to get up, what to wear, what to eat, etc. every day of our lives.

2.  Many of our choices are more important as they have to do with life changing things.  Choices such as, “What do I want to do with my life?”  What do I want to do for a living, who do I want to marry, are consequential and life changing ones?

3.  A few of our choices are monumental!  In our verses for this morning, we find choices made that concerned eternal things.

C.  Many people on that day made choices concerning who Jesus Christ was. 

1.  Most rejected Christ and, after the crucifixion, went about their lives.  They may have lived many or few more years with time to reflect on the Son of God and reverse or continue in their decision.

2.  Two men on that day made monumental decisions!  These two men were going to die!  They had entered “The Valley of Decision” for the final time.  The ultimate decision making!

D.  The Lord sometimes uses valleys (hard places in life) to bring the lost to a place of decision. 

Joel 3:14  Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

E.  These Valleys of Decision are brought about through His infinite mercy.  When all continues to go well for the sinner, he fails to see his need of salvation.

Ecclesiastes 8:11  Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

F.  These Valleys of Decision are brough about though the goodness of God.  Romans 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?.)

1.  God uses the Valley of Sickness to bring sinners to decisions.  Our health is in God’s hand, not the Doctor’s hands.

Psalms 103:3  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

2.  God uses the Valley of Family Problems to bring sinners to decisions. 

Psalms 127:1  Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

3.  God uses the Valley of Bankruptcy to bring sinners to decisions. 

Proverbs 23:5  Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. 

Haggai 1:9  Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.

4.  God uses the Valley of Funerals to bring sinners to decisions. 

Hebrews 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

1)  The Providence Of God In The Valleys – He is in total control of the lives of both saved and lost.

a)  These valleys cause the lost to lose faith in material things.

1a)  People have too many worldly goods to occupy their lives.

2b)  People have too little need for faith in this world of plenty.

b)  These valleys cause the lost to face their mortality and death.

                                                1a)  The valley of sickness.

                                      2b)  The valley of death.

                             c)  These valleys cause the lost to seek something better.

                                                1a)  They have financial ruin.

                                      2b)  They have family problems.

                                      3c)  They have personal problems (jail, etc.)

                             d)  These valleys are places of decision.

                             e)  These valleys are sometimes places of last resort.

2)  The Purpose Of God In The Valleys

                                    a)  He allows valleys to accomplish His will.

                             b)  He allows valleys to teach His lessons.

                             c)  He allows valleys to maneuver the lives of men.

                             d)  He allows valleys to show His great power.

                             e)  He allows valleys to force man’s decisions.

                             f)  He allows valleys as a means of persuasion.

g)  God uses valleys to bring the lost to a place of decision.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;  In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.  But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;  I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:  That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

3)  The Power Of God In The Valleys – Job asked, “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?”

4)  The promise is that the Lord is near in these Valleys of Decision.

Joel 3:14  Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

G.  This morning, I want to look at a classic example of a valley that brought a sinner face to face with his eternal destination.  The thief was going to die today.  THE DECISION TO BE SAVED WAS HIS TO MAKE AND HIS ALONE!

1.  The Valley Brought The Thief To A Place Of Realization – vs. 33, 39-41

            a.  That Death Was Near – He was faced with his mortality.

          b.  That Judgment Was Impending – He was faced with accountable to God for his sin.

c.  That He Was Hopeless – He was faced with an eternity without God (without hope in this world).

d.  That He Was Helpless – He was faced with helplessness as he could do nothing in himself to change the situation.

2.  The Valley Brought The Thief To A Place Of Recognition – vs. 34, 38, 40-42

            a.  That Christ Was The Only Lord – He cried, “Lord!”

          b.  That Christ Was The Only Way – He cried, “Remember me!”

3.  The Valley Brought The Thief To A Place Of Repentance – vs. 41-42

          a.  He Faced The Reality Of Who He Was.

          b.  He Faced The Reality Of What He Deserved

4.  The Valley Brought The Thief To A Place Of Redemption – vs. 42-43  (He Was Gloriously Saved!)

a.  He Turned From Sin To The Saviour

b.  He Turned From Hopelessness To Hope

c.  He Turned From The End Of  Life To The Beginning Of Eternal Life