Is That Your Final Answer?

Is that your final answer?

Thesis: When the million dollar questions of life and death are asked who are your lifelines that will give you the right answer.

Introduction: The TV show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” has become a intriguing show to watch because of the individuals and the dependability of their lifelines. Yes, they are going for the Million-dollar pot but it’s interesting to watch and learn about the importance of lifelines to get to the grand prize “Which in essence is the myth that a million dollars will bring you happiness and contentment.”

In our lives we face many questions and we answer them sometimes right sometimes wrongly. In every scenario the answers we choose can either bless us or cause much us much grief and pain. Would it not be nice if at that moment in time the music started playing the lights started flashing and there was a booming voice from Heaven which stated, “Is that You Final answer Mike?” I believe if this occurred then I would make sure absolutely that my answer and response where right and correct. I would use my lifelines every time I needed to make an important decision.

I have discovered from catching this TV show that it’s very important to make sure that your lifelines are dependable. I have watched people lose because their lifeline gave them the wrong answer. I have seen the friend-or knowledgeable friend be wrong. I have seen the audience be wrong even though the majority voted for the wrong answer. I have seen eliminating ½ the answers help but it still does not give you the exact answer. I have also watched Regis talk people out of the right answer. So today I want to deal with learning how to make sure that our answer is right and correct in response to life’s questions that will come our way.

I. The first lifeline on the show is having that trusted friend who you believe is wise.

a. The individual is chosen by the contestant prior to the show so that at any one specific time they are stuck they can call and get assistance.

i. It’s important to make sure this person chosen has insight and wisdom.

b. I would like to suggest to you today that in life we have access to an individual like this.

i. In James 1:5 it states, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

1. This text informs us that if we lack wisdom or insight we are to call upon the Lord and he will help us make the right choices.

ii. The Lord is the greatest lifeline you can have in receiving sound information and insight in answering those difficult questions in life.

c. Just like the contestant in the show needs to pick and choose a person with knowledge an insight so you need to do the same.

i. Wisdom only comes from Jesus Christ.

ii. Proverbs 3:5,6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.”

iii. Proverbs 2:6 “ For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

d. Also in the show the contestant had a personal relationship with this individual prior to asking the question and therefore the helper said yes I will help you win.

i. Why did this person choose their knowledgeable friend? Because they had a personal relationship with them and they knew that they had insight and knowledge.

1. Illustration – No Time for relationships

In his bowling book Bowling Alone, Robert Putman says the following statistics are indicators of the decline in community in America over the past 25 years:

Attending club meetings: down 58%

Family dinners: down 33%

Having friends over: down 45%

ii. Why did this person agree to help? Because they had a personal close friendship with them.

1. Because of their relationship they wanted to able to help their friend out.

iii. To be able to inquire and receive answers from a person who knows is the difference between winning and losing in the game show.

iv. The same is true for us in making right choices. Only our answers have to do with life and death.

v. The Lord desires to have a relationship with each of us. He also promises that if we do he will help us out with wisdom, knowledge and insight to give us the ability to make the right choices.

1. Proverbs 2:7-19

Proverbs 2:7 (NIV)

7 He holds victory in store for the upright,

he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,