“Today’s Choices—Tomorrow’s Generation”
Text: Exodus 20:5-6
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (KJV)
Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them, for I Jehovah thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me, and showing loving kindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. (ASV)
Introduction:
The choices we make are very important. They do not just affect us today but those choices affect those in generations to come. Ron Hutchcraft told his children when they were falling in love with someone “what sounded like a strange piece of advice, ’Make sure you make a good 200-year choice.’” Now his children thought it was some crazy advice and you are probably thinking the same thing. By he was giving some very good advice. The choice of a mate will an impact on your family for a long, long time—along with a lot of other family and personal choices.
I would like to illustrate what I mean with two different family studies: Family One—which we will remain unnamed is traced back to criminal ancestor. “Out of 1200 of his descendants, 400 wrecked themselves physically through drugs, drinking or sexual diseases; 310 were beggars; 130 convicted criminals; 60 of them were thieves; 7 were murderers; and 20 learned a trade—in prison.” (RH)
The second study was done on a man we all have heard of but I am going to save his name ’til the end. He was a great preacher and an early president of what is now called Princeton University. From him came 100 college professors, 100 ministers, 100 lawyers and judges, 60 doctors, 24 authors and editors, and 14 college presidents.” Would you know who I am talking about? (Jonathan Edwards) “Legacy—the powerful result of one generation’s family choices. It makes the choices of who we date and who we marry so very crucial –way too important for just our hormones or our attractions to decide for us. Genesis 24:44 says, “Let it be the one the Lord has chosen.” (RH)
Making the right choice went choosing a mate is very important, but that is not the only choice that is made in life. We all make choices every day , maybe even hundreds of choice that we do not even know that we are making. Making choices is a Big bulk of our days work. That is why it is so important that we make the right choice when big decision in life. That is what makes those hundred of everyday choices so much easier for us.
You may be wondering, how do we know what choice is right and good for us? There are three steps of advice that I would like to give to you this morning.
I.Use the Bible as your guide. The Bible says: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15 Another verse of scripture says: “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12
II.Use the Power of Prayer. The Bible states that we should “Pray without ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:17 Meaning that we should always be in a spirit of prayer 24/7 because we never know just when we may need to make a BIG Choice.
III.Use a source of Wise and Godly Counsel. The Bible advices counseling. “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Proverbs 24:6
Conclusion:
In conclusion I would like to insert one more step. That step is this: use good common horse sense. Some choices we need to make, we can make them without using the Bible, Power of Prayer, and Wise and Godly Counsel. It is obvious that just plain common sense in making the choice is all that we need.
