#1 CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES...
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
This is lesson one , I do it in two parts, lesson two follows.
Joshua 24:15 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.
CHOICE:
The act of choosing, care in selecting, to select freely, to make a decision,
CHOICE MEANS THE BEST PART OF MEAT/MILK...
CONSEQUENCE:
The conclusion, aftermath, conclusion, development, outcome, product
IMMEDIATE:
No intervention, present, being near at hand.
DELAY:
Put off, to stop, to hinder for a time, to cause to be slower, slack
I. FEW PEOPLE EVER RECOGNIZE THE ROLE OF CHOICES NOT JUST IN HISTORY BUT
IN THE FUTURE...
THE CHANGE? THE CHANGE WAS NOT NEW PEOPLE?
THE CHANGE WAS A NEW ATTITUDE...
Vince Lombardi played a defensive guard for Fordham University, 25 consecutive wins.
Vince Lombardi is known as one of the greatest coaches of all times, 1959-1967.
He won the first SUPER BOWL and the SECOND SUPER BOWL.
PLEDGE: WE WILL WIN...
Vince Lombardi was a new coach of the Green Bay Packers.
His starting quarter back was BARR STARR.
His first year as coach his team had 2 WINS, 8 LOST games.
Lombardi said: WINNING IS NOT A SOMETIME THING, IT IS AN ALL THE TIME THING.
You don't win once in a while,you don't do things right once in a while,
You must do them right all the time.
WINNING IS A HABIT, unfortunately, so is losing.
Lombardi said:
Every time a player hits the field, he has to play from the ground up...
From the soles of his feet right up to his head... Every part of him must want to play.
Some play with their head, but it is important you MUST PLAY WITH YOUR HEART.
And in truth, I have never known a man worth his salt who in the long run,
deep down in his heart, didn't appreciate the grind, the discipline.
There is something in good men that yearns for discipline...
Lombardi pledged:
WE WILL WIN, losers straighten up...
THIS IS A FOOTBALL ---
YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO...
WITH THE SAME PLAYERS AND THE SAME TEAM THEIR SECOND YEAR THE
PACKERS WENT 8---2. the change? ATTITUDE...
LOMBARDI KNEW YOU HAD TO HAVE A GOAL...
AND YOU HAVE TO START WITH THE BASICS...
DO WHAT WAS RIGHT--- HAVE FAITH ---- RELY ON GOD ---
LIVE LIFE WITH FERVOR... ( Feeling, intense, enthusiasm, passion)
II. OFTN OUR CHOICES ARE NOT IMMEDIATE? DANIEL MADE THE CHOICE TO PRAY...
AT TIMES ONE MIGHT THINK THERE ARE NO ANSWER TO THIS CHOICE... BUT WAIT...
A. DANIEL KNEW THE POWER OF PRAYER...
Daniel trusted God and his prayers, but there was a prayer that God heard, but the answered
was delayed by a battle in the heavens...
B. 21 days there seemed to be no answer, God heard the prayer immediately, BUT GOD SENT
HELP, THE HINDERANCES WERE MOVED AND THE PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED...
Daniel 10:12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine
heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come
for thy words.
[13] But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one
of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
C. Often God delays HIS ANSWERS to allow for CONFESSION, REPENTANCE AND CHANGE.
God is longsuffering, but after a SPACE judgment will follow.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is
longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
III. THE BIBLE IS FULL OF PEOPLE THAT MADE GOOD CHOICES AND THE CONSEQUENCES AND BENEFITS OF SERVING GOD FAITHFULLY...
Psalm 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
1. THERE IS A LADY THAT MADE A CHOICE THAT BORE FRUIT OF GOOD CONSEQUENCES...
A. When many ladies in the community gathered at the well and spread gossip, there was one lady
busy with her needle...
B. Many believe that TABITHA (Dorcas) was a widow woman...
TABITHA IS A HERO OF MINE... she would buy material, used her needle and thread and sew.
Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is
called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
C. They called for the preacher to come, TABITHA'S body was washed and prepared for burial.
TABITHA'S DAILY CHOICE IS GOING TO BRING HER GREAT BENEFITS...
Acts 9:39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper
chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which
Dorcas made, while she was with them.
D. Jesus meets TABITHA at the gates of heaven and says:
DO YOU WANT TO SEW SOME MORE?
TABITHA SAID: SEWING IS MY MINISTRY...
JESUS SAID: GIRL I AM SENDING YOU BACK DOWN THERE...
GO AND SEW SOME MORE...
E. Tabitha came back and grabbed her needle and started sewing for JESUS...
WOW, WHO KNEW SEWING HAD SUCH GREAT BENEFITS?
2. A little woman from Shunem MADE A CHOICE to cook a little extra...
The woman perceived this is not just a man: THIS IS A MAN OF GOD!
A. Her choice was cooking at first...
B. In her heart she knew THIS PREACHER needed a place to stay...
C. SHE ASKED HER HUSBAND: CAN WE REMODEL AND MAKE AN APARTMENT FOR THIS
PREACHER AND HIS HELPER...
2 Kings 4:8-10 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she
constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
[9] And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth
by us continually.
[10] Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table,
and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
D. BECAUSE OF THE SHUNEMITE'S CHOICE... SHE HAD A SON...
2 Kings 4:16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son.
And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
E. AT HARVEST TIME THERE COMES AN ATTACK AGAINST THIS WOMAN'S CHOICE...
HER SON HAS A HEAD ACHE AND DIES IN HER ARMS...
F. HER CHOICE TO HELP THE PREACHER HAS GREAT BENEFITS...
The Preacher raised her son from life...
G. WHAT IF SHE HAD NOT MADE THE CHOICE TO ASK HER HUSBAND?
3. WHILE MANY WERE PARTYING WITH WINE AND WOMEN --- THERE WERE 4 YOUNG
MEN THAT MUST HAVE RELEAZED THEIR CHOICES WOULD HAVE CONSEQUENCES
AND BENEFITS...
A. While many of the young boys loved the CHALDEAN LIFE STYLE of PARTY HARDY...
Some young men had their MOMMA'S CONVICTIONS...
Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the
king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs
that he might not defile himself.
B. THE BOYS LEARNED THE BENEFIT OF GODLY CHOICES...
PROMOTION COMES AFTER THE TESTS.
Daniel 2:48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made
him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men
of Babylon.
49 Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the
affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.
4. CAN ONE DAY'S CHOICES CHANGE YOUR NAME?
A. MOST OF THE DISCIPLES THOUGHT ASSEMBLING THEMSELVES TOGETHER WAS VERY
IMPORTANT... THEY SAW A BENEFIT FOR MAKING THE CHOICE TO DROP EVERYTHING
AND GO WORSHIP JESUS.
B. For some unknown reason THOMAS did not feel this meeting was important...
C. THOMAS MADE THE DECISION, CHOICE NOT TO ATTEND CHURCH THAT EVENING...
John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut
where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and
saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
[20] And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples
glad, when they saw the Lord. [
21] Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
[22] And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
[23] Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain,
they are retained.
D. WHILE AT CHURCH JESUS CAME... Would that be my luck, miss church and Jesus comes?
1. JESUS GAVE A MEASURE OF PEACE...
2. Those gather saw Jesus up close and personal...
3. Those gathered RECEIVED JOY/GLADNESS...
4. In the assembly JESUS CALLS THEM... SENDS THEM
5. JESUS BREATHE ON THEM...
6. THEY RECEIVED A MEASURE OF THE HOLY GHOST.
7. FORGIVENESS FLOWED LIKE A RIVER...
E. THOMAS MISSED ALL THESE BENEFITS...
John 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except
I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust
my hand into his side, I will not believe.
F. 8 DAYS LATER, 8 DAYS OF DOUBT...
THOMAS WILL FOREVER BE KNOOWN AS THOMAS THE DOUBTER, BECAUSE OF
ONE CHOICE: MISSING THE EVENING SERVICE...
5. THERE ARE TWO SISTER RAISED IN THE SAME HOME BY THE SAME PARENTS...
ONE MAKES THE CHOICE TO WORRY, THE OTHER SEE THE BENEFITS OF MAKING
JESUS CHOICES...
A. One sister is known a the BUSY-BEE, WORRIED HOUSEKEEPER...
HER CHOICE... Dust bunny chaser...
Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled
about many things:
B. MARY MADE THE CHOICES TO BE WITH JESUS...
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be
taken away from her.
C. MARY'S CHOICES HAD GREAT BENEFITS...
1. She washed Jesus' feet
2. She was a learning student at Jesus' feet
3. Mary fell at Jesus' feet FOR COMFORT when her brother was death...
D. MARY'S CHOICES BROUGHT THE GOOD PART...
Are our choices bringing benefits and favor...
6. YOU ARE THE MAN... YOUR CHOICES HAVE CAUGHT UP WITH YOU...
IT IS WONDERFUL TO BE KNOWN A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART,
BUT THE ARE CONSEQUENCES EVEN KNOWING THAT OF BAD CHOICES...
A. The New Testament tells of a wonderful story about a man of God...
Acts 13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom
also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart,
which shall fulfil all my will.
B. Yet history records a DARK SIDE OF POOR CHOICES that cost DAVID A HIGH PRICE TAG....
C. SIN WILL ALWAYS TAKE YOU FARTHER THAN YOU PLANNED ON GOING...
SIN WILL ALWAYS KEEP YOU LONGER THAN YOU PLANNED ON STAYING...
SIN WILL ALWAYS COST YOU MORE THAN YOU PLANNED ON PAYING...
D. DAVID IS GOING TO MAKE A CHOICE AND HE NEVER WEIGHED THE CONSEQUENCES...
2 Samuel 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to
battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children
of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
E. WHAT CAN ONE CHOICE COST?
1. He plays a game with lust that becomes a TRAP HE CAN NOT SEEM TO GET OUT OF...
2. Fathers ILLEGITIMATE CHILD...
3. HE STEALS THE AFFECTIONS THAT BELONGS TO ONE OF HIS DEVOTED SOLDIERS.
4. #1 Casket: URIAH THE HITTITE has to die, and Hypocrite David has a military funeral for him.
5. #2 Casket: The silence in the marble hallways of the palace, as the whispers of a dead baby.
7. TAMAR, David's beautiful daughter, Absalom's sister...AMNON pretended to be sick,
TAMAR had to lay aside her MANY-COLORED DRESS...
7. AMNON hates his sister...
8. #3 Casket: AMNON, goes to Absalom's PARTY...
9. ABSALOM kills his brother.
10. ABSALOM undermines his Dad's throne, and a great rebellion.
11. #4 purchase of a casket: AHITHOPHEL--- THE GREAT COUNSELOR TO 3 KINGS.
In great disgust, BATHSHEBA'S GRANDFATHER LOOSES CONFIDENCE AND SETS
HIS HOUSE IN ORDER AND COMMITS SUICIDE.
12. #5 Casket: ABSALOM'S dies with 3 darts to his heart...
F. THIS JOURNEY OF THE TRAIL OF TEARS MADE DAVID AND THE FUNERAL HOME DIRECTOR
PERSONAL FRIENDS, AND STARTED THE JOURNEY OF THE TRAIL OF TEARS...
DO YOU THINK THE PREACHER'S MESSAGE EVER BURNED IN DAVID'S EARS...
2 Samuel 12:7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel,
I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
2 Samuel 12:9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight?
thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain
him with the sword of the children of Ammon.
[10] Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me,
and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
2 Samuel 12:12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.
G. THIS JOURNEY OF THE TRAIL OF TEARS STARTED WITH THE LOOSING SIGHT
OF MORAL ISSUES AND DESPISING GOD'S COMMANDMENTS...
CONCLUSION:
NEVER UNDER-ESTIMATE THE POWER OF ONE DAYS CHOICES TO INFLUENCE THE
REST OF YOUR LIFE. Sins causes a LACK OF HUNGER FOR GODLY THINGS.
I said once in a service, God forgives but there are still consequences for sin. A lady interrupted
me and told me I was wrong, when God forgives the consequences are gone.
I said: Is that right? If a person has aids and is dying and comes to seek Jesus and forgiveness
does the aids go away? Of course not, the consequences are still there.
Coming to Jesus and repenting will make a big difference both here and in eternity...
BUT WE MUST NEVER UNDER-ESTIMATE THE COST OF SIN...
I WANT US TO REALIZE THE TERRIBLE PRICE AND MAKE WISE CHOICES AND SOW GOOD
SEED. You reap what you sow? You reap more than you sow? SOW CAREFULLY AND WISELY!
GOD HELP US MAKE GOOD DAILY CHOICES...
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Pass it to another?
