Sermon Central
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The Determining Factor
Contributed by Ron Hicks on Oct 2, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: We know that Jesus will be the final determining factor, but even that will be based on how you and I responded to all the other factors.
THE DETERMINING FACTOR
Heb 3:14
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Have you ever said, “I should have, or, If I had only, If it hadn’t been for?
There are factors that determine the outcome of almost everything.
Factor
Something that contributes to or has an influence on the result of something
Access to emergency exits is an important factor when planning the layout of a public building.
If you come to retirement age and you’ve done well, its probably because you studied well, or if you’ve done well financially, its because you were frugal with your money.
If you eat right, you will be healthy.
If you don’t drink and drive, you will probably live longer.
If you don’t use tabaco products, chances are you won’t die from cancer.
Certain factors do determine the outcome of almost everything in life.
IN;
Winning a game
Weight loss
Job promotions
Lets look at it in the spiritual sense.
Are you aware that there were factors involved in bringing about the plan of salvation.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
It took blood for cleansing
It took stripes for healing
It took His life to give life to us
And I hope that you realize that there were factors involved in bringing you to Christ.
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 .
1. Someone prayed.
2. Maybe it took an event (a crisis, sickness, accident)
3. Some kind of a wakeup call.
Your success in serving the Lord will depend on several factors.
You will have to pray.
You will have to know God’s Word.
Jesus will have to be your Lord and master. (Control of your life)
You can not be ashamed of Him. (Witness)
You must pay your tithes.
If you become a successful Christian, it will because you have a burden for the lost.
It will be because you purposed to study and learn God’s Word.
It will because you have a prayer life.
If you are going to have answered prayer, it will be because you are not afraid to believe God. It will be because you are not afraid to step out on faith in obedience.
If you are going to be rapture ready, you are going to have already surrendered your heart and life to Jesus.
I am talking about determining factors.
We know that Jesus will be the final determining factor, but even that will be based on how you and I responded to all the other factors.
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
20 Thou knowest the commandments,
Jesus begin to give him factors to life.
Do not commit adultery,
An article in the Focus on the Family this month said that 72 million internet users visit pornographic web sites per year.
It’s the number one topic searched on the internet.
I’m confident that the man up north that molested 5 and killed 1 and then killed himself began his self destructive journey with pornography.
That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Do not kill, (With the tongue or a gun)
and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Do not steal,
Mal 3:8
8 Will a man rob God ? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
Now, when he stands before God on judgment day, what’s going to be the determining factor as far as his fate?
He just couldn’t give it up.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
