by Jeffrey W. Hamilton<\/p>\n\t
Text: Proverbs 16:1-9<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I. What makes a decision a good one?<\/p>\n
A. Is every decision a moral choice?<\/p>\n
1. Should I have chocolate or strawberry ice cream?<\/p>\n
B. How do I tell when a choice is personal and when it is moral?<\/p>\n
C. Jesus said that all of God’s laws fall into two categories – Matthew 22:36-40<\/p>\n
1. Therefore, the first question is whether God said something on the matter<\/p>\n
2. The second question is whether it impacts other people<\/p>\n
3. Finally, we are left with what do I prefer<\/p>\n D. There is no right or wrong question. This is just something to think about and\nanswer if you want.\n
1. Do you think most young people today make good choices?<\/p>\n
2. Did you make good choices when you were young?<\/p>\n
3. Do you think you make good choices most of the time?<\/p>\n
E. Is there only one correct answer for every decision we face?<\/p>\n
II. Steps to making a choice<\/p>\n
A. First, identify what needs to be decided<\/p>\n 1. To make a choice, only to find out that it wasn’t even the question doesn’t\nhelp\n
B. Second, identify what are your options<\/p>\n
1. This is where you need advice from others – Proverbs 15:22<\/p>\n C. In choices, you will gain something or lose something. Therefore, the third step is\nto look at what changes as a result of each option\n D. Now that I know what I’m working with, I need to see what God said about a\nmatter\n
1. Our goal is to be pleasing to God – II Corinthians 5:9<\/p>\n
2. II Timothy 2:15 – Work at being approved by God<\/p>\n
3. Proverbs 19:8 – Get wisdom<\/p>\n
4. God’s advice stands – Proverbs 19:21<\/p>\n
5. There are choices that don’t matter to God<\/p>\n
a. What color clothing you decide to wear today<\/p>\n
b. Whether you eat meat – Romans 14:2-4<\/p>\n
c. Whether you get married – I Corinthians 7:27-28<\/p>\n
E. Next, I need to consider how it impacts other people<\/p>\n
F. Then you make your choice<\/p>\n
III. Too often, we have to make quick choices. We don’t have time to do a full analysis. <\/p>\n
A. But if you practice this, then it becomes easier each time.<\/p>\n
B. We still must make choices, and some will be tough – Philippians 1:21-26<\/p>\n
1. Notice that Paul picked the lesser path because he saw the need to remain<\/p>\n
2. In other words, we don’t always need to pick the optimal path<\/p>\n
C. We don’t always choose the path of least resistance<\/p>\n 1. Sometimes choices are made despite having to give up opportunities – II\nCorinthians 2:12-13\n 2. Sometimes plans are made despite hindrances and difficulties – Romans\n1:13\n
D. What I choose won’t alter God’s plans – Esther 4:13-14<\/p>\n 1. It would be arrogance to think that man could alter God’s plans – Isaiah\n46:9-11\n
2. Unlike man, God has complete control over the future<\/p>\n
E. Do we need to ask God about every decision we make?<\/p>\n 1. If you were a boss, what would you think about an employee that always\nasked you about every decision?\n
F. Too often people use their feelings as a guide.<\/p>\n
1. After all, I know what my feelings are right now.<\/p>\n
2. Are your feelings always accurate? – Proverbs 28:26<\/p>\n
IV. Since God and others come first, will I always like the best decision?<\/p>\n
A. Jesus would have preferred a different choice – Matthew 26:39<\/p>\n
V. Because I made a choice, does it mean it will happen?<\/p>\n A. Since God and others have greater authority, sometimes what I would like to\nchoose will be overridden\n
1. Paul wanting to go into Asia – Acts 16:6-7<\/p>\n
2. In the case of God, why would God override what we choose?<\/p>\n
a. God knows things that we don’t<\/p>\n 3. In II Samuel 7, David wanted to build a temple for God. The prophet\nNathan even thought it was a great idea. But God said “no.”\n
B. Less than we may think, we don’t have much control over our lives – James 4:14-17<\/p>\n
1. We plan, but the answer belongs to God – Proverbs 16:1<\/p>\n
2. Why? What we think is good is not necessarily so – Proverbs 16:2<\/p>\n
C. Therefore, plan God in mind first – Proverbs 16:3<\/p>\n
1. Should I move to X for school or work?<\/p>\n
a. Is there a good church there?<\/p>\n
b. Will you be able to serve God better there?<\/p>\n 2. If I make a large purchase, will that allow me to still support those\ndependent on me?\n