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Complete Sermon Notes
We have the hardest time making decisions, but we should have the easiest time. We have God’s Word – Solid Choices in Unstable Times:
8 Test from ‘Hope for the Heart’
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SCRIPTURAL TEST – Does it line up with God’s Word? 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
The Bible often runs opposite of the culture and our flesh.
EXAMPLE: 1. Buy bigger, buy more. 2. They are attractive. 3. I want to move because I don’t like it here. 4. This opportunity will bring in more money [but will it take you away?]
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When it comes to biblical decisions, they are difficult but peace follows – but when worldly decisions are made, they are quick and easy, but regret follows.
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SECRECY TEST – Are you hiding the decision from believers – Proverbs 11:3 (NKJV) “The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity [the twisting and manipulating] of the unfaithful will destroy them.”
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SURVEY TEST – How will others view the decision? 1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV) Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
BUT HOW DO WE BALANCE: “A good name is to be chosen over great riches” with “woe to you when all men speak well of you.”
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SPIRITUAL TEST – Who is influencing me? 1 John 2:15, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
Women – You can’t love Peter at work and Mike at home.
Regularly ask, “Is God truly guiding me?” “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” (Psalm 32:8). The inner promptings of the Holy Spirit are like gauges in an airplane—if the pilot ignores them, he’ll miss his destination.
The conviction of the Holy Spirit is a wonderful gift from God—listen to it. I often hear people say, “God is leading me to do this or that,” and all too often, they find that they made a very poor decision. What happened? The Holy Spirit didn’t lead them; human nature and emotions did. Many jump into a dating relationship or marriage, buy an expensive vehicle or recreational toy, or charge thousands of dollars on credit, believing that God’s Spirit is leading them. I’m amazed at the number of people who don’t help those in need, budget their income, or make smart financial decisions, and still think that they are using wisdom in the area of finances.
I’m equally alarmed at the number of couples who are convinced that God is leading them toward marriage, yet they engage in premarital sex and are considering living together before marriage. Let me be clear: God directs us to make “wise” decisions that correspond with His word. Disobedience leads to disappointment. That’s why it’s always sensible to ask, “Is God truly guiding me?” before making an important decision.
Furthermore, if you’re not in the Word, the Word won’t be in you. One of the best ways to know if God is truly guiding you is to stay and obey—stay in His Word; obey His principles. “God is more likely to direct me through wise teaching than through inner voices” (J.I. Packer).
Compare your “feelings” to the Word. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Feelings shouldn’t lead but follow. Although feelings can be good and God-ordained (I thank God for the love that I feel toward God and my family), when it comes to making decisions, we shouldn’t interpret the Scriptures in the light of our feelings, but rather, interpret our feelings through the light of Scripture.
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[THE MOTIVES TEST] – “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3). If you’re pursuing dreams solely to impress others, or for financial gain, you’re on the wrong path.
How do we evaluate motives? Here are just a few helpful questions: would you go on a mission trip, visit the elderly, donate money, or help the homeless even if no one knew? Would you sing on the praise and worship team if you had to sing from the back and not from center stage? Would you be in leadership if you were not recognized and applauded for your efforts?
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STUMBLING TEST – Will it cause me or another to stumble? Romans 14:21 (NKJV), “It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.”
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[THE SIN TEST]: Isaiah 59:1-2, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.”
God is always wanting restoration – as a believer your communication is damaged by sin – the relationship feels fractured.
I’ve found that God doesn’t always answer “yes” or “no” to questions that don’t require an immediate response. He tells us to wait. It’s in this waiting period that we develop patience and trust. His leading isn’t a reckless course of action; it’s a well-designed plan that often takes time to unfold. However, it’s incredibly difficult to hear from God if we’re actively engaging in sin. Sin means to miss the mark. We can’t be on target in the center of God’s will if we’re continually missing the mark. It’s like trying to hit a bull’s-eye with a bent arrow. It doesn’t matter how attractive the sin is, or how good it makes you feel, remove it from your life.
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SERENITY TEST – Do I have peace while waiting on God? Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
One benefit of waiting is continued peace.
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SANCTIFICATION TEST – Romans 8 is about being conformed into the image of Christ – making decisions that conform and transform us into the image of Christ vs. the reflection of the world.
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SUPREME TEST – “Does this glorify God?” 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “whatever you do…do to the glory of God.”
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