Choosing Life: Embracing God's Word Daily

At the close of Deuteronomy, Moses stands before the people, knowing his time is short, and urges them to make a choice: life or death, blessing or curse. This is not a distant or impossible decision, but one that is immediately accessible—God’s word is near, in our mouths and hearts, ready to be lived out. The challenge is not simply to know the stories, laws, and traditions, but to allow them to move from head to heart, transforming our lives. Many of us have grown up surrounded by faith, yet familiarity can breed complacency. The call is to move beyond mere knowledge and into intentional obedience, choosing daily to love God and walk in His ways.

God’s word is not meant to be a burden or an unattainable ideal. It is intelligible, relevant, and close at hand. The greatest challenge is not understanding, but willingness—choosing to let God’s word shape our will and actions. Moses’ words echo through the centuries: “Choose life, so that you and your children may live.” This is not a promise of ease or material prosperity, but of a life that is truly life—a life rooted in God’s presence, purpose, and love.

Jesus embodies this word, making God’s heart and will known to us. The choice to follow Him is not a one-time event, but a daily act of love and surrender. Just as Peter was asked by Jesus, “Do you love me?” and called to feed His sheep, so we are invited to respond to God’s love with our own, expressed in faithful action. The blessings of God are not always what the world expects; they are found in the richness of relationship with Him, even through hardship and sacrifice.

Each day presents the opportunity to choose: to trust God, to obey, to love, and to live out the faith we profess. This is the life that is truly life—not a life of mere existence or comfort, but one marked by the presence and purpose of God. The invitation is to let the Spirit move us from knowledge to action, from familiarity to faithfulness, and to choose, again and again, the life with God that is truly life.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Word of God Is Accessible and Transformative God’s word is not distant or incomprehensible; it is near, understandable, and meant to be internalized. The greatest challenge is not acquiring more knowledge, but allowing what we already know to move from our minds to our hearts, transforming our lives and actions. The journey from head to heart is often the hardest, but it is where true spiritual growth occurs. [35:31]
• 2. Obedience Is a Daily, Intentional Choice Faithfulness is not about checking religious boxes or drifting into godliness by proximity. Each day, we are called to intentionally choose God, to love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength, and to let that love shape our decisions and relationships. Like marriage or parenthood, love for God is a choice renewed daily, especially when it is difficult. [49:02]
• 3. Blessing in God’s Economy Looks Different Than the World’s The blessings God promises are not always material or circumstantial. Jesus redefines what it means to be blessed, pointing to qualities like humility, mercy, and perseverance in hardship. True prosperity is found in living according to God’s purposes, even when it leads through suffering or sacrifice, because it is rooted in His presence and faithfulness. [43:27]
• 4. We Are Often Educated Beyond Our Level of Obedience Many of us know far more about Scripture and faith than we actually live out. The call is not to accumulate more information, but to act on what we already know—to love our neighbors, to forgive, to serve, and to trust God in all circumstances. Spiritual maturity is measured not by knowledge, but by faithful action. [41:20]
• 5. Choosing Life With God Means Embracing a Life That Is Truly Life Saying yes to God does not guarantee an easy or pain-free existence. Instead, it opens us to a life of meaning, purpose, and deep relationship with God, even in the midst of hardship. The invitation is to trust God with our steps, to let His word guide us, and to choose, again and again, the life that is truly life.
  
  ** [55:03]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Announcements and Connection Opportunities
• [03:10] - Opening Prayer and Call to Worship
• [05:00] - Declaration of Faith (Creed)
• [07:00] - Children’s Time
• [08:30] - Offering and Impact of Generosity
• [13:00] - Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer
• [17:00] - Introduction to Deuteronomy’s Final Challenge
• [30:21] - Moses’ Call: Choose Life or Death
• [33:35] - Reading Deuteronomy 30:11-20
• [35:31] - God’s Word: Accessible and Transformative
• [40:03] - From Knowledge to Obedience
• [42:33] - God’s Word Challenges the Will
• [43:27] - Blessing, Obedience, and the Beatitudes
• [49:02] - Choosing God Is a Daily Decision
• [50:33] - Jesus and Peter: Love Expressed in Action
• [53:33] - The Cost and Blessing of Following Jesus
• [55:03] - Practical Steps: Choosing Life This Week
• [58:32] - Invitation to Prayer and Reflection
• [61:55] - Benediction and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

Deuteronomy 30:11-20 (ESV) —
> 11 “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.
> 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’
> 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’
> 14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.
> 15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.
> 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.
> 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them,
> 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess.
> 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,
> 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Deuteronomy 30:11-14, what does Moses say about the accessibility of God’s word and commands?
2. What are the two choices Moses sets before the people in Deuteronomy 30:15-19, and what are the consequences of each?
3. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the biggest challenge for most people who have grown up in church? ([35:31])
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between knowing God’s word and living it out? ([40:03])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Moses emphasizes that God’s word is “not too hard” or “far off” for the people? What does this say about God’s expectations for us?
2. The sermon mentions that “we are often educated beyond our level of obedience.” What does this mean, and why is it a problem for spiritual growth? ([41:20])
3. How does the idea of “choosing life” challenge the notion that following God will always lead to material blessings or an easy life? ([43:27])
4. The pastor compares choosing to love God daily to choosing to love a spouse or child daily, even when it’s hard. What does this analogy reveal about the nature of faithfulness and obedience? ([49:02])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that God’s word is “near, in our mouths and hearts, ready to be lived out.” Is there a specific teaching or command of Jesus that you know well but struggle to put into practice? What is one step you could take this week to move from knowing to doing? ([35:31])
2. The pastor challenges us to not just “check religious boxes” but to intentionally choose God each day. What are some ways you might be tempted to settle for routine or complacency in your faith? How can you break out of that pattern? ([49:02])
3. The blessings God promises are not always material or circumstantial. Can you think of a time when following Jesus led you through hardship or sacrifice, but you still experienced God’s presence or purpose? How did that shape your understanding of “blessing”? ([43:27])
4. The sermon says, “We don’t lack knowledge. We lack obedience to the word that we already know.” What is one area of your life where you sense God calling you to greater obedience? What is holding you back? ([41:20])
5. The pastor invites us to pray before reading familiar Scripture, asking the Holy Spirit to show us something new that leads to action. Is there a passage you’ve become too familiar with? How could you approach it differently this week? ([56:08])
6. Each day presents the opportunity to choose: to trust God, to obey, to love, and to live out the faith we profess. What is one practical way you can “choose life” in your relationships, work, or community this week? ([55:03])
7. Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” and then called him to action. If Jesus asked you that question today, what would your answer be, and what action might he be calling you to take as a response? ([50:33])