Decisions with Eternal Impact: Aligning Actions with Faith
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound impact of our daily decisions and the importance of aligning them with an eternal perspective. We began by acknowledging the difference between deciding and doing, using the analogy of frogs on a log to illustrate how decisions without action are meaningless. This led us to reflect on how often we, as Christians, know what we should do—like sharing our faith or reading the Bible more—but fail to act on these decisions. The core of our discussion centered around the idea that every decision we make should be viewed through the lens of eternity, impacting not only our lives but also the lives of those around us.
We delved into the challenges of making decisions based on emotions and the importance of grounding our choices in God's Word. Jesus serves as our ultimate example, consistently aligning His actions with Scripture, even when tempted by Satan. We were reminded that God's Word provides clarity in decision-making, and ignoring it often leads to confusion and poor choices. Furthermore, we discussed the necessity of fulfilling the law of love in our decisions, emphasizing agape love—unconditional love that mirrors Christ's love for us.
The message also highlighted the significance of understanding and living out God's call on our lives. Every believer is called to fulfill the Great Commission, and our decisions should reflect this divine purpose. Jesus' unwavering commitment to His mission, even in the face of mockery and suffering, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of staying aligned with God's will.
Finally, we were encouraged to trust in Jesus fully, recognizing that our decisions should be rooted in faith and an eternal perspective. By asking ourselves three key questions—Does it square with God's Word? Does it fulfill the law of love? Does it align with God's call on my life?—we can make wiser, more impactful decisions that honor God and advance His kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
- Decisions vs. Actions: It's crucial to understand that deciding to do something and actually doing it are not the same. We often make decisions with good intentions but fail to follow through. This is especially true in our spiritual lives, where we know what we should do but often don't act on it. Aligning our actions with our decisions is essential for living a life that reflects our faith. [25:23]
- Eternal Perspective: Every decision we make should be viewed through the lens of eternity. Our choices have the potential to impact not only our lives but also the lives of those around us. By keeping an eternal perspective, we ensure that our decisions align with God's purpose and contribute to His kingdom. [26:35]
- Grounding in Scripture: Jesus consistently aligned His actions with God's Word, even when tempted by Satan. This serves as a reminder that God's Word provides clarity and guidance in our decision-making. Ignoring it often leads to confusion and poor choices. We must strive to heed God's Word in all our decisions. [34:35]
- Fulfilling the Law of Love: Our decisions should be rooted in agape love—unconditional love that mirrors Christ's love for us. This means loving others regardless of their background or circumstances. By fulfilling the law of love, we reflect Christ's character and make decisions that honor Him. [37:36]
- Trusting in God's Call: Every believer is called to fulfill the Great Commission, and our decisions should reflect this divine purpose. Jesus' unwavering commitment to His mission, even in the face of mockery and suffering, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of staying aligned with God's will. Trusting in God's call enables us to make decisions that advance His kingdom. [45:20]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [23:11] - Introduction to Series
- [24:14] - The Importance of Decisions
- [25:23] - Deciding vs. Doing
- [26:35] - Eternal Perspective in Decisions
- [27:25] - The Devil's Distractions
- [28:17] - Emotional Decision-Making
- [29:04] - Choices and Consequences
- [30:42] - Major Life Decisions
- [32:19] - Jesus as Our Example
- [33:13] - Aligning with God's Word
- [34:35] - Jesus' Temptation and Response
- [35:52] - Influence of Our Decisions
- [37:36] - The Law of Love
- [45:20] - Trusting in God's Call
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 4:1-4
2. Colossians 3:12
3. John 10:10
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 4:1-4, how does Jesus respond to Satan's temptation, and what does this reveal about the importance of Scripture in decision-making?
2. According to Colossians 3:12, what characteristics are believers called to embody, and how might these influence our daily decisions?
3. What does John 10:10 say about the intentions of the thief versus the intentions of Jesus, and how does this relate to the concept of an abundant life?
4. The sermon mentioned the difference between deciding and doing, using the analogy of frogs on a log. What was the point of this analogy? [25:23]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' use of Scripture during His temptation in the wilderness serve as a model for us when facing difficult decisions? [34:35]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of viewing decisions through an eternal perspective. How might this perspective change the way we approach everyday choices? [26:35]
3. What does it mean to fulfill the law of love in our decisions, and how can this be practically applied in our interactions with others? [37:36]
4. How does understanding God's call on our lives influence the decisions we make, especially when faced with challenges or opposition? [45:20]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did it align with God's Word, fulfill the law of love, and align with God's call on your life? If not, how might you approach it differently now? [57:25]
2. The sermon discussed the importance of not letting emotions dictate our decisions. Can you identify a time when an emotional decision led to a negative outcome? How can you ensure your future decisions are more grounded in Scripture? [28:17]
3. Consider the people you influence in your life. How can you ensure that your decisions positively impact their spiritual journey? [35:52]
4. The sermon mentioned the Great Commission as a calling for all believers. What is one practical step you can take this week to share your faith or disciple someone in your community? [44:20]
5. Think about a decision you are currently facing. How can you apply the three key questions from the sermon to ensure it aligns with an eternal perspective? [49:22]
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of trusting Jesus fully. Is there an area of your life where you struggle to trust Him? What steps can you take to deepen your trust in that area? [56:30]
7. How can you incorporate the practice of asking, "Does it square with God's Word?" into your daily decision-making process? What changes might this bring to your life? [33:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Actions with Decisions
In our spiritual journey, it's easy to make decisions with good intentions but challenging to follow through with action. The analogy of frogs on a log illustrates this point: deciding to jump is not the same as actually jumping. As Christians, we often know what we should do, such as sharing our faith or reading the Bible more, but we fail to act on these decisions. Aligning our actions with our decisions is essential for living a life that truly reflects our faith. By bridging the gap between deciding and doing, we can live more authentically and effectively as followers of Christ. [25:23]
James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."
Reflection: Think of a decision you have made recently regarding your spiritual life. What specific steps can you take today to act on that decision and align your actions with your intentions?
Day 2: Viewing Decisions Through an Eternal Lens
Every decision we make has the potential to impact not only our lives but also the lives of those around us. By keeping an eternal perspective, we ensure that our choices align with God's purpose and contribute to His kingdom. This eternal perspective helps us prioritize what truly matters and guides us in making decisions that have lasting significance. When we view our choices through the lens of eternity, we are more likely to make decisions that honor God and reflect His love to others. [26:35]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: Consider a decision you are currently facing. How might viewing this decision through an eternal perspective change your approach or priorities?
Day 3: Grounding Decisions in Scripture
Jesus consistently aligned His actions with God's Word, even when tempted by Satan. This serves as a reminder that God's Word provides clarity and guidance in our decision-making. Ignoring it often leads to confusion and poor choices. By grounding our decisions in Scripture, we can navigate life's challenges with wisdom and discernment. God's Word is a reliable foundation that helps us make choices that are in line with His will and purpose for our lives. [34:35]
Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Reflection: Identify a decision you need to make this week. What specific Scripture can you meditate on to guide you in making this decision?
Day 4: Fulfilling the Law of Love
Our decisions should be rooted in agape love—unconditional love that mirrors Christ's love for us. This means loving others regardless of their background or circumstances. By fulfilling the law of love, we reflect Christ's character and make decisions that honor Him. Love should be the driving force behind our actions, influencing how we interact with others and the choices we make. When we prioritize love, we align ourselves with God's heart and purpose. [37:36]
1 John 4:7-8 (ESV): "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is difficult to love. How can you show them unconditional love this week, reflecting Christ's love for you?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Call
Every believer is called to fulfill the Great Commission, and our decisions should reflect this divine purpose. Jesus' unwavering commitment to His mission, even in the face of mockery and suffering, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of staying aligned with God's will. Trusting in God's call enables us to make decisions that advance His kingdom. By focusing on God's call, we can live purposefully and intentionally, making choices that contribute to His greater plan. [45:20]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Reflect on your understanding of God's call on your life. What is one specific way you can align your decisions with this call today?
Quotes
1. "The decisions we're talking about are decisions that we make on a daily basis. And are these decisions that we're making on a daily basis? Do they have any kind of eternal perspective? And it seems that even we in the church have a problem with making decisions keeping that eternal perspective in mind." [00:24:01] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "For some reason, we have decided to not take action. We do the same thing in our faith. We know what we should do. We know that we should share our faith with our neighbor. We know that we should read our Bibles more. We know that we should pray a whole lot. And we know that we can do a better job fulfilling the Great Commission. Which is to go and make disciples." [00:25:58] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Everything that we decide should have an eternal perspective. Just what I'm about to do. Have an impact on not just my eternity. But on the eternity of those who I am around. Now think about that. It can seem pretty heavy. It sometimes seems that Christians forget who they are and whose they are." [00:26:35] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "How we make decisions will determine the course and direction of our lives. And how you make decisions will determine whether or not you're living inside or outside God's will. To help us with our decision making and to help keep these decisions within an eternal perspective, we're going to go straight to the only source that I believe will help us. And that is through the example of Jesus Christ." [00:31:57] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Most of those bad decisions that we make in this life can be avoided by just simply heeding God's Word. Does that seem like too simple? It does. Well that's a really simple answer, Mike. It is. It's a very simple process. Listen to God. Listen to what He says and then what? Then do it, exactly." [00:36:40] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "What Jesus does is he gave us the opportunity, and he gave us a life more abundantly, not for ourselves, but to share. And I believe we can do that. We can make better decisions. So, that's the kind of love that Jesus showed. Ephesians 3 .20 tells us that God is able to do more than all that we ask or think, but you cannot expect to be fulfilled in this life if you are living outside of God's law." [00:43:18] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When you make decisions in this life, your result is based on not just your emotion, not just what you think that people want you to do, but because what you're about to do was taught to you directly by God. When we say we don't know what to do, that's a lie. I don't care what the subject is." [00:46:28] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "In case you're wondering, we have all been called by God. As followers of Christ, we've been called to fulfill the great commission. Make disciples through teachings of Christ. If you have that additional call in ministry, which I hope you do, either way, we are accountable to God with a calling. Everybody is." [00:47:18] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We learn from Christ how to live our lives, to invest all of our time, energy, heart, spirit, and mind as Jesus did. We must learn how to follow his preparations. What did Jesus do when he prepared himself for all these things? Did Jesus know there was going to be heartache? Do you know there's going to be heartache in your life?" [00:54:21] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Maybe you're so used to doing it your way that you have forgotten that it's supposed to be doing it God's way. Do you truly trust Jesus in all your decisions? Now, a good example was there were these people watching a tightrope walker walk on a rope. He was 50 feet high and up in the air." [00:55:11] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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