Making Wise Decisions Through Faith and Counsel
Summary
### Summary
Today, we celebrated the incredible impact of our recent "Survivor" event, where 10 junior high kids committed their lives to Christ. We also prayed for our mission team in England, recognizing the spiritual darkness there and asking God to use them to spread His light. As we transitioned into the sermon, we focused on the overwhelming number of choices we face daily and how to make wise decisions, especially as Christians.
The core message was that wise people are wise in the process of making decisions, not just in the decisions themselves. We explored a four-step process for making wise decisions:
1. Believe God's Word: This involves not just knowing but believing and applying God's Word. We must ask if a decision involves sin or if there is a direct command from God. In gray areas, we should rest in our gospel identity, God's sovereignty, and His mission.
2. Seek Wise Counsel: We should seek advice from God in prayer, from friends who are wise, from others who have demonstrated wisdom, and from church leaders. This helps us avoid the pitfalls of our own deceitful hearts.
3. Do What You Want: After following the first two steps, we should make a decision based on our desires, trusting that God is less concerned about the specific choice and more about how we make it.
4. Ask God for Faith: Once a decision is made, we need faith to trust God with the outcome, knowing that He is sovereign and good, even if things don't turn out as we expect.
We concluded by emphasizing that while this process is wise, it is not our God. We worship God, who is sovereign and will accomplish His purposes regardless of our decisions. Our ultimate trust should be in Him, not in our ability to make perfect choices.
### Key Takeaways
1. Believe God's Word: True wisdom begins with believing and applying God's Word. It's not enough to know it; we must trust that what God says is right, good, and true. This involves asking if a decision involves sin or if there is a direct command from God. In gray areas, we should rest in our gospel identity, God's sovereignty, and His mission. [44:18]
2. Seek Wise Counsel: Wise decision-making involves seeking advice from multiple sources, including God in prayer, wise friends, and church leaders. This helps us avoid the pitfalls of our own deceitful hearts and ensures that we are not making decisions in isolation. [57:11]
3. Do What You Want: After believing God's Word and seeking wise counsel, we should make a decision based on our desires. God is less concerned about the specific choice and more about how we make it. This step emphasizes the freedom we have in Christ to make decisions without fear of missing God's will. [01:04:23]
4. Ask God for Faith: Once a decision is made, we need faith to trust God with the outcome. We don't know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds tomorrow. This step reminds us that even the wisest decisions can lead to unexpected outcomes, and we must trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. [01:07:11]
5. Rest in God's Sovereignty and Mission: Understanding that no decision we make can thwart God's plan helps us rest in His sovereignty. Additionally, considering how our decisions align with God's mission to make disciples can provide clarity and purpose in our choices. [54:36]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:13] - Survivor Event Recap
[32:41] - Prayer for England Mission Team
[36:18] - The Paradox of Choice
[38:37] - Introduction to Decision-Making
[39:59] - Consequences of Foolish Decisions
[41:26] - The Trap of Seeking Signs
[42:54] - Step 1: Believe God's Word
[44:18] - Rest in Gospel Identity
[47:20] - Rest in God's Sovereignty
[50:09] - Rest in God's Mission
[55:56] - Step 2: Seek Wise Counsel
[57:11] - The Deceitfulness of the Heart
[01:02:46] - Step 3: Do What You Want
[01:04:23] - The Reality of Outcomes
[01:07:11] - Step 4: Ask God for Faith
[01:08:40] - Greater Wisdom in Christ
[01:12:11] - Trusting God's Heart
[01:13:38] - The Victory Belongs to the Lord
[01:15:16] - Fix Your Eyes on Jesus
[01:16:56] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 1:7 (ESV) - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
2. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
3. James 1:5 (ESV) - "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Proverbs 1:7, what is the beginning of knowledge, and how do fools respond to wisdom and instruction?
2. In Proverbs 3:5-6, what are we instructed to do instead of leaning on our own understanding?
3. What promise does James 1:5 give to those who ask God for wisdom?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the fear of the Lord serve as the foundation for making wise decisions according to Proverbs 1:7? [44:18]
2. What does it mean to trust in the Lord with all your heart, and how might this influence your decision-making process? [44:18]
3. How can seeking wisdom from God, as mentioned in James 1:5, change the way we approach difficult choices? [58:43]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you consider whether it involved sin or if there was a direct command from God? How did that influence your choice? [45:40]
2. Think about a time when you sought wise counsel. How did the advice you received impact your decision? If you didn’t seek counsel, what was the outcome? [57:11]
3. In what ways can you rest in your gospel identity, knowing that no decision you make can separate you from the love of God? How does this truth affect your daily choices? [51:43]
4. How do you handle the pressure of making decisions in gray areas where the Bible does not give explicit instructions? What steps can you take to ensure you are aligning with God’s mission? [54:36]
5. After making a decision, how do you practice asking God for faith to trust Him with the outcome? Can you share an example where you had to rely on God’s sovereignty after making a choice? [01:07:11]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of seeking God in prayer before making decisions? What specific steps will you take to make this a habit? [58:43]
7. Identify a current decision you are facing. How can you apply the four-step process of believing God’s Word, seeking wise counsel, doing what you want, and asking God for faith to this situation? [42:54]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Word in Decision-Making
Believing God's Word is the foundation of wise decision-making. It's not enough to simply know the scriptures; one must trust and apply them in daily life. This involves discerning whether a decision involves sin or if there is a direct command from God. In areas where the Bible does not provide explicit instructions, Christians are encouraged to rest in their gospel identity, God's sovereignty, and His mission. This means trusting that God's Word is right, good, and true, and allowing it to guide every choice, big or small. [44:18]
Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Reflection: Is there a decision you are currently facing where you need to trust and apply God's Word more fully? How can you let scripture guide you in this choice today?
Day 2: Seeking Wise Counsel
Wise decision-making involves seeking advice from multiple sources, including God in prayer, wise friends, and church leaders. This step helps avoid the pitfalls of our own deceitful hearts and ensures that decisions are not made in isolation. By consulting those who have demonstrated wisdom and aligning their counsel with God's Word, one can gain a broader perspective and make more informed choices. This practice not only provides clarity but also fosters a sense of community and accountability. [57:11]
Proverbs 15:22 (ESV): "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed."
Reflection: Who are the wise individuals in your life that you can seek counsel from regarding a current decision? How can you approach them for advice today?
Day 3: Freedom in Christ to Choose
After believing God's Word and seeking wise counsel, Christians are encouraged to make decisions based on their desires. This step emphasizes the freedom believers have in Christ to make choices without fear of missing God's will. God is less concerned about the specific choice and more about the process of making it. By following the first two steps, one can trust that their desires are aligned with God's will, allowing them to make decisions confidently and joyfully. [01:04:23]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: What decision are you currently hesitant to make? How can you embrace the freedom you have in Christ to make this choice confidently?
Day 4: Trusting God with the Outcome
Once a decision is made, it is essential to trust God with the outcome. This requires faith, knowing that God is sovereign and good, even if things do not turn out as expected. Trusting in God's sovereignty means believing that He holds tomorrow and that His plans are ultimately for our good. This step reminds believers that even the wisest decisions can lead to unexpected outcomes, but God's purposes will always prevail. [01:07:11]
Proverbs 16:9 (ESV): "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
Reflection: Is there a recent decision where you are struggling to trust God with the outcome? How can you surrender this situation to His sovereignty today?
Day 5: Resting in God's Sovereignty and Mission
Understanding that no decision can thwart God's plan helps believers rest in His sovereignty. Additionally, considering how decisions align with God's mission to make disciples provides clarity and purpose. This perspective shifts the focus from personal success to God's greater plan, encouraging believers to make choices that further His kingdom. By resting in God's sovereignty and mission, one can find peace and assurance in every decision. [54:36]
Isaiah 46:10 (ESV): "Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’"
Reflection: How can you align a current decision with God's mission to make disciples? What steps can you take today to ensure your choice furthers His kingdom?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "Wise people are wise when making decisions. Wise people believe God's word, they seek wise counsel, they do what they believe is best, and they ask God for faith. This is a wise process, but let's be very clear, this process is not our God. We do not worship the process. We worship our God who is in heaven, and hear me on this, he will do as he pleases." [01:13:38] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you and I cannot understand what God is doing, we must trust his heart. We don't know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds tomorrow. It's our sovereign God. When you and I don't have the strength to face today, we ask God, give me the grace that is sufficient to get me to the end of the day." [01:12:11] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "There is no decision that you will ever make that would cause God to love you more or love you less. There is no decision that you will ever make that would ever separate you from the love of God. There is no decision that you could ever make that would cause you to lose your salvation. If you are saved by grace, what work could you do to undo the work of God?" [51:43] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you feel isolated and alone, thinking that nobody knows and understands, trust that God knows, and he sees you, and that you're not alone, so ask God for the faith to know. That he is with you. When you're staring down a situation that is anything but good, trust in the goodness and the faithfulness of God, who has promised that he is at work doing something for good." [01:12:11] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and the perfecter of your faith. Seek him and his wisdom and his kingdom first, and may he make us wise people who walk by faith in him, no matter what." [01:15:16] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "What if when it comes to making decisions where none of them are sinful, what if God is less concerned about what you decide and more concerned about how you go about deciding? What if so what I want to do today like I said this is intensely practical today I want to provide for you just simply a four-step process for how you can be wise in making your decisions." [41:26] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When it comes to believing God’s word we got to ask these two questions and then rightly apply what God tells us to do that’s wisdom. Now if you think about it though these are kind of like black and white right is it sin is it not sin is it a direct command and not you know those are pretty black and white but there’s a lot of stuff in life that we deal with every day that’s more in the gray." [47:20] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Seek wise counsel. Proverbs 11, 14 says, where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in the abundance of counselors, there is safety. Proverbs 18, 1 and 2 says, God’s saying that the fool will isolate themselves when making a decision, because the fool knows that if they ask somebody else’s opinion, they’re going to give an answer that they don’t want to hear. So they don’t go and seek wise counsel." [57:11] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You can make the wisest of wise decisions and yet still find yourself in a dire situation. You can still find yourself suffering in a want. You can still find yourself in a situation where all of your fears come true. That is the reality of living in a world that is broken and fractured by sin." [01:07:11] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. See, our job is to be wise in the decisions that we make. We’re to follow this wise process, and so we survey what’s going on out there, and we see, hey, we got to get the horses ready for battle. That’s the wise thing to do, but the victory belongs to the Lord." [01:15:16] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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