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Psalm 16: 11
“You will show me the path of life, In Your presence is fullness of
joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Subject: Determining Your path
Introduction:
Today on this first Sunday of the year 2012, we stand facing the
journey of the uncharted, not yet traveled road of Life before us. It
is not a question of whether or not we shall make the journey but
one of what course we will choose to travel.
Every road will have it’s twists and turns. Every path it’s unseen
dangers and unexpected surprises. Each course once initiated will
bring the traveler to its ultimate destination. And the question for
each of us today is what course our lives will navigate this coming
year.
I. YOU WILL MAKE KNOWN TO ME THE PATH OF LIFE
There is an old saying that says, "All roads lead to Rome" and some
have mistakenly thought that this principle also applies to Spiritual
destinations. They have mistakenly thought that "all paths lead to
God." But this is not what the scriptures teach. The scripture
clearly teaches that way to God is singular, that the pathway of life
and righteousness is but one.
(John 14:6)
I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the father but
through me
(John 10:9)
I am the door, if any man enters through Me he shall be saved…
- God clearly offers us the pathway of life through His Son Jesus
Christ and you cannot begin the journey if you do not come to
Christ (expand to reach the unbeliever)
THESE ARE THE STEPS:
• REPENT OF YOUR SINS
• CONFESS JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR
• BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE
DEAD
You will make known to me the path of Life
A. God Wants to Direct and Guide Our Life
- God is not difficult to understand or distant,
- He is not indifferent or unresponsive
- The psalmist clearly states "You will make know to me…"
B. The Question Is Do We Want To Know His Direction For Our Lives
- There are many paths that lie before each of us
- How will you know which path you should choose and take
- What will be the criteria by which you determine the course of
your life
- For some it will be:
a) Does it feel good,
b) Will it bring me prosperity or financial benefit
c) Will it bring me recognition
d) Will it make me happy
e) Will my friends or family approve
- The bible clearly teaches us what happens when man tries to
determine his own course of life
Prov. 14:12 state:
"There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end is the way
of death."
C. God Wants to Reveal His Will - His Direction For Our Lives
- In fact God has gone to great lengths to clearly reveal His divine
will for us
Heb. 1:1,2 tells us that:
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at
many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has
spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and
through whom also he made the universe.
- God has gone to great lengths to reveal His divine plan and
purpose for our lives, but all too often we have chosen our own
paths
Isaiah 53:6 says:
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to
his own way"
- even at that though God still tries to reveal His path for our lives
for in the very same verse it goes on to say…
"...and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
D. God’s Word is His Divine Will for Our Lives
- His Word will make Know the Path of Life
- There is no great mystery about knowing the will of God
- The problem is that even though God speaks clearly, we often
think we know better!
As Christians we must rest upon God to sustain us, and upon the
breath of his Spirit to empower us. Yet within his moral boundaries,
we each have the opportunity and responsibility to determine our
course.
How will you determine your path for this coming year? Will you sail
through the uncharted waters of 2012 casting aside the guidance
and direction of His Word, opting instead to follow the leanings of
your own heart and mind, or will you will you intentional lay hold to
the compass of scriptures, knowing that they will bring you on will
be the path of life.
II. THE REWARDS OF WALKING GOD’S PATHWAY
In your presence is fulness of joy; in they right hand there are
pleasures forever
Contrary to what the carnal man may think, (1 Timothy 6:6)
"... godliness with contentment is great gain."
1. First We See The Source Revealed - "In your presence"
2. Next We See Its Abundance Revealed - "there is fulness of Joy"
- Christ said, (John 10:10)
" I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly"
“You will show me the path of life, In Your presence is fullness of
joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Subject: Determining Your path
Introduction:
Today on this first Sunday of the year 2012, we stand facing the
journey of the uncharted, not yet traveled road of Life before us. It
is not a question of whether or not we shall make the journey but
one of what course we will choose to travel.
Every road will have it’s twists and turns. Every path it’s unseen
dangers and unexpected surprises. Each course once initiated will
bring the traveler to its ultimate destination. And the question for
each of us today is what course our lives will navigate this coming
year.
I. YOU WILL MAKE KNOWN TO ME THE PATH OF LIFE
There is an old saying that says, "All roads lead to Rome" and some
have mistakenly thought that this principle also applies to Spiritual
destinations. They have mistakenly thought that "all paths lead to
God." But this is not what the scriptures teach. The scripture
clearly teaches that way to God is singular, that the pathway of life
and righteousness is but one.
(John 14:6)
I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the father but
through me
(John 10:9)
I am the door, if any man enters through Me he shall be saved…
- God clearly offers us the pathway of life through His Son Jesus
Christ and you cannot begin the journey if you do not come to
Christ (expand to reach the unbeliever)
THESE ARE THE STEPS:
• REPENT OF YOUR SINS
• CONFESS JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR
• BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED JESUS FROM THE
DEAD
You will make known to me the path of Life
A. God Wants to Direct and Guide Our Life
- God is not difficult to understand or distant,
- He is not indifferent or unresponsive
- The psalmist clearly states "You will make know to me…"
B. The Question Is Do We Want To Know His Direction For Our Lives
- There are many paths that lie before each of us
- How will you know which path you should choose and take
- What will be the criteria by which you determine the course of
your life
- For some it will be:
a) Does it feel good,
b) Will it bring me prosperity or financial benefit
c) Will it bring me recognition
d) Will it make me happy
e) Will my friends or family approve
- The bible clearly teaches us what happens when man tries to
determine his own course of life
Prov. 14:12 state:
"There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end is the way
of death."
C. God Wants to Reveal His Will - His Direction For Our Lives
- In fact God has gone to great lengths to clearly reveal His divine
will for us
Heb. 1:1,2 tells us that:
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at
many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has
spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and
through whom also he made the universe.
- God has gone to great lengths to reveal His divine plan and
purpose for our lives, but all too often we have chosen our own
paths
Isaiah 53:6 says:
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to
his own way"
- even at that though God still tries to reveal His path for our lives
for in the very same verse it goes on to say…
"...and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
D. God’s Word is His Divine Will for Our Lives
- His Word will make Know the Path of Life
- There is no great mystery about knowing the will of God
- The problem is that even though God speaks clearly, we often
think we know better!
As Christians we must rest upon God to sustain us, and upon the
breath of his Spirit to empower us. Yet within his moral boundaries,
we each have the opportunity and responsibility to determine our
course.
How will you determine your path for this coming year? Will you sail
through the uncharted waters of 2012 casting aside the guidance
and direction of His Word, opting instead to follow the leanings of
your own heart and mind, or will you will you intentional lay hold to
the compass of scriptures, knowing that they will bring you on will
be the path of life.
II. THE REWARDS OF WALKING GOD’S PATHWAY
In your presence is fulness of joy; in they right hand there are
pleasures forever
Contrary to what the carnal man may think, (1 Timothy 6:6)
"... godliness with contentment is great gain."
1. First We See The Source Revealed - "In your presence"
2. Next We See Its Abundance Revealed - "there is fulness of Joy"
- Christ said, (John 10:10)
" I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly"