Intro:

 

A.   Constantly make decisions (small & Large)

 

 

B.   Always based upon values—What we feel or think is important

 

I.       JESUS, ON DECISIONS

 

A.   Spoke of choices

1.     Where we build our life (Mtt. 7:24-27)

 

2.     Rich young man (Lk. 18:18-24)

 

3.     God or mammon (Mtt. 6:24, 33)

 

 

B.   Faced decisions too

1.     In temptations (Mtt. 4:1-11)

 

2.     About becoming King (Jhn. 6:1-15)

 

3.     Saw crowds decide to go back (Jhn. 6:60, 66)

 

 

II.      JESUS ON PRIORITIES

 

A.   What to put first to be happy (Mtt. 5:1-10)

 

 

B. Doing things the right way

 

1.     Be an example (Mtt. 5:13-16, 20)

 

2.     Give right (Mtt. 6:1-4)

 

3.     Pray right (Mtt. 6:5-18)

 

 

C. Making the main thing, the main thing

 

(Mtt. 6:25-33)

 

 

III.    EXERCISES: Honestly Rank in order of priority to you

 

 

A. ____George W. Bush

 

     ____ Jimmy Carter

 

     ____ Tiger Woods

 

     ____ Apostle Paul

 

 

B.   ____ Watching TV (Golf, baseball, maybe)

 

____ Dining with friends

 

____ Travel

 

____ Having Bible Study

 

 

C.   ____ Properly taking care of your body (exercise, rest)

 

____ Excelling at your activities

 

____ Being kind and considerate

 

____ Being popular and successful

 

 

IV.    ADJUSTMENT IS (Still) POSSIBLE

 

 

A.   Be conscious (of priorities) always

1.     What? Who? Causes you to change?

 

2.     In what situations do you tend to compromise

 

3.     Why?—Learn and live! (Deut. 30:15-20)

 

 

B.   Know where you stand: Rank these

____ Family and family activities

 

____ Recreation, Travel

 

____ Hobby

 

____ Volunteer work

 

____ Appearance

 

____ Kind of car I drive

 

____ Where I live

 

____ Friends and social life

 

____ Television, movies, entertainment

 

____ Sports events

 

____ Church activities

 

____ Bible Study and Prayer

 

____ Visiting the sick

 

____ Evangelizing my community

 

____ Worship, private and corporate

 

 

V.      STEP-BY STEP: ASK—

 

 

A.   What exactly is the decision?

 

 

B.   What do I value?

 

 

C.   What do I know about the circumstances?

 

 

D.   What are the risks? The costs?

 

 

E.    What plan do I have for carrying out the decision?

 

 

VI.    CONTRAST CROWD DECISION & DISCIPLES DECISION

 

(Jhn. 6)