Northside Church
The 12 Most Crucial Life Defining Decisions Everyone Must Make: Week 1
May 20, 2018
Locations & Times
Northside Church
2501 N College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Sunday 9:30 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
THE PREMISE: God gives you the freedom to make decisions—which means you are the author of your own life.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 . . . I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.
THE GOAL: To present the truth on the 12 decisions, so that you are informed enough to make them.
Proverbs 3:5-6 . . . Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
THE CHALLENGE: Accepting Responsibility and releasing Blame – until you take ownership of your own life and decisions, you cannot overcome anything.
Genesis 3:12-13 . . . Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” 13 And the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
James 1:13-14 . . . Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; forGod cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
2 Corinthians 5:10 . . . We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, the each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
THE FEAR: It’s uncomfortable and may cost me a friendship or relationship.
I. Systems – what you will have to change to make a life-defining decision
Mark 7:3-4 . . . For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.
The Results driven mind – I will do whatever it takes, even things I don't like to do, to achieve the results I want to get – the result is most important.
The Methods driven mind – I will accept any result as long as I can do the things I like to do, the way I like to do it – my satisfaction is most important.
The Goal driven mind – I will do whatever it takes to achieve my goals, even ifit’s wrong. The end justifies the means – Reaching the goal is most important.
The Purpose driven mind – I will do whatever it takes to fulfill my purpose, but within a set of standards and boundaries that benefit rather than injure –fulfilling my purpose is most important but purpose is always beneficial to all.
II. Knowledge – what you need to know to make a life-defining decision
John 8:31-32 . . . Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in Myword, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truthshall make you free.”
III. Costs – what you will have to exchange for the life-defining decision
Luke 14:28 . . . For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?
Opportunity Costs - What will you have to give up, because you cannot keep everything while simultaneously gaining a new path.
Next Week – “How will you choose to die?”
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 . . . I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.
THE GOAL: To present the truth on the 12 decisions, so that you are informed enough to make them.
Proverbs 3:5-6 . . . Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
THE CHALLENGE: Accepting Responsibility and releasing Blame – until you take ownership of your own life and decisions, you cannot overcome anything.
Genesis 3:12-13 . . . Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” 13 And the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
James 1:13-14 . . . Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; forGod cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
2 Corinthians 5:10 . . . We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, the each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
THE FEAR: It’s uncomfortable and may cost me a friendship or relationship.
I. Systems – what you will have to change to make a life-defining decision
Mark 7:3-4 . . . For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.
The Results driven mind – I will do whatever it takes, even things I don't like to do, to achieve the results I want to get – the result is most important.
The Methods driven mind – I will accept any result as long as I can do the things I like to do, the way I like to do it – my satisfaction is most important.
The Goal driven mind – I will do whatever it takes to achieve my goals, even ifit’s wrong. The end justifies the means – Reaching the goal is most important.
The Purpose driven mind – I will do whatever it takes to fulfill my purpose, but within a set of standards and boundaries that benefit rather than injure –fulfilling my purpose is most important but purpose is always beneficial to all.
II. Knowledge – what you need to know to make a life-defining decision
John 8:31-32 . . . Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in Myword, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truthshall make you free.”
III. Costs – what you will have to exchange for the life-defining decision
Luke 14:28 . . . For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?
Opportunity Costs - What will you have to give up, because you cannot keep everything while simultaneously gaining a new path.
Next Week – “How will you choose to die?”