Download... October 9, 2011. Sunday Morning Service. Bro. Dave Goble.
TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 30: 15-20
15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;
18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.
19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
The message subject is found in the 19th verse, …“therefore choose life”…. Bro Goble told how he woke up this morning with this thought of “I choose life.” We know “who” ..”the way” is.. we know who “the truth” is.. so we know who “the life” is also! The choosing of life, involves ...a decision.
God did find us.. for if He had not, we could not choose Him. It is reciprocal. There is a decision we have to make. We’re not born into God’s family where there is a transfer of grace, because of my family, church, baptism, etc. But there has to be a personal and individual choice to choose Salvation from sin and death.
In John the 3rd chapter we find Jesus talking to Nicodemus who was “a master of Israel and knowest not these things?” (verse 10,..And then in verse 5) Jesus answered , Verily verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of the water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. We don’t just put on Sunday clothes, ...but we choose life, ..all during the day.
Every time there is a “decision point,” …we then choose life or death. There is always a result of the decisions we make. The very nature of the Israelites had been from being nomads, to ones that were to make a choice to conquer and settle in the land God had led them to. Again Deuteronomy 30, verse 15 speaks of the choices of God has set before us, “life and good, and death and evil.” Our spiritual choices are based in the motivation or intent of our heart. Even if we say, “I decline to choose” that in of itself is a decision in spiritual matters.
Some “might” say or think, ..that is too narrow. But to follow Christ, ..does narrow it down. Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. It is a universal need for an individual choice. Bro Goble testified how he wants our society to be blessed. He pointed out of all the changes that have taken place in our more current times. Changes to our language, communities, ideas, and attitudes, etc., in society as a whole. God talks about (here in Deuteronomy 30…verse 19-20) the nation that chooses good or evil, will be either blessed or cursed according to the choices it has made. This is not a “popular thought,” in the current times that we live, but it is still a much needed message of truth.
If the Words of God as The Life are not chosen (or obeyed) we might be “teaching” any one of many false teachings. The Church has battled throughout time, many “waves” of false religious ideas. There is a truth that needs to be held on to. God’s word and ways, are just as narrow as He makes it. There is still a curse, and there are still blessings in our world, and we still have to choose in the midst of the evil we are still surrounded by. Christ’s sacrifice offers us a choice, ..but does not eliminate people making choices of sin, or evil bringing spiritual death. It is of course necessary to choose the holy footsteps of Christ, ..to have access to spiritual life.
Deuteronomy 28: 1-4, 15-19, 37
1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
16 Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.
17 Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store.
18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
19 Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
37 And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.
Many blessings are reaped when we choose spiritual life. When we hearken and observe to obey all God’s commandments, He will set us on high spiritually, above all the “nations” of the earth. (verse 1) Our blessings shall extend in the cities, and in the fields. (verse 3) Blessings in the fruits of our body, and the fruits of our grounds, and “livestock possessions.”(verse 4) Blessings shall be ours in our needed bread, and of all other “needed stores.” (verse 5) Blessings etc,. are mentioned further (in verses 6-14 not listed here).
Conversely many curses will overtake us and be reaped when we choose sin and evil. (verse 15). Curses will follow us in both our city dwellings and in our fields. (verse 16). Cursed will be our supplies of daily bread and all other “needed stores.” (verse 17). Cursed will be the fruits of our body, our lands, the increase of our possessions in livestock, etc. (verse 18) Cursed will be our “going in, and going out.” (verse 19). Many other curses are detailed and are as types for today, in the following (verses 20- 36 ..not shown here). The magnitude of curses and desolation reaped, will make one as a proverb and a byword of it. (verse 37) A good historical example of a cursed nation,.. is of Rome, which did become as a dead proverb, illustrated in part, by the death of their language, and the ruins left in their lands. None of us, or anyone since, are any better off, or protected from, these curses, when one chooses the death of sin, instead of the life of Christ with His holiness. This curse remains with all who ‘continue’ to choose sin, in spite of Christ’s death, ..which would redeem them out of it.
The importance of obedience for spiritual life is illustrated well in a story of king Saul, in I Samuel 15th chapter. He had disobeyed the commandment of God through the prophet Samuel. Samuel had prophesied that king Saul was to utterly destroy all of the enemies inhabitants of Amalek, (king Agag included) and complete spoils (possessions). Instead king Saul decided to save some of the best, justifying himself by sacrificing it to the Lord. It was made corrupt, and vain by way of his chosen disobedience…. opening the spiritual and literal door of death. Truly through vain sacrifices.
Today still, disobedience to God, will bring a curse as it did here for the Israelites. Deuteronomy 28:68 And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you. The choice of choosing our own way, will as exhorted here, reap death, …at least spiritually. The Israelites were as nomads that God was leading to a land for them to possess, if, they chose to be obedient. As they approached the “promised land” they needed to cross over, not staying behind, to then claim God’s promises, ..of it. This is a “type” of a need to “travel out” of choosing our own ways, to choose life. If we stay in spiritual Egypt (sin), we cannot also truthfully claim Christ. There is no spiritual life, without being saved out of all sin. If you still sin, you are under a spiritual curse. God’s people did not stay in Egypt, and no Christians are found in the bondage of sin. For at what point would God say, “I accept it?” If He were to, it then would render us a “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! This choice of Salvation for life in Christ, ..is not about a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde experience! When we are saved to be Christians, we don’t go back to the evil of sin, and still remain Christians. When we choose spiritual life, we choose holiness in our daily living.
To choose the curse of sin (or evil) is to choose destruction and spiritual death. The examples are found in alcoholism, pornography, rebellion against order, and etc. It has been the cause of ruined lives, in marriages, families, through abused children, drug addictions, murders, hatred, revenge, vulgar language, promiscuity, the searing of many a man (or woman, girl or boy's) conscious. Bro Goble testified he knows personally of those who were alcoholics, that are saved out of it, ...because they chose life!
If we choose life,..things will change. It won’t cause us to lose our “right mind,” but to 'gain' a “right mind” in Christ. Judgment comes then by the Word of God implemented in our daily living. Bro D.Goble shared that he was sitting on a civil trial where he was called as a witness for the defense. The attorney later exhorted to Bro Dave, of his gratitude for the lengthy testimony he gave, that was merely the simple truth, ...a sound judgment. In light of this we can reject the “worldly notions” that Christians are bigots, non compassionate of “judgments,” etc. True Christians have chosen truth and life. So it is important to make a clear dividing line between any form of darkness/death, and the principals of light and life. A real life examination could be, if you got too much change back at the store. You choose life when you return it, regardless how small the amount. You choose death/sin when you consider it not a big deal, perhaps thinking the store doesn’t need it like you.
We choose life, always in sincerity. When the bible says, “all liars shall have their place in the lake of fire”...we believe it!
Revelations 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. We choose life. Many people are “missing the purpose” of Christ' sacrifice, ...thinking Christ will excuse any further sins after redemption.
Matthew 7:21-23 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. If I represent myself as a Christian, yet choose sin (or evil), ..then I am also a false prophet. Even in a game you intentionally misrepresent something, it is in essence, ..sin or evil. Christ died, ..gave His life, 'not' for us to again choose sin lightly, or otherwise. The blessings in Salvation are we don’t have to offer “burnt offerings,” which would be vain, but can live holy (through the ‘power’ of Christ), which is the best and only acceptable sacrifice. Too many people today are so cavalier in their spiritual mentality. No one needs to excuse sinful choices! The bible makes clear what God thinks of sinning even in the New Testament. Only one example; I John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Too many also would attempt to wrest the scriptures (such as this verse) and substitute “the principal here,” by declaring “as long as a person’s ‘desire’ is to serve God, their actual knowledgeable choices in sin, don’t count.” False! Let God be true, but every man a liar. Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
The plan of God is to change a sinner to a saint. By rejecting sin (spiritual death), and choosing holiness (spiritual life). We are offered the decision to choose life, by obeying 'all' He has shown us. Again.. Deuteronomy 30:15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; Good, ..goes with Life! Death goes with sin or evil. The death mentioned in this chapter refers also of course in a broader way, ..the death of a nation.
We are all going to die. There is a physical “veil” between us and the eternal life found in God. But we will see Him as He is. I John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Some rejoice that we no longer in eternity will be separated from God. But what is evil though, is to then still choose sin/death ..which will keep you forever separated from God. Sin is all willing or intentional disobedience. It is evil to not choose God’s deliverance out of sinful choices.
We are 'surrounded' by a society of people choosing spiritual death in their sinful choices. So many are increasingly choosing evil, and not the security found only in the spiritual life of purity, ..that only God can give. The sinful choices can only bring spiritual death. Those that choose spiritual life, are also passing that "hope" to their children, family, friends, etc. We can choose life, ..not giving in as many religious leaders promoting the helplessness of choosing sin, ..by their false teachings. Though the “world” wants me to choose sin, I can still through Christ choose spiritual life!
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. A christian is one that only chooses life ...exclusively... and not up (life) one day, and down (death) the next. Do you have the power on your own? Absolutely not! The power of spiritual life is ‘Only’ found in Jesus Christ! For example if you claim to be to be the President of the United States, ...unless you are actually elected you do not have the power of that office.
So why is it acceptable to claim to be a christian, and still excuse sin in that one’s life? It isn’t. None of us are strong enough to conquer sin of this flesh, but we can know The One who IS! So it is not of truth to say “I choose Life-Salvation, yet still sometimes choose death-or sin. Does Life/Salvation make a christian super religious? No, but I choose always to 'obey' Christ’s Word and Will, therefore am given the freedom and power to never choose sin anymore. Bro Goble illustrated with the thought of traveling on the road with his “Co-Pilot.” So in “choosing life” he’s careful to stay in the proper lane. His “Co-Pilot” will “nudge” him when he becomes sleepy to keep him in the “right lane” and out of danger. There are so many dangers to lead one out of the right way. The Co-Pilot can keep me ‘when’ I choose to heed the Co-Pilot of life in His holiness. Yet I still have the freedom not to heed God, and making me susceptible to choosing the death of sin. Some who “claim” to be Christians, allow themselves as “okay” a “little” lying, cheating, etc., when it suits their convenience, etc. Crazy! For we have the Son of God, the Christ, as our “Co-Pilot,” to help us stay in the boundaries of His Will, that 'He' has set.
Don’t drive spiritually impaired (likened to real life drunk driving.) But choose Life, ..without sin even “sometimes,” ..which is death. If something you 'know' something can potentially impair your spiritual life, ..reject it for the narrow way of Christ. Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Have You Chosen Life?........
