“Important Choices”
Graduation Sunday 2012
Matthew 7:24-27
Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV)24“Everyone then who hears
these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the
rock. 25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the
winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall,
because it had been founded on the rock.
Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV)26And everyone who hears these words of mine and
does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his
house on the sand. 27And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat
against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of
it.”
3 Truths about Life's Choices
1) Life's choices have great POTENTIAL
(vs 24) …hears...does..will be like a wise man
(vs 26) …hears...does not ..will be like a foolish man
1) Life's choices have great POTENTIAL
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
2for length of days and years of life and peace they will
add to you.
Proverbs 3:1-6 ESV
1) Life's choices have great POTENTIAL
3Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write
them on the tablet of your heart. 4So you will find favor
and good success in the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 3:1-6 ESV
1) Life's choices have great POTENTIAL
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will
make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:1-6 ESV
1) Life's choices have great POTENTIAL
A) Life's Choices can make you WISE
24“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his
house on the rock.
1) Life's choices have great POTENTIAL
B) Life's Choices can make you FOOLISH
26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be
like a foolish man
1) Life's choices have great POTENTIAL
C) Life's Choices are CHOICES
Joshua 24:15 (ESV) - choose this day whom you will serve,
2) Life's choices cannot avoid all HARDSHIPSThe wise (vs 25) - And the
rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat
on that house...
The foolish (vs 27) - And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat
on that house...
2) Life's choices cannot avoid all HARDSHIPSThere are certain things in
this life that are unavoidable
Family Tragedies
Tests
Trials and Tribulation
sSicknesses
Job Loss Betrayal
2) Life's choices cannot avoid all HARDSHIPSThe question is not...
“Will hardships everenter your life.”
The question is...“What foundation is your life building on that must endure
the hardships of life?”
2) Life's choices cannot avoid all HARDSHIPS
A) STOCKPILE the wisdom of Christ in your heart
11I have stored up your word in my heart, that I
might not sin against you.(Psalm 119:11 ESV)
2) Life's choices cannot avoid all HARDSHIPS
B) STAY close to Jesus each day
18The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who
call on him in truth.(Psalm 145:18 ESV)
2) Life's choices cannot avoid all HARDSHIPS
C) SEEK Godly counsel in the storms of life
20Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the
companion of fools will suffer harm.
(Proverbs 13:20 ESV)
3) Life's choices always have CONSEQUENCES
25...but it did not fall because it had been
founded upon the rock.
27...and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
3) Life's choices always have CONSEQUENCES
A) Be FAR-SIGHTED in your decision making
6Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her
ways, and be wise.(Proverbs 6:6 ESV)
3) Life's choices always have CONSEQUENCES
B) Be RESPONSIBLE for your actions
13Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who
confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
(Proverbs 28:13 ESV)
3) Life's choices always have CONSEQUENCES
C) Be totally COMMITTED to Jesus Christ
28And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were
astonished at his teaching, 29for he was teaching them as one who
had authority, and not as their scribes.
(Matthew 7:28-29 ESV)