TEXT:  Job 34:4

INTRODUCTION:

A.      WE NEED TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS WHILE WE CAN.

          1.       To become a Christian.

          2.       To live committed lives like Christians should.

B.      CONSIDER THESE FACTS ABOUT RIGHT DECISIONS.

I.      REQUIRE COURAGE.

A.      Judges 7:2-9.  TO DEPEND ON GOD'S STRENGTH AND NOT OUR OWN.

          1.       Self-suffiency is a mistake( 1 Cor. 10:12 ).

          2.       The Lord's armor is mighty( Eph. 6:10-13 ).

B.      GOD CAN'T USE THE FEARFUL( Judges 7:3 ).

          1.       God's promise( Rom. 8:31f. ).

          2.       Fear comes from a lack of faith( Rev. 21:8 ).

II.     REQUIRE INTELLIGENT CONSIDERATION.

A.      TRUE FAITH IS THE RESULT OF PERSUASION( 2 Tim. 1:12 ).

          1.       Rom. 10:17.

          2.       The evidence is there( John 20:30-31 ).

          3.       John 6:44-45.  We must be taught.  Paul's example( Acts 17:2;  18:4 ).

B.      THERE IS NEED TO COUNT THE COST( Luke 14:26-33 ).

III.    THEY IMPOSE OBLIGATIONS( Joshua 24:14-24 ).

A.      PLEDGE TO SERVE GOD IF WE KEEP OUR IDOLS( vs. 14 ).

B.      JEHOVAH IS A JEALOUS GOD( vs. 19 ).

          1.       We must put away rival gods and affections( Matt. 6:24;  1 John 2:15 ).

          2.       We must hear God( vs. 24;  Heb. 1:1-2;  Acts 3:22-23 ).

IV.   MUST BE MADE WHOLE-HEARTEDLY( Luke 9:57-62 ).

A.      THE APOSTLES( Matt. 19:27 ).

B.      WHAT THEN SHALL WE HAVE?

          1.       The apostles?( vs. 28 ).

          2.       The rest of us?( vs. 29 ).

C.      WHAT IS SO IMPORTANT, MORE THAN JESUS?( Matt. 16:25-26 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      DECISION REQUIRES MATURE JUDGMENT, THOUGHTFUL

          CONSIDERATION.  WHY DID YOU DECIDE?

B.      DECISION OF GREATEST IMPORT.  OUR SOULS AT STAKE.

C.      IF WE DECIDE DIFFERENT?( John 6:66-69 ).