The Standard By Choice/ Unintentional
Introduction:
A. I have seen bumper stickers that have said American by birth...
1. Redneck by choice.
2. Republican by choice.
B. There are a lot of things we choose to do.
1. Get up and go to work every day.
2. Pay our bills.
3. Treat other people respectfully.
4. Take care of our children, or aging parents.
5. Come home at night and fix dinner..mow the lawn, etc.
6. Obey the law.
C. Why do we choose to do these things?....for some people don't!
1. That is what is expected.
2. Our parents raised us that way.
3. Because they are the right things to do.
4. Out of love.
5. Because we expect others to do the same things.
Did you ever think about how.....
I. These things are based on the Bible?
A. For instance..
1. Getting up every morning and going to work.
a. God may have told Adam and Eve they could eat of every
tree in the garden but one, but He also told them to tend
the garden (work) - Genesis 2:15-16.
b. II Thessalonians 3:10 - no work = no eat.
c. II Thessalonians 3:12 = work, and eat your own bread.
2. Treat others respectfully.
a. Matthew 7:12 - golden rule.
b. Matthew 22:39 = love thy neighbor as thyself.
3. Take care of children, and aging parents.
a. I Timothy 5:8 - not provide = infidel.
b. Matthew 15:3-6.
B. Why do we do these things that are based on the Bible?
1. The Christian does so, because he has chosen to do so.
a. Christ is the head of the church - Ephesians 1:22-23.
b. He has all authority - Matthew 28:18.
c. Those who become Christians are to do all things
whatsoever He has commanded - Matthew 28:20.
2. Those who are not Christians do so, because they have
learned these things by association.
a. Romans 2:14-15.
b. Matthew 4:13-16.
c. There have been children who have said to have been raised
by wolves, and they learn to act like wolves.
d. A person will adapt to the environment he is placed in (i.e.
those who are not Christians can be influenced by Christians
II. These things that we do daily are for our best interest.
A. Think of the benefits of these things, verses what it would be like
if we did not do these things.
1. Going to work every day.
a. We have food to eat.
b. We have good self esteem.
c. It would be boring sitting around all day long doing nothing.
d. If our whole society did nothing, we would have nothing.
2. Obeying the law.
a. We are not fined, or end up in jail.
b. Being convicted of a crime can make it harder to get a job.
c. If we drove any speed we wanted to, we could get hurt,
killed, or kill someone.
d. The lives we enjoy are based on people obeying the law.
3. If there was no law, or if no obeyed it, our lives would not
be the same.
a. No law = no limitations.
b. You couldn't have enough bars on your window, or locks
on your doors.
c. You would probably be afraid to go anywhere, and to allow
your children to: play outside, go to school, etc.
d. Sodom and Gomorrah are good examples (Genesis 19).
B. These things that are for our best interest are based on the Bible,
which is God's word, therefore what does that tells us about God?
1. God wants what is best for us!!!
a. He is the Father of us all - Acts 17:28.
b. He sends His rain on the just and the unjust - Matthew 5:43-48.
c. He loved the world enough to send His Son - John 3:16.
2. God knows what is best for us.
a. Isaiah 55:8-9 = His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
b. Man suffers when he ignores God, and does what he wants:
1) Homosexuality (Romans 1) AIDS, destruction of home.
2) Divorce (Matthew 19:9) 2 out of 3 marriages end in divorce.
3) Discipline (Proverbs 22:15) children out of control.
"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the
rod of correction shall drive it far from him."
III. If we do these things, based on the Bible (even if unintentional),
maybe we ought to see what the rest of the Bible has to say.
A. If the Bible teaches these things, evidently it must have a lot of
other things that can help us in life.
1. It tells us why we do things we do not want to do.
a. Evil companions - I Corinthians 15:33.
b. Wrong priorities - I John 2:15-16.
1) Why do we lie? Save face! Get ahead!
2) Why do we neglect our families? Lust of eyes/flesh!
3) Why do people cheat on spouses? Lust of flesh!
2. It tells us how to overcome these things.
a. Choose better friends (I Corinthians 15:33).
b. Focus on good things - Philippians 4:8.
c. Set your affections on things above - Colossians 3:1-2.
3. How to have a good marriage.
a. Husbands:
1) Love wife - Ephesians 5:25, 28.
2) Honor her - I Peter 3:7.
b. Wives:
1) Submit - Ephesians 5:22.
2) Respect - Ephesians 5:33.
B. And, there is much more, therefore, you ought to study it.
1. By studying it you will be blessed:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the
ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth
in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law
doth he meditate day and night.
2. There is no blessing in walking in the counsel of the ungodly.
a. They will counsel you to drink, and use drugs.
b. They will counsel you to cheat on your wife/husband.
c. They will counsel you to do whatever it takes to get ahead.
Conclusion:
A. Have you studied God's word? If not, why not?
1. Too hard! It gets easier. We would be glad to help.
2. Too busy! See where you could make time (even 15 min.).
3. No desire! Have you given it a real try?
B. If you have studied it, and you know what you need to do....
1. Repent...why not now?
2. Obey the gospel...no time like the present!