Examples Of Making Godly Decisions

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Examples Of Making Godly Decisions

• Text Hebrews 11
• Date January 8, 2006
• Speaker David Pike

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A Simple Model For Godly Decision-Making
Learn From Mistakes
Feedback
Train Your conscience based on principles and
guidelines.
I N P U T S
O U T P U T S
Know Thyself Know Where You Are Going
Godly Words and Deeds!
Desire and Determination
Be desirous, willing, and determined to do right
things right the first time.
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An Example of A Good Decision
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Good Example 1 Joseph
He made a decision not to sin Now, it came to
pass after these things that his masters wife
cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, Lie
with me. But he refused and said to his masters
wife, Look, my master does not know what is with
me in the house, and has committed all that he
has to my hand. There is one one greater than I,
nor has he kept back anything from me but you,
because you are his wife, How can I do this great
wickedness, and sin against God?as she spoke to
Joseph day by day, that he did not heed herbut
he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran
outside (Ge. 391-23)
What logic did Joseph use and how does it link to
the principles and guidelines?
Remember We decide not to sin, because we know
it is wrong. Dont linger with sin. Get away!
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness,
and sin is lawlessness. (I Jh. 34)
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Good Example 2 Moses
Moses weighted the pros and cons and decided to
follow God By faith, Moses, when he became of
age, refused to be called the son of Pharaohs
daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction
with the people of God than to enjoy the passing
pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of
Christ greater than the riches of Egypt for he
looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt,
not fearing the wrath of the king for he endured
as seeing Him who is invisible. (Hb. 1123-27)
What influenced the decision made by Moses?
Remember We must visualize the reward and the
invisible God. We must know and see where we are
going. These all died in faithBut now they
desire a better, that is, a heavenly country
(Hb. 1113-16)
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Good Example 3 Abraham
Abraham decided to leave his family and obey God.
Now the Lord said to Abram Get out of your
country, from your kindred and from your fathers
house, to a land that I will show you. I will
make you a great nation I will bless you and
make your name great And you shall be a
blessing, I will bless those who bless you and I
will curse him who curses you And in you shall
all the families of the earth be blessed. (Ge.
1127-32 121-4)
What influenced the decision made by Abraham?
God fulfilled all these promises hundreds of
years later. By faith, Abraham obeyed when he
was called to go out to the place which he would
afterward receive an inheritance. And he went
not knowing where he was going... (Hb. 118-10)
Remember We need faith, direction and desire to
reach our heavenly home. and confessed that
they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth
(Hb. 1113)
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Bad Example 1 King Saul
Saul decided to offer a sacrifice reserved for
priests only. And Samuel said What have you
done? And Saul said , When I saw the people were
scattered from me, and that you did not come
within the days appointed, and that the
Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I
said, The Philistines will now come on me at
Gigal, and I have not made supplication to the
Lord. Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a
burnt offering. And Samuel said to Saul, You
have not kept the commandment of the Lord your
God (I Sm. 131-15)
What principles and guidelines did King Saul
violate?
Sauls decision seemed right to himself, but it
was wrong. And Saul said to Samuel, But I
have obeyed the voice of the LordBehold to obey
is better than sacrifice... (I Sm. 151-35)
Remember We can think we are making good
decisions and we can make bad decision after bad.
(Pr. 1412)
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Bad Example 2 Solomon
Solomon was influenced in his decision to sin,
even though he was wise. when Solomon was
old, that his wives turned his heart after other
gods and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his
God, as was the heart of his father DavidSolomon
did evil in the sight of the LordTherefore the
Lord said, Because you have done this, and have
not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I
have commanded you, I will surely tear away the
kingdom from you and give it to your servant. (I
Ki. 111-13)
What principles and guidelines did Solomon
violate?
Remember Even the wise can be influenced to
decide to do wrong and suffer the consequences.
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Bad Example 3 Eli
Eli chose to not discipline his sons and suffered
the consequences. For I have told him that I
will judge his house forever for the iniquity
which he knows, because his sons made themselves
vile, and he did not restrain rebukethem... (I
Sm. 222-36 310-18 412-18)
What principles and guidelines did Eli violate?
Remember We make many decisions, such of
discipline, everyday.
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What Makes A Good Or Bad Decision?

• Good Decisions
• Right in the sight of God.
• Following the Biblical authority.
• Avoiding the consequences with godly knowledge.

• Bad Decisions
• Right in the sight of people.
• Assuming your own authority of what is right.
• Having worldly knowledge wont ensure best
  decisions.

What can you learn from the good and bad examples
provided?
Remember We must die in faith like Abraham,
Noah, Enoch, Abel, Sarah, etc., and keep our
focus on the reward to influence our decisions
everyday. By faith. (Hb. 11)