“Choose Life”

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Intro:  What types of choices are you making?

I.  Chosen by God

A.  “The Lord did not set His love on you and choose you 

               because you were more numerous than other peoples, for 

               you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord 

               loves you and kept the oath He swore to your forefathers, 

               the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand and 

               redeemed you from the house of slavery.” – Deuteronomy 7:7–8

B.  “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people 

                belonging to God, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who has 

                called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.  (1 Peter 2:9)

C.  Chosen in Baptism

II.  Led by the Spirit to Choose (Romans 8)

A.  Nature of the Choice

1.  Prosperity vs Destruction

2.  Love & Discipleship vs Disobedience & other gods

3.  Blessings vs Curses

4.  Life vs Death

B.  Examples of Choices

1.  Choose to carry your cross

a.  Clear Priorities

b.  Count the Cost

2.  Paul – Choose to be an advocate

3.  Onesimus – Choose to humbly face the person you wronged

4.  Philemon – Choose to forgive

III.  “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now 

     choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you 

     may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to 

     him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in 

     the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and 

     Jacob.” – Deuteronomy 30:19-20

What is the cost for you personally to be a disciple of Jesus, and how do you feel about this cost?

For whom can you be an advocate?  Who have you wronged that you need to humbly face?  Who do you need to forgive?