Weekly Sermon Recap - 8.31.25

Everybody Gets to Make a Choice

Life is a series of decisions. From the moment we wake up to the time we lay our heads down at night, we're constantly making choices. Some are small and seemingly inconsequential, while others have the power to alter the course of our lives. But have you ever stopped to consider why we have this ability to choose in the first place?

The answer takes us back to the very beginning of creation. In Genesis, we see God crafting the heavens and the earth, meticulously preparing a world for humanity to inhabit. But His crowning achievement wasn't just the physical realm – it was the creation of beings made in His own image.

"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...'" (Genesis 1:26)

This simple yet profound statement reveals a fundamental truth about our nature. We are not merely creations, but reflections of the Creator Himself. And one of the most significant aspects of this likeness is our ability to make choices.

God, in His infinite wisdom and love, chose to give us free will. He didn't create automatons programmed to blindly follow His every command. Instead, He granted us the dignity of choice, allowing us to truly love Him and others of our own volition.

This gift of choice is evident throughout Scripture. In the Garden of Eden, Adam was given the task of naming all the animals. God didn't dictate what each creature should be called; He allowed Adam to exercise his creativity and decision-making abilities. Even today, we carry on this tradition, giving names to our pets and finding joy in the process.

But with great power comes great responsibility. The freedom to choose also means the freedom to make wrong choices. We see this played out dramatically in the story of Adam and Eve. God provided everything they needed in the Garden, including the Tree of Life. But He also placed the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, with a clear command not to eat from it.

Why would a loving God put such temptation in their path? It wasn't to trip them up, but to give them a genuine choice. True love and obedience can only exist where there's the option to do otherwise.

This pattern of choice continues throughout the Bible. Joshua, nearing the end of his life, presents a powerful challenge to the Israelites:

"Choose this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)

Joshua's declaration is a reminder that our faith isn't something inherited or forced upon us. It's a personal decision we must make for ourselves.

The importance of choice is not just a theological concept – it's a lived reality that shapes our spiritual journeys. Many of us can relate to times when we've drifted away from God, not through a dramatic rejection, but through a series of small choices that slowly led us off course.

One poignant illustration of this comes from a story of a young college student. Raised in a Christian home and known as the "Christian kid" in high school, he found himself suddenly free from familiar constraints when he went to college. At first, missing church was just a matter of inconvenience. But week after week, as he chose not to seek out fellowship, his faith began to wane.

It wasn't an overnight change. There was no moment of outright rebellion against God. Instead, it was a gradual process of small decisions that led him further and further from his spiritual roots. The influence of new friends, the allure of different lifestyles, and the absence of accountability all played a role.

This story serves as a powerful reminder of how our choices, even seemingly insignificant ones, can have a cumulative effect on our spiritual lives. It also highlights the importance of community in our faith journey. When we isolate ourselves from fellow believers, we become more vulnerable to influences that can lead us astray.

But just as our choices can lead us away from God, they can also bring us back to Him. The same student who had drifted away eventually experienced God's grace and mercy, choosing once again to follow Jesus. This demonstrates the beautiful truth that it's never too late to make the right choice.

Our ability to choose is a double-edged sword. It gives us the capacity for genuine love and relationship with God, but it also means we can choose to reject Him. This is the tension we live in – the joy and responsibility of free will.

So how do we make good choices? How do we navigate the countless decisions we face each day in a way that honors God and aligns with His will for our lives?

First, we must recognize that every choice matters. There's no such thing as a spiritually neutral decision. Even the smallest choices can either draw us closer to God or push us further away.

Second, we need to cultivate a deep relationship with God through prayer, studying His Word, and fellowship with other believers. The better we know God's character and His desires for us, the more equipped we'll be to make choices that please Him.

Third, we should seek wisdom and counsel from mature believers. Proverbs 15:22 tells us, "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed." We weren't meant to navigate life's choices alone.

Lastly, we must remember that God's grace is always available to us. Even when we make wrong choices, His love and forgiveness are constant. This doesn't mean we can be careless in our decisions, but it does mean we don't have to live in fear of making mistakes.

As we reflect on the gift and responsibility of choice, let's be encouraged by the words of Joshua. May we, like him, boldly declare, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Let's make intentional choices each day to follow Jesus, to love others, and to live out our faith with conviction and purpose.

In a world full of options and competing voices, remember that you have the power to choose. Choose wisely, choose lovingly, and above all, choose to follow the One who chose you first.