What Do You Want

August 2, 2015
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What do you want? That is the question life asks of us and the question God asked Solomon in I Kings 3:5. Solomon answered wisely. Moses was faced with a similar decision when he came of age. On the other hand, Cain, Balaam, the Rich Young Ruler, Judas, and others in the Bible chose a course that led to destruction. In general, we answer the question through the thousands of decisions we make through life. However, there are pivotal points when we are making crucial choices that declare in word or deed what we want. What do you want in life? We all need to consider carefully how we answer that, because you may just get what you choose (for better or for worse). This message helps us ponder the question in the light of biblical revelation.

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OUTLINE

I. Solomon: 1Kings 3:5-15

  • Solomon’s failure to live in this later in life
    “shama” root meaning: to hear intelligently or obediently
  • God’s Approval – overflowing answer
  • Solomon’s Answer

II. Cain: Genesis 4:3-8

  • God’s favor toward Abel’s offering but disfavor toward Cain’s
  • Cain’s response/offense
  • Cain’s choice for his future

III. Abraham: Genesis 12:1-4

  • The question/choice as God’s gives direction (vs 1) Comfort/security vs Obedience/adventure of faith
  • Reinhard Bonnke story

IV. Moses: Hebrews 11:24-28

  • An either/or choice had to be made (vs 24-25)
  • Notice what motivated his choice (vs 26-27)
    Seeing is the key!
    Pure lives flow from seeing (1John 3:2-3)

Conclusion:

  • God is asking you & me: What do you want?
  • Season ahead of either being hot or cold
  • Affirm choice to follow Jesus

QUESTIONS

  1. If God were asking you to choose what you want most in the future, what would you answer?
  2. Have you had experiences in the past when God posed this question to you? Did it simply come through the circumstances you faced or were there other factors as well? What was your answer?
  3. How important is it to affirm your answer/commitment from time to time?
    How have you done this?
    How did Solomon fail to do this?
    How did Moses do this?
  4. How did seeing into the spiritual realm (seeing Him who is eternal) affect Moses’ values and choices? How has seeing spiritual realities affected your values and choices?
  5. What questions did this sermon raise that have not been discussed or answered?
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