My Way (or the Higher Way)

Proverbs 14:12 says: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

BIG IDEA: Don’t do it your way… choose the higher way—His way!

Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

THE MESSAGE - Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.

We are called to wholehearted not half-hearted faith. Jesus said in Luke 9:23: If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

• Deny yourself

Romans 10:9 - …if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

• Call Jesus LORD

Luke 22:42 - Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.

• They are driven by their selfishness… It matters to them that they get the credit for the accomplishment.

• They are defensive in their pride… I don’t want anyone to steal my “thunder” or my satisfaction of doing it my way. 

• They are defined by their insecurity… there is almost a fear or embarrassment associated with not being able to figure out the Christian life.

Romans 7:21 - I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 

Romans 7:24 - Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?

Romans 7:25 - Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.

LISTEN FOR GOD'S VOICE

Psalm 14:1 - Only fools say in their hearts, “there is no God.”

• Acknowledge Him in everything you do
  

Could that happen to you? Or Me? Could we end up defying God because we thought we were doing the “right thing”?

Ephesians 4:30 – 5:1-2 - …do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. (i.e. Don’t defy God’s will)

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Imitate God (do God’s will God’s way)… in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

• Acknowledge Him in everywhere you go

It’s not just going to be the choices and actions we accomplish, we listen to Him and trust Him for the very directions and circumstances of our lives. Where we go both literally and figuratively. 

Philippians 3:7-10 - I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death…

NEXT STEP: Live by faith, knowing God is the one who will keep you on track

• A path of confidence… trusting God from the bottom of your heart without reservation
• A path of contentment…  accepting that you don’t have to have EVERYTHING figured out and that it is okay to admit that
• A path of salvation… listening to the voice (the will) of God to lead you to eternal life that is far greater than what the voices of this world offer.