1.  Something that God has given you that is the most powerful thing that you can possess  More valuable than any education  More valuable than any amount of money  As long as you live on earth, no one can take it away from you Not even God will – no matter how much you mismanage this possessionNot even God will – no matter how much you mismanage this possession  You can give it away but even in giving it away you possess it  Without this possession even salvation would be of no benefit to you  Something that God has given you that is the most powerful thing that you can possess  More valuable than any education  More valuable than any amount of money  As long as you live on earth, no one can take it away from you Not even God will – no matter how much you mismanage this possessionNot even God will – no matter how much you mismanage this possession  You can give it away but even in giving it away you possess it  Without this possession even salvation would be of no benefit to you

2. “Most Valuable Possession”

3. I. Given at Creation  Genesis 1:26-27  Human beings made in the image of God  Distinguished from all other animals  Genesis 2:15-17  Eat from any tree except…  Conditional, If – then  If – the possibility to choose  Then – the consequences of choice  Genesis 1:26-27  Human beings made in the image of God  Distinguished from all other animals  Genesis 2:15-17  Eat from any tree except…  Conditional, If – then  If – the possibility to choose  Then – the consequences of choice

8. II. Ignoring the signs  Ignoring the signs – deal with the consequences

9.  Matthew 7:13-14  Entrance to the kingdom of God Narrow gateNarrow gate Difficult wayDifficult way Leads to lifeLeads to life Few choose that wayFew choose that way  Matthew 7:13-14  Entrance to the kingdom of God Narrow gateNarrow gate Difficult wayDifficult way Leads to lifeLeads to life Few choose that wayFew choose that way

10.  Highway to hell (destruction) Wide gateWide gate Broad wayBroad way Leads to destructionLeads to destruction Many choose that wayMany choose that way  Highway to hell (destruction) Wide gateWide gate Broad wayBroad way Leads to destructionLeads to destruction Many choose that wayMany choose that way

11.  Seeing beyond what is seen – need long range view  Trust someone who has already seen it  Seeing beyond what is seen – need long range view  Trust someone who has already seen it

12. III. Choose Today  Deuteronomy 30:11-20 – Israel in preparation to possess the promised land  This command I am giving you today Not too difficult to understandNot too difficult to understand Not beyond your reachNot beyond your reach  Choice between Life and deathLife and death Prosperity and disasterProsperity and disaster Blessings and cursesBlessings and curses  Deuteronomy 30:11-20 – Israel in preparation to possess the promised land  This command I am giving you today Not too difficult to understandNot too difficult to understand Not beyond your reachNot beyond your reach  Choice between Life and deathLife and death Prosperity and disasterProsperity and disaster Blessings and cursesBlessings and curses

13.  Choice between Loving God and obeying himLoving God and obeying him Turn away and serve other godsTurn away and serve other gods  Choose today Heaven and earth witnessHeaven and earth witness Oh, that you would choose lifeOh, that you would choose life  Choice between Loving God and obeying himLoving God and obeying him Turn away and serve other godsTurn away and serve other gods  Choose today Heaven and earth witnessHeaven and earth witness Oh, that you would choose lifeOh, that you would choose life

14.  Joshua 24:14-15 – Israel having possessed the promised land  Fear the Lord and serve him whole heartedly  Serve the Lord alone  If you refuse to serve the Lord than choose today whom you will serve  As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord  Joshua 24:14-15 – Israel having possessed the promised land  Fear the Lord and serve him whole heartedly  Serve the Lord alone  If you refuse to serve the Lord than choose today whom you will serve  As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord

15.  The good and the bad news Judges 2:6-15 Served the LordServed the Lord Then ignored the signsThen ignored the signs  The good and the bad news Judges 2:6-15 Served the LordServed the Lord Then ignored the signsThen ignored the signs

16. IV. No Choice?  I had no choice in the matter  Others do things in which you have no control  Choose how you will respond  I had no choice in the matter  Others do things in which you have no control  Choose how you will respond

17.  1 Peter 2:23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.  Others tyrannize or violate you or even put you to death – may have no choice in that matter, but you have the choice of your destination – no one can take that from you  1 Peter 2:23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.  Others tyrannize or violate you or even put you to death – may have no choice in that matter, but you have the choice of your destination – no one can take that from you

19.  "Is that all? Nothing of what you mentioned touches me. We possess nothing, we can be robbed of nothing. Exile will be impossible, since everywhere on God's earth I am at home. Torments cannot afflict me, for I have no body. And death is welcome, for it will bring me more quickly to God. To a great extent I am already dead; for a long time I have been hastening to the grave." Astonished, the prefect remarked: "Till today no one has ever spoken to me so courageously." "Perhaps," rejoined Basil, "you have never before met a bishop." Modestus hastened back to Valens. "Emperor," he said, "we are bested by this leader of the Church. He is too strong for threats, too firm for words, too clever for persuasion."

20. V. Surrendered Choice  Psalms 25:12 - 14 12Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose. 13They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the land. 14The LORD is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant.  John 7:17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.  John 7:17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.  Psalms 25:12 - 14 12Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose. 13They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the land. 14The LORD is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant.  John 7:17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.  John 7:17 Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.

21.  Surrendered Choice - Statement of trust  I trust your judgment  I trust you know more than I do  I trust your way is best  In surrendering your choice, you still retain the power to choose  Choose TODAY  Let heaven and earth be your witness today  Surrendered Choice - Statement of trust  I trust your judgment  I trust you know more than I do  I trust your way is best  In surrendering your choice, you still retain the power to choose  Choose TODAY  Let heaven and earth be your witness today