1. Giving Us The Freedom to Choose

2. 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.” 27God created people in his image; in the divine image He created him; male and female he created them. 28God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and all the living things that move on the earth.” (Genesis 1: 26-28) 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.” 27God created people in his image; in the divine image He created him; male and female he created them. 28God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and all the living things that move on the earth.” (Genesis 1: 26-28)

3. 15 The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it. 16 The Lord God gave the man this order: “You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and bad. From that tree you shall not eat; the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die.” (Gen 2:15-16) 15 The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it. 16 The Lord God gave the man this order: “You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and bad. From that tree you shall not eat; the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die.” (Gen 2:15-16)

4. Was God depriving Adam of something significant? No, not really. God was GIVING Adam … a CHOICE The CHOICE: to obey God or not / to love God or not.

5. One of God’s greatest gift to mankind is the freedom to choose (to obey or not). Man also has the power to reject God. Love is a choice. Love has to be freely given.

6. GOD IS love. He is compelled by His nature to love. MAN Is free to choose: to love, or not to love

7. "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way." (Isaiah 53:6) “When the Lord saw how great was man’s wickedness on earth … it broke his heart.” (Gen 6: 5-6 ) “Jerusalem, Jerusalem … I had wanted to gather your children together.. but you wouldn’t let me.” (Matt 23:37 )

8. TO LOVE or NOT TO LOVE Love compels us to go outside of ourselves and to consider other persons’ interests before our own.

9. “What do you want me to do for you?” “ Lord, I want to see.” Luke 18

10. “What do you want me to do for you?” “ Lord, I want { _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ }.”

11. “What do you want me to do for you?” “ Lord, I want { _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ }.” “Will that make you truly happy?”

12. “What do you want me to do for you?” “ Lord, I want { _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ }.” “Will that make you truly happy?” HEAVEN substitute

13. Stop worrying, then, over questions like, “what are we to eat, or what are we to drink, or what are we to wear?” The unbelievers are always running after these things. Your heavenly Father knows all that you need. Seek first his kingship over you, his way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides.” - Matt 6:25-34 Stop worrying, then, over questions like, “what are we to eat, or what are we to drink, or what are we to wear?” The unbelievers are always running after these things. Your heavenly Father knows all that you need. Seek first his kingship over you, his way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides.” - Matt 6:25-34

14. What’s the “ BAD NEWS ” ? “No one can serve two masters at the same time.” The world, and the things in it, will not make you truly happy.

15. What’s the GOOD NEWS ? Heaven is real. Even if we die, we will live again. It is possible for us to live in heaven, and enjoy God’s presence … forever. Jesus will show us how to get there.

16. Jesus knows the way... “Come, follow me.” Matt. 19: 21 “I am the way”. John 14: 6 “Believe in me.” John 14: 1 “The road is narrow.” Matt 7: 14 “Do not be afraid.” John 14: 1

17. The BAD news? Or the GOOD news? The WORLD? Or GOD? HEAVEN? Or EARTH? The REAL heaven? Or heaven SUBSTITUTES?

18. Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your own soul in the process?” – Luke 9: 21-26 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your own soul in the process?” – Luke 9: 21-26

19. "Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps." – 1 Peter 2: 21 "Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps." – 1 Peter 2: 21 “Pick up your cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9: 23

20. What did the cross represent ? He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” – Matt 26:39 He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” – Matt 26:39

22. He CHOSE to. He didn’t HAVE to.

23. To show me THE WAY that I should follow. Out of LOVE for ME.

24. Jesus shows us how to love Want to follow me?  pick up your cross … DAILY It IS hard to love others What are YOU giving up if you were to pick up your cross? “Follow me” … “I am the way”. (this is the way)

25. “Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest.” - Matt 11:29 We learn from Him; we learn about ourselves.. Our souls will find rest.

26. “unless a grain of wheat dies...” “Apart from me you can do nothing … remain in me … follow me.” A cross transforms us. We will bear fruit of the Holy Spirit.

27. “I came that (you) may have life and have it to the full.” – John 10:10 We will gain fullness of life.

28. We put to death our old selves. We become more like Jesus.

29. We put to death our old selves. We become more like Jesus.

30. Death no longer has any power. – Rom 6:9 We are no longer slaves to sin. – Rom 6:6

31. We will be light and salt of the earth. – Matt 5: 13-16

32. There is a place reserved for you in God’s kingdom. “I am indeed going to prepare a place for you... that where I am you also may be.” – John 14: 3