The Great Continental Divide

At the Crossroads

Scriptures to Consider:

• I Kings 18:21: “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”

• Jeremiah 6:16: “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”

Scriptures to Consider:

• Jer. 7:23-24: “But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

• V. 24: “But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.”

Joshua 24:15

• “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

“Crossroads”

• Definitions: (1) “the place where two roads meet.” (2) “Figuratively, a critical turning point.” (3) “A point at which two or more courses of action diverge.”

• Fact: All accountable people stand at the crossroads many times in life.– The choices we make at those ventures

have life-changing effects upon our lives.– At these times we are often vulernable.

Basic Facts:

• “All of life concentrates on man at the crossroads.”

• In every action of life we are confronted with choices that must be made.– Note Deut. 30:15-20.– Note Joshua 24:15.– Note Jeremiah 6:16.– Note Matt. 7:13-14.

Some Who Made the Wrong Choiceat the Crossroads of Life:

• Adam and Eve, Genesis 3:1-6.– The sad consequences of their choice remain

even to this day.

• Lot, Genesis 13:7-13.– He suffered the dire consequences, Gen. 19.

• King David, 2 Sam. 11:1-4.– He suffered severe consequences, 2 Sam. 12:10

• Judas Iscariott, Matt. 26:14-16.– He page a huge price for the blood money he

never spent! Matt. 27:3-5; Acts 1:25.

Some Who Made the Right Choiceat the Crossroads of Life:

• Noah, Genesis 6:8-9,22.– Because he obeyed, we live today!

• Joseph, Genesis 39:7-9.– Because he obeyed he delivered his people.

• Moses, Hebrews 11:24-26.– Because he obeyed He led Israel out of Egypt.

• Jesus Christ, Hebrews 4:15; I Peter 2:21-22.

-- Because He obeyed He can deliver us from sin!

Some Crossroads of Life WhereA Wise Choice Must Be Made!

• When a Couple are Dating.– Moral purity is a must! I Tim. 5:22; I Cor. 6:18.– But strong temptations often appear, and strong

resistance is needed, Jas. 4:7.

• When Choosing a Spouse.– Christians ought to marry Christians, 2 Cor. 6:14.– But many are tempted to choose looks over

character, pleasure over purity, and material goods over spiritual security.

– And they generally pay a huge price!

Some Crossroads of Life When Wise Choices Must Be Made!

• When Marital problems Arise!– God intended for marriage to be

permanent, Matt. 19:6 Rom. 7:2.– But problems arise in the best of

marriages. – The choices:

• Work the problems out according to God’s will.• Go their separate ways.

Problems in Marriage Can Be Resolved If:

• The Husband loves his wife as Christ loved the church, Eph. 5:25.

• The wife has proper respect for her husband, Eph. 5:33.

• Both parties love God enough to do His will! Matt. 22:37; I John 5:3.

Another Crossroad: When Problems Arise with a Brother in Christ!

• Fact (one): God has a plan that works when His plan is worked, Matt. 5:23; 18:15-17.

• Fact (two): God’s plan will be worked if each brother loves the other brother as Christ loved us, John 13:34.

• The Choices:– Resolve the problem according to God’s plan.– Refuse to be submissive, refuse to repent, get

angry, quit the church, or conveniently place membership somewhere else!

Another Crossroad – The Call to obey the Gospel of Christ!

• No Greater choice can be made! The conse-quences are eternal! Rom. 1:16; 2 Thes. 1:7-9

• The Choices:– Do as those on Pentecost, Acts 2:37-38,41.– Do as certain Jews at Antioch, Acts 13:45.– Do as some at Athens, Acts 17:32.– Do as did Felix, Acts 24:25.– Do as did King Agrippa, Acts 26:28.

• Multitudes have come to this crossroad and made the wrong choice!

Another Crossroad: Choice of Faithfulness or Falling Away!

• God has a plan for His people to follow!– Hebrews 10:25.– Ephesians 6:10-11.– Revelation 2:10, etc.

• But there are many temptations that come our way!– Hebrews 3:12-13.

Local Churches Also Face Many Crossroads!

• When Error Rears its Ugly Head!– The choice: fight the error, 2 John 9-11; Titus 1:9-

11, or embrace the error, Rev. 2:14-15.

• When Members Become Complacent!– The choice: Repent, Rev. 2:4-5, or drift further

from God, Heb. 2:1.

• When Members become Discouraged!– As did the Israelites, Deut. 1:28.– The Choice: murmur as did Israel, Num. 14:2, or

follow the example of Joshua and Caleb. 14:7-9.

Conclusion:

• Life does not get easier just because we grow older. Throughout life we encounter many crossroads. Note Joshua 24:15.

• Jer. 21:8: “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death,” Jer. 21:8.

• “Choose Life, that you and your descendants may live,” Deut. 30:15-20.

• Jesus is “the way, the truth..the life,” Jn 14:6.• Choose Christ and Live! John 10:10.