TAKE BACK YOUR LIFE
Thinking like Jesus involves making decisions as He did—unwavering and purpose-driven. Circumstances never influenced His pre-decided convictions. He remained resolute in fulfilling His mission. And so can you!
DETERMINED
Definition: Having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it.
JESUS PREDECIDED
Jesus knew who He was and what He was set to do.
It would cost Him his life, He would die in the most painful way, but He would save the world – all becasue he was determined to follow through, having made a firm decision and remaining resolved to follow through with it.
Scholars estimate that Jesus fulfilled between 300 and 570 prophecies in the Old Testament.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord ’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
—Isaiah 61:1-3
Nothing Would change his decisions and He was determined to find the way of fulfilling them… At any cost…
Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry…
—Luke 4:1-2
THE RESOLVE
Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. ” He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”
—Luke 4:14-21
THINKING LIKE HE DOES
For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes].
—1 Corinthians 2:16 AMP
Making decisions like Jesus involves pre-determining our values and purpose, and then resolutely following through with unwavering commitment.
Mapping Our Decisions to Jesus’ Mind…
We don’t live life discovering what we believe, we decide what we believe and live life accordingly.
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
—Isaiah 43:18-19a
WE ARE NOT GREAT DECISION MAKERS
We may think we are, but a for a decision to be good, it must actually have the pre-determined outcome or impact.
Why Do We Struggle to Make Good Decisions?
- We’re overwhelmed with choices.
- We’re afraid of making a wrong choice.
- We let emotions overrule logic.
We shouldn’t make permanent decisions based on temporary emotions.
The quality of our decisions determines quality of our lives.
It’s about pre-deciding and then following through with determination.
Determination to do what you have decided to do, even when it is tough, will focus our attention, will procrastinate procrastination, and will help us make less emotional, circumstancial decisions.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
—Proverbs 16:3
With God’s help, we will—Determine our course of action before the moment of decision.
When faced with_________ (this situation) I have pre-decided to __________ (take this action).
VALUE-BASED DECISIONS
Genesis 22 – God told Abe offer son Isaac sacrifice. TRUST
Ruth 1 – No matter what—Where you go—I go! RELATIONSHIP
Daniel 1 – Daniel & friends—Taken to foreign land brainwashed. WORSHIP
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine…
Knew what he valued… So, he pre-decided!
—Daniel 1:8
What do you value?
When your values are clear, your decisions are easier.
Based on what you value—Decide now what you will do later.
POWERFUL OUTCOMES
Decisions determine direction—Direction determines destiny.
If your life is moving in the direction of your decisions, do you like the direction your decisions are taking you?
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
—Isaiah 43:18-19a
Becuase Jesus is_____, I am______!
· I am ready.
· I am consistent.
· I am devoted.
· I am generous.
· I am faithful.
· I am a finisher.
Decisions won’t be based on emotions in the moment but on the values God placed on your heart!
When you Values are clear, decisions are easy and your determination set.
BUT…
We’re not saved by the quality of our decisions.
We’re saved by the grace of God.
With God’s help, we will determine our course of action before the moment of decision
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