CHOOSE THE CROSS
Pastor George Dupree – August 21st & 22nd, 2021

We make countless choices everyday of our lives, right now I’m choosing what to say, you’re choosing to listen or not etc.

The list is endless, the possibilities are unlimited, and the consequence of each choice is real in our lives.

Sometimes the consequences are insignificant, other times the consequences are significant.

Every choice changes and shapes our lives to some degree or another.

Sometimes we feel we have NO choice, what that means is there is no clear choice.

Other times we have far too many choices to make and we are overwhelmed by the possibilities, then we wish we had fewer choices so it wouldn’t be so overwhelming to decide.

Today I just want to focus on the cross, what it represents and some ways we choose it.

We choose the cross by accepting what happened to Jesus on the cross.
Jesus became sin on the cross and because of that we become righteous.
2Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

When we choose the cross we choose forgiveness of our sin.

When Peter denied the Lord he felt horrible and he wept bitterly. But he chose to accept the forgiveness that Jesus paid for.

When we choose the cross we choose to forgive. We may not feel like forgiving but we choose to, that’s dying to ourselves.
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

When we choose the cross we remember that life begins there and we should always remember that.

Life can be difficult to deal with & intimidating – That’s why it’s best to trust in the Lord.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

We can get lost on life’s journey, that’s why we need a guide.
Psalms 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.

We need God to SPEAK to us. There are several ways that God will speak to us, remember that if what you’re hearing doesn’t line up with the Bible just disregard it, it may seem good or right but it will not lead to life.

One way that God speaks to us is called PROPHECY – Prophecy can be simply defined as the heart of God speaking to the understanding of man.

At Living Water Church we have received many prophecies, some have come to pass, some have not (yet). There have also been some that continue to hold true for us in that they apply to not only to the past but also the present and future.

Here is an example of that…

For I would have that building go up, and indeed it is no coincidence that it does lie at the fork of this island, and it shall be a place of decision… and you shall see the provision of God, and as you see the blessings and the prosperity come your way, it shall be a test, whether you would go the way that many have gone before you, the way of prosperity, the way of forgetting who began this work. But, my son and those around you, if you would remember the way of the cross, if you would keep the cross as your central figure, if you would always uplift the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ you will pass the test and I will raise up a place and a people after my own name.
Rick Vargas – April 13, 1980

That prophetic word came to us while Pastor Frank was in a “valley of decision” concerning when and how to build on the newly acquired land for our church – thank God he stepped out and chose to trust God… Thank God that those around him chose the same thing too…

This Church has been a place of decision for everyone that has stepped foot on this property – my most sincere prayer is that the leadership of this church will always present clear choices for people to follow Jesus by way of the cross.

The prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane can sum up the way of the cross –
Luke 22:42 …Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.

May our prayer today be not my will God, but yours – May we say Today I Choose The Cross