R896 A Most Important Question

Has an encouraging word for you and me today to the Bible-based printing of Dr. Don Wilton and a message on decision.

As a matter fact, his message title today is a most important decision you will back that particular truth in just a few minutes with Dr. Don Wilton is reopen God's word in the book of John, just a few moments studying the word together Dr. Don Wilton over here for you already. The Lord maybe stirring your heart with me that we can pray with you and for you 866-899-WORD is our phone number.

Would love to speak with you.

Talk with pray with you, 866-899-9673 or email us at online@tewonline.org J DEW online.org about today's message most important decision with our teacher and pastor Dr. Don Wilton that you will ever make God the most important decision that you will ever make. In fact, I'm going to try to help you today to be able to cite it as well with my soul.

We might many decisions do we not know that I do.

Life is full of important decision but did you know that there is one decision only one that is most important is I surely not cost you not have to make a decision about marriage and sadly even about divorce I had to make a decision about whether to take radiation treatment or not. I've had to make a decision about whether to go to this college order that decisions in life are very important. But the Bible tells us that there is one decision that is supreme.

It's the most important decision than anybody could make.

And I'm going to submit to you tonight that there are so many worshiping the Lord right now. If you need to make the most important decision that you have a my and I'm going to invite you to do that in just a moment I'm going to invite you to make a decision to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm just going to go ahead and tell you you make this most important decision you life will never be the same again. It's the only means by which you can be forgiven of your sin that you know that now that's important. It's the only means by which you can have a full and meaningful life that's important. It's the only means by which you can know that you know that you know one day when you die you going to go straight into God's presence in heaven.

The only means this is an important decision.

It's the most important decision. Anybody could ever make a polished Oscar today. To quote your favorite Bible verse.

I wonder what it might be. I know what I'd tell you John chapter 3 verse 16 goes like this for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believe it in him should not perish but should have everlasting life. Did you know that in the unfolding life and ministry of Jesus that an event took place just before that verse was given to us. God gave to us a practical example in the life and ministry of Jesus that has to do with none other than the most important decision that you and I could ever make that you might like to follow along with me. It's in the Bible and its founding, John chapter 3, and it's before verse 16. It starts right there in verse one of John chapter 3 and I want to read to you this amazing encounter that took place between the Lord Jesus Christ and an individual watch what happens you John chapter 3 in verse one Bible says there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus.

I love that name don't you I I want to ask you if your name is Nicodemus, please write and tell me about.

I have never in all my life make another Nicodemus. I didn't say they on how the Nicodemus is Apotex. I don't know where Nicodemus got his name from. Maybe his father's name was Mikko Sereno work. Maybe both of his best friends were Mikko and Dimas. I don't know but I want to tell you something. This was a unique thing. It was a unique encounter because it have to do with the most important decision that could ever be my is not another decision in this world is more important than what we're about to read.

So here we find Nicodemus he comes into the presence of the Lord Jesus kind by not verse three said and Satan, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who comes from God and we notice here that Nicodemus acknowledged the presence of God. He acknowledged the fact that God is you see my frame. It's just like you and me. I think there are too many people I know they are all atheists and groups like that. I don't think there are too many people that would not acknowledge supreme being God. He acknowledged God. That's not the issue and and it was to this person that it that actually even acknowledge God that Jesus saved them Nicodemus you got something missing. You made a lot of decisions, but you need to make the most important decision that can never be my watch what happens if we know you come from God, because no one can perform the miracles that you do.

Accepting God would not. And Jesus said to him to claim to him.

I tell you the truth. Why many say that because what he was about to say comes from the heart of God, who is truth see the world today focus is trying to find truth on a mission. Everybody's trying to find meaning in life. Tell me the truth. I want to know the truth. I want to know what it is Jesus about to tell us what it is to not tell you the truth person can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again Domino put that in the modern-day vernacular body will ever be able to come into the presence of God with having the most important decision that can never be my Jesus used the term born-again Nicodemus. In verse four said how can a man be born when he is old surely cannot enter the second time into his mother's womb. And Jesus said, I'm telling you the truth from the heart of God.

Nobody can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of both time and the spirit that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Don't be surprised. Nicodemus then I'm telling you that you must make the most important decision that must be made remarkable man. Nicodemus couple things I I I noted about them myself. You probably seen it already. Number one, I noticed you that Nicodemus was just an ordinary person even just a man discovered the most incredible thing about people. People are people's ipos to you getting more brilliant as we go along, people are just people folks have you ever been around someone very important you know we go to that Masters golf tournament and we shake hands with Ernie Ellsworth, Tiger Woods, Stuart Appleby and we're in the presence of someone is really important ever been around famous people. We will have an opportunity. Every now and again be around famous people. I gotta tell you this if you don't mind. Number of years ago I I bought the unsinkable invitation. I wanted to see me at the White House.

So I went to Sam Davis, said Sam you gotta go with me, so Sam Davis came with me. Sam works here with me and we're partners together with all the ministry team and and so he went with me to Washington. I never forget that day because I looked up right there at the White House. I have these huge security gates. You can't imagine folks and you woke up in this big old Marine God looked at me and you.

I said well I'm Don Wilton I tell you what folks they put me through.

You can't imagine by check my Social Security number. I had to go through this thing and that thing and tell them about this, improve that, and finally the Marine God looked at me and he said to me you are who you say you are and I know that you have an important appointment and so you can just stand right for an offer. He said that he spun around and looked straight at Sam Davis and he said and who are you Sam said well I'm Sam Davis. He said well Rudy toot toot toot.

What are you doing here, by the way they not known for their friendship and friendliness. When you go in there folks they serious about security said what is your business so Sam said well I'm with him, he said, is that he said let's try and prove something.

They took out this that our sample is what was he Social Security got out his driver's license finally looked at Sam Davis and said Mr. Davis, I'm very sorry but you don't have an invitation to go and yet you cannot going to the White House folks do you know the lost picture. I have myself walking into the White House. I turned over my shoulder and there was Sam standing in Pennsylvania Avenue looking for Starbucks and five hours later his Royal highness emerge from the White House to sit down and have a latte with Sam and tell them all about you know something, my friends, you could be in the White House. You could meet the most famous athlete, you could be around the Queen of England people are just people that you know that below the façade below the accomplishments just beneath the positions you not just people.

Nicodemus was just a person but I tell you there was something interesting about them. He was a an adult person.

He was a grown person not now we know when we study this that to be a member of this group that he was in my head a mandatory retirement age fact. The Bible even helps us a little bit because he was kind of the leader of the whole group. He was really an adult person. He was grown he was a mature person now folks I don't want you to misunderstand something here that you know folks that it is a fact that the older a person becomes, the less likely it is that they will make the most important decision that possibly could be made that you know that. Did you know that if you are sitting within the sound of my voice right now and you all.

Let's say 35 years of age and older and put a time clock.

If you're 40 or 50 or 60 or 70. The holding you all the latest likely it is that you will ever make the most important decision that ever could possibly be made and to me it's not something that goes by unnoticed. The Lord showed me this in this passage that he was a grown man we not dealing with the baby. NEP wasn't only a people person in that people are people. He had all the things that you and I deal with, but he was a grown man but there was something else. He was also very learned man did kind of achieve the top. My wife and I had such a lovely time when visit one of our families and are sitting there with her dad talking and and he and the dad not began to talk about in our National Geographic in the discovery channel and he said all man we were talking about all these things. Listen folks, this man by the name of Nicodemus he went. He was a learned man. I mean he was trying to discover what black was all about. He was it made use of a lot of opportunities and he was reaping the rewards for that but not only was he a learned man. He was a curious man. I mean this guy was so curious and in the city that we find that lives itself and the fact that he came kind of if I could use this very respectfully, sort of snuck up on Jesus Bible says he came to him at night. It's kind of like some folks today. So like sneaking up you curious of this and after façade to everybody. Everybody carries this persona see you you're not known.

We known about what goes on at work and at play in my hurts and the heartaches and and folks we go through struggles in our marriages and our finances and we rise to great heights and we go down the great blows and we deal with all of these things and and they builds up as it were lacquer a protective covering around us a tell you what.

When it comes to the most important decision that you could ever make it step little curiosity that seen you. You see, he wasn't just curious because of curiosity sake. He was curious in terms of the fact that he was seeking after the heart of the only one that could plug the gap that was being caused by his curiosity. He had to know the Bible doesn't tell us this, but I tell you what I know about it you know about it.

It's like when you do these things and yet you go home at night and you switch out the Latin. Everything gets quiet. That's what we talking about. There was a I curiosity there and and I'm able to identify that because you know who puts that they have the spirit of God puts that you know that the spirit of God is the only one who draws us to the heart of God saw the Spirit of God stands up with UMass. What can be best described as a spiritual want to know.

It's a spiritual inquiring mind. What is my purpose on this earth. Why do I exist and I know I've got everything but what about this hole in my heart I got something missing. I don't know how to become complete. I shouldn't be like this.

I have everything that opens and shots about the reason to complain. But there is something missing.

Forgive the eruption will be back with the rest of today's message. The most important decision in just a few moments with Dr. Don Wilton, but as we think about that last phrase of his.

The idea of having what opens and shots and no reasons to complain to get there something missing.

Sometimes we get to the edge of dream that we thought once that happens once I get that position once we are family grossed that size. Once we whatever those milestones might be. We all of a sudden realize that the end zone keeps moving were not securing those touchdowns. Yet whatever's going on your life. With regard to what you were evaluating. I prayed he would know this guy did not create you to move through this life as a solo person. Instead, you need to be a part of community the body of Christ, the church, not just the church that you saw were used to go to or go to now for my church, but the church, the body of Christ collective designed to lift one another up to encourage each other and to help train one another to be the Disciples of Christ. God calls us to be. Just know that we love be a part of that training apart that the doctor now.

It's a 2 AM friend that work to call us anytime including 2 AM. You can reach us at 866899 data back to today's message with Dr. Don Wilton and saw this man coming his curious buddies he seeking see that's that's what Jesus was talking about and Jesus looked at this man, this person any centime I want to tell you something that's just let's lay aside all the decisions that you make an all making in life. Let's just kind of get but behind the façade cycle.

The protective company. This is between you and me right now I'm in a tell you something that comes from the heart of God.

I tell you the truth, Nicodemus, you must be born again in a modern English translation Nicodemus you must you must make the most important decision that must be made. It's a non-option you got to do this you can beat Anna Nicole Smith. But the time is going to come but you're going to have to face the consequences of the most important decision that you ever must make. That's the issue it's going to happen.

You cannot stop it, and you must do this and so he looked into the heart of Nicodemus Nicodemus said but I do not understand this, Jesus said, let me explain it to you, he said.

First of all you are born of water right Nicodemus well you are not know today that when you born into this world. Your mother's water breaks the birth which is flesh birth is the means by which God brings us into this world's birth is the means by which God brings us into his kingdom.

Now what" you got to live, you got the earth and you go to heaven. Flesh birth is the means by which God in his design for mankind brings me onto the side that's how I arrived here via that which is of the flash is flesh, but Jesus said, that which is born of the spirit is spirit. You must be born again where his birth is the means by which you gain entrance to this by God's design. So it is that's good. Birth is the only means by which you gain entrance to God's kingdom by God's design must be born again folks. I struggled with it. I was born in Zulu land in Africa. I tell you right throughout my life I struggled with this issue.

Agent bites. I made a decision to accept Jesus, but from 8 to 24.

My life didn't match up. I have my moments. I was the son of a famous preacher, president of the convention, I could sing those songs and pray those prayers and I could behave right when I want to do, but I'm formatting. Then I married this beautiful young lady and Easter Sunday, the first year we were married we went to church Easter Friday and I sent the and the Lord Jesus spoke to my heart and I was in a quandary. What I do.

I gave my heart to Jesus. When I was 10. I need to do it again. That wasn't the issue to me.

The issue was. I didn't have that piece something missing folks if you'd seen me in church and I was being lost to be a deacon in the church and this and that. The next thing you wouldn't have known that. And there was a whole day and I had a beautiful motorbike. My wife and I used to ride all of the mountains of Africa and go surfing and we went camping and visiting. I may not live folks was left with the L that's not the point. The point is that that inside deep inside my heart. There was something missing and so that they are pray to pray. It was a simple prayer and it basically was Lord, I know I'm being born in this world.

I know that when I was eight I made a decision. I know if I'd given my heart to Jesus, I'm sure that our air do belong to you, but I've got this this nagging about this whole I'm not totally secure.

This something missing overtime, Lord Jesus, I want to confess my sin and I want to trust you as my Savior. Folks, I'm going to tell you the age of 24 something happened to me and I know when I get to heaven one day it's very likely my site is going to come to me and say will Don USA when you hate that you would like the prodigal son, you kind your senses at the age of 24 but was so glad you recommitted your life to me, but on the other hand, the Lord Jesus might come to me and say that the angels in heaven rejoice at the age of 24 because up until then, you were living in a fool's paradise and you are right to say that folks no matter which way it was.

I want you to know today.

I know that I know that I know I know that I have been given permission to enter God's kingdom. I know that I want to invite you to do that today to give your life to Jesus.

I want to invite you to make the most important decision you could ever make right there right now you bow your heads with me this morning. Do you mean business today. Would you open your heart to the Lord Jesus. Would you cycle this issue once and for all. I'm going to invite you to pray this prayer with me this morning's prayer in and of itself cannot save you, but the Lord Jesus listening to you. I'm just helping you.

You pray this prayer right now.

My friend and you mean it because it's the most important decision you will ever make. Pray this prayer dear God, I know that Jesus loves me and I absolutely believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, I repent of my sin.

I'm sorry for my sin and I confess my sin to you, Lord Jesus, because you're the only one that can forgive me. Cannot do that right now regardless of what I've done in the foster and I invite you into my heart by faith I don't understand, but I believe the Bible says the just shall live by faith and I'm going to put my faith in you right now.

I believe right now that you are the son of God, and that you have saved me right now and that I am born again we hear those words turn around a great deal to be born again today.

Perhaps not just the words of Dr. Don Wilton is wonderful South African broke but you have heard the voice of God stirring in your heart about some decisions to make.

Choice course corrections in order for today for you to open your heart toward Dr. Don Wilton like to share with you next. Are you ready to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Why did you pray this prayer with me right. Dear God, I know that Iversen and I know that Jesus died for me today.

I repainted my sin and by faith I receive you into my heart in Jesus night, my friend.

I welcome you today into the family of God. This is exciting. You stirred your heart and you've given your life to Jesus Christ. Or maybe we dedicated your life to Christ. All let us join in the next steps have resources. Dr. Don Wilton's you have absolutely free if you give your life to Jesus and rededicate your life at 866898997 online on Margie that's TW online.org and why your online check out this wonderful resource for widows and life altering word choice. Adrian after being married for now I journey the fog of life. Joyce recounts her grief and touching detail on how she put on the Lord and his promises from Scripture for strength.

This book is filled with encouragement to readers that Rick got continuing plan. Those with laughter, spouse great for the window. I journey is available for you, or get $16 in support to the encouraging life at 86699 N. Connie today are available The Encouraging Word as a viewer and listener supported ministry for listening. Hope you get your copy of that wonderful resource today available for you. 866899 word will always connect with some talk right great resources like that and email sign up for sign up for today. You get that email within 2448 hrs. for me to jump start my day online TW online.org sign up for the Dave Encouraging Word