Psalm 119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
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There are many times in our lives when we will face a defining moment - a decision we will have to make that will make who we truly are. For good or ill, it will very often be what we are remembered for, or at least what we ourselves remember and cherish or regret.
We will all come to this place at some point.
There are turning point experiences that define us and determine our very direction in life.
Defining Moments
These are reference points in the kingdom of God that will help shape us and make us.
Our obligation would be to recognize these moments, and use them as turning points in order to keep us on track with the will of God.
In the kingdom of God, you will find that there will be many of these moments. He will open our eyes to certain things. They can occur during prayer. It could happen in a sermon, or a worship service.
I want to focus on two defining moments of a believer, and help us to know what to do when turning points of life present themselves to us.
The Defining Moment of Salvation
In the text, the prodigal son reaches a turning point of his life.
Vs. 17 "But when he came to his senses…”
This was his turning point in his life
He recognized his present state, and assessed the situation, and made a decision on what he was going to do about it.
Luke 15:18-20
'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."' "So he got up and came to his father.
Repentance: a change of mind with a change of actions.
This experience is mirrored in the life and conversion of Paul.
We hear of Paul, who was then called Saul, and his actions prior to his conversion. He was a murderer. But one day, on his way to Damascus, he was knocked off his horse, confronted with Jesus Himself, as he heard those words
“Saul, Saul why do you persecute Me?”
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
This was a defining moment of salvation for Saul.
There is something about that defining moment, when you have come to your senses and recognized Jesus in the midst.
In Paul’s own words concerning the conversion experience,
O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God — through Jesus Christ our Lord!
This conversion experience became a defining moment for Paul, and became a reference point to all that he did from that point on. We see in Act 26, his vivid account of this experience that although it had been decades, it almost seemed as if it happened yesterday for him.
This is what a defining moment will do for you. And salvation is a moment in life where we get a real sense of ourselves, and as the prodigal son did, find ourselves walking to the Father’s house.
The defining moment of salvation brings with it a new life founded in Christ. It is where the old man and his old thinking is shed, and a new man is birthed. This is the born again experience.
Paul turns from his murderous ways, and begins to preach the same gospel that he was killing them for!
This is what the defining moment of salvation can do for us. We have come to our senses. We recognize that Christ is the answer and turn from ourselves and make a new king, who is King Jesus!
This turning point causes us to turn 180 degrees and face in a new direction.
The Defining Moment of Destiny
There comes a point in your life when you are found in the newness of life, that you recognize that there are others that have not experienced heard the powerful gift of salvation.
It is here where that is a definitive moment where we see that we can be used to touch a dying world.
When we recognize that as sin tried to destroy our lives, so it is with others.
Rom 10:14-15
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!"
This begins to ring crystal clear to you. It becomes your responsibility and your destiny.
There is a time to walk for Jesus, then there is a time where you must present Jesus to the world. This is a defining moment that enables you to step into a calling that God has for your life.
The new life is now put to life in its new function.
We will all come to this place at some point.
There are turning point experiences that define us and determine our very direction in life.
Defining Moments
These are reference points in the kingdom of God that will help shape us and make us.
Our obligation would be to recognize these moments, and use them as turning points in order to keep us on track with the will of God.
In the kingdom of God, you will find that there will be many of these moments. He will open our eyes to certain things. They can occur during prayer. It could happen in a sermon, or a worship service.
I want to focus on two defining moments of a believer, and help us to know what to do when turning points of life present themselves to us.
The Defining Moment of Salvation
In the text, the prodigal son reaches a turning point of his life.
Vs. 17 "But when he came to his senses…”
This was his turning point in his life
He recognized his present state, and assessed the situation, and made a decision on what he was going to do about it.
Luke 15:18-20
'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."' "So he got up and came to his father.
Repentance: a change of mind with a change of actions.
This experience is mirrored in the life and conversion of Paul.
We hear of Paul, who was then called Saul, and his actions prior to his conversion. He was a murderer. But one day, on his way to Damascus, he was knocked off his horse, confronted with Jesus Himself, as he heard those words
“Saul, Saul why do you persecute Me?”
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
This was a defining moment of salvation for Saul.
There is something about that defining moment, when you have come to your senses and recognized Jesus in the midst.
In Paul’s own words concerning the conversion experience,
O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God — through Jesus Christ our Lord!
This conversion experience became a defining moment for Paul, and became a reference point to all that he did from that point on. We see in Act 26, his vivid account of this experience that although it had been decades, it almost seemed as if it happened yesterday for him.
This is what a defining moment will do for you. And salvation is a moment in life where we get a real sense of ourselves, and as the prodigal son did, find ourselves walking to the Father’s house.
The defining moment of salvation brings with it a new life founded in Christ. It is where the old man and his old thinking is shed, and a new man is birthed. This is the born again experience.
Paul turns from his murderous ways, and begins to preach the same gospel that he was killing them for!
This is what the defining moment of salvation can do for us. We have come to our senses. We recognize that Christ is the answer and turn from ourselves and make a new king, who is King Jesus!
This turning point causes us to turn 180 degrees and face in a new direction.
The Defining Moment of Destiny
There comes a point in your life when you are found in the newness of life, that you recognize that there are others that have not experienced heard the powerful gift of salvation.
It is here where that is a definitive moment where we see that we can be used to touch a dying world.
When we recognize that as sin tried to destroy our lives, so it is with others.
Rom 10:14-15
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!"
This begins to ring crystal clear to you. It becomes your responsibility and your destiny.
There is a time to walk for Jesus, then there is a time where you must present Jesus to the world. This is a defining moment that enables you to step into a calling that God has for your life.
The new life is now put to life in its new function.
Destiny is birthed, lives are touched by us, and others are now able to experience the defining moments of the kingdom for themselves.
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