Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, April 17, 2005, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including zipped files of outlines from previous years, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

MY WAY OR THE HIGH WAY

By Michael D. O'Neal
Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church
Albany, Georgia


Scripture Reading: Isa. 53:1-6

Text: Isa. 53:6

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Introduction: MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY. That means that concerning a particular issue, it is not up to discussion or debate. You either like it or leave.

However, I want to use that expression this morning to point out the difference between choosing our way and God's way. God's way is the high way:

Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

The high road is always considered the right path; the high way is God's path:

Isaiah 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Life is a journey. We are not all traveling to the same place, except that we will all die. Which road are you taking to your destination?

Your status in life is not determined so much by where and to whom you were born as it is by the choices that you make in life.

I want to ask you today,

Which way will you choose in life? Your way, or God's HIGH way?

I. WILL YOU CHOOSE YOUR WAY
OR THE HIGH WAY TO GET
TO THE LAND OF PLEASURE

Proverbs 14:13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

A. Sinful pleasure or
the Lord's pleasure

B. Short-term pleasure or
long-term pleasure

C. Spiritual pleasure or
the lusts of the flesh
pleasure

II. WILL YOU CHOOSE YOUR WAY
OR THE HIGH WAY TO GET
TO THE LAND OF PLENTY

Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

A. Covetousness or contentment
1. Most people are never
satisfied
2. Godliness with contentment
is great gain

B. Crookedness or consistency

C. Criminal acts or charity
1. Not tithing is a criminal
act; it is robbing God

III. WILL YOU CHOOSE YOUR WAY
OR THE HIGH WAY TO GET
TO THE LAND OF PEACE

Isaiah 48:22 There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.

Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

A. Pills or
pondering on the Lord
(Isa. 26:3)

B. Psychiatrists or
the precepts of God
(Ps. 119:165)

C. Pretense or
prayer
(Phil. 4:6-7)

IV. WILL YOU CHOOSE YOUR WAY
OR THE HIGH WAY TO GET
TO THE LAND OF PARADISE

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

A. Religion or
relationship

B. Reformation or
regeneration

C. Righteousness of man
or the righteousness of God

The next time you have to choose, choose the HIGH way!