Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of making a choice between the path of blessing and the path of cursing as outlined in Deuteronomy 11:26. He explains that God desires to bless our lives, but His blessings are contingent upon our obedience and love for Him. Smith highlights that both individuals and nations can choose righteousness or rebellion, and the consequences of these choices are significant. He encourages believers to walk in God's ways to experience His peace and joy, while warning against the dangers of disobedience and idolatry. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a personal decision to follow the path that leads to God's blessings.

"TAKE YOUR CHOICE" Intro: God loves you. Because He loves you, He desires to bless your life. His blessings must be consistent with His nature, i.e. He cannot bless evil. I. GOD SETS FORTH A BLESSING AND A CURSE. A. You can take your choice. B. This is true of individual, corporate body, nation. 1. In this case, God was addressing the nation. a. "Righteousness exhalteth a nation." b. In a sense it would be wrong to ask God to bless America. 1. Just as wrong as asking God to kill the calories in a hot fudge sundae. 2. Lord bring our nation to its knees. 2. It is also true for corporate bodies as the church. a. They can be blessed or cursed. b. God wants to bless. 3. Individuals can be blessed or cursed. a. "The eyes of the Lord go to and fro..." C. God declares that there are two paths. He will walk with you on one. 1. If you walk the path of righteousness, He will walk in fellowship with you all the way to heaven. 2. If you follow in the path of sin and rebellion, Satan will lead you right into hell. a. How can a God of love send a man to hell? He doesn't. b. You say, I don't believe in hell. You will. c. Don't all paths lead to God? 1. No, only one. II. THE PATH OF BLESSING A. The blessing God has promised. 1. Enjoy the fruit of the land. 2. You will dwell safely in the land. 3. "No good thing will He withhold." 4. He will supply all your needs. 5. He will give you peace and joy. B. The conditions of blessing. 1. "To love God." (verse 13. 2. "Serve Him with all your heart and soul." (verse 13. 3. "To cleave unto Him." (verse 22. 4. "Walk in all His ways." (verse 22. III. THE CURSED PATH. A. What is it? 1. Disobey God's commands. 2. Walk after other gods, worship and serve. (vs. 16. a. Every man has a god whom he serves. 1. The master passion that dominates his life. b. Whenever you turn your back on God, you are turning your face to some other god. B. What will it bring? 1. "The Lord's wrath kindled against you." (verse 17. 2. "The land will become parched, fruit fail." (vs. 17. a. "Has your life become dry and fruitless?" 3. You will be driven from the land. a. Stripped of the blessings you received. IV. GOD HAS SET TWO PATHS BEFORE YOU. A. One of blessing. B. One that is cursed. C. Your life may be blessed or cursed. It's your choice.