Hard or Easy Mathew 7:13-14
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Story: NCAA Division II Cross Country Championship 1993
Mike Delcavo was heading the right way
of the 127 runners only 4 believed him
crowd tried to sway him, “they thought it strange that I went the right way”
It gets worse - the 5 that went the right way took 5 of the last 6 places in the race
the 123 racers that went the wrong way shaved 1,000 meters off the course which is 3/4 of mile, it was the steepest part of the run that they skipped
in theory Mike was the fastest runner and he could have staked a claim to the national championship because the others were technically disqualified for the leaving the course
but no one challenged the results
whats really sad is if he would stayed on the wrong course he would have been near the top in the standings as it was he finished 123 out of 128
Most people today I think feel as if we are the ones that running the wrong way and even Peter guided by the holy says that should come as no surprise
In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;
But in actuality we are running towards our victors crown and unbelievers are heading the wrong way.
There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
In the end the only way we know the right path is because God has laid it out in his word. In the sermon on the mount in Matthew 7:13-4
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
this is one of 4 warnings that are found at the end of the sermon on the mount
Be careful which path you take
Be careful who you listen to
Be careful to be doers of God’s will
Be careful about which foundation you are building on
In Jesus first warning he tells us to be caredful which path you take. Lets examine the two paths. Lets start right there in fact. Notice Jesus says their are two paths, the narrow and wide path. I have heard many times over my life that there are many paths to heaven. Jesus makes it clear that there is one path that leads to destruction = waste or ruin and one that leads to life
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
IF YOU WANT LIFE/SALVATION you have to be on the right path. Jesus goes on tell us more about these paths.
WIDE PATH
wide & many go down this path - this path is well traveled. Lots of people. You will not be lonely. In fact most people are heading down this path. why are there so many people on this path?
easy
you don’t have to give up anything to be on this path. You can bring all your baggage of materialism, prejudice hatred unforgiving spirit
you can open minded
no sacrifice is required
no pressure
no persecution
you can believe and do what you want
it’s the popular way so no one will ridicule you are make fun of you.
it’s comfortable
you can spend your paycheck on yourself
don’t have to make calls or visits
don’t have to serve anyone
don’t have to forgive anyone
you can do whatever you want with your time
appeals to the flesh
there is no need for reformation or a changed lifestyle
free
leads to destruction
NARROW PATH
small or constrained path - its hard
it takes sacrifice - have to give up somethings time, money, sin, life
it takes self discipline - I can’t just let the flesh run wild, I have to train, study, work
self denial - live for Jesus instead of self, can’t just believe and do whatever I want. i have to change, do things differently
I will be persecuted
Why is it so difficult?
wrestle with opposition
confront sin in my life
wrestle with opposition form philosophies & values of the world
live in a world that is hostile to Christianity
I’ve got to keep guard against an enemy who is trying to devour me
I have to say no to self and even die to self
i have to fight upstream against culture; it’s like walking up a crowded escalator going the wrong way
few find it.
its hard to even find. You have to be looking for it in the first place Lk. 13:23-24 “And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”
strive to find it. work effort diligence seek to find it but even fewer who be able to walk the path
if few find it there are few who are on it. It can be lonely. It shouldn’t but because God made the church but often times a lot of the church whether they want to think it or not or believe it or not are going down their own path. so it makes it a lot more lonely for those trying to really go down the narrow path.
it hard to stay on this path it takes work effort sacrifice self discipline self control
matt. 13:19 ““When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.”
Matt. 13:20-21 ““The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.”
Matt. 13:22 ““And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”
Leads to life
jesus is your helper your friend
Jesus is your teacher/guide
He is your peace
forgiveness redemption inheritance heaven await you
What path are you on this morning?
The hill, though high, I covet to ascend,
The difficulty will not me offend;
For I perceive the way to life lies here;
Come, pluck up, heart, let's neither faint nor fear;
Better, though difficult, the right way to go,
Than wrong, though easy, where the end is woe.
Dear friend, which way are you on? To what destiny are you heading? The nature of Jesus' instruction in the Sermon on the Mount requires that you choose! And He points out to you today the way to eternal life!
Please choose life!