Two Paths to Choose From
The Sermon on the Mount • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.
14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
Introduction:
Every person eventually comes to a crossroads in life. A decision, a choice to be made. The choice that is made, is the most important decision that any individual can ever make. That decision will mean the difference between eternity in heaven and eternity and hell.
There's an ancient saying that dates back to the old Roman empire. It states, "all roads lead to Rome." The idea conveyed is that all pass lead to the same place. Many people mistakenly except the same idea when it comes to eternity. They have accepted the live Satan that all religions lead to heaven. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The word of God is clear concerning the way to heaven. There is only one way to heaven.
Notice what the Lord Jesus says about the two has that are before you today.
I- THE NARROW PATH (Matthew 7:13, 14)
I- THE NARROW PATH (Matthew 7:13, 14)
A- The narrow path is the path that Jesus urges for you to follow.
A- The narrow path is the path that Jesus urges for you to follow.
1. Jesus urges for you to follow that path because there is no other path that leads to everlasting life.
a. (John 14:6)
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
1) The Lord Jesus Christ is the only way to enter the narrow road that leads to eternal life in heaven.
2) Jesus said, in John 10:9
9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.
b. The Bible makes this fact, even clearer in 1 John 5:11–12.
11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.
1) my friend, if you have never made a conscious decision to repent of your sins and ask Christ to forgive your sins, and to be your Savior and Lord, you do not have eternal life.
B- It is the path that calls for definite surrender to Christ.
B- It is the path that calls for definite surrender to Christ.
1. It calls for a definite surrender to God's evaluation of your life.
a. His evaluation is that you are a sinner.
1) Romans 3:23
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
2) Revelation 20:15.
15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
3) Instead of making excuses, you need to confess to Jesus that you are a sinner, and that you have committed against him.
2. It calls for a definite surrender of your life to Christ for salvation.
a. In Matthew 19:16–22
16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”
17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “ ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely.
19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?”
21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
b. There's a story told that there was a raccoon whose foot was caught in a trap. He could not free himself. The hunting dogs were heard in the distance, pursuing him. A rabbit who passed by, admonished him to chew off his foot so that he could get free, and escape the dogs who are following him. In a few minutes, the rabbit circled back to check on the raccoon, who was still in the trap. "I thought I told you to chew off your foot, the rabbit said, "you had better hurry up!". To which the raccoon replied, "I have already chewed off three feet and I still can't get free!"
C- It is the path that is followed by a few.
C- It is the path that is followed by a few.
(There are three basic reasons why you find the narrow road.)
1. The desire to hold onto pride.
a. What a tragedy it would be for you to allow your pride to keep you out of heaven!
2. A refusal to admit the truth about their sin to God.
a. Refusing to admit the truth about your sin, does not make it any less real.
1) I can deny the existence of the sun. I can say that because it is not shining at night, but it is not real. I would be a fool, for my unbelief does not erase the truth that the sun exists!
3. The desire to remain in control of life, instead of submitting to the Lordship of Christ.
a. It is so much wiser to follow the Lordship of one who knows all about your future. Jesus sees the future as though we were the past. Why not surrender your life to his control?
II- THE WIDE PATH (Matthew 7:13).
II- THE WIDE PATH (Matthew 7:13).
New Living Translation Chapter 7
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell* is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.
A- It is the path that Jesus warned against taking.
A- It is the path that Jesus warned against taking.
1. He warned against it, because that path leads to destruction.
a. It will destroy your life. (Luke 15:11–32).
1) Jesus told the story of a young man who demanded his inheritance from his father and wasted all of his money in sinful living. This lifestyle destroyed his fellowship with his family members, it ruined him morally, destroyed him financially, and devastated him personally. He wound up doing what no self – respecting Jewish boy would ever consider doing. He lived with and fed the pigs he was so hungry, that he wanted to eat the pigs food. And destroyed his life.
b. It will destroy your future in eternity. It will lead to an eternity in hell.
a. Revelation 21:8
8 “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
1) Notice that at the top of the list of those going to the lake of fire are the "unbelievers." This means that if you refuse to believe in Jesus, this is your eternal home!
B- It is the path that is easiest to follow.
B- It is the path that is easiest to follow.
1- All you have to do is do your own thing.
a. Do your own thing by following man-made religion, instead of Jesus Christ.
1) If a religion teaches any other way of salvation than Jesus Christ, it is a man-made religion that will lead you to destruction. (Galatians 1:6-8)
6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News
7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.
2) there is only one path to heaven!
b. Do your own thing by living immorally.
1) Rejecting the God-given restraints of morality has brought about all kinds of problems and diseases. It has resulted in the ruin of many lives. Yours will be no different. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
c. Do your own thing by living life your own way instead of God's way.
1) At its most basic element, sin is the rejection of the rule of Christ in your life. To reject his rule, is rebel against him. To do so, makes you the enemy of God.
a) (Luke 6:46)
46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?
b) You must obey him when he tells you that you must be born again!
C- It is the path of the majority of people follow.
C- It is the path of the majority of people follow.
1- The majority of people in Jesus's they followed this wide path.
a. (John 1: 11)
11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.
2- The majority of people today follow this path.
a. Look around you. People are doing things that you know we're not right. Many follow false religions. Others just follow their own way instead of God’s.
Conclusion:
The real question boils down too, "What will you do? What path will you choose?" You will make a choice today. You will either choose your way or Christ way.
Everyone, please by your head, enclose your eyes. Believers, please pray for those who are here and need to give their lives to Jesus Christ. If you want Jesus to come into your life and give you everlasting life, please pray with me.
"Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned against you. I am sorry for my sins. Please forgive me of my sins. Please come into my life. I accept you as savior and Lord of my life. I choose to live for you, the rest of my life. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit and enable me to live for you. Amen.”
If you just prayed to invite Jesus into your life, please step out from where you are standing, and come to the front right down here. Counselors will meet you here to talk to you about your decision to accept Christ. Don't worry about those who came with you. They will wait for you. Come on right now.
