Two Roads

Series Introduction

Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday are just over a month away.

It has been the practice of Pastor Angela and I to prayerfully preach on the subject of Christ’s death and resurrection.

Question

How should the Cross and the Empty Grave impact the live of a follower of Jesus Christ?

Sermon Introduction

Story: When my mom died.

Just like my mother, all of us have a choice: to live our own way or to live the way of Jesus.

Matthew 7:13–14 ESV

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Today’s Message: Two Roads

Toward the conclusion of Jesus’ earthly ministry, he warned his followers of the last days.

He taught that great difficulties will come. He said this not to encourage fear but to encourage assurance and confidence.

Luke 21:28 ESV

28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Watch Yourself—Don’t let your heart become dulled!

Luke 21:34–35 ESV

34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Dissipation (kraipalē) is properly the hangover after a carousal, ‘the vulgar word for that very vulgar experience’

Unprepared and unaware

2 Timothy 3:1–5 ESV

1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Stay Awake—Pray and Escape!

Luke 21:36 ESV

36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Those who do not exhibit constant alertness jeopardize not only their present opportunities for effective service to Jesus but also their eternal destiny.

David L. Turner

Believers have a special responsibility.

The prayer he urges involves an attitude of life, an attitude that seeks to flee worldly sins as the believer concentrates on the service of God.

1 Peter 4:7 ESV

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

Effective prayer in the days we live requires self-control and awareness. We need to be different than the world!!!

Transition

See, the way of Jesus requires us to watch our attitudes and actions carefully.

We need to be alert and prayerful.

This is the activity of a believer on the narrow road (what Jesus taught in Matthew 7:13-14).

However, if we choose to NOT to watch ourselves and NOT stay alert and prayerful—well, that describes the broad road that leads to destruction.

The Problem with Disappointment and Greed

Luke 22:3–6 ESV

3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

Judas was one of the disciples of Jesus. (Experiences with Jesus)

His action represents apostasy—a deliberate departure from discipleship in which he aligned himself with Jesus’s opponents and facilitated his arrest.

Some view him as driven by satanic ambition seeking a carnal kingdom, whose faith collapsed when Christ’s true nature became apparent, leading to despair.

Regardless of motive, the betrayal demonstrates how spiritual blindness—even among those closest to Jesus—can lead to rejecting Jesus.

After Jesus taught, and after Judas approached the chief priests and officers, and after the Last Supper, and prayer at Gethsemane—we see Judas’ betrayal of Jesus.

Partnership with Satan and Becoming a Betrayer

Luke 22:47–48 ESV

47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Conclusion

Matthew 7:13–14 ESV

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Which road are you one today?