How close to the Edge pt2

. Last week we started to talk about living close to the edge, and i asked you all the question “How close to the edge have you been living?”

. we were looking at this question in the context of

Matthew 7:13–14 NKJV“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

. The narrow and difficult path that leads to life, this is the path we are meant to follow and these words of Jesus clearly warn us of the difficulties of this, and the reality that the wide path that leads to death is open and easy.

. which is why we can get tempted while on the narrow and difficult path, to get to close to the edge, which leads to us eventually pushing the boundaries to far and at some point we will go over the edge.

. in the natural common sense tells us “stay away from the edge!” when we can physical see a danger we are taught and we learn the ability to stay as far away as possible.

. yet when it comes to the spiritual things that we cannot see, we tend to not have that same common sense ability to stay away from the edge!

. the bible is quite clear that the things of this world and the things of the kingdom of God, do not and cannot mix.

. that the things of the flesh and the things of the spirit do not mix.

Galatians 5:16–17 NKJVI say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

.We need to learn to recognize when we have been walking to close to the edge.

. now i realize that a lot of this sounds very lonely and can seem like we are and have to walk this narrow path alone with no help, but that is not the case, and that’s what i hope to establish with you tonight.

. if you have ever seen any movies that involve people/groups walking on narrow paths you will have noticed how they usually go about it.

. the most obvious thing is that on a narrow path you can only walk in single file you cant walk side by side.

. but rather then single file meaning walking alone and disconnected form the others, what they do is they tie ropes around the waist of each person in the line.

. so that at all times each person stays connected to each other.

. for those who have seen the movie apocolypto, there is a scene in this movie were a group of people from one tribe have been taken captive by another and are being lead away on a narrow path over a mountain and they are all tied together connected by ropes and i this case by bamboo poles as well.

. and one of the mean is unable to continue to walk, and faints/ falls over the edge, and as he is connected to the others his weight is now being held up by the other men who he is connected to. and the others are able to bring him back onto the narrow path, and get his feet planted back on the solid ground.

. The safest way to walk a narrow path, is while connected to a group of people that you love and trust!

. who you know will first of all warn you when you are getting to close to the edge, and secondly be there to help you and support you should you lose your footing.

Galatians 6:1–2 NKJV

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

. we need to have each others back and support each other along this narrow path that all of us are called to walk.

. it is not just a few who must walk the narrow and difficult path, it is all of us who accept Jesus as our savior and desire to enter into the eternal kingdom of heaven, not just an unlucky few, but all believers!

. but you know what this gets even better! not only do we have each other we can walk with and support along this narrow path.

. i want to show you two verses in psalms written by David that give us comfort and assurance and hope as we walk this narrow path.

Psalm 18:36 NKJV

You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip.

. its widely believed this psalm was written by David during the height of his power during his reign as king.

. which for those who know what David went through to even become king, means that he writes this verse after having been already on this narrow and difficult path for a long time facing so many trials, being pulled away.

. and even falling from the narrow path for a time, before being restored by God.

. He writes this verse in recognition of the fact that he realized while on the narrow path. that there were moments were God intervened and. widened and strengthened the path his was beneath his feet.

. He is saying that is was God and his faith in God that gave his feet the stability to remain on the narrow path, when others would have slipped and fallen.

. It was the support of God on this narrow path, that enlarged or widened the path beneath his feet that enabled him to walk as he did and fulfill the call and purpose of God on his life.

. There are moments where God himself intervene and makes the narrow path wider for us and makes our feet more steady so that we do not fall, form being to close to the edge.

Psalm 23:3 NKJV

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

. The reason we do not need to feat this narrow and dangerous path that Jesus speaks about, is because he is the one who leads us on this path, he is the one who makes a way, he is the one who widens it so that out feet do not stumble and slip.

. and his does it for the sake of his name and the sake of his Kingdom and for the sake of our souls and our eternity.

. The narrow path is not a lonely journey, we make it with those who we love and trust, and with the guidance and support of our God, who leads us on this path to righteousness.