Where will you End Up  Matt. 7:13-14

  EBC   12/31/06

  Intro: I want to give you something profound this morning – get out a pencil or pen and write on your bulletin – The path you are on determines where you will go. Ask yourself this question this morning “as I look back on my life what path do I seem to be taking?”

  Where you end up in eternity will be decided by the path you are taking on earth.

  Life has been described as a brief pause between two long eternities.

  Many in this building today have this year, had friends and loved ones to leave this earth. Look in the obituary section of the paper each day.

I. There are two Directions in life (13-14)

  Jesus tells his audience that there are only two paths that a person can take in life. He describes these paths. Straight- narrow, broad – spacious.

  A. There is a broad way – the broad way is wide open, anything goes in this path. You can do like you want, bring all your baggage and live the life that suits you

    1. You can call the shots and make all the rules. This is an easy way to live

    2. The problem” this way brings pain and sorrow.

      a. Ill. The Jukes family

  B. There is a narrow way – this narrow way is the direct opposite of the other way. It’s the way that you give up all your rights and live according to Jesus

    1. You no longer do as you please but do things that please Jesus.

    2. This way is a restricted life and is one that is hard to live – it’s lines with many difficulties.

    3. Notice some things:

     a. This way honors God- 1 Pet 1:16-

     b. This way brings blessing- 2 Chron. 7:14

     c. It offers a better life- Gal. 6:8-9

  4. John MacArthur- In perfect harmony with His absolute sovereignty, God has always allowed men to choose Him or not, and He has always pleaded with them to decide for Him or face the consequences of a choice against Him. Since mankind turned their backs on Him in the Fall, God has bent every effort and spared no cost in wooing His creatures back to Himself. He has provided and shown the way, leaving nothing to man but the choice. God made His choice by providing the way of redemption. The choice is now man’s.

II. There are two Destinations

  All roads lead somewhere.

  A. A place called Hell- Jesus speaks of the broad way leading to destruction – this means total ruin. Everyone that chooses the broad way will end up in Hell.

    1. Look at this insight:

      a. Unquenchable fire- Mark 9:43

      b. Unspeakable pain- Luke 16:24-26

      c. Instantaneous arrival – Luke 16:22-23

  B. A place called Heaven- as the wide road has its destination so does the narrow road.

    1. Look at this insight

      a. No tears, pain, sorrow- Rev. 21:4

      b. No sin- Rev. 21:8-

      c. No night – Rev. 21:25

      d. Instantaneous arrival- 2 Cor. 5:8

III. There are two Decisions You can Make

  A. Have you ever thought of it – where will you end up when you leave this world? Will it be the narrow way of walking with God or the other way?