Narrow is the Road

The message this morning is aimed at the graduates, but really it can be applicable for all of us!

When I was in high school, there were group of athletes in the class ahead of me that were really good

In fact, I thought that they were amazing!

My 7th grade year, the 8th graders went undefeated in all male sports including track, where they won every meet

My freshman year, they won state in baseball

The next season that only had like 2 losses until state

The following year they went undefeated in the regular season and ended up with 3rd or 4th at state

They also placed 4th at state in basketball a couple years later

They won league in wrestling for like 4 years in a row

They were really good

I thought surely most of them would end up being pretty successful in college

Only a handful of them played sports in college

A couple went to a 4 year school and a few went to community college

Only 1 of them actually played sports all 4 years in college

The rest quit their sport before graduating

And I wondered why, these guys were really good.

Well, it’s because college sports is simply a different level

I didn’t play college sports, but I was an athletic trainer my freshman year so I saw it first hand

To be a college athlete, it takes a who knew level of commitment

It takes a serious amount of dedication and discipline

And, you know, I see a similar thing with christians

It looks like some are just “on a different level”

Some seem to be totally on fire for Jesus and solid in their faith and others seem to just be walking through this life like everyone else

And I wonder why?

Well, as with college athletics, I think it comes down to discipline

How disciplined are you in your relationship with Jesus?

Are you more like a high school athlete that can put in some work, but still not commit too much of your life to it?

Or you more like the college athlete who has pretty much committed your life fully to it?

As you graduates head off to secondary education or into the workforce, I would encourage you to examine where you are with Jesus

You are now heading off into the “real world” as you have been reminded of many times throughout your high school career.

You get to experience freedom like you have never experienced before

You get to make choices that you have never had to make before

But the question is, what are you going to do with your new found freedom?

What is going to be your guide for the decisions that you get to make?

You are going to find yourself in a crowd of new people whether it be in your new job or in your new schooling.

I want to challenge you this morning to not make the crowd your guide in your decision making

I want to encourage you to be a trailblazer and not a path follower

Our scripture this morning reminds us

Matthew 7:13 (NIV)

13 “Enter through the narrow gate....

Oh man, great advice pastor! But, what does that mean?

Well, it’s pretty simple...

There is a place and a gate to get to that place...

The place is found in the next verse:

Matthew 7:14 NIV

14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

So, the goal is life....

Let’s talk about this life for a second!

Life is the Greek word Zoe

It means physical life....but it also means eternal life

Does Jesus give us physical life?

Yes, of course!

But He also offers something greater!

In fact, He offers the greatest possible gift....eternal life!

John 10:10 NIV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Not just that you have a small glimpse of this life…just a taste

no, no....I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full!

And to the woman at the well

John 4:13–14 NIV

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

As you adventure out onto you own you are going to be told some lies....some of which you have heard before…but now you get to make your own choices and live in your own freedom....

You are going to hear some really good sounding things....

“Hear try this, it won’t hurt you!”

“You can do what you want, no one is cares what you do”

“You can look at whoever you want…it’s not hurting anyone”

You do you, boooo......

As you come across these lies, I want you to remember something...

The thief comes to steal, kill, and to destroy...

If you start playing with the devil.....remember this, he comes to steal, kill, and destroy....

Oh Pastor, you are telling us that we can’t have any fun!

No, no! Have fun! Life is meant to be joyous!

What I am telling you is that there is a road that leads to destruction, and a road that leads to life...

And if you start heading down the road that leads to destruction, you are missing out on so much!

What the world has to offer sure sounds like fun initially, but it will not provide the life that Christ offers!

The water that the world provides will always leave you thirsty, but the water that Jesus offers will spring up water welling up to eternal life!

Eternal life isn’t just something that get to experience after we die, it is something that begins when we accept Christ as our Lord…that means that He is in control…and our Savior, the one who keeps us from the road to destruction!

We began by talking about this narrow gate…what is the way through it?

Gate is a metaphor meaning that the way is not completely a free for all...

There is something that you have to go through..

The good news is that Jesus gives us the answer

John 10:7 NIV

7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.

Jesus is the Gate, He is the way through....

John 14:6 NIV

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

So, for life, for living water, we have to go through the gate, which is Jesus!

And here is the most important thing that I have to say today…so listen…as Mr. Witman would say “listen to my words”

The road to eternal life is through Jesus!

How many have tried to do their own thing and have been left empty?

How many have seemed all good on the outside, but when you lay your head down at night feel alone?

How many have seen the consequences of their bad decision and felt broken and lost?

That is called sin.

When you choose to think, say and do things that are contrary to God, that is sin..

It leaves you broken!

So my encouragement today is this.....Believe in Jesus…His death on the cross, and his resurrection...

Confess your sins to Him and turn from them...

Accept His gift of forgiveness and gift of salvation! That means you are saved....from eternal death, but also from the guilt of your sin...

And receive His gift of eternal life!

And when we receive this gift, we get the bonus of the Holy Spirit living inside of us as a helper and guide!

The power of God, living inside of you!

And now, you are on this journey....this narrow road...

Why is it narrow?

Because few are on it!

Matthew 7:14 NIV

14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

This road, this journey is the greatest road and journey that you could be on, but it can also be, at times, lonely....

Many in the crowd will take the wide road…the “easy” road. The “fun” road....but that path leads to destruction...

So, think about the decisions that you make....

You will have to make some difficult decisions....but, if you make the decisions that lead you to Christ, you will find joy, peace, love and many other things!

Surround yourself with people that are making decisions that lead them to Christ!

No one says that you have to hang out with people that are making destructive decisions!

Christians often get this rep of not having fun!

In my own life, I have found the contrary to be true...

Decisions that lead to destruction often have left me empty, broken, and guilty..

Decisions that lead to life have left me full, complete, and forgiven!

Have fun, find joy, but do so by making decisions that lead you towards Christ!

As you’re out “on your own” now, think about whether you want to be like the HS athlete with Jesus where you do what you “need to” to be a Christian

Or do you want to take the step to the next level?

Do you want to develop disciplines that help you to thrive in the life that you have in Christ?

I am not sure that these things need to be said, but develop a life of discipline of reading and falling in love with scripture!

Find a church home wherever you are for encouragement, support, and accountability.

Pray regularly and often!

Serve when given the opportunity!

Story of full submission

Worship Team

Before we conclude this morning, I want to give you an opportunity to switch roads!

If you find yourself walking the broad road that leads to destruction, but want to switch to the narrow road that leads to life, you have an opportunity.

As I shared earlier, it’s a simple thing.

We are saved by grace through faith!

Repent, which means to confess and turn from our sins and say yes to Jesus’s forgiveness.

If you would like to do this today, please come forward and let us pray with you!

You are welcome to do this in your seat, but if you want prayer come forward!

Lord, forgive me for making decisions that are not of you and help me to turn towards you for guidance and direction on this new road! Amen!