Which Way are you Going?

Which way are you going? The answer can likely determine where you spend eternity. In this final sermon of my series from Matthew 7 I want to highlight Jesus approach to eternal life.

He said, “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”. (Mt 7:13–14). Similar to how he posed the answer to the question Lord, will those who are saved be few?” (Lk 13:23). Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. (Lk 13:24). Remember Paul said, 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. (1 Ti 4:10). If we plan to make it to heaven we must make the right choice. We must understand what is being presented and not get fooled.

Often what is popular is not the right choice. The easy road is not always the best road. We must strive remember at the close of 1 Timothy Paul said 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Ti 6:12–14).

Jesus is encouraging us to make the right choice and remember the road to salvation is narrow. What does that look like in laymen terms? What is Jesus trying to convey?

Its better that we dont isolate this verse to stand alone but see how it ties to the conclusion of the sermon on the mount.

Last week we looked at the Gold Rule and that is applicable her also. This road choosing requires true discipline.

Jesus is looking at those who will be his disciples to understand that this will not be easy going or is it for those who lack discipline.

Jesus discusses several things.

The first in this walk we must have spiritual discernment

Look “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits” (Mt 7:15–16). The wide road will be an enticing to those who have been deceived by false prophets. What is a false prophet ? Its one who uses the position of prophet for self gain and spill untrue information that leads people to destruction. They may be charismatic but their end is destruction. 2 Peter 2:1-3 Says But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 2 Peter 2:1–3).

Lets us determine prophecy by the fruit it produces. Can you testify that under this word I getting better? Can you testify I am getting stronger? Can you say that this ministry provides me the tools I need to be a better disciple? This is your litmus test. Are we producing disciples. True Christians. Are we encouraged to love one another. Are we encourage to use our gifts in the Body of Christ. Do I feel better after I attend Church?

A Healthy can not bear bad fruit! 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. (Mt 7:17–18).

Those entering the narrow gate will be known by Jesus!

Jesus warns that every one will enter. There is a stark warning here 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Mt 7:21–23).

There is a lot of stuff we do in the name of Jesus that has nothing to do with Jesus. It does not affirm his love , his grace and his mercy. Today the Christian Evangelical marching with all their self righteousness are the pharisees of our day.

Even in the black church we have become the oppressors. Until we learn to embrace the disenfranchised and the marginalized. We cant reject what we don’t understand. The Church has room for everyone.

Jesus said they were prophesying in his name, they were casting out demons in his name even claiming to do mighty works, but did you love your neighbor as yourself. Did you do unto others as you would have others do unto you?

We can be in order, be religious, be structured, have programs, have services, but if we are not showing love what have we really done? If someone has not seen the love of Jesus in us what have we done? We must allow the Holy Spirit to be our guide.

I surely don’t want to get to see Jesus and he says DEPART FROM ME , I never knew you! One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. (Ps 27:4).

Those entering the narrow gate hears the words of Jesus.

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” . (Mt 7:24–27).

The decision is before us. We make the right decision when we hear the Word of God. There is a song everybody plays the fool. Yet Jesus is trying to keep us from being fools in the end. We cant end up like the 5 foolish virgins who did not have enough oil for their lamps. Hearing the Word of God gives us a level of preparedness for tough times.

Remember we have to hear and do his word! James said, “Be doers of the word.” James urges people who listen to God’s Word to demonstrate a sincere commitment to the Lord by reacting to what they hear with obedient action.

The original language gives the sense that we must “keep on becoming” doers of God’s Word. Genuine faith calls for obedience that endures. Doers of the Word are the opposite of Sunday morning Christians who go to church, sit and listen to a message, and then view it as merely an interesting spiritual discourse. Jesus said that only doers of the Word are truly blessed: “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice” (Luke 11:28, NLT).

The Word stresses the need to act on what we hear. We are fooling ourselves if we think we can be hearers only and not doers of the Word as well. People who sincerely love God are those who keep His commands. Jesus said that !(John 14:15)

1 John 5:2–3). 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. (1 Jn 5:1–3).

God desires those who hear His Word to become authentic followers of Jesus, disciples who obey the Lord’s teaching because they know and love their heavenly Father.

If we plan on entering we must take the narrow road. The road that requires discipline, obedience, sacrifice.

If we are marching up the Kings Highway then we have to embody the words!

In the way cast up for the ransomed, By countless millions trod, In the way of life everlasting, We’re marching home to God.

Refrain: Marching, marching, Marching in the King’s highway; Marching, marching Onward to the realms of day.

2 In the way cast up for the ransomed What constant joy we know; For the King himself, our Redeemer, Is with us while we go. [Refrain]

3 In the way cast up for the ransomed, By fountains cool and sweet, We are gently led by the Saviour To rest our weary feet. [Refrain]

4 In the way cast up for the ransomed, Our pilgrim journey past, We shall see the Kin in his beauty And dwell with him at last. [Refrain]