This sermon explores choosing the narrow path of righteousness and understanding the consequences of choosing the broad path leading to destruction, as guided by Matthew 7:13-14.
Good morning, dear church family. It's a beautiful day to gather together, isn't it? Each Sunday, as we come together in this sacred space, we are reminded of God's love and His divine plan for us. We're reminded that we're not alone on this road of life, but rather, we have a faithful guide and a caring shepherd leading us every step of the way.
Today, we're going to spend some time in the Gospel of Matthew, specifically in Chapter 7, verses 13 and 14. These verses serve as a beacon, a lighthouse if you will, illuminating our path and guiding us towards the right road.
Let me read these verses for you now:
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself is urging us to choose the right path, the narrow path that leads to eternal life. He is warning us about the wide and easy road that many choose, a road that leads to destruction.
In the words of the esteemed Christian author, J.I. Packer, "There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him."
This is the essence of our main points today. We'll be Recognizing the Right Road, understanding the Repercussions of the Wrong Road, and Recommitting to the Road of Righteousness.
As we embark on this study, let's start with a word of prayer.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for Your love, and for the opportunity to gather together and study Your word. We ask that You open our hearts and our minds to Your truth. Guide us, Lord, as we seek to understand Your teachings and apply them in our lives. Help us to recognize the right road, understand the repercussions of the wrong road, and recommit to the road of righteousness. We ask all this in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus presents us with two paths: the narrow gate and the wide gate. The narrow gate, as Jesus tells us, leads to life. It's not the easiest path. It's not the most popular or the most comfortable. But it's the path that leads to true life, to eternal life with our Heavenly Father.
The narrow gate represents the path of righteousness, the path of obedience to God's commands, the path of love, humility, and self-sacrifice. It's the path that Jesus Himself walked during His time on earth. It's the path He calls us to follow.
The wide gate, on the other hand, represents the path of sin, the path of disobedience to God's commands, the path of pride, selfishness, and indulgence. It's the path that the world often encourages us to take. It's the path that seems easy and pleasurable in the short term, but ultimately leads to destruction.
So, how do we recognize the right road, the narrow gate? How do we distinguish it from the wide gate? And once we recognize it, how do we stay on it?
Firstly, we recognize the right road through the teachings of Jesus. Jesus is our ultimate guide and teacher. He has given us His words in the Bible to guide us and show us the way. When we read and study the Bible, we learn about God's character, His love, His justice, His mercy, and His plan for us. We learn about what He expects from us, how He wants us to live, and how He wants us to treat others.
Secondly, we recognize the right road through prayer. Prayer is our direct line of communication with God. Through prayer, we can seek God's guidance, ask for His wisdom, and ask for His strength to stay on the right road. Prayer is not just about asking God for things, but also about listening to Him, being still in His presence, and allowing Him to speak to our hearts.
Thirdly, we recognize the right road through the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. The Holy Spirit is our helper, our counselor, our comforter. He convicts us of our sins, helps us to understand God's word, and guides us in the way we should go.
Lastly, we recognize the right road through the fellowship of other believers. God did not create us to walk this road alone. He created us for community, for fellowship with other believers. When we gather together with other believers, whether it's in a church setting, a small group, or even one-on-one, we can encourage each other, pray for each other, and help each other stay on the right road.
Recognizing the right road is not always easy. It requires effort, commitment, and dependence on God. But the rewards are worth it. The narrow gate leads to life, to peace, to joy, and to an eternal relationship with our loving Heavenly Father.
As we immerse ourselves in the teachings of Jesus, we can't help but notice the stark warning He gives about the broad road that leads to destruction ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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