No Shortcuts To God

No Shortcuts to God

April 21, 2013 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: The only way to God is through Jesus Christ.

Focus Passage: Matthew 7:13-14

Supplemental Passage: "Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life--to God!--is vigorous and requires total attention. (Matthew 7:13-14 MSG)

Introduction: I'm trying to imagine what it would be like if the judge assigned to the young [Boston Marathon] bomber's case said the boy was under duress, he didn't know better, or he's just had a rough life and made some bad choices, but the good he's done has outweighed the bad and then let him go, with maybe a slap on the wrist. He would, to say the least, be declared a bad, unwise, unjust judge by every sane person. Rightly so. And those would be the standards for a human judge.

And yet...the majority of people have an idea that the Perfect Judge, Jesus Christ, will see their sins, say the good outweighs the bad, and just let them go. It doesn't matter if the judge is loving if he's also unjust. How much MORE loving AND just is Jesus than any human judge? God's mercy meets its end at His judgment. That's why Hebrews 10:29-31 says, "...how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot...and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. And again, 'The Lord will judge His people.' It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." That's why the lost need to know they're sinners, on their way to Hell and Jesus is the only salvation. No one can just be "loved" into the Kingdom of God. Faith that saves comes by hearing (Romans 10:17), not being loved more by other people. – Dave Scott https://www.facebook.com/737predictions/posts/4652294232523

I. Broadway Woes

a. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NASB)

b. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB)

II. Narrow Path Goes

a. Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6 NASB)

b. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NASB)

III. Christ-like Grows

a. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:14 NASB)

b. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. (3 John 1:11 NASB)

Invitation: