Decisions decisions
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.
Life is full of choices. There are always choices to make. Some are really good at making decisions. Some people have a hard time making decisions. For me some decisions are hard. Especially when I like both choices.
Story: I have a hard time making decisions. Especially when I like both choices. I remember spending 20 minutes one day with my daughter in Wal-Mart trying to decide which coffee creamer to buy. Hazelnut or French Vanilla. I ended up actually buying them both. I remember not being able to decide if I wanted a hot dog or a burger at restaurant one evening so I bought both. (Tell your own story of having to make a decision about something)
Many might relate to this
Some people have it easy when it comes to choices and decisions in life. They just know what they want and they make the decision without a problem.
When we look at this scripture we see that we have a choice to make.
1. The two choices in life (v.13-14)
a. Two gates:
i. Wide
ii. Narrow (v.13a)
b. Two ways:
i. Easy
ii. Hard (v.13b)
c. Two ends:
i. One leads to Destruction
ii. One leads to life (v.13c)
This is hard for many because we all like the easy road.
2. We like things easy
a. Following God at times especially in the beginning isn’t easy.
b. But the benefits in the end are those that lead to life.
c. Sometimes the hard road is the best road.
Read scripture
Luke 6:46-49 (NIV)
46 "Why do you call me, ’Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
Run the story
1. Jesus has people all the time who call him lord… but don’t do what He says
a. He has a hard time understanding this.
b. Because Lord means Lord…boss controller
2. So He tells this story of two outcomes of decisions…
3. The man who hears my word and puts them into practice.
a. Because when we hear Gods word we have a choice to make
i. To do it or not
4. He says if we do it its like a man
a. Who dug deep
b. Built a strong foundation on rock
c. When trouble came
d. The torrent struck the house stood.
e. It could not be shaken
f. Because it was well built.
g. It was hard
Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV)
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
d. Two travelers: The wise versus the unwise (v.14a)
e. Two decisions: No effort versus seeking to find (v.14b)
Matthew 7:14 (NIV)
14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.
God offers us real life….living life….God is so good.
Closing: What decision are you going to make tonight?
