Focus Passage: Matthew 26:41-46
Supplemental Passage: "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 NASB)
For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, (Philippians 1:29 NASB)
Introduction:
I. God’s Way is the right way
a. vs. 39 – “not as I will, but as You will.”
b. Pro 21:2 Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.
II. God’s way isn’t always the easy way
a. vs 39 – “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me.”
b. Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." (Genesis 12:1-3 NASB)
c. "Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me." But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. (Jonah 1:2-3 NASB)
d. As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do." The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (Acts 9:3-9 NASB)
III. God’s way demands total commitment
a. vs 46 - “Get up, let us be going; behold the one who betrays Me is at hand.”
b. Luk 9:62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
c. Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
IV. What are God’s ways that we don’t like to follow because it is hard?
a. 1Pe 1:16 because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."
b. John 14:15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
c. John 15:17 "This I command you, that you love one another.
d. Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
e. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20 NASB)
Invitation: Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
