WHICH ROAD ARE YOU ON?
Matthew 7:13-23
INTRODUCTION:
[This message uses some material from a sermon by Joel Smith entitled, The Great Divide.]
ILL> During our first year of ministry here, we had gone to visit the Ted & Elizabeth Armstrong who live towards Mansfield, out by the Mid-Ohio race track. On the way home I decided to go on some back roads–be adventurous. Kay kept asking if I knew where I was going, and I assured her that I did. After nearly a half hour of driving we finally made it–almost to Galion, that is. Kay still has not let me live that one down.
A. So, where are you headed and how do you plan to get there?
I’m talking about eternity here. where do you hope to spend your eternal life? In heaven or hell? Now, I hope that ALL of you answered that question this morning by stating that you plan to spend eternity in heaven. If that is so, how do you plan to get there? How much thought have you given to your eternal life? What choices–what commitments--have you made to assure that you will spend forever in God’s eternal home?
QUOTE> John Milton Gregory, The Seven Laws of Teaching
"The man who simply drifts into success in any field of human activity is almost as rare as the ship that drifts aimlessly into a safe harbor."
The same is true on a spiritual level–most people won’t just simply drift into heaven someday without giving it any thought while they were here on earth.
B. The passage that we are going to study this morning shows us that all of us are on a journey. All of us are traveling on one of two road--and we’re headed in one of two directions. It is vital that you and I figure out which road we’re on. So, as we study this passage together this morning, I challenge you to take a serious look at your life–at where you’re headed. You may just find that you’re headed in the wrong direction.
READ: Matthew 7:13-14
This morning I am going to share with you 4 things that you MUST do in order to reach your heavenly home.
I>YOU MUST CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION
A. It’s been said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
Well, that’s not exactly true, because before you take the first step you need to know where you’re going. What is your destination?
Now, I am assuming here that you desire to spend eternity in heaven. If not, then you’re wasting you time by being here this morning. As a matter of fact, if you put money in the offering as it went by, you might want to get it on the way out. But once again, I am assuming that ALL of you are looking forward to something much more than what HELL has to offer.
ILL> When our kids were quite a bit younger than they are right now our family took a vacation to Texas. We spent a lot of time planning so we could get the most out of our trip. We knew that we were going to spend a week in Dallas at the North American Christian Convention so that much was taken care of. We stopped at the Arch in St. Louis on the way out. We toured the bombing site in Oklahoma City. I have always had an interest in space and rockets so we had to stop at the Houston Space Center. We wanted to see the River Walk and the Alamo so we spent a few days in San Antonio. We had it all planned out and we knew where we were going to be every night over the 14 day trip.
If people spend so much time planning trips and vacations, think about how much more important it is in planning your eternal destination! So, where are you headed? God gives you the choice–you decide!
II> YOU MUST START AT THE RIGHT PLACE
ILL> Yahoo Maps
In order for it to print up a route you need to give it 2 pieces of information. You need to know where you are going and where you are starting from.
A. Jesus points out that there are 2 roads
The one road is heavily traveled–it’s a big wide road with a wide gate. The other is a narrow road–a path, with only a narrow gate. The destinations are either life or destruction–heaven or hell. There is no in-between choice. There is not a choice C. The Bible does not speak of a place where you hang out until you’ve paid your dues. Just 2 choices–2 roads. You are on one of these roads this morning–everybody is. Jesus also said that the majority of people are on the path that leads to destruction
B. There are those in the world today that really believe that all roads lead to heaven
It doesn’t make any difference if you are a Muslim and following the Koran, or follow the ways of Buddhism, or Eastern mysticism, or follow the beliefs of the New Age Movement, or get mixed up in Spiritualism like Palm Readings, tarot cards, and Psychics–all roads lead to heaven. However, Jesus never taught that. He is not one of those "all paths lead to the same God" kind of people. As a matter of fact, He said that if eternal life is what you want, then there is only one way to get there. You must follow the narrow road and enter through the narrow gate. He also reminds us that it’s not always the easy road. It’s not always the popular choice. It’s not without its difficulties and even persecution at times. After all, even He was mocked and ridiculed even though He lived the perfect life
Not only that, but Jesus said that your journey on the narrow road must begin with Him.
John 10:7-10
Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. [8] All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. [9] I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
ILL> E. Stanley Jones tells the story of a missionary who lost his way in an Arican jungle. he could find no landmarks and the trail vanished. Eventually, stumbling ona small hut, he asked the native living there if he could lead him out.
The native nodded. Rising to his feet, he walked directly into the bush. The missionary followed on his heels. For more than an hour they hacked their way through a dense wall of vines and grasses. The missionary became worried: "Are you sure this is th way? I don’t see any path."
The African chuckled an said over his shoulder, "Bwana, in this place there is no path. I am the path."
Jesus said that He is the way–the only way to the Father. This same idea is taught once the church begins, over in the books of Acts.
Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
C. The world we live in says that there are many paths to life
Only through Jesus–only through Him. Our world today says that such to hold such a view is being narrow-minded, intolerant, bigoted, and fundamental. However, Jesus said that such a view is true, right, necessary, and essential. Now, who are you going to believe? Only when you begin with Christ will you reach your desired destination
III> YOU MUST BE CAREFUL TO AVOID OBSTACLES ALONG THE WAY
A. VS 15-20
Jesus says that there are those who can talk a pretty good talk. On the outside, they look like people dedicated to the Lord. But, they are missing something. Jesus is warning us against the fakers.
ILL> The Jehovah’s Witnesses are one of the most evangelistic groups I know, but their teaches stray far away from God’s Word.
ILL> There are people who a good, giving people, but have never made a commitment to God.
Jesus says that those people are like the buckleberry bushes of Palestine. Their fruit looks like grapes, but if you eat one you’d find that the taste is very bitter. You can only tell the difference by up-close examination.
Or they are like the thistle plant that produces flowers which very much resemble figs. But if you pick one and pop it into your mouth you’re going to experience pain. Many obstacles along the way.
Sin
Galatians 5:19-23
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; [20] idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions [21] and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Complacency and Apathy–Comfortable where you are at and don’t care about changing
Desire for old habits
Some decide to exit the narrow road and go down the path of pleasure
Or the path of riches
Or the path of worldly success
Nothing wrong with riches and success as long as they are kept in the proper perspective
Or the path of materialism
ILL> Lebron James just received a $50,000 vehicle from his mother even though still in high school. Right now, this outstanding high school athlete is making thousands of dollars for hundreds of people. Every game he plays the school he attends receives about $15,000.
Most would agree that he’s got a bright future–that is, in the NBA. But God is concerned about His future after the NBA. What does that hold?
B. We need to allow the fruit of God’s Spirit to rule in our lives
GAL 5:22-23
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
You must avoid the obstacles!
IV> YOU MUST DEVELOP A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER
A. VS 21-23
ILL> Let’s suppose that you decide to go to work at Yutaka because you think that the white pants and shirt they wear are really cool. You don’t feel like going to the trouble of filling out forms or waiting to be hired, so you just show up one day, jump into one of the lines and begin working. After a few days you may find that you’re even pretty good.
So, you work your 40 hours and at the end of the week you go to get your paycheck, what do you think they’re gong to say. "Paycheck? I don’t even know who you are."
You protest: "But I worked hard all week. I’ve been here every day. I’ve done a good job. Now I deserve to be paid!"
There are lot of people that do a lot of good things–some things are even done in the name of Christ. You can attend church every Sunday. You can put give money to the church and read your Bible. You can help others and invite people to church. But, there must be a relationship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. However, the Bible warns that if there has never been a personal commitment made to the Lord Jesus Christ, then on the Day of Judgment, God will say, "I’m sorry, but I never knew you."
V> CONCLUSION:
A. So, where are you headed and how do you plan to get there?
I was sure that I was on the right road coming home from Armstong’s that night. However, as sure as I was, I was dead wrong. Fortunately, that only made a little late getting home. But, when it comes to where you will spend eternity, how sure are you that you’re on the right road? Are you sure that you’re on the right road? Have you done what God through His Holy Word has asked you to do?
