TWO ROADS
TEXT: MATT. 7:13,14
INTRODUCTION: Way = Road
These two roads lead to two very different destinations;
One to Life, one to Destruction.
One road is Broad, Narrow
Wide Gate, Straight Gate
Many are on the road to Destruction, few on the road to Life.
A narrow road has only one lane, while a broad road has many.
There are many dangers on the broad road. People are killed on the road in many different ways.
Let’s look at these two roads, starting with the
I. BROAD ROAD
This is the dangerous road, this road has many lanes THAT LEAD TO DESTRUCTION.
A. The Foggy Lane
This is the lane the ATHEIST ride in.
Ever driven in fog so thick that you couldn’t tell where the road was? You can’t even tell if there is a road in front of you?
Atheist eyes are so fogged over that they don’t know they are on the road to destruction.
GET GLOBE (Tell congregation, “One day I heard a bang outside and found this globe.” Go on with it and then tell how ridiculous it is to believe the earth and universe came about by a Big Bang.)
They don’t believe in God because they don’t want to answer to Him.
Romans 1:21-23
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Romans 1:28
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Psa 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.
Psa 59:7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
Psa 59:8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision. Derision = As if imitating a foreigner, Mocking. They are foreign to God, they say, “I don’t know any God.” God will say, “I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity.” Matt.7:23
But it doesn’t matter how much they deny that fact that God exists. All they need to do is look at creation to see that there is a Creator.
Psa 19:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Look at space. Out there are distances so vast that it takes a special unit of measure to express those concepts. The astronomer’s yardstick is a light year: the distance light travels in one year. At 186,273 miles per second which is the equivalent of encircling the earth at the equator seven and a half times. In round numbers light travels about six trillion miles in a year.
Our sun, by that yardstick is eight light minutes away. But out there in space are suns and stars believed to be billions of light years away. And we can’t even count the stars or guess how many billions there are. God said to Abraham; Gen 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them:
Some stars are so large that we can’t comprehend it. The star Antares, for instance, could hold sixty-four million suns the size of ours. In the constellation Hercules is a star that could contain one hundred million stars the size of Antares. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, is 100,000 light years in diameter. It is revolving at a speed of two hundred miles an hour. It takes two million years to complete one revolution on its axis.
Now lets look at the other spectrum of creation, the world of the infinitely small. The building block of the universe is the atom, which is so small that each one is less that one hundred fifty millionth of an inch in diameter. If the molecules of a single drop of water could be converted into grains of sand, there would be enough sand to build a concrete highway half a mile wide and one foot thick all the way from New York to San Francisco.
When we look at living thing the complexities that confront us on every hand are incredible. Each cell in a living creature contains two hundred billion molecules of atoms. The nucleus of a cell is less than four ten-thousands of an inch in diameter. The membrane that encloses the cell’s component part is only one half of that, or one-millionth of an inch thick. (Eye more complex than globe: Procreation)
I. FOGGY LANE = ATHEIST
II. BLINDED BY LIGHT = RELIGION
Ever been blinded by sunlight while driving? Or how about someone’s headlights? It can and it has caused many accidents. It can be very dangerous. Do you know that Satan and his demons can appear as angels of light?
2 Cor 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2 Cor 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2 Cor 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Satan doesn’t show himself as he is. If he did there is no one in their right mind who would follow him. Yet he uses religion to deceive people into thinking that when they die everything will be fine. But we read in Matthew 7:21-23
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Religion is man looking for God but God is not lost, man is. Christianity is God looking for man.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
I. FOGGY = ATHEIST
II. BLINDED BY LIGHT = RELIGION
III. CONSTRUCTION WORKER’S = WORK’S
Many people are killed on constructions sights. Work sights can be very dangerous. Have you seen the new signs they have out on construction sights that say, “Please drive safely my daddy works here. Tommy” Yes, many people have been killed while working on a construction sight.
Out of all the ways people believe they will get to heaven, this is at the top of the list.
We live in the days of instant gratification. People want to loose weight without working at it.
Be happily married, without working at it. We want everything now, and we don’t want to have to do anything to get it.
So how come when it comes to Salvation we want to work for it? God gives it to us instantly, but we want to work for it. It doesn’t make sense.
Mat 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Mat 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: Mat 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. Mat 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men:
Acts 7:41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
Just like today, many people brag on their own works.
Rom 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
Rom 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Rom 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Rom 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
No one is saved by keeping the Ten Commandments! They were given to show us how sinful we are.
Romans 3:20 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
James 2:10 10For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Raise your hand if you always love God first.
Luke 23:39-43
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. [40] But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? [41] And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. [42] And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. [43] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Could the thief on cross work for his salvation? Could he be baptized? Belong to a certain church? No! Yet because he believed and called on Jesus to save him, Jesus told him that he would be with him that day in Paradise. If works save then Jesus death was a mistake.
And people also believe that you have to work to keep your salvation. Let me ask you, do you think God is an Indian-giver? Would God give us a free gift and then take it back because we didn’t earn it?
How many sins would you have to commit to lose your salvation? I’ve read the Bible from cover to cover many times and I have yet to run across a verse that says that if you commit this sin so many times, you’re out of here.
Heb. 13:5 for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
I looked up the word never in the Strong’s Con. And here’s what it means: oo may a double neg. strengthening the denial: not at all: any more: at all: by no means: neither: never: no, in no case, ever, not at all in any wise. My guess is that never means exactly that.
HOW MUCH CLEARER CAN GOD GET? Yet people still think they will get to heaven by their works. But they will find out one day that Construction brings Destruction.
Dangers of this road.
I. FOGGY = ATHEIST
II. BLINDED BY LIGHT = RELIGION
III. CONSTRUCTION WORKER’S = WORKS
IV. DRUNK DRIVERS = WORLDLY PLEASURES
Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Luke 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Luke 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Don’t want to give up drinking, promiscuous lifestyle, want riches so no time for God.
You don’t give up anything to be saved, you come as the song says, “Just as I am.”
Now when you do get saved you will start to give up those things.
Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
I’m going to let you in on a little secrete. Sin is fun. That’s what makes it so tempting.
But it brings a high price, death!
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Eskimo hunter.
I. FOGGY = ATHEIST
II. BLINDED BY LIGHT = RELIGION
III. CONSTRUCTION WORKER’S = WORK’S
IV. DRUNK DRIVERS = WORLDLY PLEASURES
V. SIGNALS NOT WORKING = CHRISTIAN’S NOT SHINING THEIR LIGHT
We have heard of fatal collisions between trains and cars because of a faulty crossing signal. Or how about when the traffic signals malfunction? When signals aren’t working it can be very dangerous.
We who are Christians need to have our signal lights working to show the light of Christ.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Ezek 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Psa 142:4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
This road is dangerous there are many perils on it and we need to be warning them of a real place called hell.
VI. THE NARROW ROAD = THE ONLY ROAD TO HEAVEN
The road map is the Bible. And as we’ve seen God is the God of creation so if He is powerful enough to create suns so big and atoms so small, don’t you think He is able to give us His Word?
1 Pet 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jesus Christ is the road.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
1 Cor 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1 Cor 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1 Cor 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Romans road.
Well, there are two roads, which one are you on?
