FIVE ROADBLOCKS ON HELL’S SUPERHIGHWAY
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV)
Our Lord Jesus makes a definite distinction between the road that leads to eternal life and the road that leads to eternal destruction. Those who think that it really doesn’t matter what they believe or how they live their life should give serious attention to what Jesus said.
Regarding the way that leads to heaven He cautions us that the gate is narrow. First, we must say that there is only one gate to eternal life and that gate is Jesus. He made this quite clear in John 10:7-9: "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
Our Lord reaffirmed this in John 14:6 when He told Thomas: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
We are reminded that not only is there just one gate but that gate is “narrow”. To enter you must lay aside your arrogant pride and works of self-righteousness. As long are you insist on wearing your Pharisaical garments, you will never be able to enter that one Gate that leads to heaven. You must recognize yourself as a sinner.
Furthermore, the way is difficult. Don’t get the idea that once you become a Christian you will have a bed of roses to walk on all the way to glory. Jesus suggests that just the opposite is true… that the way is difficult. He said: "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33).
On the other hand, the gate that leads to hell is wide! It is an easy entrance and that is where the crowd is going. You can keep your pride, self-righteousness and any Christ-less religion you espouse…and no one entering that gate will trouble you for it. And the road is broad…indeed a “superhighway”! The longer you travel and the farther you go on this road the more difficult it will be for you to find an “exit ramp”.
Don’t try “turning around” because you will only get run over by the crowd. Take the “exit ramp” that is before you even now...in this very service and get on the “Jesus road”. Those who are traveling anywhere along the broad way should keep in mind that they are only one little heart-beat from hell.
God has placed five specific roadblocks on this broad road that leads to destruction because He is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). There is an “exit ramp” immediately adjacent to these roadblocks. Don’t ignore and go around them.
THE FIVE ROADBLOCKS ARE:
THE BIBLE
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (NKJV)
“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him." John 3:36 (NIV)
THE CHURCH
“And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" Revelation 22:17a (NKJV)
“…the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15 (NKJV)
CHRISTIAN FRIENDS WHO WANT TO SEE YOU SAVED
Paul exemplified what Christ commanded all Christians to do: testify of His saving grace: “Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great…” Acts 26:22 (NKJV)
"And I will give you shepherds [pastors] according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15 (NKJV)
THE CROSS
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians1:18 (NKJV)
THE HOLY SPIRIT
"And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me.” John 16:8-9 (NKJV)
CONCLUSION:
Conduct a personal and thorough spiritual self-examination. Ask yourself: “Am I truly in Christ Jesus?” “Have I really been born again by the Spirit of God?” “Do I sincerely seek to serve Him and live for Him each day of my life?”
If you cannot truthfully answer “YES” to these three questions, there is a very strong probability that you are on the road that will ultimately take you to where you really don’t want to spend eternity!
What to do? 1.) Repent of your sin. 2.) Ask Jesus to save you from your sin through His precious blood. 3.) Confess Him before men as your Lord and Savior. 4.) Live every day to glorify, honor and please Him.
