Are you drifting?

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing the Narrow Path

Every day, we stand at a crossroads, faced with choices that define our journey. There is a broad, easy path that often feels convenient, allowing us to drift along with the current of our desires and the world's expectations. Yet, there is also a narrow, more difficult path—a path that leads to life and requires intentionality and conviction. This path is not about what we want to do, but about following God with our whole heart, making decisions that align with His will. [52:45]

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you sense yourself drifting towards the broad, convenient path, and what small, intentional choice can you make today to re-align with God's narrow path?

Day 2: The Call to Sacrifice

The narrow path, though challenging, is ultimately the path of blessing and true life. It requires sacrifice, a word that often makes us uncomfortable, but it is not about giving up everything. Instead, sacrifice is about stretching our faith and deepening our trust relationship with God. It means choosing to follow Him hard, even when it's inconvenient or demands a surrender of our own will and desires. This commitment to Christ is a daily decision, a living sacrifice that transforms us to be more like Him. [56:00]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Reflection: Where in your life have you been confusing inconvenience with true sacrifice, and what might God be inviting you to trust Him with more deeply, even if it feels like a stretch of your faith?

Day 3: Finding Rest in God's Way

God desires for us to walk in the path He has set aside for us, a path that ultimately brings rest for our souls. This rest isn't the absence of challenges or difficulties, but a deep peace that comes from knowing we are doing the right thing and are aligned with His purpose. Even amidst the busyness of life or challenging circumstances, we can find this profound rest when we choose to follow Him closely. It is a confidence that comes from walking in His known ways, trusting His guidance every step of the way. [01:03:18]

Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV)
Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”

Reflection: When you consider the current pace and pressures of your life, what does "rest for your soul" truly look like for you, and what specific action could you take this week to walk more intentionally in God's good way to experience that rest?

Day 4: Following the Well-Worn Paths

When we find ourselves at a crossroads, unsure of which way to go, God encourages us to "ask for the old paths," the known ways that others have walked before us. These are the paths illuminated by biblical examples and the faithful lives of those who have gone before us. We are not alone in this journey; countless men and women have made the decision to follow God's narrow path, and their experiences serve as a guide. By looking to their examples and seeking God's wisdom, we can rediscover the path that was never truly lost, but perhaps just overlooked. [01:01:59]

Hebrews 12:1-2a (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.

Reflection: Who are some "cloud of witnesses" in your life—biblical figures or personal mentors—whose journey on God's path inspires you? What specific lesson from their lives can you apply to your own walk this week?

Day 5: Making a Difference Together

Choosing God's path is not just an individual journey; it has a profound impact on the world around us. As we follow Him closely, we become part of a larger mission, making a difference in the lives of others. Our sacrifices and intentional choices enable the gospel to reach regions beyond our immediate sight, planting churches and transforming communities. Together, we are stronger, and our collective obedience allows God to expand His kingdom, demonstrating His favor and love to all. [01:10:00]

Acts 1:8 (ESV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Reflection: How might God be inviting you to participate in making a difference in your "Jerusalem" (your local community) or even "to the end of the earth" through your unique gifts, prayers, or resources?

Sermon Summary

The congregation is invited to consider a simple but urgent question: Which path is being followed — the wide, easy road that drifts toward destruction, or the narrow way that leads to life? Drawing on Matthew 7:13–14, the Scriptures are read as a map: every choice nudges a person onto one road or the other. The narrow path requires intention, conviction, and a posture of sacrifice, not merely inconvenience. Real sacrifice stretches faith; it disciplines mind, will, and flesh so trust in God deepens and choices increasingly reflect allegiance to Christ.

Examples from international ministry sharpen the point. Believers in hostile contexts choose the narrow way knowing it may cost family ties, social standing, or even safety. Their costly decisions show that sacrifice is not theatrical poverty but a willingness to trust God when the stakes are high. Those choices bear witness that following Jesus is a communal and missional commitment: movement toward God produces rest for the soul and strength to do exploits for the kingdom.

Jeremiah 6:16 functions as a pastoral GPS: stand at the crossroads, look for the “old paths” that are well worn by men and women who walked faithfully before. The counsel is practical — ask God for direction, follow the known way, then walk it to find rest. Romans 12:1 reframes obedience as spiritual worship: present bodies as living, holy sacrifices. This is not a legalistic demand but an invitation to a surrendered life that fuels local faith communities and propels mission to the regions beyond.

The call closes with a corporate challenge: walk together. Acts 1:8’s pattern — start at home, then nearby, then to the ends of the earth — reminds that faithfulness has both local and global dimensions. When believers intentionally choose the narrow path, they join a lineage of faithful ones, contribute to church planting and outreach, and participate in God’s expanding work across cultures. The spiritual trajectory is clear: deliberate choices, sacrificial trust, and communal obedience produce rest for the soul and power for kingdom exploits.

Key Takeaways

1. Every choice nudges a path Every decision — small or large — tilts the soul toward destruction or life. Recognizing the directional power of choices reframes daily habits as spiritual gates. This awareness turns ordinary moments into disciplines of devotion and clarifies why vigilance matters. [53:40]
2. Narrow path requires costly sacrifice Sacrifice is not mere inconvenience; it stretches faith and reshapes identity. Those who follow Christ into hard places show that trust can cost relationships and safety, yet deepen dependence on God. Such costly fidelity exposes the illusion that comfort equals blessing. [56:00]
3. Follow the well‑worn way The “old paths” point to tested practices and faithful predecessors whose lives guide present steps. Standing at crossroads and asking God for direction retrieves wisdom that leads to soul-rest. Walking known ways roots faith in continuity rather than novelty. [59:56]
4. Offer yourselves as living sacrifices Presenting bodies as living, holy sacrifices reframes obedience as worship rather than duty. Surrender becomes the engine of mission, transforming private devotion into public witness and enabling the church to go where God leads. This is how faith moves from personal piety to communal impact. [71:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[47:28] - Greetings and thanksgiving
[49:25] - The central question: Are you drifting?
[52:16] - The wide road and the narrow way
[56:00] - Sacrifice vs. inconvenience
[59:56] - Jeremiah’s counsel: stand and ask
[71:49] - Romans 12:1 — living sacrifices
[75:23] - From local obedience to global mission
[77:36] - Closing charge and prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading

Matthew 7:13–14
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Jeremiah 6:16
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.”’”

Romans 12:1
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Observation questions

According to Matthew 7:13–14, what are the specific characteristics of the two different gates and the roads they lead to?
In Jeremiah 6:16, what are the four specific instructions given to someone standing at a crossroad?
What does Romans 12:1 describe as a "living sacrifice," and how is this act of presentation categorized?
According to the promise in Jeremiah 6:16, what is the specific result for those who choose to walk in the "good way"?

Interpretation questions

The wide gate is described as easy and leading to destruction, while the narrow gate is difficult and leads to life. Why might the path to life be described as "difficult" rather than just "exclusive"? [52:31]
Jeremiah 6:16 mentions "old paths" or "known ways." How does looking back at the tested practices and the faithfulness of those who walked before us help us navigate modern crossroads? [01:01:59]
Presenting our bodies as a "living sacrifice" is called a "spiritual service of worship." How does this shift the definition of worship from a Sunday morning activity to a daily posture of the heart? [01:11:49]
In the context of following Christ, how does a "sacrifice" differ from a mere "inconvenience," and why is it necessary for our faith to be stretched? [01:07:04]

Application questions

Every decision we make—small or large—nudges us toward one of two paths [53:40]. Looking back at your past week, can you identify a "small" decision that either nudged you toward the narrow way or caused you to start drifting?
There is a significant difference between an "inconvenience" and a "sacrifice" [01:04:31]. When has following Christ felt like a mere inconvenience to you, and when has it required a true sacrifice that actually stretched your trust in Him?
Standing at a crossroad requires us to stop and ask for direction [01:00:52]. Is there a specific area of your life right now—perhaps in your family, your job, or your habits—where you feel like you are "drifting" and need to stop and ask God for the "old path"?
Sacrifice is often the engine of mission, moving faith from personal piety to communal impact [01:12:58]. How can your personal choices this week contribute to the health of our local church or the mission to reach people in "regions beyond"?
The promise for those who walk the good way is "rest for your souls" [01:03:18]. If you are feeling restless or spiritually exhausted right now, how might that be a signal that you’ve stepped off the narrow path and onto a more "convenient" one?
Knowing God leads to being strong and doing "exploits" for the kingdom [01:17:36]. What is one "exploit"—a bold step of faith, a difficult conversation, or an act of service—you feel God is calling you to take this month?

Sermon Clips

So this morning, what path are we choosing to walk today? Is it the easy, the convenient way, the broad path? It's just so easy to be us and to do what we wanna do, or are we following sight on God? And I'm walking the path, and I'm choosing to follow him every step, every decision, every thought that's possible for me to do. Am I following after him with my whole heart? So that's the question [00:52:40] (29 seconds)

they choose that narrow path of sacrifice. When these men and women make the choice to follow after God, and I didn't realize it early on when we would do ministry in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East, these men and women would walk towards the front, and they would be weeping and crying, and we get that. We understand that. You're making a choice. But what I was explaining to you later on was these men and women were walking away from another religion. [00:56:39] (24 seconds)

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Are you drifting?

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing the Narrow Path

Day 2: The Call to Sacrifice

Day 3: Finding Rest in God's Way

Day 4: Following the Well-Worn Paths

Day 5: Making a Difference Together

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Are you drifting?

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