Choosing the Narrow Path: A Call to Discipleship
Summary
In today's exploration of Matthew 7:13-14, we delve into the profound teaching of Jesus on the two paths that lie before every individual. The narrow path, though challenging, leads to life, while the broad path, though easy, leads to destruction. This teaching is a call to discernment and decision, urging us to choose the path that aligns with the kingdom of God. The story of the woman in Israel serves as a metaphor for our spiritual journey. Just as the shopkeeper offered to guide her personally, Jesus invites us to follow Him, declaring, "I am the way." This invitation is not just about entering the kingdom but about living a life that reflects kingdom values.
Jesus challenges us to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, emphasizing that true righteousness is not about religious performance but about genuine love and obedience. This involves practical aspects of life, such as how we love, forgive, and interact with others. It is about choosing love over hate, truth over lies, and selflessness over selfishness. Jesus calls us to a life of integrity, where our motives are pure, and our actions align with His teachings.
The narrow path requires us to make wise judgments and choices. It is not about following the crowd or seeking the easy way, but about discerning what is truly valuable and eternal. The blessed life, as described in Psalm 23, is not devoid of challenges but is marked by God's presence and guidance. It is a life of abundance, peace, and joy, even in the midst of trials.
Choosing the narrow path means embracing the cost of discipleship. It involves surrendering our desires and ambitions to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. It is a path of obedience, where we trust God with every aspect of our lives, knowing that His way leads to true life. This path is not easy, but it is worth it, as it leads to eternal life and a deeper relationship with God.
Key Takeaways:
- The Narrow Path to Life: The narrow path is challenging and requires discernment, but it leads to true life. It is not about religious performance but about genuine love and obedience to Jesus. This path demands that we choose love over hate and truth over lies, reflecting the kingdom values in our daily lives. [03:17]
- Practical Righteousness: True righteousness is about living a life of integrity, where our motives are pure, and our actions align with Jesus' teachings. It involves practical aspects of life, such as how we love, forgive, and interact with others. This righteousness is summed up in loving our neighbor as ourselves and choosing love in every circumstance. [04:36]
- The Cost of Discipleship: Following Jesus requires us to surrender our desires and ambitions to embrace the cost of discipleship. It is a path of obedience, where we trust God with every aspect of our lives, knowing that His way leads to true life. This path is not easy, but it is worth it, as it leads to eternal life and a deeper relationship with God. [08:51]
- Judging Wisely: We must learn to judge wisely and make choices that align with the kingdom of God. This involves discerning what is truly valuable and eternal, rather than following the crowd or seeking the easy way. The blessed life is marked by God's presence and guidance, even in the midst of trials. [14:12]
- The Invitation to Follow Jesus: Jesus invites us to follow Him, declaring, "I am the way." This invitation is not just about entering the kingdom but about living a life that reflects kingdom values. It is a call to discernment and decision, urging us to choose the path that aligns with the kingdom of God. [18:08]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [03:17] - Exceeding Righteousness
- [04:36] - Practical Righteousness
- [06:57] - The Two Paths
- [08:03] - The Blessed Life
- [08:51] - The Cost of Discipleship
- [09:37] - Jesus: The Only Way
- [10:25] - A Blessed Life vs. An Easy Life
- [11:24] - Psalm 23: The Blessed Life
- [12:36] - The Right Way
- [13:33] - Following the Crowd
- [14:12] - Judging Wisely
- [15:25] - The Highway of Holiness
- [18:08] - The Invitation to Follow Jesus
- [20:18] - Entering the Right Gate
- [24:01] - Walking the Right Path
- [30:18] - The Right Expectation
- [33:36] - The Cost of Not Following Jesus
- [35:58] - Embracing the Kingdom
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 7:13-14
- John 14:6
- Psalm 23
---
Observation Questions:
1. What are the two paths that Jesus describes in Matthew 7:13-14, and what are their respective outcomes? [03:17]
2. How does the story of the woman in Israel serve as a metaphor for our spiritual journey, according to the sermon? [04:36]
3. What does Jesus mean when He says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" in John 14:6, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message? [09:37]
4. In Psalm 23, what are some of the blessings mentioned that come with walking the path of righteousness? [11:24]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of the narrow path challenge common perceptions of what it means to live a "good" life? [08:51]
2. What does it mean to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, and how does this apply to our daily lives? [03:17]
3. How can the idea of judging wisely be applied to the choices we make in our spiritual journey? [14:12]
4. What are the implications of choosing the broad path over the narrow path, as discussed in the sermon? [12:36]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did it align with the narrow path that leads to life, or did it follow the broad path? How can you make more discerning choices in the future? [06:57]
2. In what ways can you practice genuine love and obedience in your interactions with others this week? Identify a specific relationship where you can apply this. [04:36]
3. Consider the cost of discipleship in your own life. What desires or ambitions might you need to surrender to follow Jesus more wholeheartedly? [08:51]
4. How can you cultivate a life of integrity where your motives are pure, and your actions align with Jesus' teachings? Identify one area in your life where you can start making changes. [04:36]
5. Think about a time when you followed the crowd instead of making a wise judgment. What was the outcome, and how can you ensure you make wiser choices in the future? [13:33]
6. How can you embrace the invitation to follow Jesus in a way that reflects kingdom values in your daily life? What specific steps can you take this week to live out this invitation? [18:08]
7. Psalm 23 describes a life marked by God's presence and guidance. How can you seek God's presence more intentionally in your daily routine? [11:24]
Devotional
Day 1: The Challenge of the Narrow Path
The narrow path that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 7:13-14 is not an easy journey. It requires discernment and a commitment to genuine love and obedience to Jesus. This path is not about religious performance or outward appearances but about a heart transformed by the values of the kingdom of God. Choosing the narrow path means prioritizing love over hate and truth over lies, even when it is difficult. It is a call to live a life that reflects the teachings of Jesus in every aspect, from how we interact with others to how we make decisions. This path, though challenging, leads to true life and fulfillment. [03:17]
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you find it difficult to choose love over hate or truth over lies? How can you take a step today to align this area with the values of the kingdom of God?
Day 2: Living with Practical Righteousness
True righteousness, as taught by Jesus, goes beyond mere religious rituals and is rooted in a life of integrity and love. It involves practical aspects of life, such as how we love, forgive, and interact with others. Jesus challenges us to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees by living with pure motives and actions that align with His teachings. This righteousness is about loving our neighbor as ourselves and choosing love in every circumstance. It is a call to live authentically, where our inner life matches our outward actions, reflecting the heart of Jesus in all we do. [04:36]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: Think of a recent interaction where you struggled to show love or forgiveness. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future to reflect the righteousness Jesus calls us to?
Day 3: Embracing the Cost of Discipleship
Following Jesus is a journey that requires us to surrender our desires and ambitions to embrace the cost of discipleship. It is a path of obedience, where we trust God with every aspect of our lives, knowing that His way leads to true life. This path is not easy, but it is worth it, as it leads to eternal life and a deeper relationship with God. Embracing the cost of discipleship means letting go of our own plans and trusting in God's perfect plan for us. It involves a daily commitment to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, even when it requires sacrifice and perseverance. [08:51]
Luke 14:27-28 (ESV): "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are hesitant to surrender to Jesus? What steps can you take today to trust Him more fully in this area?
Day 4: Judging Wisely in a Complex World
In a world where it is easy to follow the crowd or seek the easy way, Jesus calls us to judge wisely and make choices that align with the kingdom of God. This involves discerning what is truly valuable and eternal, rather than being swayed by temporary or superficial things. The blessed life, as described in Psalm 23, is marked by God's presence and guidance, even in the midst of trials. It is a life of abundance, peace, and joy that comes from making wise decisions that honor God. Judging wisely requires us to seek God's wisdom and guidance in every decision we make. [14:12]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Think of a decision you are currently facing. How can you seek God's wisdom and guidance to ensure that your choice aligns with His kingdom values?
Day 5: Accepting the Invitation to Follow Jesus
Jesus extends an invitation to each of us to follow Him, declaring, "I am the way." This invitation is not just about entering the kingdom but about living a life that reflects kingdom values. It is a call to discernment and decision, urging us to choose the path that aligns with the kingdom of God. Following Jesus means accepting His invitation to walk with Him daily, allowing His teachings to shape our lives and decisions. It is an invitation to experience the fullness of life that comes from a relationship with Him, marked by love, joy, and peace. [18:08]
John 10:27-28 (ESV): "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."
Reflection: How can you intentionally respond to Jesus' invitation to follow Him more closely in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to ensure that your life reflects His kingdom values?
Quotes
1. "We've been looking at who qualifies, who's invited to the kingdom of heaven, who's allowed, who's welcomed by God into the kingdom. And then not only who is welcome, in which we know when you look in the Beatitudes, it's everybody. It's all of us. It's not just the wise and the strong and the wealthy. It's all of us, the broken, the busted and the disgusted. Amen. It's all of us who have been living this life are welcome into the kingdom of God." [03:17] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There are things that we call living that are not living. The grind is not life. Amen. What is life? It's the laugh that you have with your friends over a cup of coffee. It's the look in your kids' eyes when you're throwing the ball with them. It's so much more than stuff. It's so much more than getting up and going to work, fighting traffic, you know, doing your thing, coming home, eating supper and going to bed. that's not the life. Jesus is offering us a different life." [08:03] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "A blessed life is better than an easy one. The journey may be difficult at times, but with God, it's full of grace and peace and abundance. Look at me, look at this with me at Psalm 23. This is familiar for a lot of people. Many of y 'all probably have memorized that. Or at least heard of it. Let's look at it. It says, the Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. That sounds good, right?" [10:25] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "There is a right way. It's God's way. But the problem is, is that the way that is appealing to us is not often God's way. We want to take the safe, the comfortable, the path of least resistance, the least drama, right? We want the easy way. We want glory and splendor and promotion and favor, and we don't want to have to fight for it. We don't want to have to work for it. We don't want to have to do nothing. We just want God to give it to us." [12:36] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you want to find a good and eternal life, then you have to choose the right way. And since the right way leads to salvation and the wrong way leads to destruction, it's really important that we judge wisely what path we're on. Don't you agree? So we need to follow the way of Jesus, which I love in Isaiah, the Bible calls the highway of holiness." [15:25] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "You don't have to remember all the rules. You don't have to learn all 613 of the Old Testament laws. You just have to keep your eyes on Jesus and follow him. This is life. You want life? Follow him. If you don't want life, go where you want to go. Do what you want to do. Live how you want to live. In the end, you won't have what you really want." [17:06] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "It's not enough to enter in the gate. You have to choose to walk the path. So many people pray to prayer one day. I put my faith in Jesus. I want to be saved from my sins. I want to be forgiven. I want to go to heaven. But they don't follow him. They don't live the way he says to live. They entered the gate, but they stayed right there. And for many, they just keep looking back." [27:14] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The good news is that God offers us grace in this world. That if we've chosen the world and we've walked after the world, there's this thing that God gives us. It's a gift. It's called repentance. You know what repentance means? It means change your mind and change your ways all at one. It means that if I'm driving down the wrong side of the road and the GPS says, make a U -turn, all I got to do is listen to the GPS and make a U -turn and start driving the correct way." [37:42] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?