Choosing the Narrow Path: Warnings from Jesus
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to celebrate significant milestones in our church family, including baptisms and a baby dedication. We dedicated little Titus, the third child of Pastor David and Bethany, to the Lord, emphasizing the importance of raising children in a Christ-centered home. We also recognized Joshua Coleman, who has been called into ministry and will be licensed by our church to perform sacerdotal duties.
Our main focus was on Matthew 7, where Jesus provides three critical warnings: two gates, two trees, and two professions. These warnings serve as an early warning system, much like the sirens that alert us to impending tornadoes. Jesus urges us to choose the narrow gate that leads to life, rather than the broad gate that leads to destruction. The narrow gate represents Jesus Himself, the only way to salvation.
Jesus also warns us about false prophets, comparing them to wolves in sheep's clothing. We must be vigilant and discerning, examining the fruits of those who claim to speak for God. True Christians will bear good fruit, while false prophets will ultimately be revealed by their actions.
Finally, Jesus cautions that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven. Genuine faith is demonstrated through doing the will of the Father. Many will be surprised on Judgment Day to find that their superficial faith and good works are not enough. Jesus will say to them, "I never knew you; depart from me."
These warnings are not to be taken lightly. Just as ignoring the warning lights in a car can lead to catastrophic failure, ignoring Jesus' warnings can lead to eternal separation from God. Today is the day to examine our hearts, ensure we are on the right path, and truly know Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Choosing the Right Gate: Jesus presents two gates—one narrow and one broad. The narrow gate, which represents Jesus, leads to life, while the broad gate leads to destruction. This choice is personal and crucial for our eternal destiny. We must strive to enter through the narrow gate, understanding that it requires a commitment to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. [35:08]
2. Beware of False Prophets: False prophets are like wolves in sheep's clothing, appearing genuine but leading people astray. We must be vigilant and discerning, examining the fruits of those who claim to speak for God. True Christians will bear good fruit, while false prophets will ultimately be revealed by their actions. [42:42]
3. Genuine Faith Requires Action: Not everyone who calls Jesus "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven. Genuine faith is demonstrated through doing the will of the Father. Superficial faith and good works are not enough; we must have a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus. [49:16]
4. The Consequences of Ignoring Warnings: Ignoring Jesus' warnings is like ignoring the warning lights in a car, leading to catastrophic failure. Just as a car engine can seize up without oil, our spiritual lives can face eternal separation from God if we do not heed His warnings. Today is the day to examine our hearts and ensure we are on the right path. [56:12]
5. The Urgency of Salvation: Jesus' warnings are urgent and should prompt immediate action. We must not delay in addressing the state of our souls. If we are unsure of our salvation, we should seek guidance and make a commitment to follow Jesus today. The consequences of ignoring these warnings are too severe to risk. [59:11]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[18:38] - Baby Dedication: Titus
[20:28] - Family Introductions
[21:06] - Purpose of Baby Dedication
[22:18] - Prayer of Dedication
[24:44] - Joshua Coleman's Ministry Call
[27:01] - Amazing Grace Hymn
[28:51] - Responsive Reading: Matthew 7
[30:40] - Introduction to Sermon
[33:16] - God's Early Warning System
[35:08] - Two Gates: Narrow and Broad
[42:42] - Two Trees: True and False Prophets
[49:16] - Two Professions: Genuine Faith
[56:12] - Ignoring Warnings: Car Engine Analogy
[59:11] - Urgency of Salvation
[01:06:04] - Announcements and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 7:13-23
### Observation Questions
1. What are the two gates that Jesus describes in Matthew 7:13-14, and what do they represent? [35:08]
2. According to Jesus, how can we identify false prophets, and what analogy does He use to describe them? [42:42]
3. What does Jesus say about those who call Him "Lord" but do not do the will of the Father? [49:16]
4. What analogy does the pastor use to describe the consequences of ignoring Jesus' warnings? [56:12]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of choosing the narrow gate, and what does this choice signify for a believer's life? [35:08]
2. How can believers discern between true and false prophets based on their actions and fruits? [42:42]
3. What does Jesus mean when He says, "I never knew you; depart from me," and how does this relate to genuine faith? [49:16]
4. How does the analogy of the car engine warning lights relate to the urgency of heeding Jesus' warnings in our spiritual lives? [56:12]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Have you entered through the narrow gate that leads to life? What steps can you take to ensure you are following Jesus wholeheartedly? [35:08]
2. In what ways can you be more vigilant and discerning about the teachings and actions of those who claim to speak for God? How can you examine the fruits of their ministry? [42:42]
3. How can you demonstrate genuine faith through your actions and obedience to God's will? Are there areas in your life where you need to align more closely with God's commands? [49:16]
4. Have you ever ignored spiritual warnings or promptings from God? What were the consequences, and how can you be more attentive to His guidance in the future? [56:12]
5. Considering the urgency of salvation, how can you share the message of Jesus' warnings and the importance of genuine faith with others in your community? [59:11]
6. Think about a time when you might have relied on superficial faith or good works. How can you deepen your personal, intimate relationship with Jesus to ensure your faith is genuine? [49:16]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to examine your heart and ensure you are on the right path, truly knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior? [56:12]
Devotional
Day 1: The Narrow Gate to Life
Choosing the right gate is a personal and crucial decision that determines our eternal destiny. Jesus presents two gates: one narrow and one broad. The narrow gate, which represents Jesus, leads to life, while the broad gate leads to destruction. Entering through the narrow gate requires a commitment to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. This path is not always easy, but it is the only way to true life and salvation. Jesus Himself is the narrow gate, and He calls us to make a deliberate choice to follow Him, even when it means going against the crowd.
Jesus' warning about the two gates serves as an early alert system, much like sirens that warn of impending danger. Ignoring this warning can lead to catastrophic consequences. Today, take a moment to examine your heart and ensure you are on the right path. Are you striving to enter through the narrow gate, or are you taking the easier, broader path that leads to destruction? Reflect on your commitment to Jesus and make any necessary changes to align your life with His teachings. [35:08]
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: What specific steps can you take today to ensure you are entering through the narrow gate and following Jesus wholeheartedly?
Day 2: Discernment Against False Prophets
False prophets are like wolves in sheep's clothing, appearing genuine but leading people astray. Jesus warns us to be vigilant and discerning, examining the fruits of those who claim to speak for God. True Christians will bear good fruit, while false prophets will ultimately be revealed by their actions. This requires us to be rooted in the Word of God and to have a deep understanding of His truth so that we can recognize and avoid deception.
In a world filled with many voices claiming to speak for God, it is crucial to test everything against the Scriptures. False prophets may appear convincing, but their true nature will be revealed by their actions and the fruit they produce. As believers, we must be diligent in our study of the Bible and in prayer, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to discern truth from falsehood. [42:42]
Matthew 7:15-16 (ESV): "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of God's Word to better discern between true and false teachings in your life?
Day 3: Genuine Faith in Action
Not everyone who calls Jesus "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven. Genuine faith is demonstrated through doing the will of the Father. Superficial faith and good works are not enough; we must have a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus. Many will be surprised on Judgment Day to find that their superficial faith and good works are not enough. Jesus will say to them, "I never knew you; depart from me."
True faith goes beyond mere words and religious activities. It involves a deep, personal relationship with Jesus and a commitment to doing the will of the Father. This means living out our faith in practical ways, showing love, compassion, and obedience to God's commands. Reflect on your own faith journey and consider whether your actions align with your professed beliefs. [49:16]
Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV): "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate genuine faith through your actions and obedience to God's will today?
Day 4: Heeding Jesus' Warnings
Ignoring Jesus' warnings is like ignoring the warning lights in a car, leading to catastrophic failure. Just as a car engine can seize up without oil, our spiritual lives can face eternal separation from God if we do not heed His warnings. Jesus' warnings are not to be taken lightly. They are meant to guide us and keep us on the path to eternal life. Today is the day to examine our hearts and ensure we are on the right path.
Reflect on the areas of your life where you may be ignoring Jesus' warnings. Are there habits, attitudes, or behaviors that need to change? Just as ignoring a car's warning lights can lead to a breakdown, ignoring Jesus' warnings can have serious spiritual consequences. Take this time to seek God's guidance and make any necessary changes to align your life with His will. [56:12]
Proverbs 1:24-26 (ESV): "Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you."
Reflection: What warning signs in your spiritual life have you been ignoring, and how can you address them today to avoid spiritual failure?
Day 5: The Urgency of Salvation
Jesus' warnings are urgent and should prompt immediate action. We must not delay in addressing the state of our souls. If we are unsure of our salvation, we should seek guidance and make a commitment to follow Jesus today. The consequences of ignoring these warnings are too severe to risk. Jesus calls us to examine our hearts and ensure we are on the right path, truly knowing Him as our Lord and Savior.
The urgency of salvation cannot be overstated. Today is the day to make a decision for Christ and to ensure that your life is aligned with His will. Do not put off this important decision, as the consequences of ignoring Jesus' warnings are eternal. Reflect on your relationship with Jesus and take any necessary steps to secure your salvation and grow in your faith. [59:11]
2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV): "For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
Reflection: If you are unsure of your salvation, what steps can you take today to seek guidance and make a commitment to follow Jesus?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I say to you this morning that war... That warnings are wonderful, and they give us time to escape the destruction that's about to happen. Now listen. In the exact same way, God loves us. And He has left us His Word. He has left us that Bible that sits in your lap as what I call an early warning system. And that early warning system is warning you that eternity is coming. Are you ready?" [33:16] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus says there's a gate that leads to destruction, and a gate that leads to life. And before describing the two gates in detail, Jesus, He warns us to make... the right choice. And I warn you this morning to make the right choice. What is this straight or this narrow gate that He's talking about? It's not so much a what, but it is a whom. He said in John chapter 10, He says, I am the door. By me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved." [35:52] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "May I tell you this morning, the way to heaven is difficult. And you say, I thought it was a free gift. It was easy. Do you know we pay nothing for salvation? But it costs us everything. When a person is truly saved, and when he truly identifies with Jesus, we are declaring war on Satan, and Satan declares war on him. And may I just tell you that if you go through the narrow gate, it leads to life." [41:02] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you do not know Jesus in this life, you will absolutely spend all of eternity in hell. And I plead with you as a preacher of the word of God, as the pastor of this church, as a fellow believer in Christ, I plead with you to know him today. Hear these warnings. Have you chosen the right cave? Are you traveling the right road? Are you bearing the right fruit? Do you truly know Jesus?" [54:30] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The orange engine light is on for some of you. And the warning is this. If you don't get saved and know Jesus personally and trust Him as your personal Lord and Savior and begin an intimate relationship and sell out to Him and allow your life to be changed, the red engine light is coming. And the red engine light is this. Death. You can't get a new engine. Your life is over when the red engine light comes on." [58:34] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The attitude of today's generation, those who are 40, 30, 20, and younger, the attitude of today's generation is this. It's never going to happen to me. It'll never happen to me. And Jesus understood that, and so He gives us warning number one, two gates, two gates. The warning, enter. Ye, enter you. You enter at the straight gate. And Jesus here, He presents two gates. He presents two paths from which every single person must choose." [35:08] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "A false prophet is someone who looks like, sounds like, acts like a Christian, but really is a fake. Notice there the description of false prophets. He gives the disciples and gives all of us a very real description. False prophets are like wolves, only they put on sheep's clothing. We must be wary of their appearance. I'm saying this morning, we must be wary of their appearance." [42:42] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The confirmation of our relationship with God is not in what we say. It is not in how we look. Rather, Jesus says this, That he who will enter into the kingdom is he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. And if you mark in your Bible, you should mark that little word, doeth. It is essential to this morning's message. Does he mean we have to work our way to have a place in heaven? Absolutely not. That's not what he's talking about." [49:16] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Many people look like genuine Christians, but in fact they're counterfeit. They're faker than a $3 bill. I suppose in most every church there are some false prophets. They look like Christians. They act like Christians. They speak like Christians. But in reality, the Bible says they are a ravenous wolf who merely comes to us in sheep's clothing. These are people who use Christ in the church for personal gain." [44:32] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I know people who hope to be a good tree. I know people who act like a good tree. I know people who even think that they are a good tree. But their fruit betrays them. That should get into us, inside of us. What fruit am I bearing? What fruit do the people around me see? Jesus says there's going to be a destruction of these bad trees. There's coming a day that there's going to be a destruction of the bad tree." [46:20] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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