Choosing the True Path: Faith and Discernment

 

Summary

In Matthew 7:13-27, Jesus presents a profound challenge to discern the true path to God amidst a world filled with various claims and teachings. The narrow gate and the broad road metaphorically illustrate the spiritual journey each person undertakes. Jesus emphasizes that while many paths are presented as leading to God, not all are true. The narrow path, though difficult, leads to life, while the broad path leads to destruction. This teaching calls for a deep self-examination, especially during the Lenten season, to ensure that one's faith is authentic and not self-deceived.

Jesus warns against false prophets, likening them to wolves in sheep's clothing, and stresses the importance of recognizing them by their fruits. This discernment extends beyond religious teachers to our own faith journey. Many may profess faith, perform miracles, and engage in ministry, yet lack a genuine relationship with Christ. The parable of the wise and foolish builders further illustrates this point: a life built on the rock of Christ's teachings withstands life's storms, while one built on sand collapses.

The sermon challenges the modern notion of religious pluralism, asserting that not all paths lead to God. Jesus' claim of exclusivity, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," is a call to theological clarity and commitment. True Christianity requires a surrender of self-will and a deep grasp of God's grace. Authentic faith is marked by a teachable spirit, a personal relationship with God, and a life built on the foundation of Christ's grace, not on one's own moral or religious efforts.

Key Takeaways:

- The Narrow and Broad Paths: Jesus teaches that everyone is on a spiritual journey, but not all paths lead to God. The narrow path, though challenging, leads to life, while the broad path leads to destruction. This calls for discernment and a commitment to the true path. [06:25]

- Authenticity in Faith: It's possible to be doctrinally sound, emotionally involved, and active in ministry yet lack a genuine relationship with Christ. True faith is marked by a surrender of self-will and a deep grasp of God's grace. [29:16]

- Theological Intolerance vs. Social Tolerance: Jesus distinguishes between theological exclusivity and social civility. While Christianity claims exclusivity in the path to God, it also teaches love and respect for those of different faiths. [16:25]

- The Foundation of Faith: The parable of the wise and foolish builders illustrates the importance of building one's life on the rock of Christ's teachings. A life grounded in Christ withstands life's storms, while one built on self-effort collapses. [37:08]

- Surrender and Grace: Authentic Christianity involves a surrender of self-will and a reliance on God's grace. This leads to a personal relationship with God, where doctrines become love letters and truths that transform and heal. [41:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - The Narrow and Broad Paths
- [00:34] - Recognizing False Prophets
- [01:02] - True and False Disciples
- [01:35] - The Wise and Foolish Builders
- [02:07] - Self-Examination and Lent
- [02:36] - Discernment in Faith
- [03:26] - Authentic vs. Counterfeit Christians
- [05:08] - The Challenge of Distinction
- [06:25] - The Spiritual Journey
- [12:31] - No Neutrality in Faith
- [16:25] - Tolerance and Intolerance
- [22:18] - The Hard and Easy Roads
- [29:16] - Traits of Authentic Christians
- [37:08] - Building on the Rock
- [41:07] - Personal Relationship with God

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 7:13-27

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#### Observation Questions
1. What are the two paths Jesus describes in Matthew 7:13-14, and what do they represent in our spiritual journey? [00:14]
2. How does Jesus suggest we can recognize false prophets, according to Matthew 7:15-20? [00:34]
3. In the parable of the wise and foolish builders, what distinguishes the two builders, and what does this signify about the foundation of our faith? [01:35]
4. What does Jesus mean when he says, "I never knew you," to those who performed miracles in his name? [01:18]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of the narrow and broad paths challenge the modern notion of religious pluralism? [12:31]
2. What does it mean to have a genuine relationship with Christ, as opposed to merely performing religious activities? [29:16]
3. How does Jesus' teaching on false prophets and true disciples encourage self-examination during the Lenten season? [02:21]
4. What is the significance of building one's life on the rock of Christ's teachings, and how does this relate to the concept of grace? [37:08]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Are there areas where you might be on the broad path rather than the narrow one? What steps can you take to align more closely with the narrow path? [06:25]
2. Consider your involvement in religious activities. How can you ensure that these actions stem from a genuine relationship with Christ rather than a desire for recognition or self-validation? [29:16]
3. In what ways can you practice discernment in your faith journey, especially when encountering different teachings or spiritual leaders? [02:36]
4. How can you cultivate a teachable spirit and a deeper grasp of God's grace in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to surrender your self-will to God? [34:23]
5. Think about a recent challenge or storm in your life. How did your foundation in Christ help you withstand it, or how might a stronger foundation have made a difference? [37:08]
6. How can you demonstrate love and respect for those of different faiths while maintaining theological clarity and commitment to your beliefs? [16:25]
7. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to surrender control to God. What is one action you can take this week to trust God more fully in that area? [33:39]

Devotional

Day 1: The Narrow Path to Life
The journey of faith is filled with choices, and not all paths lead to God. Jesus teaches that the narrow path, though challenging, leads to life, while the broad path leads to destruction. This calls for discernment and a commitment to the true path. The narrow path requires intentionality and perseverance, urging believers to examine their lives and ensure they are aligned with Christ's teachings. In a world filled with diverse spiritual claims, the call is to seek the path that leads to true life in God. [06:25]

"For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7:14, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you feel tempted to take the easier, broader path? How can you choose the narrow path today, even if it requires sacrifice or discomfort?


Day 2: Authenticity in Faith
True faith is not merely about doctrinal correctness or emotional involvement; it is about a genuine relationship with Christ. Many may profess faith, perform miracles, and engage in ministry, yet lack this authentic connection. Authentic Christianity involves a surrender of self-will and a deep grasp of God's grace. It is marked by a teachable spirit and a life built on the foundation of Christ's grace, not on one's own moral or religious efforts. This authenticity calls for self-examination to ensure that one's faith is not self-deceived but truly rooted in Christ. [29:16]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are they leading you to a deeper relationship with Christ, or are they more about fulfilling religious duties? What changes can you make to ensure your faith is authentic?


Day 3: Theological Intolerance vs. Social Tolerance
Jesus' teachings distinguish between theological exclusivity and social civility. While Christianity claims exclusivity in the path to God, it also teaches love and respect for those of different faiths. This balance calls for believers to hold firmly to their convictions while engaging with others in a spirit of love and respect. It challenges the modern notion of religious pluralism by asserting that not all paths lead to God, yet it encourages a posture of humility and grace in interactions with others. [16:25]

"Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you engage in conversations about faith with those who hold different beliefs, while maintaining both your theological convictions and a spirit of love and respect?


Day 4: The Foundation of Faith
The parable of the wise and foolish builders illustrates the importance of building one's life on the rock of Christ's teachings. A life grounded in Christ withstands life's storms, while one built on self-effort collapses. This teaching emphasizes the need for a solid foundation in faith, where Christ's teachings are not just heard but actively lived out. It calls for a commitment to apply His words in daily life, ensuring that one's faith is resilient and enduring. [37:08]

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock." (Matthew 7:24, ESV)

Reflection: Consider the foundation of your life. Are there areas where you are relying more on your own efforts than on Christ's teachings? What steps can you take to strengthen your foundation in Him?


Day 5: Surrender and Grace
Authentic Christianity involves a surrender of self-will and a reliance on God's grace. This leads to a personal relationship with God, where doctrines become love letters and truths that transform and heal. It is a call to let go of self-reliance and embrace the grace that God offers, allowing it to shape and guide one's life. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily choice to trust in God's grace and live in the freedom it brings. [41:07]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Quotes



"Enter through the narrow gate for wide is the gate and Broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it but small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it watch out for false prophets they come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." [00:00:08]

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice it's like a wise man who built his house on the rock the rain came down and the streams Rose and the winds blew and beat against that house yet it did not fall because it had had its foundation on the Rock." [00:01:26]

"Jesus says how critical it is for us to discern the true from the false to examine and he gives us three areas in verses 13 14 and 15 he says in the world you're going to find presented to you various ways to God people are going to make various claims and say this is the way to God this is the way to God he says you have to discern the true from the false they are not all true." [00:02:36]

"Jesus says everybody's on a road everybody has Faith commitments and those Faith commitments are taking you someplace uh now there's people who will object to what I just said hopefully and there usually are people in this room who will say I'm not a religious type uh maybe you have faith and maybe maybe there's some of people in this room that have faith in this religion and some people have faith in this religion but I'm not religious I don't really have faith much at all." [00:07:00]

"Jesus in a head-on collision with the modern mindset says no there are not many roads going they're not many roads going to one destination there are two roads going to two destinations there are not many roads going to the same destination but there are two roads only going to two opposite destinations there's no neutrality no one's on the fence everybody's on one road or another going One Direction or another every minute further from the truth or closer to the truth." [00:12:31]

"Jesus tells you what the narrow way is he says broad is the way H he says wide is the gate and Broad is the way that leadth to destruction straight is the gate and narrow is the way which leadth unto life well what is that way what's that narrow way he says in John chapter 14 and this gives a lot of people a very viscer a visceral reaction I am the way the truth the life No One Cometh to the father but by me." [00:13:46]

"Jesus also says there is no neutrality there are not a lot of roads going up the mountain to the same destination that's the modern image the modern image is all religions are different but they're all different roads going to the same destination after all they're all after God they're all they're all seeking God and salvation so the modern mindset says there are many roads leading to one destination." [00:12:40]

"Jesus says everybody's got faith commitments no matter who you are everybody therefore is on a road every one of you is basing your life and your decisions tomorrow on the on whether there is or is not an afterlife is there is not a judgment day is there is not a God in heaven who's spoken Through the Bible don't you see everybody is on a road and everybody has developed Life Strategies on the basis of Faith commitments." [00:11:16]

"Jesus says not everyone who says to M Lord Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven but only he who does the will of my Father in Heaven many will say to me on that day Lord Lord did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles and then I will tell them plainly I never knew you away from me you evildoers." [00:24:58]

"Jesus says here's two men two homes and on the outside to the naked eye they look identical but underneath they have two different foundations two radically different foundations what is he saying it's possible for people who call Jesus Lord sitting alongside of each other in the same church or on the last day are going to find out that some of them he never knew never knew." [00:25:42]

"Jesus says the difference between the two roads is not only that they diverge and it doesn't just say everybody's on one or the other and not just that they diverge but he says one of them is easy and one of them is hard the word narrow in Greek means hard and the road broad means easy if you were born in America you probably grew up speaking English and you never really had to make an effort to speak English did you it was natural it just came natural." [00:22:18]

"Jesus says the grasp of the grace of God leads to a surrender of the will and you know you know what else it leads to you become personal with God personal that's why Jesus says I never knew you you know you had this you had an abstract relationship with me you believed in me you know you were intellectually you believed in me but what happens is when you grasp the grace of God and surrender the will he becomes real to you." [00:41:07]

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Transcript
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