Examining Genuine Faith: The Narrow Path of Salvation

In our journey with Christ, we must confront the reality that not all who profess faith truly possess it. The essence of my message today is a call to examine our lives against the unerring standard of God's Word. We must ask ourselves whether our marriages, parenting, finances, and personal holiness are built upon the Scriptures. It is not enough to claim Jesus as Savior based on someone else's affirmation. Our lives must reflect a transformation that aligns with the holiness of God.

The heart of the matter is that many who believe themselves to be saved may not be. It is not the outward appearance of salvation or the comparison with others that will stand on the day of judgment. It is whether our lives have been genuinely changed by the power of God and whether we are living in obedience to His Word. The contemporary interpretation of building our lives on the rock rather than sand is not merely about happiness as Christians but about true salvation versus damnation.

American Christianity is often more influenced by culture than by Scripture, leading to a deceptive assurance of salvation based on a past decision rather than a present reality of faith and repentance. The true evidence of salvation is a life being transformed by the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, a life that is characterized by a hatred for sin and a love for righteousness.

As a pastor, my concern is not for temporal matters but for the eternal state of each soul. The call of the Gospel is to enter through the narrow gate, which is Christ alone, and to walk the narrow path of obedience to God's commands. This is not a one-time decision but a lifetime of following Jesus, marked by repentance and faith.

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Key Takeaways

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### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- **Matthew 7:13-27** (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. 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? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 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.’ Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

#### Observation Questions

1. What are the characteristics of the narrow gate and the narrow way as described in Matthew 7:13-14?
2. According to Matthew 7:15-20, how can we recognize false prophets?
3. What does Jesus say about those who call Him 'Lord, Lord' but do not do the will of His Father in Matthew 7:21-23?
4. In the parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27), what distinguishes the wise man from the foolish man?

#### Interpretation Questions

1. What does it mean to enter through the narrow gate and walk the narrow path in the context of the sermon? ([19:19])
2. How does the sermon describe the danger of cultural Christianity and its impact on genuine faith? ([07:54])
3. What is the significance of bearing good fruit in the life of a believer, according to both the sermon and Matthew 7:16-20? ([28:17])
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of self-examination in relation to the assurance of salvation? ([27:36])

#### Application Questions

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be influenced more by culture than by Scripture? How can you realign these areas with God's Word? ([07:54])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of ongoing repentance and faith. What steps can you take to ensure that your faith is a continuous, living reality rather than a past decision? ([18:41])
3. How can you actively seek to bear good fruit in your daily life? Identify one specific area where you can demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit this week. ([28:17])
4. The sermon calls for a radical, countercultural discipleship. What practical changes can you make in your lifestyle to pursue holiness and distinctiveness from the world? ([25:07])
5. Examine your current spiritual practices: Are they built on the solid foundation of Christ's teachings, or are they more like building on sand? What adjustments can you make to ensure your spiritual foundation is secure? ([43:13])
6. The sermon mentions the importance of living for an audience of One. How can you shift your focus from seeking the approval of others to seeking the approval of God in your daily actions? ([50:28])
7. Think about a recent decision or action: Did it reflect obedience to God's commands? How can you improve your decision-making process to align more closely with God's will? ([19:19])