Examining Genuine Faith: The Narrow Path of Salvation
Summary
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.
Key Takeaways:
- Genuine faith in Christ is evidenced by a life that is being transformed by the power of God. A true believer's life is characterized by a continuous process of repentance and a growing conformity to the image of Christ. This transformation is not a work of human effort but the result of the Holy Spirit's regenerating work within us. [18:41]
- The narrow gate and the narrow way are inseparable aspects of the Christian life. Entering through Christ alone is just the beginning; we must also walk in obedience to God's commands. This narrow path is marked by holiness, a distinctiveness from the world, and a pursuit of God's will. [19:19]
- The prevalence of cultural Christianity poses a danger to the true understanding of the Gospel. We must not measure our faith by cultural standards or by comparison with others but by the truth of God's Word. The Scriptures call us to a radical, countercultural discipleship that is rooted in the knowledge of God and His holiness. [25:07]
- The assurance of salvation is not found in a past prayer or decision but in the present evidence of God's work in our lives. We must examine ourselves to see if we are bearing the fruit of the Spirit and walking in the light of God's truth. This self-examination is not a cause for despair but an invitation to experience the joy of assurance that comes from a life surrendered to Christ. [27:36]
- The call to follow Christ is a call to a life of sacrifice, service, and surrender. It is not about the accolades of men but about the approval of God. As believers, we are called to live for an audience of One, to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and to be willing to forsake all for the sake of the Gospel. [50:28]
Study Guide
### 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])
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation Through Divine Power
Genuine faith is not static; it is a dynamic journey marked by the transformative power of God. This transformation is evident in the life of a believer who is continuously experiencing repentance and growing in the likeness of Christ. It is not by human effort that one is changed, but by the Holy Spirit's regenerating work within. This process is ongoing and should be reflected in every aspect of one's life, from personal decisions to interactions with others. The evidence of such a transformation is a life that bears the fruit of the Spirit and a heart that seeks to align with God's will. [18:41]
"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." - Romans 8:29 ESV
Reflection: In what ways have you seen evidence of the Holy Spirit's transforming work in your life this past week?
Day 2: The Inseparable Narrow Way
The Christian life is characterized by both entry through the narrow gate, which is Christ, and the subsequent walk along the narrow path of obedience to God's commands. This path is not easy; it requires a commitment to holiness and a life that is distinct from the world. Walking this path means actively pursuing God's will and being set apart for His purposes. It is a journey of discipline, sacrifice, and a deepening relationship with God, where one's faith is not just professed but practiced in daily life. [19:19]
"But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" - 1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to practice greater obedience to God's commands?
Day 3: Countercultural Discipleship
The prevalence of cultural Christianity can dilute the true essence of the Gospel, leading to a faith that is shaped more by societal norms than by Scripture. True discipleship calls for a radical departure from cultural standards and a commitment to living by the truth of God's Word. This countercultural lifestyle is rooted in a deep knowledge of God and His holiness, and it challenges believers to live in a way that may not be popular or easy but is faithful to the Gospel. [25:07]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2 ESV
Reflection: How does your life reflect a countercultural commitment to Christ in a way that might be challenging or unpopular?
Day 4: Present Evidence of Salvation
The assurance of salvation is not anchored in a past decision but in the present and ongoing evidence of God's work in a believer's life. It is crucial to examine oneself to ensure that one's faith is alive and active, bearing the fruit of the Spirit and walking in the light of God's truth. This self-examination is not meant to lead to despair but to encourage believers to seek the joy of assurance that comes from a life fully surrendered to Christ. [27:36]
"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: What fruit of the Spirit do you need to cultivate more intentionally in your life as evidence of your salvation?
Day 5: Living for an Audience of One
The call to follow Christ is a call to live for God's approval rather than human accolades. It is a life of sacrifice, service, and surrender, where the ultimate goal is to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. This means being willing to forsake all for the sake of the Gospel and to live with the understanding that the only audience that truly matters is the One who calls us to Himself. [50:28]
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17 ESV
Reflection: What does living for an audience of One look like in your daily routine, and how can you better align your actions with this focus?
Quotes
- "The evidence that you are genuinely a born again Christian is that you do as a style of Life the will of the father." [37:51] (Download | )
- "God will not let you dress as the sensual world and the sensual Church allows you to dress... God will make a difference in your life." [27:36] (Download | )
- "The only way any human being on this Earth will ever be saved is through Jesus Christ, because we were born radically depraved and god-hating." [14:16] (Download | )
- "The Bible says for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God... we have rebelled against God, broken every law." [14:52] (Download | )
- "The greatest heresy in the American Evangelical and Protestant church is that if you pray and ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart he will definitely come in." [09:10] (Download | )
- "The Bible teaches that the genuine Christian has been given a new nature, the genuine Christian has a father who loves them and disciplines them." [21:54] (Download | )
- "The person who loves you most will tell you the most truth... the greatest distinguishing marks of a false prophet is that he will always tell you what you want to hear." [26:19] (Download | )
- "The Bible never teaches that a person can be a genuine Christian and live in continuous carnality and wickedness and sin all the days of their life." [21:14] (Download | )
- "The contemporary interpretation of this passage about the Rock and the sand... is not what Jesus is teaching. It's about true salvation versus damnation." [43:13] (Download | )
- "The assurance of salvation is not found in a past prayer or decision but in the present evidence of God's work in our lives." [11:57] (Download | )
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