Walking the Narrow Path: Knowing God Personally

 

Summary

Taking a deep breath, I reflect on the profound truths shared today. As we prepare for our journey to Asia, I am reminded of the urgency to impart what has been unwaveringly true in my life. The world is filled with teachings that lead us astray, and it is crucial to cling to the truth of God's Word. In Matthew 7:13-14, we are warned about the wide road that leads to destruction and the narrow path that leads to life. This narrow path is difficult and requires us to resist the temptation to follow the crowd. The world often encourages us to do what feels good, but this is a deception that leads us away from God.

The Bible is clear about the nature of God. He is not a being we can mold to fit our desires. God is who He is, as He declared to Moses, "I am Who I am." The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and we must approach Him with reverence and awe. Throughout Scripture, those who encountered God were overwhelmed by His holiness and majesty. This is the God we will all face one day, and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Yet, in His great mercy, God desires to forgive us and have a relationship with us. Despite our sins, He offers us grace through Jesus Christ. This is the good news of the Gospel: that the God of wrath and judgment also extends love and mercy. We must not only know about God but truly know Him. Our faith should not be a set of beliefs but a personal relationship with our Creator. As Paul urged the Philippians, we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that God works in us for His good pleasure.

In closing, I urge you to seek a direct relationship with God. Do not rely on the faith of others but cultivate your own connection with Him. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to the truth, and when we truly understand who God is, we will willingly surrender everything to Him. This is the essence of the Christian life: to know God and be known by Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. The narrow path to life is difficult and requires resisting the temptation to follow the crowd. The world often encourages us to do what feels good, but this is a deception that leads us away from God. We must cling to the truth of God's Word and walk the narrow path that leads to life. [03:19]

2. God is who He is, and we must approach Him with reverence and awe. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and we must not try to mold God to fit our desires. Throughout Scripture, those who encountered God were overwhelmed by His holiness and majesty. [08:36]

3. Despite our sins, God desires to forgive us and have a relationship with us. This is the good news of the Gospel: that the God of wrath and judgment also extends love and mercy. We must not only know about God but truly know Him. [19:00]

4. Our faith should not be a set of beliefs but a personal relationship with our Creator. As Paul urged the Philippians, we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that God works in us for His good pleasure. [24:41]

5. Seek a direct relationship with God and do not rely on the faith of others. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to the truth, and when we truly understand who God is, we will willingly surrender everything to Him. This is the essence of the Christian life: to know God and be known by Him. [27:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:08] - Preparing for Asia
- [02:33] - Unchanging Truths
- [03:19] - The Narrow Path
- [05:00] - Sound Doctrine in the Last Days
- [06:45] - Misconceptions About God
- [08:36] - The Fear of the Lord
- [10:54] - Encountering God's Holiness
- [12:32] - The Reality of God's Judgment
- [15:26] - God's Wrath and Mercy
- [19:00] - The Good News of the Gospel
- [22:32] - God's Love and Mercy
- [24:41] - Working Out Salvation
- [27:20] - Knowing God Personally
- [32:25] - The Blessing of Knowing God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 7:13-14
2. Philippians 2:12-13
3. Hebrews 10:26-31

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Matthew 7:13-14 say about the narrow and wide paths, and how does this relate to the choices we make in life? [03:19]

2. According to the sermon, how does the world encourage us to live, and why is this considered deceptive? [04:14]

3. In Philippians 2:12-13, what does Paul mean by "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling"? How does this relate to personal responsibility in faith? [24:41]

4. How does the sermon describe the nature of God, and what biblical examples are given to illustrate His holiness and majesty? [08:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of the narrow path challenge the way we live our daily lives, especially in a culture that promotes doing what feels good? [04:14]

2. What does it mean to approach God with reverence and awe, and how does this understanding impact our relationship with Him? [08:36]

3. How does the sermon explain the balance between God's wrath and His mercy, and why is it important to understand both aspects of His character? [15:26]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our faith should be more than just a set of beliefs? How does this relate to having a personal relationship with God? [27:20]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt pressured to follow the crowd. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in light of Matthew 7:13-14? [03:19]

2. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for God in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to grow in this area? [08:36]

3. Consider your current understanding of God's character. How does acknowledging both His wrath and mercy affect your view of Him and your relationship with Him? [15:26]

4. What are some ways you can work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, as mentioned in Philippians 2:12-13? How can you take personal responsibility for your faith journey? [24:41]

5. Identify one area in your life where you rely on the faith of others rather than cultivating your own relationship with God. What changes can you make to strengthen your personal connection with Him? [27:20]

6. How can you ensure that your faith is not just a set of beliefs but a living, personal relationship with God? What specific actions can you take to deepen this relationship? [27:20]

7. Think about a person in your life who may not know God personally. How can you share the essence of the Christian life with them, focusing on knowing God and being known by Him? [27:20]

Devotional

Day 1: Walking the Narrow Path
The journey of faith is often likened to a narrow path, one that is challenging and requires intentionality. In a world that frequently promotes self-indulgence and the pursuit of personal pleasure, it is easy to be led astray. The narrow path, however, calls for a commitment to the truth of God's Word, resisting the temptation to conform to societal norms that contradict biblical teachings. This path is not about following the crowd but about making choices that align with God's will, even when they are difficult. The narrow path leads to life, and it is a journey that requires perseverance and faithfulness. [03:19]

"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: Identify one area in your life where you feel pressured to conform to societal norms. How can you choose to walk the narrow path in this area today?


Day 2: Reverence for the Unchanging God
God's nature is constant and unchanging, and He is not subject to human whims or desires. Approaching God with reverence and awe is foundational to understanding His holiness and majesty. Throughout Scripture, those who encountered God were deeply moved by His presence, recognizing their own limitations in light of His greatness. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and it is essential to approach Him with humility, acknowledging that He is beyond our full comprehension. This reverence shapes our relationship with God, reminding us of His sovereignty and our dependence on Him. [08:36]

"Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." (Revelation 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: Consider how you approach God in your daily life. What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for His holiness?


Day 3: Embracing God's Mercy and Forgiveness
Despite our shortcomings and sins, God extends His mercy and forgiveness to us through Jesus Christ. This is the heart of the Gospel: that a God of justice and wrath also offers love and grace. It is not enough to merely know about God; we are invited into a personal relationship with Him, where we experience His forgiveness and transformative power. This relationship is not based on our merit but on His unmerited favor. Embracing God's mercy means acknowledging our need for Him and accepting the grace He freely offers. [19:00]

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's forgiveness. How can you extend that same grace and mercy to someone else in your life today?


Day 4: Cultivating a Personal Faith
Faith is not merely a set of beliefs or doctrines; it is a personal relationship with our Creator. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, recognizing that God is actively working within us for His purposes. This personal faith requires intentional cultivation, moving beyond reliance on the faith of others to develop our own deep connection with God. It is a journey of growth and transformation, where we learn to trust God more fully and align our lives with His will. [24:41]

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to deepen your personal relationship with God, moving beyond reliance on others' faith?


Day 5: Knowing and Being Known by God
The essence of the Christian life is to know God and be known by Him. This relationship is not about religious rituals or external appearances but about a genuine connection with the Creator. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to the truth, enabling us to understand who God is and leading us to willingly surrender our lives to Him. This surrender is not a loss but a gain, as we find true fulfillment and purpose in being fully known and loved by God. It is an invitation to live authentically, rooted in the knowledge of God's love and grace. [27:20]

"But if anyone loves God, he is known by God." (1 Corinthians 8:3, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you feel truly known by God? How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of His presence and love in your daily life?

Quotes


In Matthew chapter 7 verse 13 it says 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. [00:03:11]

The easiest thing to do is what everyone's doing just know like whatever is popular and whatever everyone's doing like just remember what the Bible says that there's a wide road that leads to destruction and it's easy so if you're gonna take the easy path the easy path will always lead to destruction. [00:03:37]

The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions it's like well I want this to be true I want to sleep with wherever I want to sleep with okay let me find a teacher that I'll tell me that. [00:05:50]

Remember what God said to Moses when Moses like what's your name who are you in God says I am Who I am and the Bible describes them and it's very clear and I believe what from what the Bible teaches God is way more terrifying than everyone the world is going to tell you he is way more. [00:08:00]

When Moses saw God he said I was shaking uncontrollably when Isaiah this is a prophet Isaiah saw God and there was these angels covering themselves up you know and they're screaming out his holiness and there's there's fire and smoke and in Isaiah just says I'm dead he was so terrified. [00:08:44]

The Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom if you don't fear God you have issues you gotta remember like when Moses saw God he said I was shaking uncontrollably when Isaiah this is a prophet Isaiah saw God and there was these angels covering themselves up. [00:08:36]

Despite what anyone says this is what it says one of the things that's so popular today is people go well that's that's your view of God you see God in that way and I see him differently I'm glad it works for you you hear that a lot in San Francisco right that's great that you found God. [00:06:40]

God is always showing like you have no idea what I am like I mean think about it that's why the Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom if you don't fear God you have issues you gotta remember like when Moses saw God he said I was shaking uncontrollably. [00:08:36]

The Bible says that all of us we used to just do whatever we want to do just like the rest of the world he says by Nature we were like just following the devil like when you do whatever you want to do you're just following the devil and he says you were by nature objects or children of Wrath. [00:20:47]

God being rich in mercy because of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead in our trespasses made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved so the Bible says that all of us we used to just do whatever we want to do just like the rest of the world. [00:20:47]

Paul says to this church he goes look you guys always obeyed when I was there but now that I'm gone work out your own salvation with fear and trembling so in other words it's like okay you guys have been great kids when I'm here and we talk about God we pray we worship Him. [00:24:55]

I just want to share like from 40 years of studying this book what has been so true and so clear in this book because I guess my concern is like you guys are gonna be taught so many things that just aren't true so many lies you know in in Matthew chapter 7 verse 13. [00:02:54]

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Transcript
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