In lieu of what I what was on my scheduled list of subjects to write about, for lack of time, I’m going to share my unedited notes from a sermon I volunteered to give last weekend for a group at a rehab-center.
A group of people help sponsor a Christ-centered service there every month and supply hymns, musical accompaniment and some lay speakers,
Some parts of my sermon are only eluded to in my notes since they are recounting relevant details of historical events or personal anecdote. I did a fair amount of ad lib. A significant part of both of my sermons had naval themes.
I gave another sermon on idolatry a few months ago and this one is centered around Christ’s teachings from Matthew 7 regarding the “Narrow Gate” which is also the theme of my blog now.
I thought it was odd how Joel Olsteen was on the dining hall monitor before the service began. I’m glad I could help bring some clarity about salvation through Christ, a message they were not getting on the television.
HUMAN FACTORS THAT LEAD TO THE WIDE PATH OF DESTRUCTION
5 minutes into the Devil’s Jaw
QUESTION: What do you think was the problem, what human characteristics led to disaster?
(APPLICATION:) How might you be leaning personal pride and self-righteous and errant understandings That may have fatal results.?
(APPLICATION:) are you studying the BIBLE directly to understand for yourself God’s purpose and instructions?
(APPLICATION) The Bible and Jesus’ s teachings are critical for plotting a course for the safety of “the narrow way”, have you sought its instructions?
The Narrow Way
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. – MATTHEW 7:13-14
Few people, and certainly those who believe themselves to be Christian, would intentionally lead themselves to hell
“Enter by the Narrow Gate…” This is a command by the Lord.
Jesus warned: “…there are few who find it.”
Are you part of the few? Or part of the many?
An integral part of human nature will lead many to destruction, in other words, human nature can lead to hell when people think they are going to heaven.
(PRIDE AND SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS)
Is there ANY way that you believe that you will make it to heaven by any effort of your own?
[have you done ENOUGH works?] Do you believe that on your own can be good enough, or smart enough or wise enough, gone to church enough, served enough, listened enough, donated enough, or volunteered enough, have you suffered enough to earn your salvation?
PRIDE AND SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS are human RESISTANCE to FINDING THE NARROW WAY.
Thinking you are made right with God based on your works FLIES IN THE FACE OF GRACE and is a form of IDOLATRY.
THE BIBLE MAKES TRUTHS CLEAR
THE BASIS FOR A SALVATION BY GRACE
But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away – Isaiah 64:6
TEN COMMANDMENTS: The LAW CONVICTS, DOES NOT SAVE
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT – murder, adultery ENHANCES UNDERSTANDING
The WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH: A Holy God demands Justice
CLARIFYING WORKS In RELATION TO FAITH
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? – James 2:14
But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?– James 2:20
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. – James 2:26
THE GLORY OF GOD’s redeeming LOVE, an personal transformation/sanctification belongs to HIM.
a BELIEVER’s “works” results from a SURRENDER OF ONES LIFE TO GOD and are done in execution of God’s WILL
WE open ourselves to God who works through us via the HOLY SPIRIT.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. – EPHESIANS 2:8-9
[APP} In what ways may you be on the wide path to hell with its deceptive sign that says you are working your way to Heaven?
(APP) Have you surrendered yourself to God’s unmerited favor? The gift of Grace from a HOLY, RIGHTEOUS AND JUST GOD?
DRIFTING WITHOUT AN ANCHOR
Calling and Old Friend
(APPLICATION:) Do you understand the Gospel in order to recognize errant teachings that lead people to self-discovery instead of the discovery of God?
(APPLICATION:) Have you read the Gospels, treating them as objective historical eye-witness accounts and the most accurate evidence of Jesus’s and His teachings?
THE RESULTS OF A LOVE OF LIP SERVICE:
TO MANY the LORD WILL STATE :
“I NEVER KNEW YOU”
Jesus warns: Matthew 7: 21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesiedin Your name, cast out demonsin Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ – Matthew 7: 21-23
This passage, a dire warning and involves an unregenerate heart despite the appearance of good works, they are done with a lawless attitude in violation of the First Commandment.
IN THE LAST DAY GOD’s JUDGMENT IS FINAL
Taking personal responsibility to understand and obey the commands of Christ can and will help many avoid un-Biblical and false understandings of God.
Instead of a person to person relationship with God through Christ, Many will adopt misguided teachings, especially from church leaders who depart from respecting the authority in Scripture.
Lip Service, head knowledge, academic knowledge, attending church in body alone, and not giving glory to God for the blessings He has provided for the work you do.
THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT: GOING TO Church TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN GET FROM GOD INSTEAD oF WHAT YOU CAN GIVE TO GOD
It is not enough to know about Jesus Christ or to read about Christ or to Learn about Christ.
Believers are called to SURRENDER their lives in obedience to His Lordship, commands and to begin a intentional process called REPENTANCE of turning away from the lusts of this world.
We may go through a living hell on earth before we get to heaven, but there is no coming back from eternal hell as the result of God’s judgment.
IF YOU MAKE UP YOUR OWN IDEA OF Who CHRIST Is, OF WHO GOD IS, AND NOT BASE IT ON THE BIBLE AND THE GOSPELS, YOU ARE GUILTY OF IDOLATRY.
JESUS WARNED US: John 10:11-14 About leaders who are self-serving lead the flock astray.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. – John 10:11-14
(APPLICATION:) WHAT FORMS THE BASIS OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHO GOD AND JESUS CHRIST IS?
(APPLICATION) ARE YOU TRUSTING THOSE WHO DO NOT ABIDE BY THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS and WHO DISPERSES AND MISLEADS THE FLOCK RATHER THAN LEADING THE FLOCK TO CHRIST?
DOING IT YOUR OWN WAY?
(Flipped Homes)
You’ve heard about homes that were remodeled by unscrupulous owners or contractors, putting profit above good construction?
The Scripture is like the building Code and a well designed plan.
Spiritual Teachings WITHOUT firm support of the Scripture, the Gospel and Jesus’s teachings is a house built on a WEAK foundation.
Spiritual Teachings WITH firm support of the Scripture, the Gospel and Jesus’s teachings is a house built on a STRONG foundation.
I had to make a choice, do I place my trust in God or not?
Are the words of Jesus truth or not?
(THE NEED TO SURRENDER OUR WILL TO THE LORD)
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” -Matthew 7:24-27
ADOPTING A WORLD OF SURROGATES FOR THE TRUTH
I had some kind of self conceived understanding of Jesus that was exacerbated by growing up in a church where the staff did not venerate the Holy Scripture as the inspired words of God,
(So I understand how my friend could be misdirected even after speaking with a pastor with a theological bent that is not based in Biblical Truth and Authority).
If leaders in a church ignore or ridicule parts of the Bible, the consequence will lead people away from Scripture and even the very words of the Son of GOD
Once people look away from Scripture, the world beckons in every way to possess us.
Beware! Human wisdom is a foundation resting on sand.
GOD DOES NOT CALL US TO PUT OUR TRUST FOR OUR SALVATION IN A PASTOR OF A CHURCH, FAMOUS AND CHARISMATIC PEOPLE, OR ANYTHING IN THE HEAVENS OR ON EARTH… ONLY THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
Believers in Christ have a DIRECT RELATIONSHIP With the Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST. He calls each of us like a shepherd calls his sheep.
IT IS THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD, only through the belief and acceptance of Jesus’s Sacrificial death that we have safe passage into and through the Narrow Gate to Salvation.
.
WHAT DOES “LORD” MEAN TO YOU?
(Exact some feedback)
IT IS A RELATIONSHIP: JESUS IS MY LORD, I AM HIS SERVANT/SLAVE.
It is based on Godly instruction and faithful obedience.
IS JESUS YOUR LORD? IS HE THE LORD AND MASTER OF YOUR LIFE?
I had come to a point of decision to trust the Lord and decided to read the Bible, beginning with the Gospel of John with the desperate expectation that God would be faithful to His promise to restore.
I read humbly, diligently, expectantly, expecting Jesus words to be truth.
As I began reading, then arrived a perceptible peace. I Knew I was on the right track. I reached out, like a prodigal son and God responded in love.
God is faithful and long-suffering.
But stop testing the Lord’s patience. Be certain before it is too late.
Over 150,000 people die everyday, some are young people.
TRUTHS
(THE LORD SPEAKS TRUTH ALWAYS)
If you are a Christian, you are a follower and servant of Christ, I exhort each of you to seek His will for your life by reading God’s word expectantly for instruction on a daily basis.
No-Read No-feed is a good discipline.
Do not be one of those many who cries out “Lord Lord!… “ to only be turned away in the Day of Judgment.
(NARROW WAY)
THE ROADMAP TO THE NARROW WAY IS THROUGH GENUINE REPENTANCE AND SORROW FOR SIN AGAINST GOD and MAN
LUKE 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous, but SINNERS, to repentance.”
LUKE 18:19 No one is good but One, that is, God.
That’s very clear, if only One is Good, then guess what we are?
***
ACCEPT GOD’s GIFT OF GRACE
EPHESIANS 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God
We are Saved by CHRIST TAKING OUR SINS UPON HIMSELF ON THE CROSS
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you – 1 Peter 1:18-20
***
JESUS DEFEATED DEATH AND IS RESURRECTED
JOHN 10:15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
JOHN 10:18No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
(WITH EASTER COMING YOU WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT THE RESURRECTED CHRIST!)
***
The Narrow way has to do with the EXCLUSIVITY
JOHN 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
The Narrow Way has to do with becoming BORN-AGAIN
JOHN 3:5-8 “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Successful PASSAGE throughThe Narrow Way is thru surrender and receiving the Grace (unmerited favor) from God
(Application?) As you are about to jump out of plane at 10,000 feet: Have you placed your entire Trust in the Spiritual parachute, the Lord Jesus Christ?
WE go through the narrow gate one at a time and with nothing to offer but our genuine sorrow for our sins and our trust in God through Jesus Christ.
********POST MORTEM (DEVIL’S JAW)*******
Prayer:
REMEMBER THE WORDS OF WARNING OF OUR LORD
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it
For a detailed explanation of who Jesus Christ is from the Bible’s perspective go to the video in this website , “Who is Jesus Christ?”
For a review of the Ten Commandments: https://www.challenyee.com/the-ten-commandments/
CKY
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