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Only Two Choices. “broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”. “Few are they who find it… ”. Where are you on your spiritual journey?. Are you heading the right direction?. Are you heading the wrong way?. Two Gates. The Wide Gate.
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“broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”
Where are you on your spiritual journey? Are you heading the right direction? Are you heading the wrong way?
The Wide Gate • Allows Many to Enter with No Sacrifice on their part • Not giving up anything • Bring whatever “baggage” they desire • Chosen by MOST PEOPLE! • No restrictions • The “Path of least resistance”
The Narrow Gate • Requires self-denial & obedience – Matthew 16:24 • Has no room for: • Obsessive desire for earthly goods – Matthew 6:19,20 • Unforgiving spirit – Matthew 16:14,15 • Self-righteousness – Isaiah 65:5
The Broad Way • Any behavior one desires! • No need for reformation or “lifestyle” changes • “Open-minded” • “Tolerant” of others
The Constricted Way • “Narrow” or “difficult” way • Difficult Because it requires: • Righteousness that exceeds that of many religious people – Matthew 5:20 • Change in behavior – Colossians 3:5 • Because of difficulty, many choose NOT to travel its path: • Too confining • Too narrow-minded
THE MANY • Matthew 7:13 “many go in by it” • Reasons Why: • Wide entrance – “Come as you are! NO changes necessary!” • Way Broad – “Make your own rules! Believe what you want! Do what you want!
THE FEW • Matthew 7:14 “few who find it” • Proven true in the past: • Millions lost in flood vs. eight saved on the Ark (Noah & Family) • Hundreds of thousands lost in wilderness vs. two who entered the promised land (Joshua & Caleb)
THE FEW • Matthew 7:14 “few who find it” • Jesus warned on another occasion- Luke 13:23,24 “many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able” • “Found” suggests effort must be extended – Luke 13:24 • Not just EFFORT but Right Kind of EFFORT- Matthew 6:33
Destruction • 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 “everlasting destruction” • Revelation 20:15 “lake that burns with fire & brimstone”
LIFE • “Everlasting life” – Matthew 25:46 • The “gift of God” – Romans 6:22,23 • It is For: • Those set free from Sin – Romans 6:3-7 • Slaves of God & Righteousness – Romans 6:17,18 • Those who bore fruit of holiness- Romans 6:20-22
Sobering Thoughts: • “…and there are few that find it.” • Jesus describes: • Two Gates • Two Ways • Two Groups • Two Destinations
DO ?
According to Jesus: • There are only TWO ROADS (ways) • One leads to LIFE (Heaven) • The Other, filled with many people, with many different beliefs, leads to destruction!