Diane Avenue Church of Christ

Diane Avenue Church of Christ “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28KJV.

BIBLE CLASS Scripture Text - Matthew 7:13-14 13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

BIBLE CLASS Scripture Text - Matthew 7:13-14 v13. The narrow gate leads to the Kingdom of Heaven; which is synonymous with ‘life” V14. “destruction” i.e. separation from God in hell The subject of Matthew 7:13-29 is a warning to beware of false prophets and teaching . They are tested by the doctrines of the Scriptures.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled Matthew chapter 7 concludes what is known as the Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 7:13-29 "The righteousness of the kingdom," so amply described, both in principle and in detail, would be seen to involve self-sacrifice at every step.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled This would divide all within the sound of these truths into two classes: the many, who will follow the path of ease and self-indulgence will end where it might; and the few, who, bent on eternal safety above everything else, take the way that leads to it--at whatever cost. This gives occasion to the two opening verses of this passage.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled This year will be packed full of choices we must make. There will be things that we must choose to do or not to do -Joshua 24:15

Choosing the Road Less Traveled Joshua 24:15 (KJV) 15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled There will be places we will to decide to go or not to go Genesis 13:8-12,

Choosing the Road Less Traveled Genesis 13:8-12(KJV) 8And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 9Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled 10And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 11Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled There will be people to acquaint ourselves with (Romans 16:1-15) .

Choosing the Road Less Traveled Romans 16:1-7 (KJV) 1I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

Choosing the Road Less Traveled 4Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. 7Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled There will be people we chose to ignore (Romans 16:17; 2 John 1:10-11). All sorts of choices, and some of them are very difficult.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled Romans 16:17 (KJV) 17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled John 1:10-11(KJV) 10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11He came unto his own, and his own received him not. .

Choosing the Road Less Traveled Our Lord, Jesus Christ, spoke of a choice man has to make in Matthew 7:13-14: KLV 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 Becausenarrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it..

Choosing the Road Less Traveled 13 “Enter by the narrow gate .. Is the key to this passage. By the narrow or "strait gate" is meant through Christ Himself; who in scriptures elsewhere calls Himself "the door", (John 10:7- 9)

Choosing the Road Less Traveled John 10:7-9 (KJV) 7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture

Choosing the Road Less Traveled To "Enter by” is by faith Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. faith

Choosing the Road Less Traveled The Choice Of Two Different Roads It’s 2012 Using our imagination, let’s picture ourselves at an intersection of two roads. One road is well-paved, easy to navigate, relatively straight with few hills to climb; several lanes for driving. .

Choosing the Road Less Traveled The Choice Of Two Different Roads The other road is a two-lane road with potholes, no shoulders, curvy and very hilly — our ability to see at a distance is limited. The early church took this road, not knowing what was before them but they had faith. Acts 8:1-3

Choosing the Road Less Traveled The Choice Of Two Different Roads The Prodigal Son; Luke 15:11-32 is an example of one who took the easy road.. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. The early church took the other road, not knowing what was before them but they had faith. Acts 8:1-3

Choosing the Road Less Traveled The Church Persecuted and Scattered The early Church of Christ took this road ..Acts 8:1-3 – 1 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled The Choice Of Two Different Roads Which road would we choose? Well, most folks are going to take the first road because of the ease of navigation. Why would one willingly go down the second road with all of its difficulties and pitfalls? Discuss : Why do we always chose what we perceive as the easy way. When answering this think of how easy Satan can control us.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled The Choice Of Two Different Roads The Road called “ easy ”: The same two choices are faced in the spiritual roadway of life. It is easy to do the things of this world and go down that “easy road.” We will meet little or no resistance if we go along with what everyone else is doing.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled The cruise control can be set, the seat leaned back, the air conditioner cranked up, the stereo on our favorite radio station, and no cares to run through our mind about anything getting in our way. There is no such thing as “peer pressure” on this road, because whatever carnal activities society dictates, the person who takes this road will likely engage in them as well (1 Corinthians 3:3-4).

Choosing the Road Less Traveled 1 Corinthians 3:3-4(KJV) 3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollo; are ye not carnal?

Choosing the Road Less Traveled The other choice, however, is not as easy. It is a difficult road or way — It is the “way of righteousness” and following the teaching of God’s word Proverbs 12:28; Psalm 1:1-2.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled Proverbs 12:28 (KJV) 28In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death. Psalm 1:1-2 1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled There is no compromising on this road. It is indeed “the road less traveled,” and there are “few who find it” Matthew 7:14. Matthew 7:14 (KJV) 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled For the most part, folks do not wish to be different from the rest of the world. It’s a difficult thing to “go against the grain” and be one of those “peculiar” people who try to live a life pleasing to God (1 Peter 2:9 KJV). *important , in other words they are choosing the world over pleasing and obeying God.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) 9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;

Choosing the Road Less Traveled When one chooses to take the road less traveled, often times people of the world think them to be “strange” because of the faith and obedienceit requires 1 Peter 4:4. 1 Peter 4:4(KJV) 4Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Choosing the Road Less Traveled The excesses of those on the easier road are repugnant to those on the difficult road, yet the disciplined life of those traveling the difficult road seems silly to those on the other roadway 1 Corinthians 9:27; Acts 17:18; 1 Peter 4:4.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled 1 Corinthians 9:27(KJV) 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled Acts 17:18(KJV) 18Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled So far, so good.. This seems like a simple matter We have two choices to make the good road or he bad/evil road with all it’s bright lights and attractions galore. We are all intelligent people this should be a easy decision to make. But !!!!!! , there is another problem. We have a another person we have yet to discover.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled People who Crossover

Choosing the Road Less Traveled People who Crossover This describes a lot of people, they tend to go through life traveling on both roads. When traveling the difficult road and they are met with a hardship, or a difficulty, or suffering they move over to the easy road.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled People who Crossover These two roads have crossovers. There is tremendous pressure on those who take the difficult road and leave it and cross over to the easier way. One can go from the easy road to the difficult road through obedience to God’s will (Matthew 7:21) and trying to live a life faithful to Him (Revelation 2:10).

Choosing the Road Less Traveled People who Crossover Matthew 7:21 (KJV) 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled People who Crossover Revelation 2:10 (KJV) 10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled People who Crossover Most do not cross over to this way. Many cross over from the difficult road to the easy road. Perhaps the road less traveled gets too difficult for them, or like Demas, they “love this present world” (2 Timothy 4:10). They see that it is much easier to blend in with the flow of traffic on the easier road and choose to take it.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled People who Crossover 2 Timothy 4:10 (KJV) 10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. ** Demas was one of Paul’s helpers who later defected and left.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled Questions Knowing that it is best if we traveled the good road Why do you think we tend to crossover when life becomes difficult? How can we learn to endure? When the pattern of “crossover” has been tried, we know it can be done i.e. back and forth. How do you think God will view you in the end? Keep in mind there is know middle road in Heaven

Choosing the Road Less Traveled The End Of The Two Roads What we must do is consider the end of the two roads. The less traveled road leads to the right destination – eternal life (Matthew 7:14), whereas the well traveled road leads to a dead end – a destination of destruction (Matthew 7:13).

Choosing the Road Less Traveled How to avoid the wider gate and enter by the narrow gate? 1. Stop compromising, Matthew 7:13 A. Do not conform to the nature of this world (Deuteronomy 26:18, Romans 12:2). B. Don't do what the majority is doing C. Always weigh your principals with God's word.

Choosing the Road Less Traveled Romans 12:2 (KJV) 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Diane Avenue Church of Christ