1 00:00:01,480 --> 00:00:03,040 Well, good morning guys. My. 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:04,120 Name is Mike. I am one of. 3 00:00:04,120 --> 00:00:07,600 The the pastors here. At Redemption Church North. 4 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:10,560 Ogden and. This morning we're going to take 5 00:00:10,560 --> 00:00:13,400 a look at this. This the sermon. 6 00:00:13,440 --> 00:00:16,840 That I've I've titled the Golden Rule. 7 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:18,800 And the narrow path and we're going to. 8 00:00:19,080 --> 00:00:22,760 We're going to look. At Matthew 7 verses. 12. 9 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:27,440 Through 14, it says. So whatever you wish that others 10 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:30,400 would do to you, do also to them, for this is the. 11 00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:34,400 Law and the profits enter by the narrow. 12 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:36,200 Gate for the gate is. Wide and the way. 13 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:38,840 Is easy that. Leads to destruction, and those 14 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:42,760 who entered by it are many, for the gate is narrow and the way 15 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:44,280 is hard. That leads to life. 16 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:49,720 And those who find. It are few well, so for the. 17 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:54,960 Last several months we've. Been we've been working through 18 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:57,160 the Sermon on the Mount. You know, we actually started 19 00:00:57,160 --> 00:01:01,400 this, this portion of. Scripture that the Sermon on the 20 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:04,360 Mount is chapters 5-6 and seven in in Matthew we actually 21 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:07,400 started this part of Scripture back in. 22 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:11,640 July and today's passage. Begins what is clearly the 23 00:01:11,640 --> 00:01:16,440 conclusion to. The sermon, so the passage 24 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:21,240 starts off with the Greek. Word UN which basically means. 25 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:24,840 Therefore or. Subsequently, and as many of you 26 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:25,720 know, when we. See the word? 27 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:27,080 Therefore it's. Serving. 28 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:28,120 Let us know that. What? 29 00:01:28,120 --> 00:01:31,720 Follows will be. Some sort of a summation of the 30 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:36,360 previous text, and in this case this is the closing out. 31 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:39,720 Of the sermon summation. And Jesus. 32 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:41,960 Makes it clear. In one sentence, what we've 33 00:01:41,960 --> 00:01:45,920 spent the last. 26 weeks working through and and learning SO. 34 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:48,800 Throughout the the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus discusses how to 35 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:51,240 live a life. That is dedicated to. 36 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:55,440 And and pleasing. To God free of hypocrisy, full 37 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:58,840 of love. And grace full of wisdom and and 38 00:01:58,840 --> 00:01:59,600 discernment. He. 39 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:04,120 Talks a lot about the Christian life because as we read in. 40 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:08,520 Matthew 5, when we first started this sermon, the Sermon on the 41 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:10,440 Mount. Jesus, Jesus. 42 00:02:10,440 --> 00:02:13,640 Had left the crowds and was teaching his. 43 00:02:13,640 --> 00:02:16,400 Disciples specifically. So the message. 44 00:02:16,400 --> 00:02:19,520 That followed was was to. Us and. 45 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:23,560 About our lives as. Believers, but then over the the 46 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:25,920 upcoming month. As we. 47 00:02:25,920 --> 00:02:31,200 Completely finish this chapter. We'll see that crowds of people. 48 00:02:31,640 --> 00:02:35,000 Have gathered to hear. What he is teaching his 49 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:36,520 disciples about the. Christian life. 50 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:41,360 So he summarizes his message in verse 12, and then he makes 51 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:43,440 clear to those listening that there. 52 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:47,920 Is a choice. To be made two paths, one that. 53 00:02:47,920 --> 00:02:52,160 Leads to life and one that leads to destruction. 54 00:02:53,760 --> 00:02:55,280 I don't think I have control of that. 55 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:05,120 Let me. See. 56 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:11,520 Sorry about that. Here we go. 57 00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:15,720 Is that right? That's the one. 58 00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:23,680 Sorry about that. So there is a a choice to be 59 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:25,280 made. Like I said, 2 paths. 60 00:03:25,640 --> 00:03:27,760 One that's. That leads to life and one that. 61 00:03:27,760 --> 00:03:31,200 Leads to destruction and. So the main idea as as we go 62 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:34,400 through this today is, is that that. 63 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:39,760 Jesus summarized this deep, complex sermon that he's given 64 00:03:40,160 --> 00:03:43,000 into a simple point and then presents us with a critical 65 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:45,960 decision with eternal consequences. 66 00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:53,640 So our first point here today is the. 67 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:55,320 Golden rule, now we've. All heard. 68 00:03:56,360 --> 00:03:59,320 We've all heard of the golden. Rule throughout our lives in 69 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:01,280 some. Way or another, right? 70 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:05,320 And that's based off of the the first of our verses here today, 71 00:04:05,320 --> 00:04:08,920 Matthew 7, verse 12 that says so whatever you wish that. 72 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:11,760 Others would do. To you do also. 73 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:14,040 To them, for this is the law and profits. 74 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:17,519 Now, like I said, many of us have heard of. 75 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:21,600 The Golden Rule. Or some variation of it 76 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:25,720 previously. In Confucianism they say do not. 77 00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:29,200 They say do not do to others what you would not like 78 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:31,800 yourself. In Buddhism, they say hurt, not 79 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:34,400 others in ways that you yourself would find. 80 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:37,440 Hurtful. Ancient Greek philosopher Thalis 81 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:41,480 de Miletus said avoid doing what you would blame others for 82 00:04:41,480 --> 00:04:45,000 doing, Voltaire said this is probably the most common way a 83 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:47,960 lot of us is put yourself in the other person's shoes. 84 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:50,360 And my mom said if you. Can't say something nice. 85 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:52,040 Don't say anything at. All. 86 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:55,880 She'd like that. I probably put her up there 87 00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:58,520 with, you know, Confucius and, you know, great ancient Greek 88 00:04:58,520 --> 00:05:00,880 philosophers or whatever. But but so so. 89 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:04,360 Most. Of these examples here and and a 90 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:06,520 lot that we would see. Out there, most of these are 91 00:05:06,520 --> 00:05:10,120 what we would call a negative form, meaning that their 92 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:13,160 approach. Is don't do things that you 93 00:05:13,160 --> 00:05:15,400 wouldn't. Want done back? 94 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:21,520 To you, but those guys, those. Are inaccurate summations each 95 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:23,040 of these positions other than maybe? 96 00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:25,800 Voltaire's who here? Who's kind of coming from an 97 00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:29,080 empathetical standpoint, but each of these positions is is 98 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:33,080 simply saying. What not to do so that it won't 99 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:34,840 be done to you sort of in a in like a? 100 00:05:34,840 --> 00:05:40,000 Karma kind of a way, but I think married couples might, if you 101 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:41,600 guys might be able to understand this if you look. 102 00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:43,200 At what? My mom's. 103 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:46,800 Advice up here is if your spouse. 104 00:05:48,040 --> 00:05:49,240 I know this wouldn't happen, but if. 105 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:52,960 Your spouse wants to say something ugly, but they bite 106 00:05:52,960 --> 00:05:54,440 their tongue and they keep. Silent. 107 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:57,200 That's that's good, right? But that's. 108 00:05:57,200 --> 00:05:59,400 Not the same as them flowering you with. 109 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:02,200 Love. And adoration and compliments. 110 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:05,840 Right, all they're doing is avoiding the. 111 00:06:05,840 --> 00:06:09,280 Sin, which as I said is good, but that's not how Jesus 112 00:06:09,280 --> 00:06:13,600 demonstrated to. The way to live is it those 113 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:15,400 examples I gave only. Limit. 114 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:17,880 Bad behavior, but Jesus. Says something very different, 115 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:20,320 Jesus says. To do to other. 116 00:06:20,320 --> 00:06:24,320 People what you want them to do. He's taking positive action. 117 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:29,040 He's he's talking about planting seeds that will blossom later 118 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:31,920 on. If we look back. 119 00:06:31,920 --> 00:06:35,760 From the very beginning, God intended us to do good things, 120 00:06:35,760 --> 00:06:38,080 not just. Avoid bad things if we look. 121 00:06:38,080 --> 00:06:41,800 At Genesis chapter 2 verse starting in verse 15. 122 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:45,000 Says the Lord God. Took the man and put him in the 123 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:47,000 Garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 124 00:06:48,120 --> 00:06:52,560 See, there was already something positive to be done in this. 125 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:54,880 Verse it goes. On it says, And the Lord God 126 00:06:54,880 --> 00:06:57,920 commanded the man, saying, You may surely eat of every tree of 127 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:00,200 the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil 128 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:03,200 you shall not eat from the day you eat. 129 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:05,160 Of it you shall. Surely die Adam. 130 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:08,160 Wasn't supposed to just set just sit back. 131 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:11,080 Controlling himself from eating that fruit of the tree of. 132 00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:13,880 Good and evil he was supposed to be about. 133 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:17,280 Working to make things better around him, investing his labor 134 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:21,800 into the garden in doing what God told him to do. 135 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:26,480 Think about this Which. Is which is better a society? 136 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:30,960 That simply doesn't commit crime or a society that that 137 00:07:30,960 --> 00:07:34,040 demonstrates. Respect for other people and 138 00:07:34,240 --> 00:07:36,640 their property and gives to each. 139 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:38,080 Other sacrificially and goes out of. 140 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:40,640 Its way to to care for each other. 141 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:45,080 I think we'd all say that the second option where people 142 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:47,040 invest in relationships and and build each. 143 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:49,160 Other up is. The much better. 144 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:53,960 Of of the. 2 And so when we repent, when we. 145 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:57,920 Are followers of Jesus. Something changes inside of. 146 00:07:57,920 --> 00:07:59,720 US. When we repent, that means. 147 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:04,720 That we that that we, we turn away from the sin, we turn away 148 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:09,960 from choosing to go our way, and we instead we go the way that. 149 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:13,040 That God tells us to do and and, and so when we are followers of 150 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:15,040 Jesus, something changes inside of us. 151 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:20,160 At first, we, we identify the sin, we recognize it when it 152 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:22,400 happens, right? That's that's sort of the the 153 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:26,920 first thing is we is we, we can identify and go, Oh, that was 154 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:28,240 sinful. What I? 155 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:31,720 What I? Just did then later on as we 156 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:34,200 continue to change we. We try to bite our. 157 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:36,440 Tongue we. Divert our eyes, we. 158 00:08:36,679 --> 00:08:41,600 Keep our hands to ourselves and and and avoid the sin, but as 159 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:43,320 we. Continue to be changed we don't 160 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:47,920 just avoid the sin, but we. Love on other. 161 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:49,760 People and we build. Them up and we. 162 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:53,680 Try to help. Them to do the same we we love 163 00:08:53,680 --> 00:08:58,360 them the way that Jesus told us right we love them with patience 164 00:08:58,360 --> 00:09:01,840 and kindness and and. Without being a a. 165 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:05,880 Keeper of wrongs with without irritability or resentment. 166 00:09:08,560 --> 00:09:12,640 So why is Jesus telling his? Disciples this year this. 167 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:17,200 Isn't something new. If you've been through with us 168 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:19,640 through this whole. Sermon on the Bound back in 169 00:09:19,640 --> 00:09:22,200 chapter 5. He told us that we are the. 170 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:26,320 Salt and light and that salt. That has lost its saltiness is. 171 00:09:26,320 --> 00:09:28,000 Thrown out because. It's of no use and. 172 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:31,960 Then later, he said, whoever relaxes one of. 173 00:09:32,800 --> 00:09:34,600 The least of these. Commandments and teaches. 174 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:36,920 Others to do the same will be called least in the Kingdom of 175 00:09:36,920 --> 00:09:40,280 Heaven. And then in Chapter 6, he warned 176 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:41,520 us. Repeatedly not to be. 177 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:45,200 Hypocrites in our. Giving we learned about in our 178 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:47,480 serving. In our praying. 179 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:51,600 He's saying through this entire sermon. 180 00:09:51,880 --> 00:09:54,360 That he expects his disciples to follow His. 181 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:59,280 Example and to respond to and to obey what they've been taught. 182 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:04,720 And then the verse that we're in today goes on and says, for this 183 00:10:04,720 --> 00:10:09,600 is the law and prophets. Now in the in the Greek, this 184 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:13,920 says something closer to for this sums up the law and 185 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:17,560 prophets so loving on each other. 186 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:21,080 Isn't just the. Point of his sermon. 187 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:24,440 But a fulfillment of those things we've read. 188 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:25,520 In the law and. Prophets. 189 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:27,600 When you see the law and prophets, that's that's code for 190 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:30,840 the Old Testament. So it's not just the point of 191 00:10:30,840 --> 00:10:33,160 his sermon, it's a fulfillment. Of the things that we've been 192 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:37,680 reading through all. Of the Old Testament, one of the 193 00:10:37,680 --> 00:10:41,720 commentaries I was reading as I was studying for this, it said 194 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:45,120 in the deepest sense, therefore, the golden rule is the law and 195 00:10:45,120 --> 00:10:49,920 prophets in the same way as the Kingdom is the fulfilment of all 196 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:51,800 that the law and prophets foretold. 197 00:10:52,640 --> 00:10:54,560 And then? Charles Spurgeon about that. 198 00:10:56,080 --> 00:10:57,920 Charles Spurgeon said. Oh. 199 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:02,200 That all men acted on it, and there would be no slavery, no 200 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:06,320 war, no swearing, no striking, no lying, no robbing. 201 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:09,240 But all would be. Justice and love. 202 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:12,280 What a. Kingdom is this which has such a 203 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:18,120 law. So all of the law and prophets 204 00:11:18,360 --> 00:11:22,840 are saying this Jesus. Embodied this in the Kingdom of 205 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:24,880 heaven will. Substantiate this. 206 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:29,080 When we break it down this way. It makes the law. 207 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:34,480 Easier to understand, but it doesn't make it any easier to 208 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:36,840 obey. Many of us. 209 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:40,800 Probably set some kind of a goal. 210 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:43,600 At New Year's, right to to be a better. 211 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:45,320 Version of ourselves in some way. 212 00:11:46,400 --> 00:11:54,400 Well, guys, it is January 18th. Now, anyone still living 2026 213 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:59,920 perfectly without sin? No, no, anybody perfectly 214 00:11:59,920 --> 00:12:01,640 demonstrating. Love to to others. 215 00:12:01,640 --> 00:12:03,720 Still on the 18th. Of the 18th day. 216 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:08,000 Of the year no see, no one has ever consistently done unto 217 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:10,360 others. As they would like others to do 218 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:17,320 unto them nobody but Jesus. See, this is not easy to obey, 219 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:21,320 and yet those. Are our marching orders in? 220 00:12:21,440 --> 00:12:26,280 Matthew 22 verses. 36 through 40, says Teacher, which is the 221 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:30,080 great commandment in the law. And he said to him, You shall 222 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:33,120 love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your 223 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:37,320 soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and 1st 224 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:39,560 commandment, and a second is like it, you shall love your 225 00:12:39,560 --> 00:12:42,800 neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend 226 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:48,280 all the. Law and the prophets now maybe? 227 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:50,920 When you see this. This passage here maybe you 228 00:12:50,920 --> 00:12:52,800 think. That our primary passage. 229 00:12:53,360 --> 00:12:56,280 Today misses the first commandment of love the Lord 230 00:12:56,280 --> 00:12:58,880 your God with all your heart. But. 231 00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:02,040 It it definitely does not when you consider the example. 232 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:05,560 That we see of God throughout. Scripture. 233 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:10,280 See, God Himself practices this. He wants. 234 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:15,080 Us to serve him, so he serves. He wants us to give generously. 235 00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:18,160 So he gives generously to us he wants. 236 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:20,560 US. To keep our promises, so he 237 00:13:20,560 --> 00:13:22,000 keeps his. Promises. 238 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:26,840 So I think this summation we've been looking at. 239 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:34,600 Is proven when we look at first. John 419 through 21, it starts 240 00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:38,520 off and it says. We love because he first loved 241 00:13:38,560 --> 00:13:42,040 us. That's the. 242 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:45,160 Example and all the reasoning that we need. 243 00:13:45,160 --> 00:13:48,160 Jesus did it first. And and who? 244 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:52,640 We are guys as. Christians as as believers, who 245 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:55,880 we are. Is followers of him. 246 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:03,840 Today we're going to. Celebrate together as someone is 247 00:14:04,520 --> 00:14:11,640 baptized here to to tell you that he intends to be identified 248 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:17,600 as a follower of Jesus See guys, our goal is to. 249 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:21,440 Honor him by. Emulating him that verse, it 250 00:14:21,440 --> 00:14:25,240 goes on, it says if anyone says I love God and hates his 251 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:29,840 brother, he's a liar for he who does not love his brother, whom 252 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:32,400 he has seen cannot love God. Whom he has not. 253 00:14:32,400 --> 00:14:36,400 Seen and this commandment we have from him, whoever loves 254 00:14:36,400 --> 00:14:38,440 God. Must also. 255 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:42,840 Love his brother. Now hear me on this guys. 256 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:46,040 We are all. Aware of our own. 257 00:14:46,040 --> 00:14:49,880 Shortcomings, right? Deep down, we know. 258 00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:52,760 The. Places where we fall short, 259 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:59,920 where we are imperfect, where we're hypocrites, but we we 260 00:14:59,920 --> 00:15:02,280 love. Ourselves in spite of knowing. 261 00:15:02,680 --> 00:15:05,880 That we are imperfect and we. Truly. 262 00:15:05,880 --> 00:15:08,760 Want what's best for ourselves, right? 263 00:15:08,760 --> 00:15:11,320 We seek out. Safety we seek out. 264 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:16,480 Health in our relationships, we seek out comfort because we 265 00:15:16,480 --> 00:15:18,360 want. What's what's best for? 266 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:22,720 Us I, I I want, I want to. Be blessed this year. 267 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:25,640 I want to be cared. For. 268 00:15:26,200 --> 00:15:29,800 I want to be. Loved but all I. 269 00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:34,400 Can control is my output, how much I? 270 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:36,600 Care for people? How much? 271 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:42,320 I love on people. And it isn't. 272 00:15:42,800 --> 00:15:46,480 It isn't just. Merely being kind. 273 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:50,200 To people but truly loving each other. 274 00:15:52,200 --> 00:15:55,640 Romans 13. Verses 8 through 10. 275 00:15:57,000 --> 00:16:02,320 Says owe no one anything except to love each other for the one 276 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:03,520 who. Loves another has. 277 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:06,280 Fulfilled the law for the commandments. 278 00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:09,080 You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder. 279 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:10,360 You shall not steal. You shall not. 280 00:16:10,360 --> 00:16:13,400 Covet and any. Other commandment are summed up 281 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:16,320 in this word. You shall love your neighbor as 282 00:16:16,320 --> 00:16:19,520 yourself. Love does no wrong to a 283 00:16:19,520 --> 00:16:21,720 neighbor. Therefore, love is the. 284 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:25,320 Fulfilling of the law. Now that can be hard, right? 285 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:29,680 I've seen some examples on the across the nation in recent. 286 00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:35,200 Weeks that that demonstrates. Pure animosity and. 287 00:16:36,440 --> 00:16:42,960 Hatred and ugliness. Some people are so mean and 288 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:46,720 nasty that it seems almost impossible to consider loving. 289 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:55,640 Them So let's start here. Let's let's start here. 290 00:16:56,440 --> 00:17:01,520 Galatians 610 says. So then, as we have opportunity, 291 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:06,240 let us do good to everyone and especially to those who are of 292 00:17:06,280 --> 00:17:10,520 household of faith. Here's the thing. 293 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:13,560 If you can't. Be a shining example. 294 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:16,319 Of love. In the way that you interact 295 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:21,079 here. With those who who. 296 00:17:21,240 --> 00:17:24,599 Serve you and and love on you every week. 297 00:17:24,599 --> 00:17:26,720 Are you really? Going to be a. 298 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:29,960 City on the Hill. Out out those. 299 00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:32,440 Doors Are you really going to be somebody that the world would 300 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:38,200 care to look to and listen to anyone who. 301 00:17:38,200 --> 00:17:42,960 Says they love God but doesn't love his brother is a liar. 302 00:17:47,120 --> 00:17:55,400 I've got some work to do there. We've probably all got some work 303 00:17:55,400 --> 00:18:00,880 to do there, and it needs to start here. 304 00:18:03,120 --> 00:18:04,880 It needs to. Start amongst this group. 305 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:11,080 It needs to start in my home. So as I said. 306 00:18:12,880 --> 00:18:17,400 Our first verse today. Summed up the entirety of the 307 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:20,920 Sermon on the Mount. But Jesus doesn't end there. 308 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:25,920 Instead, his message now changes into a series of warnings for 309 00:18:25,920 --> 00:18:29,760 the remainder of. The chapter for three chapters. 310 00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:32,640 Jesus has preached to us about Kingdom living, right? 311 00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:35,560 That's what we titled. This he's been teaching. 312 00:18:35,560 --> 00:18:38,880 Us about Kingdom living. He's has has clarified many 313 00:18:38,880 --> 00:18:42,520 things that mankind has been getting very wrong, and then 314 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:49,040 after summing it all up in one verse, he begins to lay out a 315 00:18:49,040 --> 00:18:52,040 series of comparisons that. We need to pay. 316 00:18:52,280 --> 00:18:56,800 Close attention to in fact, it's not just it's not just for 317 00:18:56,800 --> 00:19:02,240 comparisons, but he gives us and the entirety of his audience, 318 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:07,240 which is disciples, non believers and Pharisees. 319 00:19:07,440 --> 00:19:11,920 He, he gives us. 4 clear warnings and in each warning 320 00:19:12,080 --> 00:19:13,640 there's a. Choice to be made. 321 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:18,000 We're going to see today 2 gates and roads, and then next week 322 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:22,320 two kinds of prophets, and after that two kinds of disciples and 323 00:19:22,320 --> 00:19:24,560 two foundations. He's laying it out. 324 00:19:24,560 --> 00:19:27,440 There to separate the. Grain from the chaff. 325 00:19:27,640 --> 00:19:30,560 He's he's laying out there to separate the sheep from the 326 00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:33,520 goats. Those who believe in him as 327 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:37,160 their true savior and those who don't and are lost. 328 00:19:37,160 --> 00:19:41,600 Now I will admit guys, there is. Some weight to those words. 329 00:19:42,920 --> 00:19:46,120 I don't use them flippantly, but because Jesus uses them. 330 00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:50,600 He's letting people. Know they are. 331 00:19:51,040 --> 00:19:55,560 They are either with. Him or they are against him, and 332 00:19:55,560 --> 00:19:57,080 that choice was not only for the. 333 00:19:57,080 --> 00:20:03,000 Crowds that day but for us as well so my second point here 334 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:05,400 today as we. Continue on in the. 335 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:10,800 Passage is the wide gate and easy path, and we get that. 336 00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:20,960 From 13 and 14 says enter. Excuse me, says enter by the 337 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:23,000 narrow gate. For the gate is. 338 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:24,480 Wide and the way is. Easy. 339 00:20:24,480 --> 00:20:27,520 That leads to. Destruction and those who enter 340 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:34,480 by it are many in these two verses 13 and 14. 341 00:20:34,920 --> 00:20:37,680 We see 2 gates. We see 2 paths. 342 00:20:38,400 --> 00:20:40,720 Even 2 crowds and two destinations. 343 00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:43,960 Here there is clearly. A contrast that is. 344 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:47,880 Being focused on here. Now I'm going to get back to the 345 00:20:47,880 --> 00:20:51,160 narrow gate in a few minutes. So we'll, we'll focus. 1st on 346 00:20:51,160 --> 00:20:55,880 the wide gate and the easy path The wide, wide and easy paint an 347 00:20:55,880 --> 00:20:58,840 inviting picture right has plenty of. 348 00:20:59,320 --> 00:21:02,960 Elbow room it accommodates. The the entire crowd and it 349 00:21:02,960 --> 00:21:04,720 allows you to bring along your baggage. 350 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:10,200 Just as we saw that there are many different religions and 351 00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:12,760 parts of society that are taking things like the Golden Rule and 352 00:21:12,760 --> 00:21:16,640 try to rewrite that, many of those same groups have tried to 353 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:21,480 rewrite the path to heaven too. In fact, every single one of 354 00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:23,080 them. Has the has. 355 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:25,760 Has done that. If they hadn't then they would 356 00:21:25,760 --> 00:21:27,920 be biblical Christian followers of Jesus. 357 00:21:27,920 --> 00:21:32,520 Simple fact is outside of biblical Christianity, every 358 00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:36,360 other religion is based in some part on a works dependent 359 00:21:36,360 --> 00:21:40,000 salvation. That is 1 where your deeds play 360 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:44,160 some role in your salvation. Some examples would be. 361 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:49,000 Believing that God extends US grace, but only after everything 362 00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:51,280 that we can do on earth. Or. 363 00:21:51,360 --> 00:21:54,960 By robotically reciting certain prayers a certain number of 364 00:21:54,960 --> 00:21:58,400 times, or by, you know, tipping the scale numerically with. 365 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:01,480 More good. Works than than bad. 366 00:22:03,160 --> 00:22:07,040 In all of these ways, there is some measure of grace being 367 00:22:07,040 --> 00:22:10,840 taught, but that grace. Of God falls short of. 368 00:22:11,280 --> 00:22:15,280 Salvation without the extra boost from someone's good deeds. 369 00:22:15,560 --> 00:22:21,360 That mentality denies the power of God, and it denies his 370 00:22:21,360 --> 00:22:24,280 character by insinuating that he is either. 371 00:22:24,280 --> 00:22:30,000 Untrustworthy or he's a liar and yet as. 372 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:33,320 Clear as Scripture is that Jesus is the way to eternal life. 373 00:22:33,720 --> 00:22:36,040 As we'll see here. In a in a couple of minutes, 374 00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:39,680 mankind has sought to. To elevate the value of. 375 00:22:39,680 --> 00:22:44,040 His deeds since the very beginning, back in Genesis. 376 00:22:44,040 --> 00:22:45,920 Four with Cain and Abel. They were the first. 377 00:22:45,920 --> 00:22:51,760 Two sons of Adam and Eve, Cain was bothered that his sacrifice 378 00:22:51,760 --> 00:22:53,680 that. That he brought to the Lord. 379 00:22:53,680 --> 00:22:56,400 Wasn't received because. He valued his. 380 00:22:56,400 --> 00:23:00,200 Works more than God did in genesis 11 the people believed 381 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:01,320 they. Could build a physical. 382 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:03,920 Tower to heaven. That their effort. 383 00:23:04,280 --> 00:23:07,840 Would get them there. There are myriad examples 384 00:23:07,840 --> 00:23:09,160 throughout. Scripture of people. 385 00:23:09,160 --> 00:23:12,200 Choosing the wide gate. Of of works. 386 00:23:13,280 --> 00:23:15,440 And of course, it stands to reason that people would buy 387 00:23:15,440 --> 00:23:17,840 into that when the. Scribes and Pharisees were 388 00:23:17,840 --> 00:23:22,400 teaching it to them daily. The wide gate was the. 389 00:23:22,400 --> 00:23:26,400 Appearance of. Righteousness, but not actual 390 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:31,560 righteousness in Matthew 5, again at the beginning of the. 391 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:34,520 Sermon on the Mount. We saw that the Pharisees were 392 00:23:34,520 --> 00:23:37,760 saying not to murder, and their conclusion was that if you 393 00:23:37,760 --> 00:23:41,480 didn't physically murder anyone, then you've succeeded in in 394 00:23:41,480 --> 00:23:47,160 keeping that law. Or that you avoided the if you 395 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:49,280 avoided the the. Physical act of sexual 396 00:23:49,280 --> 00:23:52,200 immorality, then you've. Lived a righteous life in that 397 00:23:52,200 --> 00:23:54,960 category but but Jesus. Kicked down that. 398 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:57,640 Idea by by saying. You've committed. 399 00:23:57,640 --> 00:23:59,840 Murder when you've hated in your heart. 400 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:06,320 You had you've you've committed adultery when you lusted after 401 00:24:06,320 --> 00:24:10,040 someone in your. Thoughts by the way. 402 00:24:10,040 --> 00:24:11,880 Make sure and come back next week and hear. 403 00:24:12,160 --> 00:24:13,680 As Eric gets into. You know the. 404 00:24:13,720 --> 00:24:16,440 Idea of false. Teachers and stuff. 405 00:24:16,440 --> 00:24:17,880 It's going to be a fascinating 1 to. 406 00:24:17,880 --> 00:24:24,720 Look at but this wide gate is is so appealing because it it 407 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:30,200 allows a person to set their own rules to to follow their heart 408 00:24:30,520 --> 00:24:36,560 right or do whatever makes you happy or like the the Billboard. 409 00:24:36,560 --> 00:24:39,000 And commercials say whatever happens. 410 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:44,160 In Vegas stays in Vegas. That is an easy concept to sell 411 00:24:44,160 --> 00:24:45,640 to people because. That's what we are. 412 00:24:45,640 --> 00:24:47,800 Begging. To hear. 413 00:24:48,760 --> 00:24:52,040 It's an echo Chamber of sin. No accountability. 414 00:24:52,040 --> 00:24:55,320 Because morality is subjective. Truth is. 415 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:57,360 Whatever you decide, it is or. Whatever I. 416 00:24:57,360 --> 00:24:59,720 Decide it is if it's. Different than yours. 417 00:25:01,240 --> 00:25:05,640 And all of us do this, guys. All of us do this too at. 418 00:25:05,640 --> 00:25:09,080 Times we even do this with scripture, we find a verse that 419 00:25:09,840 --> 00:25:12,680 when we take it out of context. Allows us to justify. 420 00:25:12,680 --> 00:25:16,600 The things that we already know are wrong deep in our hearts. 421 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:19,680 Things that go against the heart of God. 422 00:25:21,880 --> 00:25:26,760 And that's the problem. This broad gate, this. 423 00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:32,000 Wide. Easy path leads us to. 424 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:36,480 Destruction because it leads us away from Jesus. 425 00:25:36,480 --> 00:25:41,240 As our Savior, you. Cannot save yourself. 426 00:25:41,240 --> 00:25:46,280 You cannot redefine. Who Jesus is, what He said, or 427 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:53,160 your obligation to follow Him if you try to. 428 00:25:53,160 --> 00:25:56,560 Do any of those things, you are on a path to destruction, along 429 00:25:56,560 --> 00:26:00,760 with many, many other. People and when Luke tells us. 430 00:26:01,040 --> 00:26:03,680 About. This in in Luke. 13 Jesus. 431 00:26:03,680 --> 00:26:05,480 Describes the path. Of destruction. 432 00:26:05,720 --> 00:26:07,720 Leading to a place. Leading. 433 00:26:07,920 --> 00:26:12,280 To hell that is full of. Weeping and gnashing of teeth. 434 00:26:13,680 --> 00:26:15,600 It's a perpetual. Existence of. 435 00:26:15,600 --> 00:26:19,400 Eternal growing torment a place where in. 436 00:26:19,640 --> 00:26:23,520 In Mark Chapter 9. It's referred to as unquenchable 437 00:26:23,520 --> 00:26:31,760 fire, the wide path. Of destruction is always getting 438 00:26:31,760 --> 00:26:35,600 wider because people continue to come up with ideas that ignore. 439 00:26:35,880 --> 00:26:38,320 What are all knowing and all powerful? 440 00:26:38,320 --> 00:26:46,800 God told us the the weeping. Gnashing of teeth. 441 00:26:47,720 --> 00:26:51,000 In a place of unquenchable fire has my attention. 442 00:26:53,600 --> 00:26:55,400 I hope it has your attention as well. 443 00:26:57,920 --> 00:27:00,120 Wide path is. Paved with stones of. 444 00:27:00,880 --> 00:27:05,160 People's selfish, sinful delights, right? 445 00:27:05,200 --> 00:27:09,720 I was having a conversation with a friend recently. 446 00:27:12,280 --> 00:27:15,400 We were talking about. Repentance and the need to cut 447 00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:17,640 sin out of our lives. And he said something pretty 448 00:27:17,640 --> 00:27:19,760 profound that. Most of us are. 449 00:27:19,760 --> 00:27:24,120 Probably not comfortable even admitting he said sin. 450 00:27:24,120 --> 00:27:31,520 Feels really good in the moment. And he was right, it does. 451 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:35,800 But it lies to us about how long that good feeling will last 452 00:27:35,800 --> 00:27:37,520 though. Because as he. 453 00:27:37,560 --> 00:27:39,200 As he. Explained it brings up. 454 00:27:39,880 --> 00:27:42,440 It it. Brings with it feelings of shame 455 00:27:42,800 --> 00:27:45,560 and and guilt but. But but, but the allure. 456 00:27:45,560 --> 00:27:49,120 Of it is an empty promise. Of fun. 457 00:27:52,240 --> 00:27:54,680 This is probably going to sound like I'm making a joke here and 458 00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:58,840 I don't. I don't mean it that way wide. 459 00:27:58,840 --> 00:28:07,240 Path of Destruction is a hell of a good time, but we don't have 460 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:11,000 to stay on that path. There is one opportunity. 461 00:28:11,360 --> 00:28:13,880 To avoid it. So listen up. 462 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:15,400 Let's let's. Look at the narrow. 463 00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:21,440 Gate and the difficult path. Matthew back to again. 464 00:28:21,440 --> 00:28:27,760 Matthew 713 through 14. It says enter by the narrow gate 465 00:28:27,760 --> 00:28:31,040 and then down in 14. It says for the gate is narrow 466 00:28:31,360 --> 00:28:32,960 and the way is. Hard that leads. 467 00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:35,320 To life and those who. Find it are few. 468 00:28:36,600 --> 00:28:40,440 Let me point something out here that I think that you need to. 469 00:28:40,440 --> 00:28:44,080 See the choice of. Words used here is 470 00:28:44,080 --> 00:28:49,440 significantly. Many enter the wide path of 471 00:28:49,440 --> 00:28:52,080 destruction, and few find the narrow. 472 00:28:52,080 --> 00:28:56,920 Difficult path of life. Now as I read this. 473 00:28:57,840 --> 00:29:00,120 It seems. As though the numerically larger 474 00:29:00,120 --> 00:29:01,720 group of people will be on the side. 475 00:29:01,720 --> 00:29:07,600 Of choosing destruction in other words, guys most people 476 00:29:07,920 --> 00:29:14,080 throughout all of history will choose death most of our. 477 00:29:14,080 --> 00:29:17,320 Friends and our families and our neighbors. 478 00:29:17,440 --> 00:29:23,080 Will choose death people Jesus was teaching. 479 00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:26,080 Seemed to have noticed this too, because in Luke 13 one of them 480 00:29:26,080 --> 00:29:31,640 asks will the number of those. Saved be few Jesus. 481 00:29:31,640 --> 00:29:35,080 Says strive to enter through the narrow. 482 00:29:35,080 --> 00:29:39,200 Door now that. Word strive in the Greek is the 483 00:29:39,200 --> 00:29:45,400 word agonize, meaning agony, torture, anguish, right and and 484 00:29:45,640 --> 00:29:49,240 and understand something. This path isn't easy. 485 00:29:49,320 --> 00:29:53,120 Christianity isn't easy. Jesus never promised us an easy 486 00:29:53,120 --> 00:29:59,640 life, but an eternal life. One thing that I think is often 487 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:03,320 misunderstood is the idea that giving your life over to Jesus, 488 00:30:05,040 --> 00:30:08,160 relying on Jesus, having full faith in him, something that 489 00:30:08,400 --> 00:30:12,520 that often comes when when people are already hurting and 490 00:30:12,520 --> 00:30:18,200 in desperation following Jesus is actually a promise of a more. 491 00:30:18,200 --> 00:30:25,400 Difficult path, DA Carson said. Well, that's, that's all. 492 00:30:25,400 --> 00:30:27,480 He said. Jesus is not encouraging 493 00:30:27,840 --> 00:30:32,120 committed disciples, Christians, to press along the narrow way 494 00:30:32,480 --> 00:30:36,320 and just be rewarded in the end. He's rather commanding his 495 00:30:36,320 --> 00:30:40,600 disciples to enter the way marked by persecution and then 496 00:30:40,840 --> 00:30:43,880 rewarded. In the end, we can't skip over 497 00:30:43,880 --> 00:30:47,680 the the the the journey. And just. 498 00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:54,080 Look at the end of the story. Jesus told us to be about the 499 00:30:54,080 --> 00:30:59,200 work that he set for. Us in in loving other, dirty, 500 00:30:59,760 --> 00:31:00,680 messy. People. 501 00:31:00,680 --> 00:31:06,680 People who who may hate you. Jesus said remember. 502 00:31:06,680 --> 00:31:11,280 When the when the world hates you, that it hated me first, he 503 00:31:11,280 --> 00:31:15,480 said. We can't honestly expect to be 504 00:31:15,480 --> 00:31:17,000 treated better than Jesus, can we? 505 00:31:19,560 --> 00:31:21,240 And yet. When they ask. 506 00:31:22,160 --> 00:31:24,080 Are there? Only a few available. 507 00:31:24,080 --> 00:31:28,560 Seats, Jesus says make sure you do everything you can to get. 508 00:31:28,560 --> 00:31:33,160 One of those seats. He's letting us know that 509 00:31:33,160 --> 00:31:36,440 exactly how many people get to heaven isn't our concern. 510 00:31:36,440 --> 00:31:41,800 Our concern needs to be ensuring that we know how to heaven. 511 00:31:43,240 --> 00:31:45,200 We already saw that the path of. Destruction. 512 00:31:45,200 --> 00:31:49,440 Leads to eternal agony. But the the narrow. 513 00:31:49,440 --> 00:31:52,760 Path is one that. That that we must agonize for 514 00:31:52,760 --> 00:31:58,160 now so that our eternity is one of life with Jesus in paradise. 515 00:31:58,720 --> 00:32:02,600 But we have to know that the word. 516 00:32:02,600 --> 00:32:07,920 Strive in that passage is not suggesting that we work for 517 00:32:07,920 --> 00:32:11,080 salvation or that our our works and indeed somehow. 518 00:32:11,080 --> 00:32:13,320 Help with our salvation. Not at all. 519 00:32:14,640 --> 00:32:19,800 We already, we already saw that. Trusting in good deeds. 520 00:32:19,800 --> 00:32:23,080 To save us is the wide. Path of destruction. 521 00:32:24,160 --> 00:32:26,000 So what? Is the narrow gate then? 522 00:32:26,000 --> 00:32:31,800 And how? Do we go through it well the the 523 00:32:31,800 --> 00:32:37,120 whole of this verse discusses a. A narrow gate and a narrow path. 524 00:32:37,640 --> 00:32:39,160 So if you consider. That imagery. 525 00:32:39,160 --> 00:32:41,760 That the gate. Serves as the threshold to what 526 00:32:41,760 --> 00:32:44,080 comes after, right? They're not the same, though 527 00:32:44,080 --> 00:32:47,160 they are. Closely related, a gate or a 528 00:32:47,160 --> 00:32:49,320 door has. Two functions. 529 00:32:49,320 --> 00:32:52,920 If it's open, it serves as a point of limit entry in an 530 00:32:52,920 --> 00:32:56,120 otherwise impassable barrier. And if it's closed? 531 00:32:56,480 --> 00:32:59,400 It serves as part of the wall or the barricader of. 532 00:32:59,400 --> 00:33:01,920 Partition right. To get from outside the 533 00:33:01,920 --> 00:33:05,760 structure to inside or vice versa, you must pass through the 534 00:33:05,760 --> 00:33:08,000 gate. But even the gate. 535 00:33:08,040 --> 00:33:11,000 Keeps people from. From going through freely. 536 00:33:11,000 --> 00:33:12,840 So. Our good deeds and. 537 00:33:12,840 --> 00:33:15,120 Works. Aren't the door through the 538 00:33:15,120 --> 00:33:16,480 barrier? So what is? 539 00:33:18,960 --> 00:33:24,120 John 10, verses 7 through 9. Says Jesus. 540 00:33:24,560 --> 00:33:26,840 So Jesus again said to them, Truly, truly. 541 00:33:26,840 --> 00:33:29,600 I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 542 00:33:30,000 --> 00:33:32,800 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the 543 00:33:32,800 --> 00:33:35,720 sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. 544 00:33:35,960 --> 00:33:39,920 If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go. 545 00:33:39,920 --> 00:33:46,640 In and out and find Pastor now. As you read that, maybe you sit 546 00:33:46,640 --> 00:33:49,880 and you go, well, that's, that's got to be figurative, right? 547 00:33:51,080 --> 00:33:54,200 Maybe Jesus is just. Simply claiming to have the 548 00:33:54,200 --> 00:33:57,640 insight. As to how we get through the 549 00:33:57,640 --> 00:34:04,240 gate or the door, well, John 14-6, which happens to be the 550 00:34:04,480 --> 00:34:07,480 the verse that our youth group that we have here is built 551 00:34:07,480 --> 00:34:11,600 around John 14. Six, says Jesus said to him, I 552 00:34:11,600 --> 00:34:14,880 am. The Way and the truth and the 553 00:34:14,880 --> 00:34:17,239 Life. No one comes to the Father 554 00:34:17,560 --> 00:34:21,360 except. Through me, Jesus isn't just 555 00:34:21,360 --> 00:34:24,480 claiming to know the way to the Father, but makes it clear that. 556 00:34:24,480 --> 00:34:27,560 He is the way to the Father, the only way. 557 00:34:28,320 --> 00:34:32,080 To the Father. The human condition is that we 558 00:34:32,080 --> 00:34:35,560 bump into the. Walls in a million different 559 00:34:35,560 --> 00:34:39,120 ways and places to try to find our own way to heaven. 560 00:34:39,120 --> 00:34:42,760 People have been doing this since the beginning. 561 00:34:43,040 --> 00:34:45,239 I had a conversation just earlier this morning with 562 00:34:45,239 --> 00:34:48,120 somebody and, and, and he pointed out something that. 563 00:34:48,120 --> 00:34:52,560 We have all heard, which is an opinion so many people have that 564 00:34:52,800 --> 00:34:54,320 that that we're. All on the path. 565 00:34:54,480 --> 00:34:58,320 To Jesus, right or or each of us has. 566 00:34:58,360 --> 00:35:00,440 His or own path. To follow, but we all end. 567 00:35:00,440 --> 00:35:02,880 Up in the same in the same place. 568 00:35:05,440 --> 00:35:08,120 I thought of as I was. As I was thinking this, I 569 00:35:08,120 --> 00:35:12,040 thought about. A Roomba vacuum cleaner, right? 570 00:35:12,360 --> 00:35:15,360 How it how it it bumps into the furniture and it. 571 00:35:15,360 --> 00:35:18,240 Bumps into the to the walls as it's trying to figure. 572 00:35:18,240 --> 00:35:21,960 Out map its way through through the obstacles and we're the same 573 00:35:21,960 --> 00:35:23,240 way. We just keep bumping into the 574 00:35:23,240 --> 00:35:27,600 wall, trying to do the the wrong thing, bumping into it, bumping 575 00:35:27,600 --> 00:35:31,160 into it, keep doing it our way. But there's only one way. 576 00:35:31,160 --> 00:35:34,840 To get through and past that obstacle. 577 00:35:37,880 --> 00:35:41,080 That obstacle? That is impassable and and non 578 00:35:41,080 --> 00:35:45,960 negotiable. We have to remember. 579 00:35:46,080 --> 00:35:47,720 What scripture? Tells us clearly. 580 00:35:47,720 --> 00:35:51,160 You are dead. In your sins and trespasses you 581 00:35:51,160 --> 00:35:54,960 are lost without a savior, and you have no way of changing that 582 00:35:54,960 --> 00:35:57,880 on your own. The only exception to that is to 583 00:35:57,880 --> 00:35:59,800 go through the narrow gate by believing. 584 00:36:00,120 --> 00:36:04,080 That Jesus Christ paid. 100%. Of the. 585 00:36:04,080 --> 00:36:08,920 Cost of your sins. In his death on the cross. 586 00:36:08,920 --> 00:36:11,080 And and believing that he is God in the. 587 00:36:11,080 --> 00:36:14,120 Flesh who died for. Sinners and then defeated death 588 00:36:14,120 --> 00:36:18,240 by rising again. Now some will continue to have a 589 00:36:18,280 --> 00:36:21,360 hard time dealing with this truth. 590 00:36:21,360 --> 00:36:24,920 They'll insist on believing that they have some extra special. 591 00:36:24,920 --> 00:36:28,800 Level of spiritual. Insight and they'll never be 592 00:36:28,800 --> 00:36:34,320 secure in their. Future these who are. 593 00:36:34,320 --> 00:36:37,440 Many. We'll follow the broad Rd. that 594 00:36:37,440 --> 00:36:41,480 leads to Eternal. Destruction while for others. 595 00:36:41,480 --> 00:36:47,040 We can have joyful hope. John, 10/27/28. 596 00:36:47,960 --> 00:36:52,080 Says My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, 597 00:36:52,720 --> 00:36:56,360 and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never 598 00:36:56,640 --> 00:37:00,360 perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 599 00:37:03,040 --> 00:37:07,280 Jesus makes it clear that he is the door to salvation. 600 00:37:07,280 --> 00:37:10,160 You simply. Can't get there in any other way 601 00:37:10,640 --> 00:37:15,640 and that path is not easy for non believers here. 602 00:37:15,640 --> 00:37:22,640 Today I, I, I hope you'll go through that gate today need if 603 00:37:22,640 --> 00:37:24,720 you have questions about that, you want to talk more about 604 00:37:24,720 --> 00:37:29,960 that, please come and find me after the service, talk to one 605 00:37:29,960 --> 00:37:31,840 of the other. Pastors, find somebody. 606 00:37:32,080 --> 00:37:34,880 To help you. Understand what that means. 607 00:37:34,880 --> 00:37:39,760 What that looks like. For believers in Jesus Christ, I 608 00:37:39,760 --> 00:37:41,280 hope you'll remember that the path is. 609 00:37:41,280 --> 00:37:46,080 Supposed to be difficult travel it anyway. 610 00:37:46,880 --> 00:37:48,920 Love on your neighbor. Starting with those. 611 00:37:48,920 --> 00:37:51,880 In the household. Of God starting with your With 612 00:37:51,880 --> 00:37:54,240 your. Church family strive. 613 00:37:54,720 --> 00:37:59,200 Anguish over over learning. What the narrow gate is and stay 614 00:37:59,480 --> 00:38:01,680 on the narrow. Difficult path. 615 00:38:01,680 --> 00:38:05,360 Pour over God's word all the time. 616 00:38:07,040 --> 00:38:13,160 Devour this and let it fill your soul so that that people will 617 00:38:13,160 --> 00:38:15,240 see. The the fruit. 618 00:38:15,240 --> 00:38:20,680 Of that change take refuge as as David did in in that Psalm. 619 00:38:20,680 --> 00:38:23,280 That we read. Earlier that the Lord is the 620 00:38:23,280 --> 00:38:25,160 Good Shepherd. Who leads us on paths of 621 00:38:25,160 --> 00:38:27,280 righteousness? And restores our soul. 622 00:38:27,800 --> 00:38:36,480 You guys pray with me Lord, God, I thank you that you lay things 623 00:38:36,480 --> 00:38:39,440 out clearly for us. This way, Lord, we can see that 624 00:38:39,440 --> 00:38:44,760 we do have a choice here and and although that comes with 625 00:38:44,920 --> 00:38:49,360 difficulty, Lord, we. We read that and and and we know 626 00:38:49,360 --> 00:38:50,840 that that is true. That can still. 627 00:38:51,000 --> 00:38:54,480 Overwhelming to us, Lord, and. And so if anybody's here in this 628 00:38:54,480 --> 00:38:57,680 room today listening and, and, and maybe they. 629 00:38:58,000 --> 00:39:00,320 They worry about that. They have fear over what that 630 00:39:00,320 --> 00:39:02,160 difficult life might look like. Maybe they. 631 00:39:02,840 --> 00:39:04,920 Maybe they've already. Lived a difficult life. 632 00:39:05,560 --> 00:39:09,200 And they're, they're curious. Or they're or they're worried 633 00:39:09,200 --> 00:39:11,960 about what that would look like. Lord help us to be able to. 634 00:39:12,800 --> 00:39:15,800 Come alongside them to answer their questions, to be able to 635 00:39:16,200 --> 00:39:18,120 to share with them our own experiences. 636 00:39:18,120 --> 00:39:21,440 Lord, because I know. That as a as a follower. 637 00:39:21,440 --> 00:39:25,440 Of you, Lord, my life has not always been easy in that realm, 638 00:39:25,440 --> 00:39:28,600 and yet the blessings that come. To us that. 639 00:39:28,600 --> 00:39:33,280 Have come to me have been immense, and they have changed 640 00:39:33,680 --> 00:39:36,040 and they have been for my good and for your glory and so. 641 00:39:36,400 --> 00:39:38,960 Lord as we. As we take this lesson and we. 642 00:39:38,960 --> 00:39:43,240 And we think about this golden. Rule and about investing in 643 00:39:43,240 --> 00:39:45,040 other people, in loving on other. 644 00:39:45,040 --> 00:39:48,240 People starting with our. Homes starting with our church 645 00:39:48,280 --> 00:39:50,560 family. Lord, I ask that you would help 646 00:39:50,560 --> 00:39:52,040 that. Fruit to be seen. 647 00:39:52,080 --> 00:39:54,920 By by the the. The rest of our communities, the 648 00:39:54,920 --> 00:39:58,280 rest of people in our lives. And that we would be able to. 649 00:39:58,280 --> 00:40:00,920 Share with them, Lord. This discussion. 650 00:40:01,240 --> 00:40:04,720 About the the wide and easy gate and the narrow and. 651 00:40:04,720 --> 00:40:07,520 Difficult gate and that we can. Help. 652 00:40:07,520 --> 00:40:09,960 Somebody to to. Understand that they also. 653 00:40:09,960 --> 00:40:13,000 Have a choice to be made. Lord and and help. 654 00:40:13,240 --> 00:40:14,720 Give us. The words that we need to be 655 00:40:14,720 --> 00:40:17,320 able to share that succinctly and and properly. 656 00:40:17,640 --> 00:40:20,480 The Lord, we trust you. We trust that it isn't the way 657 00:40:20,480 --> 00:40:22,920 that we say it or the way that we deliver that that matters. 658 00:40:22,920 --> 00:40:26,440 It's our faithfulness in that. And so we trust, Lord, that. 659 00:40:26,440 --> 00:40:28,080 You will do a mighty work in this. 660 00:40:28,440 --> 00:40:30,560 In this community. Through our family and friends 661 00:40:30,560 --> 00:40:32,880 as we go, and we do. This as we follow through. 662 00:40:33,120 --> 00:40:36,600 On being obedient. To what you've told us to do, 663 00:40:37,200 --> 00:40:38,920 and we look. Forward to seeing that fruit. 664 00:40:39,480 --> 00:40:41,960 And we thank you. Jesus name Amen.