Decision Time!

2002002

Subject: sermon on mount; worldliness; selfishness

Introduction:

A. Jesus now going to conclude His great sermon. He going to urge right response to His sermon.

1. He has shown the uniqueness of the disciple.

a) general portrait is beatitudes.

b) In our influence upon the world.

2. He expects us to have a superior righteousness.

a) w/relationship w/the law.

b) W/relationship to worship; prayer; fasting

c) W/relationship to the world – to life in this world.

d) W/relationship to others – judging – the golden rule, etc.

B. Now…He asks, what are you going to do about it?

1. This sermon not just to be heard – but practiced! We are to “live” it!

2. Was not meant to inform – but to persuade!

C. Despite all of God’s power – man can reject His will.

1. His labor in sending Jesus to die – did not result in Him forcing us to obey – but we find him issuing an invitation!

a) Heb. 11:28-30

b) Man is not a robot – He will not compel us to do his will! He teaches us patiently & then urgently entreats.

D. In the remainder of the sermon he speaks of only 2 alternatives.

1. Two gates 7:13-14

2. Two kinds of fruit – 7:15-18

3. Two foundations – 7:24-27.

4. He tells us to enter the narrow gate; bring forth good fruit; and build your house on the rock.

E. We must decide between the way of submission & trust and the way of rejection & rebellion.

1. The choice is ours

2. What pathway will we choose? What kind of fruit will this produce? Will my spiritual house withstand spiritual storms?

F. So…7:13-14 – Jesus tells us to enter the narrow gate.

1. easy to picture. 2 gates. One wide; one narrow.

2. wide – capable of admitting many people – narrow gate leads to narrow path.

3. We must enter the narrow gate.

I. The Christian Life is narrow in the beginning.

A. Doesn’t start out fairly broad – then narrows – but even the gate is narrow!

1. We’d do well to remember this! Especially w/our evangelism.

a) in the gospels – emphasis was not on quantity but quality!

b) We need to impress in peoples minds that Christianity is different!

c) It involves a commitment/some changes need to be made/some sacrifices need to be made!

2. Jesus – Lk. 9:57-62

B. Most serious problem facing us – the # of unconverted; uncommitted people in membership of congregation.

1. we must guard against an infatuation with #’s.

2. Lack of commitments paralyzes many congregations.

a) Mt. 20:16 – many called but few chosen.

b) Lk. 13:23-24 – there are few who will be saved.

C. Yes…the gate is very exclusive at the beginning.

II. It is narrow because of what we leave behind.

A. Leave behind worldliness.

1. must break w/the world; the crowd; the majority.

a) we to become something exceptional; unusual; peculiar – 1 Pet. 2:9

2. Christian way of life is not popular. Cannot take the crowd with you.

a) 2 Cor. 6:7 – come out from among them & be separate.

3. This will be difficult!

a) many hate to be different in their habits/dress/etc.

b) but necessary.

B. Must break w/the way of the world!

1. Col. 3:5-10

2. must put away natural inclinations of the flesh & look to live according to righteousness taught by Jesus.

a) turn the other cheek

b) go the 2^nd mile

c) love our enemies.

C. Must leave self behind.

1. Col. 3:9 – put off old man w/his deeds. A challenge – b/c all of us born w/pride.

2. If we don’t tame our pride – how can we:

a) be poor in spirit? Bless them that curse us? Judge not? Do unto others as we would have them do to us?

b) Mt. 16:24 – must deny self!

3. Bottom line: old self must be ready to die – Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20

III. This is not easy!

A. E. Stevens: The Christian life is not easy. It is too great and glorious to be easy!

1. It will involve living like Jesus every day.

a) anyone can follow the ordinary.

b) Takes someone special to follow the extraordinary!

2. Involves suffering – Mt. 5:11; 2 Tim 3:12

B. Not only a narrow gate – but a narrow way! From beginning to end!

1. 2 Tim. 4:7-8 – it’s about fighting a good fight – and running a strong race to the end!

2. Once you start – finish what you start!

Conclusion:

A. Don’t overlook what Jesus says about where this road leads!

1. May be discouraging – but it is a matter of whether you want to pay the price to get what is at the end of the way!

2. We must count the cost!

B. Lk. 14:28-30 – count cost b/f building a tower.

C. Lk. 14:31-32 – king appraising the whole battle.

D. Lk. 14:33 – must be willing to forsake everything!

E. Earnhart: narrow gate strips from us that wickedness which poisons and destroys us. Only the man who still loves that wickedness will feel pressed in and suffocated by the King’s Highway. Sin is the thief which has come to “steal, kill, and destroy” but the “good Shepherd” has come that man may have life….and to have it more abundantly.

F. Which path are you going to choose? Which way are you going to go?

1. Only 1 path leads to heaven – meaning we must be prepared to sacrifice & discipline ourselves in this life.

2. Start down that path today!

G. I N V I T A T I O N



Decision Time! 2002002 Subject: sermon on mount; worldliness; selfishness Introduction: A. Jesus now going to conclude His great sermon. He going to urge right response to His sermon. 1. He has shown the uniqueness of the disciple. a) general portrait is beatitudes. b) In our influence upon the world. 2. He expects us to have a superior righteousness. a) w/relationship w/the law. b) W/relationship to worship; prayer; fasting c) W/relationship to the world – to life in this world. d) W/relationship to others – judging – the golden rule, etc. B. Now…He asks, what are you going to do about it? 1. This sermon not just to be heard – but practiced! We are to “live” it! 2. Was not meant to inform – but to persuade! C. Despite all of God’s power – man can reject His will. 1. His labor in sending Jesus to die – did not result in Him forcing us to obey – but we find him issuing an invitation! a) Heb. 11:28-30 b) Man is not a robot – He will not compel us to do his will! He teaches us patiently & then urgently entreats. D. In the remainder of the sermon he speaks of only 2 alternatives. 1. Two gates 7:13-14 2. Two kinds of fruit – 7:15-18 3. Two foundations – 7:24-27. 4. He tells us to enter the narrow gate; bring forth good fruit; and build your house on the rock. E. We must decide between the way of submission & trust and the way of rejection & rebellion. 1. The choice is ours 2. What pathway will we choose? What kind of fruit will this produce? Will my spiritual house withstand spiritual storms? F. So…7:13-14 – Jesus tells us to enter the narrow gate. 1. easy to picture. 2 gates. One wide; one narrow. 2. wide – capable of admitting many people – narrow gate leads to narrow path. 3. We must enter the narrow gate. I. The Christian Life is narrow in the beginning. A. Doesn’t start out fairly broad – then narrows – but even the gate is narrow! 1. We’d do well to remember this! Especially w/our evangelism. a) in the gospels – emphasis was not on quantity but quality! b) We need to impress in peoples minds that Christianity is different! c) It involves a commitment/some changes need to be made/some sacrifices need to be made! 2. Jesus – Lk. 9:57-62 B. Most serious problem facing us – the # of unconverted; uncommitted people in membership of congregation. 1. we must guard against an infatuation with #’s. 2. Lack of commitments paralyzes many congregations. a) Mt. 20:16 – many called but few chosen. b) Lk. 13:23-24 – there are few who will be saved. C. Yes…the gate is very exclusive at the beginning. II. It is narrow because of what we leave behind. A. Leave behind worldliness. 1. must break w/the world; the crowd; the majority. a) we to become something exceptional; unusual; peculiar – 1 Pet. 2:9 2. Christian way of life is not popular. Cannot take the crowd with you. a) 2 Cor. 6:7 – come out from among them & be separate. 3. This will be difficult! a) many hate to be different in their habits/dress/etc. b) but necessary. B. Must break w/the way of the world! 1. Col. 3:5-10 2. must put away natural inclinations of the flesh & look to live according to righteousness taught by Jesus. a) turn the other cheek b) go the 2^nd mile c) love our enemies. C. Must leave self behind. 1. Col. 3:9 – put off old man w/his deeds. A challenge – b/c all of us born w/pride. 2. If we don’t tame our pride – how can we: a) be poor in spirit? Bless them that curse us? Judge not? Do unto others as we would have them do to us? b) Mt. 16:24 – must deny self! 3. Bottom line: old self must be ready to die – Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20 III. This is not easy! A. E. Stevens: The Christian life is not easy. It is too great and glorious to be easy! 1. It will involve living like Jesus every day. a) anyone can follow the ordinary. b) Takes someone special to follow the extraordinary! 2. Involves suffering – Mt. 5:11; 2 Tim 3:12 B. Not only a narrow gate – but a narrow way! From beginning to end! 1. 2 Tim. 4:7-8 – it’s about fighting a good fight – and running a strong race to the end! 2. Once you start – finish what you start! Conclusion: A. Don’t overlook what Jesus says about where this road leads! 1. May be discouraging – but it is a matter of whether you want to pay the price to get what is at the end of the way! 2. We must count the cost! B. Lk. 14:28-30 – count cost b/f building a tower. C. Lk. 14:31-32 – king appraising the whole battle. D. Lk. 14:33 – must be willing to forsake everything! E. Earnhart: narrow gate strips from us that wickedness which poisons and destroys us. Only the man who still loves that wickedness will feel pressed in and suffocated by the King’s Highway. Sin is the thief which has come to “steal, kill, and destroy” but the “good Shepherd” has come that man may have life….and to have it more abundantly. F. Which path are you going to choose? Which way are you going to go? 1. Only 1 path leads to heaven – meaning we must be prepared to sacrifice & discipline ourselves in this life. 2. Start down that path today! G. I N V I T A T I O N