Sunday Morning Podcast February 18, 2018. Bro. Dave Goble.
TEXT:MATTHEW 7:13-14
13 Enter 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:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
To be part of something. Where, or what do you desire to be a part of? Jesus is speaking to us here about the strait and narrow. When Jesus speaks to us, we need to listen. Strait here, means narrow. This “gate” and narrow way, refers to the right way to go in life. The way to miss it, is to choose the broad way of self and sin. Jesus represents the narrow way, the way He leads and directs us to go. Often people who are seeking the gate, find it hard to find that attachment to God. Hard because their own ways dominate. It is only the narrow way that will lead to Jesus. Not our own ways.
All of us desire to be a part of something. Whether that be a crowded, …or quieter place. Somewhere that we choose to fit in at. Here religion is often a hindrance to others who feel expected, sometimes, to go through a gauntlet of traditions to fit in. This can cause some to then pull away. It makes it hard for people to discern what is the right place? Another hindrance of course is simply our own thoughts, ways and choices to live. It involves a risk to our own ways of thinking, to now choose God’s narrow ways in life. All that have chosen to follow Christ have taken this risk. But there are risks and consequences to any way that is chosen. So where do you desire to be a part of? You might already see yourself as if on the narrow way, but that doesn’t mean you instead are not led by the broad way of your own wisdom. For saying you love God, is only sufficient when you leave off your own opinions.
In Luke 19, is the story of Zacchaeus’s desire to be a part of something. On the broad way of his life, Zacchaeus was a rich publican and tax collector. He had made much money from his greed. But now he was looking to choose a better way. He had heard of and desired to see Jesus for himself. After climbing up into a Sycamore tree to see Jesus (for Zacchaeus was short), Jesus showed attention to him, and declared He would dine at Zacchaeus house. Zacchaeus became a changed man, because his heart was changed to desiring and choosing Jesus’s holy way, (or the narrow way), instead of continuing on in his own sinful one. Choosing to be a part of the narrow way that Jesus led in, meant that Zacchaeus restored fourfold to all he had taken money illegally from. He had entered in at the strait gate! He had had to fight the crowds to get there. And we also will have to fight the crowds of obstacles to our soul, .. to be a part of Jesus.
To Be Part Of Something…..