The Choice

by Lawrence Kelley

We come now to the conclusion of the S.O.M. Here Jesus urges right response to all that has gone before. Now the unique authority of Jesus shines like the Sun as He demands absolute surrender to His way and warns us that seeking refuge in any other will most certainly end in disaster.

1. Two Gates
1. The wide Gate & Broad way.
1. The broad way requires no discipline.
2. You may come as you are and do as you please.
3. You may adopt any moral code you like.
2. The narrow Gate & Restricted way.
1. John 14:6 I am the true and living way, no man comes...
2. Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
3. The paradox: Broad becomes narrow & narrow broad.
1. Sin enslaves - Prodigal Son
2. Christ is freedom - Law of liberty



2. Two Prophets
1. Those who point men to Christ &those pointing somewhere else
1. They may be libertines - 2 Pet 2:17-22
2. They may be legalists - Col 2:20-23
3. If they do not point you to Christ & His word they are false bringing you a salvation which will not save, water that will not quench your thirst.
2. But how can you tell the false from the true? Both look alike.
1. Pray - vv. 7-11
2. What fruit does their teaching produce?
1. in their lives,
2. in their children's
3. in their disciples



3. Two Professions
1. Saying, "Lord, Lord," and doing great exploits do not guarantee admittance to the kingdom of Heaven.
2. Faithful service done in response to what God has actually called us to is the assurance of Salvation.
3. Ask:
1. What am I doing? - Authority
2. Why am I doing it? - Motive



4. Two Builders
1. First note the similarities
2. The Fundamental difference
1. One is built on the rock; the other on the sand.
2. One is built upon the foundation of utter trust in Christ and complete surrender to His will; The other upon a trust in self.
3. How can you be sure of your foundation?
1. Hear the word of Christ - and obey
2. Hear the word of Christ - and evaluate its reasonableness
3. The Revelation
1. Temporal judgments often reveal the differences
1. Financial loss
2. Loved ones die
3. Health is lost
1. The Christian rests on Christ, sinks down - arms
2. The disobedient begins to show cracks.
2. Final Judgment tells all
1. Complete collapse or standing firm
2. Chaff is burned; wheat gathered in the barn
3. Lambs brought into safety of fold, goats turned out to desert
4. Right hand enter in; left hand depart
3. Scare Tactics?
1. In one sense no - fear alone will not work.
2. In another sense yes - awakening you to the reality of your peril.
3. Ill w/ Mud slide house in California.

Conc: Look at v. 15a. What does Jesus say? Enter In. Does not say:

"study the design of the gate.""Find fault with the travelers and the road;""Seek to enlarge the gate and widen the way,""Look about for some other entrance"but "Enter ye in." Be obedient to the gospel, believe its testimony concerning Jesus; enter into fellowship with its God, receive its blessings: be travelers along its road. "Enter ye in."

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Sermons on:

Sermon On The Mount
Beattitudes

Copyright © 2006, Lost River Church of Christ
This page was last modified on April 3, 2007