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The Narrow Way

The Narrow Way

Nov 02, 2014

Preacher: Rev. Steve Mattis

Series: The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached

Category: Sunday Sermons

Detail:

The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 7:13-20

“The Narrow Way”

Remember how Jesus began his sermon.

Matt. 4:17 “Rethink your life in light of the fact that the Kingdom of the heavens is now open to all.”

What the Narrow way is not!

CONTRAST: It is not Wide/Broad (easy) for that way leads to destruction.

Prov. 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”

The wide and broad way is simply a life lived for self! That is why it is Easy!

Where my will is most important and not the will of the Father.

The Narrow Way is not Doctrinal Correctness.

The gospel can be accessed by everyone who truly believes. Acts. 2:21, Ro 10:13

One can be doctrinally correct and be filled with hatred, prejudice and unforgiveness.

Doctrinal Correctness does not change the human heart. Kingdom is about transformation of the heart.

Vrs. 14 The Narrow Gate is a Way that is “confined” (difficult) but leads to Life.

The narrow way is confining to our flesh.

The Narrow Way - Is the practice of Routine Obedience from the heart.

The Narrow Way is obedience to Jesus!

Routine Obedience is the clearest way to show the Kingdom Heart of transformation.

His second contrast: False Prophets:

Appear as Sheep - Vrs. 15
Inwardly Ravenous Wolves.

Remember the former examples:

]Giving - To be seen by men.
Praying - To be seen by men.
Fasting - To be seen by men.

Discernment becomes more important as the age matures. Time moves toward completion.

Question: How can I know the difference?

Vrs. 16 “You will know them by their fruit.”

Fruit:

The Kingdom heart produces good fruit.

The inner realm is ruled by the King!

Grapes or Thorns?

Jn. 15: 1-7 A powerful illustration.

I am the vine!
You are the branches!
Abide in Me. Apart from me = Nothing!

Effortless fruit is produced by those who learn to ABIDE IN JESUS!

Vrs. 5 “He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing!”

“Come Away with me.”

From distraction.
To a quiet place for your heart.
Where you can learn to her my voice!
Learn to abide in me.
Where producing fruit is as effortless as just by being with Jesus!

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