Sermon Central
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Two Ways
Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 2, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: --2 Ways to HEAVEN, to HAPPINESS, 2 Ways to LIVE, and to DIE. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Presentation.
TWO WAYS
The number two has a great significance in the Bible:
Two tables of stone -Two sons of Aaron
Abraham had two sons -Isaac had two sons
Two and the Tabernacle -Two goats
Two turtledoves -Two pigeons
Two oxen used together -Samson two pillars
Two witnesses -Two resurrections
Tribulation - 2 periods -Two by two
Two sets of brothers in the 12 disciples
Widow’s two mites -Two thieves on cross
Two shall be grinding -Two in the field
Two births -Two deaths
Two foundations in our text
And there’s 2 ways you can go at the end of this life, which depend upon which of 2 choices you make now!
Satan always has a counterfeit to God’s plan. Jesus told the disciples,
v. 15 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." That is Satan’s counterfeit. That “wide gate” and “broad way” is Satan’s attempt to lure millions into the fiery pits of hell.
Satan has that wide gate.
He makes the “wide gate” look very similar to the narrow one.
He paints the “broad way” religious colors.
He is very successful in his approach. Jesus Himself said, “....many there be which go in thereat.”
Therefore, my purpose is to warn each of you of what Prov 16:25 says, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
I want to remind you that there are two ways to heaven mentioned.
I. TWO WAYS TO HEAVEN
A. Man’s Way - Works Salvation.
Religion is founded on works. “What must I do....” Matt. 7:22, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? (Works) and in thy name have cast out devils?(Works) and in thy name done many wonderful works?"
Man has always sought his own salvation. Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden, when they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons of covering. God did not accept their efforts, and neither will He accept yours.
There are always two ways for salvation: Man’s way - “works”, and God’s way - “be born again”.
Man’s way is the way to hell. God’s way is the way to heaven.
Man attempts to make himself equal with God. That’s why he tries to make his own way to heaven. That’s humanism. If man acknowledges that God is superior, then man must submit to God.
Man says, “I’ll make my own way.”
Maybe your way is that you teach in some class in the S/S.
Perhaps you are counting your baptism as sufficient.
Your name on the roll of this church may the ticket that you hold in your hand to go to heaven. Maybe you sincerely try to keep the commandments and be a good person. Maybe you are a helping person. You help do things around the church. You are always working, working, doing things and your hope is that those things you do will be enough to take you to heaven.
All of these are man’s way, and all lead to hell.
Several places in the N.T. we see this phrase, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Man’s way is through his own works. But it doesn’t say “to earn” eternal life, but “to inherit!”
That brings us to God’s way.
B. God’s Way - Be Born Again. John 3:1-7
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: [2] The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. [3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [4] Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? [5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
That’s why we said last week:
Born once - Die twice.
Born twice - Die once.
If you do not submit to the new birth you will bring about your own doom to the lake of fire.
1. You have been born with the sin nature. Psa 51:5 "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."
