Encourages perseverance in faith, choosing the challenging but rewarding path of Christ, and overcoming obstacles to live a life worthy of His call.
Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. We gather here today, united in spirit and purpose, to immerse ourselves in the profound wisdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, as revealed to us through His Holy Word.
Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the Gospel of Matthew, specifically to Matthew 7:13-14. These verses, though few in number, are rich with meaning and depth. They serve as a compass, guiding us towards the path that leads to life eternal.
As we reflect on these verses, we are reminded of the words of the esteemed preacher Charles Spurgeon who once said, "By perseverance the snail reached the ark." Indeed, the path of faith is often narrow and challenging, but it is through perseverance, through heeding Christ's call, that we reach our heavenly destination.
Today, we will ponder upon three main points: Heeding Christ's Call, Hindrances on the Wider Path, and Hope in Following the Narrow Way. As we do so, let's remember that our faith is not a sprint, but a marathon. It's not about how quickly we can reach the finish line, but how faithfully we run the race.
Let us bow our heads in prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for the opportunity to gather in Your holy name. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to Your Word today. Grant us the wisdom to understand Your teachings, the courage to choose the narrow path, and the strength to persevere, no matter the obstacles we may face. We pray that our time together today will draw us closer to You, and inspire us to live our lives in a manner worthy of Your call. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
As we turn our hearts and minds to the teachings of our Savior, we find ourselves faced with a profound directive. A directive that calls us to choose the path less trodden, the path that leads to life. This call, this divine directive, is not a mere suggestion. It is an urgent plea, a beckoning from our Lord Jesus Christ, urging us to heed His voice and follow His lead.
Not a call to the easy or the comfortable: It is a call to the narrow, to the challenging, to the road less traveled. It is a call that demands our full attention, our complete dedication, and our unwavering commitment. It is a call that requires us to set aside our own desires, our own plans, and our own understanding. It is a call to surrender, to submit, to yield ourselves fully to the will of our Lord.
This call is not a burden: It is not a yoke of oppression or a chain of bondage. Rather, it is a beacon of hope, a light in the darkness, a guide to the path of life. It is a call that brings freedom, peace, and joy. It is a call that leads to life, to love, and to the fullness of God's blessings.
Not a call to a life of isolation or solitude: It is a call to community, to fellowship, to a life shared with others who are also heeding the call. It is a call to love our neighbors as ourselves, to bear one another's burdens, and to encourage one another in our walk of faith. It is a call to unity, to harmony, and to mutual edification.
Heeding the call of Christ is not a passive act: It is not a matter of simply hearing the call and acknowledging it. It is a matter of responding to the call, of taking action, of stepping out in faith. It is a matter of making a conscious decision to follow Christ, to walk in His ways, and to live according to His teachings. It is a matter of choosing the narrow gate, the narrow road, the path that leads to life.
The imagery: In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus presents us with two gates, two roads, two paths. The wide gate, the broad road, the path that leads to destruction. And the narrow gate, the narrow road, the path that leads to life. The choice is ours to make. Will we heed the call of Christ and choose the narrow gate, the narrow road, the path that leads to life? Or will we ignore the call and choose the wide gate, the broad road, the path that leads to destruction?
The call of Christ is a call to transformation: It’s a call to a new way of living, to a new way of being. It is a call to leave behind our old ways, our old habits, our old selves. It is a call to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. It is a call to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Heeding the call of Christ is not a one-time event: It is a lifelong commitment, a daily decision, a continual process. It is a journey of faith, of growth, of maturation. It is a journey that requires perseverance, patience, and persistence. It is a journey that is marked by trials and tribulations, by challenges and obstacles. But it is also a journey that is marked by victories and triumphs, by blessings and breakthroughs.
As we tread along the path of life, we often find ourselves at a crossroads ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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