Sunday Recap 7-22-12

Morning: The sermon, "Which Way Will You Go?" focused on Matthew 7:13-14. In this passage, Jesus commands us to enter the narrow gate. The context in Matthew and in other Scriptures, lead me to conclude Jesus is speaking of himself. As he said in John, "'Truly, Truly, I say to you, I he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in another way, that man is a thief and a robber' . . . So Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep" (John 10:1,7). From here, Jesus presents us with two ways.

The Broad Way

     We can call this way, "Whatever Way," because on this way whatever goes. gate is wide because it captures the full spectrum of human morality from legalism to lawlessness. The way is broad because it is so frequently traveled. Solomon warned, "There is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way of death" (Prov. 14:12). This path is the path we are born on. We are sinners, turned away from God. It is the way that ends in judgment.

The Narrow Way

The narrow way is hard. It is hard because it requires to you take up your cross, follow Jesus, and die daily. It's hard because it may require you to give up your home, your family, your wealth, your health, or your very life. It's hard because so few find it. It's hard because it winds through temptations, testings, persecutions, and tribulations. It's hard because it isn't about following rules. It's hard because we are prone to wander. 

So how do we obey Jesus? 

We need to understand the project correctly. Most of us understand conversion as an act of renovation. There is some truth to that, but the renovation of our soul is less like This Old House, and more like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Tom, Norm, and the gang keep a lot of the old, and blend it with the new. Ty and his crew bulldozed it down, and built something new.

1. It starts with repentance. Repentance is a change of mind. It means we change course.

2. Next we believe. We come to trust Jesus as our only source of righteousness. As the old hymn says, "In my hand no price I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling."

3. Through faith, we devote ourselves to becoming a student of Christ.

Evening: The lesson, "Sanctified by the Word," focused on using Scripture to grow in our sanctification. Jesus' statements in John 17:17, help us to understand that the Spirit primarily uses Scripture to accomplish sanctification in our life.

How do we grow?

1. Know yourself. What are your weaknesses?

2. Trust God. He has given you everything you need to grow in godliness.

3. Recognize you're at war. 1 Peter 5:8, 2 Cor. 2:11.

How do we apply this?

1. Pick one of your weaknesses. For example, we'll look at anger.

2. Change your mindset--You have to move from "I can't do this," to "Through Christ, I can do anything."

3. Renew your mind through the study of Scripture. Look up what God says about your problem. Read, pray, meditate, and memorize. Here are some Scriptures concerning anger: Eph. 4:26-17; Proverbs 14:16-17, 29; 22:24-25; 29:22.

4. Put into practice what you learn.