|
Staying on Track
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it
Wide v Small Broad v Narrow Easy v Difficult Many v Few Destruction v Life
Jesus – I am the gate, enter through me and be saved (Jn10). Narrow not broad. No other name under heaven – Jesus is the way, the truth and the life not just salvation – talking about finding life – living your best life
Jeremiah 29:11 God has a plan – a right road
Decisions, choices every day. Broad v Narrow
We are on a journey Path to follow in life God is watching over us.
No good in the ditch – get on the road. May seem like a roller coaster at times, but God is with you. You are not alone
Discipline (narrow) leads to Life - Freedom
Lack of discipline (broad) leads to Destruction – Bondage
Boundaries provide security
7 key influences to staying on track:
1. The Word of God
Psalms 119:105 Lamp to my feet and a light for my path
Illuminates our path
God’s word shows us how to live. Forgiveness, tithing, resolving conflict
John 1 in Him was life and that life was the light of men
The promises of God keep us on track
Romans 4 Abraham
2 Peter 1:4 through them we participate in the divine nature (become like Jesus) and escape the corruption in the world (the broad road to destruction)
2. Holy Spirit and Prayer
Jesus sent the comforter, one called alongside
Take from what is mine and make it known to you
Part of prayer is hearing the voice of the HS.
Isaiah 30:21 you will hear a voice behind you saying this is the way; walk in it
Feel a nudge
John 16:13 guide you into all truth (like a blind man)
Pray continually
Jeremiah 10:21 the shepherds are senseless, and do not enquire of the Lord; so they do not prosper and their flock is scattered
3. Love
Living a life of love keeps you on track. In Eph 3:17 Paul speaks about being rooted and grounded in love. Love is likened to soil – where things grow
In 1 Corinthians 12 he says that there is an excellent way – an excellent path to take – the way of love. Love never fails.
In Bible school we have looked at some of the astonishing statements Jesus made about money:
In Luke 6:30 Jesus said Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
He further emphasizes this in v35 …. love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.
Love is the motivating force in our lives. Galatians 5:14 Entire law – love your neighbour as yourself
4. Thankfulness
Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you. I am thankful that I am saved, that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world, that no weapon that is formed against me shall prosper, that I can trample upon serpents and scorpions and overcome all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means harm me and my family.
You start thanking God and those adverse circumstances will begin to fade.
Your enemies will come to nothing
You have faith that can extinguish all the fiery darts of the enemy
5. Friends
Who you hang out with will determine your path in life.
God said it is not good for man to be alone – we need each other
Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wiser still, but a companion of fools suffers harm
Proverbs 14:7 Message Escape quickly from the company of fools; they’re a waste of time..
Paul said Follow me as I follow the Lord 1 Corinthians 11:1
There is a transfer of anointing when you hang around the right people – you pick up their spirit.
Elisha and Elijah
Faithful are the wounds of a friend
6. Live Generously
Jesus was generous with His life.
Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again
As we give our lives (bread), we will find life being give back to us
Woman caught in adultery Proverbs 10:12 Love covers all sins
Proverbs 11:24,25 One man gives freely...
7. Speak Positively
What we say takes us down a road.
Romans 10:10 Confession is made unto salvation
Speak to the “mountains” facing us. Mark 11
Joel 3:10 Let the weak SAY I am strong.
Feel sick, SAY I am well.
Poor, SAY I am rich.
Out of work, SAY I am employed.
And keep saying it until the situation changes
In the negative Proverbs 6:2 ensnared by the words of your mouth
We trust in the God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did Romans 4
|
Paul Addison, 02/04/2006 |
|
| |
