matthew 7:13-7:14

Medina Church of the Nazarene

There is one thing that is paramount in our lives. We must be saved. Our text tells us that the highway to hell is broad and the gate is wide. It seems that our world is paving the highway even wider with more lanes. If we took a poll and ask people if they wanted to go to Heaven or Hell, we would likely get a majority that says they want to go to Heaven. But those same people make choices every day that put them on that broad highway. Too many people have ignored signs and directions that would tell them that they are traveling the wrong way. For some, they can only see one road, so they take it. The highway may seem like a sensible way, but there is another road. In Matthew, we read the parable of the wealthy man who entrusts talents to three of his servants. Two of the servants invest wisely and double what they have been given, while the third holds onto his talent but does nothing with it. The servant returns and praises the first two, but tells the third that he is wicked and slothful. The third man is cast into darkness. It is not enough to hold onto what God has given us, but we must invest and grow His blessings to us. In our final text tonight, the writer in revelation has a vision of the book of life. Those whose names do not appear in the book of life are cast into the fire. It is not enough that we travel on the right road, and that we invest God’s talents wisely. There is nothing more important in life than being saved. In order to do that, we must travel on the right road, and maintain a relationship with God such that our name appears in the book of life.

No one aims to live an average life. When we were younger, we all aspired to live extraordinary lives. But somewhere along the way, we settle into an average job, average debt, average marriage, average family, and average dreams. If we were to really follow Jesus, we would not be average. Jesus calls us to give more than expected. He calls us to live for tomorrow. He calls us to action because only by acting can we become anything but average.

Today we are looking into a couple of Jesus' commands which tell us how to treat those around us. He tells us to be the salt and the light to the world, but how can we interpret those commands to get to the depth of what Jesus means?

Pastor Small continues with his Series of Jesus Sermon on the Mount.

While Jesus is very exclusive in His claims concerning who He is, there is also great inclusiveness in His calling to become followers and to make disciples everywhere.

While Jesus is very exclusive in His claims concerning who He is, there is also great inclusiveness in His calling to become followers and to make disciples everywhere.

Sunday, September 15, 2013 Grace & Truth Christian Fellowship