CHOOSE THE
As
young -- & sometimes mischievous -- college students -- we were always
looking for the opportunity to have a good laugh.
So we would pull our car up along side
someone who was walking along -- & ask:
-- "Can you tell me if I am heading in the right direction?"
They would naturally respond by asking: --
"Where are you going?"
We would then say: -- "You are getting
personal, aren’t you? -- I didn't ask you where you are going?"
That may -- in fact -- be a personal
question -- but allow me the privilege of asking you this morning: --
"Where are you headed -- & how do you plan to get there?" -- In this case -- I'm talking about
eternity!
Where do you hope to spend eternity -- &
how do you plan to get there?
Most people would answer that question
quickly by saying they plan to spend eternity in Heaven!
If that is so -- how do you plan to get there?
How much thought have you given to eternity?
-- Eternity is "forever!"
What choices -- what commitments -- have you
made to be assured that you will spend "forever" in God's eternal home?
Are you moving in the right direction?
Are you making the right choices along the
way?
Life is full of choices -- isn't it?
Our lives are filled with decisions as to:
-- what to wear -- what to eat -- where to go -- what to do -- what to say --
what to buy -- whom to merry -- what career to follow -- & on & on.
Every day we are confronted with choices!
Some choices are petty & minute; -- some
choices have consequences that affect us for time & for eternity!
Many decisions are trivial &
insignificant -- but some are essential & life changing!
The most critical of all -- is our decision
about those matters pertaining to eternity!
That is the ultimate choice we have to make
-- & our eternal destiny depends on the choice we make!
Jesus Christ calls our attention to this all
important choice -- as He came to the end of His great Sermon -- often called
the Sermon on the Mount -- found in Matthew's Gospel -- chapters 5-7.
Jesus concludes this great Sermon -- in the
latter part of
Having described qualities of the Christian
life -- listen now to Jesus' concluding words beginning in
Jesus tells us that we must choose which way
we will go -- for there are two gates -- two roads -- two groups of people --
two destinations.
The world may think there are three kinds of
people: -- good, bad & neutral -- but the Bible knows of only two kinds --
sinners & the saved.
The solemn truth unfolds before us that
there are only two ways for humanity to choose: -- the way of the righteous
& the way of the ungodly.
We are either black or white; -- there is no
gray.
There is no in-between -- no debatable; --
there is not a "no man's land."
We are either "in Christ" -- or
"without Christ" -- travelers to heaven -- or to travelers to ruin (
Let's examine what Jesus is saying to us
today in these two verses: --
1. There is the
Most people -- Jesus says -- journey on the
road that requires no commitment to get through the gate -- or conviction of
truth to stay the course.
It's the easy way of the world -- where you
give allegiance only to your-self -- & do whatever satisfies your own
fancy.
And since it's the popular way to go -- you
need only follow the crowd.
Actually -- this is the natural thing to do
-- the way all of us are born to travel. -- As the Bible says: -- "I was
sinful at birth -- sinful from the time my mother conceived me" (Psalm
51:5).
You do not have to curse God to be lost.
Just do nothing; -- keep drifting along the
path of least resistance -- & "ignore" the call of God to take
the road that leads to life.
The Hebrew writer asks an all important
question -- "What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent
to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus
Himself?" (Hebrews 2:3
What we tend to overlook is that neglect is
itself a choice!
And as with all decisions -- there are
consequences!
After all -- all roads lead to somewhere!
It may be a dead end -- but it is still
somewhere.
If you plan to travel -- it's good to know
your destination.
It's imperative that you sit down -- look at
the map & decide on the best way to get to your destination. -- You would
be foolish not to do so!
You ought to have an "end" in mind
-- or you'll travel around aimlessly --in a clueless manner.
Foolish indeed is the person who sets out on
a journey -- & does not consider where it will end.
Jesus wants us to understand that the broad
way "leads to destruction."
Different translations describe this term --
"leads to destruction" -- with varying terms: -- "disaster"
(Phillips); -- "ruin" (
Jesus often spoke of hell as a place reserved
for the eternal punishment of those who forget -- or neglect God.
Characterized by the loss of all that is
good -- Jesus likened it to "darkness where there will be weeping &
gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:12) -- or as an endless torment of pain -- &
"the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:48).
Jesus is not trying to scare us; -- He is
attempting to warn us!
He simply wants us to know that everyone who
continues on the road to ruin will someday face the day of reckoning with God.
It's hard for us to look ahead -- &
consider the end of our journey.
The gusto of the moment seems too much fun
-- to take the time to think about the future.
Yet -- have you noticed as we get farther
down the road -- the pleasures of sin become less exciting -- & down deep
in the soul there is a nagging, but persistent sense of loneliness; -- a
yearning for true happiness that is not satisfied.
This unfulfilled desire breeds restlessness
-- & attempts to find fleshly remedies which only bring more despair.
You often see this in the lives of
celebrities: --
After his last show in Las Vegas -- at age
The king of rock & roll replied: --
"No, I’m not happy. -- I'm lonely as hell."
Remember Marilyn Monroe -- the sex symbol of
her day?
She reveled in the adoration -- the
idolization -- of her many fans.
Finally coming to realize the meaningless of
it all -- reflecting on her career -- she confessed to a reporter: --
"Fame will go by, & so long; -- I've always known it was fickle."
Not long afterwards -- Marilyn Monroe
committed suicide.
Think about Aristotle Onassis -- who through
his business enterprises -- became at one point the wealthiest man in the
world.
But in an interview after the death of his
son -- he said: -- "Until now I always believed that money could give a
man everything he wanted in life. -- But now money means nothing. -- My own
life has become pointless." -- Wiping tears from his eyes -- the
broken-hearted father could only say: -- "What now? -- What now?"
Yes -- that is the question; -- "What
now?"
When the treasures we have lived for in this
world have lost their luster -- & the end of life's journey looms ahead --
"what now?"
The Bible clearly states: -- "It is
destined that each person dies only once -- & after that comes
judgment" (Hebrews 9:27
Are you ready for that day? -- Or is there
in your soul an uncertainty -- even a fear -- of what lies ahead?
Don't you think that God has something
better for you?
2. So let's look at -- The Narrow Way of Life.
Thankfully -- there is another way -- a road
less traveled -- but a road that leads to a fully satisfying life; -- a life
abounding with joy & full of praise -- a life overflowing in love that
grows sweeter as the years go by.
Sounds wonderful -- doesn't it?
But Jesus tells us that "small is the
gate & narrow the way that leads to life -- & only a few find it."
We are led to believe that it is not
politically correct to be out of step with the majority; -- sometimes called in
ridicule -- "narrow-minded."
But I have come to realize that ridicule can
be expected when we choose this narrow road of life.
For one thing -- it's narrow because Jesus
is the only way.
"No one comes to the Father" --
Jesus said -- except "by me" (John 14:6).
He affirms: -- "I am the gate... -- All
others who came before me were thieves & robbers" (John 10:7-8
There are many religious leaders who claim
devotion from their followers.
But there is only One -- Who accepted in His
body the guilt of our sins -- Who bore our judgment unto death -- & then
rose victoriously from the grave!
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ confronts
the world with a bewildering problem!
For when someone dies who has power over the
grave -- you must ask -- why did He die?
The Bible gives the only answer: -- "He
was handed over to die because of our sins -- & He was raised from the dead
to make us right with God” (Romans 4:25).
Facing this fact -- everyone now must come
to terms with the crucified & risen Son of God -- for "there is no
other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
My friends -- Jesus Christ is Lord! -- By
Him alone can we enter through the gate into the
Also this gate is narrow -- because to go
this way we must repent.
Jesus came to call "sinners to
repentance" (Luke 5:32; Matt. 4:17).
And He said -- "Unless you repent, you
shall all likewise perish" (Lk 13:3).
Repentance means a change of direction!
Seeing ourselves responsible for what
happened at the Cross -- in godly sorrow for our sins -- with brokenness &
remorse -- we choose to leave the road that leads to destruction -- & start
to follow Jesus!
We confess our sins -- & resolve to turn
away from everything displeasing to the Lord.
Furthermore -- to go this narrow way -- we
must believe in Christ!
Jesus says that everyone "who believes
has eternal life" (John 3:15).
"Whoever does not believe stands
condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one &
only Son” (John 3:18).
So I ask you today -- "Do you
believe?"
Belief -- as Jesus used the word -- means
far more than intellectual acceptance of His work & teachings.
Saving faith is complete trust in Jesus
Christ -- impacting our whole personality -- affirming His Word -- embracing
His love -- & consenting to His plans for our life.
Attempts to impose our will upon God are
gone -- & in its place come a new quest -- & a new desire -- to follow
Jesus!
Such childlike devotion to Him is so
liberating from our previous vain efforts to earn favor with God -- that it's
like being "born again" (John 3:3).
That -- my friends -- is not hard to do; --
It is a delight to do!!
When our two children were small -- & I
would greet them as they came home from school -- they would run to me.
I would pick them up & hug them until
they would squeal with delight.
They had no fear that I would let them fall
-- not even a thought of insecurity.
For they knew that I loved them; -- I was
their daddy -- & in my arms they were perfectly safe.
That kind of confidence is what makes belief
in Christ so beautiful!
Living by faith is simply resting in the
arms of Jesus -- & in that sweet assurance -- giving all that we are -- all
that we hope to be -- to Him Who loved us & gave Himself for us.
3. Now for my final point -- It is Up to You to
Make a Decision!
There must be a decision! -- Which road you choose to travel in your
journey of life involves a choice!
One of the best preachers I have ever heard
preach -- was Dr. T.W. Willingham. -- He spoke at several events during my
college years.
Dr. Willingham made a statement in one of
his sermons that provoked a negative response in my thinking at the time.
He said: -- "We are limited to one
choice only."
At the time I heard that I thought to myself
-- "I don't believe that."
I reasoned: -- I make many choices every
day; -- I choose to get up in the morning; -- to eat breakfast; -- to go to
class; -- to go to work; -- to drive my car; -- to spend money; -- & to
retire at night.
But then I began to realize that all of
these choices are conditional.
I get up if I'm physically able; -- eat
breakfast if I have the food -- or if someone prepares it for me; -- I go to
work if I have a job; -- & drive my car if it functions; -- spend money if
I have any -- & there is something to buy I want & can afford it; --
& I go to bed at night if I'm still living.
All physical, material, & natural
choices are conditional, limited & hypothetical. -- None are absolute,
final, sure & certain.
Dr. Willingham added: -- "I can only
choose my Master!"
This is the only free, unlimited,
unrestricted, unconditional, absolute, & final choice I can make.
So I finally agreed with Dr. Willingham's
assertion: -- "One choice only! -- I can only choose my Master!"
Adam was endowed with this one choice! -- He
was the first free creature. -- He was given the sovereign power to choose.
You may say -- "He had the choice of
eating a certain fruit -- or not."
But it was not the fruit that was important.
The choice was: -- Will God be my Master --
or will Satan? -- Will I obey God as my Lord -- or will I follow Satan as my
ruler?
Who -- who will have my allegiance? -- To
whom will I be loyal?
To what person will I give my life?
Will my influence be used for God -- or
Satan?
There is but one real choice!
All others are secondary -- limited -- &
problematic.
The spiritual choice of my Master shapes my
character; -- it constructs my ideals; -- it selects my companions; -- it
forges my habits; -- it decides my pleasures; -- it conditions my body; -- it
affects my philosophy of life; -- & finally it determines my eternal
destiny!
This one all-important choice determines
what kingdom I belong to -- Christ's -- or Satan's.
It determines whom I associate with; -- what
goals I seek; -- what appetites I gratify; -- what instincts I follow; -- what
desires I satisfy.
This one choice makes me either a love slave
of Christ -- or a bond slave of Satan!
This one choice opens for you -- two
possible ways!
Jesus gave us the description -- "Enter
through the narrow gate. -- For wide is the gate & broad is the road that
leads to destruction -- & many enter through it. -- But small is the gate
& narrow the road that leads to life -- & only a few find it” (Matthew
7:13-14 NIV).
For you -- which one shall it be? -- God's
way -- or Satan's way?
God's way is light; -- Satan's way is
darkness.
God's way is straight; -- Satan's way is
crooked.
God's way is right; -- Satan's way is wrong.
God's way grows larger, freer, &
happier; -- Satan's way grows smaller, tighter, & more painful.
God's way leads to eternal life; -- Satan's
way leads to everlasting death.
God's way brings you to Heaven; -- Satan's
way takes you to hell.
It all depends on the one choice! -- &
it's up to you to make a decision.
Conclusion:
--
I had hoped to make a trip to
Being the history buff that I am -- I wanted
to once again visit the
Perhaps at another time!
It was in that old Spanish Mission in the
year of
Surrounded for 13 days by the Mexican army --
numbering 5,000 men -- the Texans were under attack.
During a lull in the bombardment -- William
B. Travis -- the commander -- called his men together & explained their
hopeless military position -- & that the only way to save themselves would
be to surrender.
However -- there was the possibility that at
night individuals might slip through the enemy lines -- & he would
understand if someone chose to leave.
Releasing his sword -- placing its point to
the earth -- Travis walked in front of his battle weary men until a line was
drawn in the sand.
Then in a voice trembling with emotion -- he
said: -- "Those prepared to give their lives in freedom's cause -- come
over to me."
Without hesitation every man -- save one --
crossed that line.
Jim Bowie -- too sick to walk -- asked that
he be carried over on his cot.
In the early pre-dawn hours of March 6,
The Texans fought off the first attack --
& the second -- but the third assault breached the north wall -- & the
Mexican troops poured into the
In furious hand-to-hand combat -- the Texans
fought until every able bodied soldier had bathed the earth with his blood.
Only a few women & children -- & two
Black slaves were spared.
That's why the cry -- "Remember the
Alamo" became the battle cry for
The line had been drawn -- & now every
person who lived in the territory had to choose which side they were on.
No longer could they be neutral!
Everyone had to make a decision -- to stand
with
In an infinitely greater way -- God has
drawn a line across the conscience of every person.
It's a line drawn with an old rugged Cross
clearly depicting the choice each one of us has to make -- to go with the crowd
on the broad road -- or take the narrow trail of the Cross -- & follow
Jesus.
You cannot have it both ways! -- What is
your choice? -- Your decision?
I like the way Eugene Peterson paraphrases
our Scripture text.
He writes -- "Don't look for shortcuts
to God. -- The market is flooded with sure fire easy going formulas for a
successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. -- Don't fall for
that stuff, even though crowds of people do. -- The way of life -- to God! --
is vigorous -- & requires total attention” (Matt. 7:13-24, The Message).
My friends -- there are no bargain counters;
-- there is no neutral ground.
Jesus
said: -- "He that is not for me is against me" (Matt. 12:30).
We are free to make one choice only!
Joshua put the matter to
The people made their choice: -- "We
will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:21).
Today Christ confronts you with His
call!
But Satan also is bidding for you.
You must make the one great choice!
Give yourself to Christ -- & He'll give
Himself to you!
Then -- & then only -- can you have
peace, freedom & happiness here -- & be qualified for Heaven hereafter.
So -- where are you headed -- & how do
you plan to get there?
Pastor
Lyle W. Pettit
Wynne
Chapel --
www/wynnechapel.org