Narrow Gate Part II (July 28, 2010)

Last week we discussed this verse:
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. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

 

What does it mean to go through the broad gate

 

What does it mean to go through the narrow gate?

 

The average person is in debt, has a 50/50 chance of getting a divorce, is out of shape, might have ADD, and is unhappy.

 

I don’t want to be average.
God doesn’t want me or you to be average.

 

In a previous year Americans spent $24.1 billion on home video rentals, and $ 9.2 billion at theaters.

 

The average American spends $2,698 on entertainment a year. There are 309,848,155 people in the US. That’s 835,970,322,190.

 

In a previous year, Americans gave about $295 billion to charity.

 

So, the average American cares more about entertaining themselves then about helping their neighbors. That does not sound Biblical.

 

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

If you are listening to the same music as many of your peers you are following the pattern of this world.

 

If you are watching the same movies, tv shows, playing the same video games, or anything else the same as most other people.

 

If you are doing anything the same as many other people in this world then you are following the patterns of this world.

 

We have already established that the pattern of this world leads to destruction. The pattern of the world leads to debt, gives you a good chance of being divorced, leads to poor health, and unhappiness.

 

Stand out in this world. Let your light shine. Choose the narrow gate that God has prepared for you to go through.

 


Consider this quote:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marianne Williamson


Stand out!

 

Be different!

 

Don’t do what everyone else is doing in the same way everyone else is doing it.

 

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

Be transformed. Renew your mind to ask what am I living for, what was I created for.

 

You were designed to live for God. Awaken your mind to that fact and you will be able to understand God’s will for your life.

 

Be different.

 

Do you live your life based on the Word of God or do you follow the patterns of this world?

 

What is the difference between the Word of God and the patterns of this world?

 

Why doesn't God want us to follow the pattern of this world?

 

How does the narrow gate lead to life?

 

How does the broad gate lead to distruction?

 

Pray that God would help you run towards the narrow gate and live differently. Pray that He would help you avoid living by the patterns of this world.

 

 

 


 

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