(#Sermon29May2016pm)
Matthew 7:14 “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Let’s talk about Why is it blessed to follow God’s way. There are only two ways to choose in life; you can choose God’s way or Satan’s way. Satan disguises his way in many different forms. He disguises it through man’s opinion, personal desires, worldly lifestyle and the entertainment industry to name a few.
Satan doesn’t care which way you choose as long as you don’t choose God’s way. Satan’s desire for your life is simply not to walk in God’s way. He doesn’t want you to blessed. He will be sure to tell you all the “horror” stories of God’s way, but the Bible says he is a liar and never tells you that his way ends in death.
On the other hand, you have a choice to choose God’s way because is the only way for a blessed life. God explicitly tells us in our text His way and His way leads to life. It is interesting that Satan’s way is “broad” and God’s way is “narrow.” Satan gives you many ways from which to choose, but God gives you only one way.
John 14:6 shows us that way when it says, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Though God’s way may seem constrictive to some and too narrow for others, God shows us four things about His way to reveals its superiority to Satan’s way. So, why is it blessed to follow God’s way? Because…
First, God’s way is good. Please open your Bibles in 1 Kings 8:36 “Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.”
In the verse above, Solomon calls God’s way the “good way.” It is the “good way” because God’s way leads to life and joy. People often look at the immediate to determine how good something is, but you must look at the end to realise that God’s way is a good way. I’ve never seen a person serve God their entire life and at the end of their life regret it. You will always find at the end of life that God’s way was a good way.
Second, God’s way is the right way -1 Samuel 12:23 says, Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: In other words, God’s way has no gray areas. His way is a way of absolutes. It is either right or wrong. Far too many Christians try to make God’s way ambiguous when His way is a way of absolutes. If you are going to walk in God’s way, you are going to have to always do the right thing even if it doesn’t benefit you.
Third, God’s way is the old way. God calls His way the “old paths” in Jeremiah 6:16. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
In other words, God’s way is a well-trodden pathway that is easy to find if you will look to the past and watch those who have walked that way. Friend, stop looking to those around you to determine God’s way and look to those from the past to see His way. There are many Christians from the past who walked God’s way, and His way is as relevant to your life today as it was for them.
Fourth, God’s way is the straight way – Matthew 22:16 says: And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
In other words, God has no hidden agenda or ulterior motives in His way other than to bring you joy and happiness through doing right and in truth. If you are going to walk in God’s way, you must make your way clear for people to discern. Watch out for those whose ways are uncertain or vague. You will find those who walk in God’s way always make their stand clear.
Fifth, God’s way is perfect. 2 Samuel 22:31- As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. This is repeated in Psalm 18:30. We are not perfect; God is perfect. We are flawed; God is flawless.
God takes His perfection through the blood of Jesus Christ our Saviour, and paints his perfection over our imperfection.
God takes his flawlessness, and with his strength, He cleanses us from the flaws that weaken us. We all struggle with imperfections, but that is for us to cling and be dependent upon Him. We then ask God to help us and with His help we will deeply understand that he loves you unconditionally. Jesus is our perfection and therefore we must abide with him. Praise God for Jesus.
Folks, God’s way is and it is a sure way to a blessed life. When you choose to walk in His way, you will find your life is filled with blessings. I encourage you to walk in God’s way. When you walk in God’s ways, your ways will mirror His ways to those who watch or follow you.
