Matt Richards
Matthew 7:13 The Narrow Gate “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. (NLT)
"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing 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 to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention. (MSG)
We have been doing 'Discipleship the Jesus Way course' tonight. We have specifically been looking at baptism and the cost of following Jesus. If you haven't been baptised yet, you really need to be.
You see there is a cost to following Jesus. And it‘s not financial. Jesus doesn’t want to improve the life you have. He wants to kill it and make you brand new.
It‘s not a makeover, but a take-over. Part-time Christianity maybe is a start, but it doesn't really work and isn't what God wants.
It's all or nothing. If He's not Lord of all, He's not Lord at all. Jesus wants full custody of your life; not just weekend visits.
It‘s a narrow path. I can‘t do the things I used to do. I can't go to the places I used to go. I can't watch the stuff I used to watch. Why? ’Coz I’m all in. Not gonna do this by halves.
Baptism is saying I am not improving my life, but dying to it. Being buried with Christ then rising with Him. It‘s glorious.
When you die to all that Junk, Christ then can live through you and raise you up brand new in Christ.
It's not cheap, it's not easy. There is no shortcuts. It's vigorous, it's difficult, it's radical, few find it and it requires your full attention.
But when you’re all in and not part-time it is totally amazing and supernatural.
Why not get baptised?
Why not be all in?
Why not walk on the narrow path.
Prayer:
Father Thank You for the narrow path. Thank You everything is through the cross and the blood of Jesus . Help me to stay on the narrow path. Help me to lean into Jesus and be fully in today. Totally take over my life today in Jesus‘ name amen.
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