The Hard Road

Read this featured blog post by Pastor Jeremy Vines

Introduction

The Hard Road


Matthew 7:13–23 (ESV)

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. 


This is one of the most important passages in the Bible. This is doctrine defining passage.


Is Jesus saying that many people - even MOST people will not be saved? That seems rather harsh and unpopular.

Is he really saying it is easy to go to hell and HARD to find your way to heaven? YES that is exactly what Jesus is saying. 


I have heard people do some Bible Gymnastics to try to explain why that is not what he is saying. And when you look a verses like this and others out of context — you can almost believe it.


BUT, when you study the Word in context — you see there is no way around it. Jesus is being harsh and giving difficult truth here. 

UNIVERSALISM

UNIVERSALISM


According to Barna 


Universalism
, broadly defined, universalism is the belief that all human beings will be saved after death. 


Now, when asked about this belief only about 43% believe in this. But based on comments and behavior - many many many more people believe in this.


For example - have you ever been to a funeral of someone who was NOT in a better place? Listen I have been to a lot of funeral and memorial services… Not once have heard someone say that the departed were not in heaven. Now I get that is hope and optimism speaking… 


But optimism aside according to Barna


43% of Americans agreed with the statement, “It doesn’t matter what religious faith you follow because they all teach the same lessons.”


Also according to Barna

Most Americans believe they, themselves, will go to heaven.


Article:

10 Quick Facts About Christian Universalism


Which was a terrible and heretical teaching about Biblical truth.

 

Side Note - you should never be afraid of opinions or views that you do not agree with. If hearing other peoples views makes you uncomfortable especially REALLY uncomfortable, like defensive… It suggests you don’t know why you believe what YOU believe and therefore can stand the opposing view. 


Ok, so, one of the things interesting in this article (All references are linked in the message notes) is that virtually none of his facts are factual. Look at fact number 1


The early church were universalists

   “Okay, not all of the early church were Universalists, but a lot of them were. Clement of Alexandria. Origin. Gregory of Nyssa. A bunch of others. As Augustine once put it, “indeed very many.” In fact, out of the 6 major theological schools, 4 taught universal reconciliation, 1 taught conditional immortality (annihilationism), and 1 taught eternal conscious torment.”


The headline says one thing the next line says something else.


In fact #3 he says, “Gregory of Nyssa, one of the final editors of the Creed, was an unabashed Universalist…”


But was he?


According to Orthodox Christian Theology dot com


“People popularly assume Gregory is a universalist because it is asserted so confidently and categorically. However, how many of these same people have actually read what he wrote? And not just a single passage here or there, but the works themselves cover to cover? The answer is very few. 

Of course this has not stopped ignorant people from passing comments on things they never read, but that is between them and God. As for everyone who is reasonable, would these reasonable people still feel that Gregory is a universalist if they saw, from his own works, he clearly and repeatedly taught eternal damnation and that in the same breath writes something that sounds universalist? Would they realize that the universalist passages are not meant to be taken literally?”


ok - the “Fact” that Gregory was a “unabashed Universalist” is not a fact at all. 


The 8th fact about Christian Universalism


VIII. Universalism is Biblical

Universalism is not correct simply because it is found in the Bible. Why? Well, aside from the fact that a lot of untrue stuff is found in the Bible, it’s because eternal torment can be found in there, too. Annihilationism is also there. But you can’t deny all the passages about God reconciling the world, about Jesus dragging all to him, about God being “all in all,” and so on. Again, it’s not to say it is necessarily true (because there are also passages about judgment, punishment, and torment), but it is in fact biblical.

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Yet not even one scripture verse is given to support the idea that universalism in biblical.


Let me tell you why - because it is not biblical. Jesus said, “For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”


But that is just Jesus talking… right? If you think that is harsh or discomforting - hold on to your moral superiority it is about to get worse.

BEWARE -- Of False Prophets

Matthew 7:13–23 (ESV)

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 


I want you to see how this is unfolding:

  • Seek first the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness
  • Judge yourself more harshly than others
  • Treat others the way you want to be treated
  • Enter by the narrow gate
  • BEWARE of false prophets.


In other words - you better watch out for what people are telling you. 

I would encourage you to question everything I say. I mean it - I don’t need you to agree with me. And I am not afraid of disagreement. But have a BIBLICAL argument. 

Don’t believe me - believe the Bible. 


I really respect the people who ask about certain beliefs…. And have a Biblical argument for why they believe what they believe. 


Now this leads right into what I think is the most difficult and frightening passage in the whole Bible. 

Not everyone will enter the kingdom of heaven...

Matthew 7:13–23 (ESV)

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ 

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Oh man - that is heavy

But this is the truth.

Comforting Lies - or Hard Truths

I asked you several weeks ago what you would prefer, Hard Truths or comforting lies? Most people choose comforting lies. 


Most people can hear a real pastor say you need to repent of your sins and turn to God 10,000 times but not act on it. And then hear one false teacher say, you don’t need to change a thing, just once and swallow it hook, line and sinker. Why? Because we want to believe it.


Do you ever wonder why fad diets and get rich quick schemes are so popular?

Because we all want to lose weight and be fit - but no one wants to give up sugar or do any exercise.


We all want to have wealth and prosper - we are not all willing to work hard.


Now, I know some will see this message as a negative message.

It is not!


It is not negative it is honest and true. And today is the day for you to make a decision about about which path you are on.


Are you on the broad and easy path that leads to destruction or are you on the narrow and difficult path that leads to life?

WARNING

Hebrews 3:12–13 (NLT)

Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.


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