Sunday Morning Worship
September 4, 2011
Series: “Life Path”
Today: “An Eternal Destination”
Scripture: 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. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 
Intro: In Jesus’ first sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, He laid out a life path . 
I. THE LIFE PATH IS VISIBLE – PURSUE IT!
A. Jesus gives the invitation: “Enter”…
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
B. We encourage people who are outside the faith to come and pursue God.
1. Attend church services weekly.
2. Read the first few pages of our Invitation Bible .
3. Get your questions answered ; email the staff; use the Connection Card. 
II. THE LIFE PATH IS AVAILABLE – EMBRACE IT.
A. Jesus came so everyone can see the path. (We call that event Christmas.) Then He paid the price for everyone, so everyone could personally embrace it. (We call that Easter ).
B. This is a personal choice to give yourself to Him and follow His model of lifestyle. 
III. THE LIFE PATH IS DOABLE – ADVANCE IN IT.
A. Jesus said the narrow gate leads to life; it
is a walk; a journey to take.
John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
B. Our Life path demands our efforts to advance—to personally grow.
* Come to Wednesday night advance lessons.
* Get our monthly devotional for daily reading.
* Get into a small group . 
IV. THE LIFE PATH IS VALUABLE – CONTRIBUTE TO IT.
A. In His Sermon on the Mount sermon, Jesus challenged His followers:
Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Luke 12:33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
B. We must develop a lifestyle that is more about giving than receiving .
C. Contribute.
* God gave you everything. Give ten percent back.
* God strengthens you daily; give some regular volunteer hours.
* God gifted you; discover it and use it. 
V. THE LIFE PATH IS ETERNAL – EXPAND IT.
A. Jesus uses the term “eternal” to either of our choices.
Mark 9:47-48 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where “‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ Everyone will be salted with fire.
Matthew 25:46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
B. We are given the privilege and responsibility to influence others to take Jesus’ Life Path. 
Conclusion: Jesus’ last five words of our scripture for today are very sobering:
___only___ __a__ __few___ __find__ __it__.