WEBVTT

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 Thanks very much, Sam. And yeah, really good to see you all this morning. I want to add my welcome as well to the ones you've heard already.

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! It is really good to be together this morning.

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 But yeah, we're back in Matthew.

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 We are in our penultimate sermon in the Sermon on the Mount.

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 It's been a sort of mini series in Matthew that we have been doing.

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 But I wonder, just as we start, I wonder if you have ever found yourself at a crossroads

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 Have you ever reached a crossroads and found yourself faced with a decision?

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 So the decision that we make as we come to a crossroads is, should I carry on straight ahead?

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 Or should I make a turn to the left or to the right?

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 Am I happy with my present course, the way I've been going?

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 Should I carry on the way I've been going?

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 Or should I make a change?

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 Now, if you know me, you'll know that I love exploring and going to places I've never been before.

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 And when I'm out walking somewhere or running somewhere that I've never been before,

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 sometimes another intriguing path crosses the way that I've been going.

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 And I have a decision to make.

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 Which is the better way to go?

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 Should I stay on this path?

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 Or should I go this other way?

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 Now, Jesus is telling the listening crowds in this passage, in the Sermon on the Mount,

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 that there are two roads in life.

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 Two roads.

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 And everyone is either on one road or the other.

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 Now, these two roads, they look very different.

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 And they'll take you to two very different places.

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 You might take the high roads and I'll take the low roads.

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 But you know, if you know the song, we'll both end up in Scotland.

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 And these two roads lead to two very different destinations.

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 But Jesus wants us to know that one road is far better than the other.

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 He wants to show the listening crowds that there is a better way.

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 He teaches that there is a crossroads lying in front of every person,

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 a narrow trail which intersects the wide road that they find themselves on.

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 You may carry on straight ahead or take the narrow road which leads to a destination

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 which is better in every way.

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 That way is much harder.

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 It is painful at times.

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 But the destination is worth the difficulty.

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 Now, we're also going to see in our passage that as you walk the narrow path,

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 you'll find that it is a dangerous path.

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 And you'll encounter adversaries along the way.

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 People who will seek to throw you off the road that leads to life.

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 Unlike the two roads which are obvious to tell apart,

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 these enemies are hidden.

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 They are wearing a disguise.

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 But with careful and prayerful discernment,

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 these enemies will become quite obvious.

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 So we're going to look at this passage in two sections.

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 We're going to look at verses 13 and 14, first of all,

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 recognizing the way.

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 And then secondly, we're going to think about recognizing the wolves

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 in verses 15 to 20.

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 At first glance, these two sections,

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 they appear random.

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 They appear unconnected.

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 But they both require us to use our power of recognition.

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 So that's how I'm connecting the two today.

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 I think there is a connection here.

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 So first of all, let's think about recognizing the way.

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 Let's look a bit closer at what Jesus says about these two roads.

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 If you look again at verse 13.

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 Do you notice how binary they are?

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 One gate is wide.

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 The other is small.

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 One road is broad.

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 The other is narrow.

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 If you've got an ESV in front of you,

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 the ESV translates the word narrow as hard.

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 The wide road is easy,

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 but the narrow road is hard.

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 The wide road leads to destruction,

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 but the narrow road leads to life.

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 Those who travel the wide roads are many,

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 while those who find the narrow way are few.

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 Now it's probably helpful to think about the gate as the way in

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 and the road as the way on.

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 The way into God's kingdom is small,

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 and the way through our earthly lives to an eternal future with God.

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 That way is narrow.

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 Now let's just think a little bit more about these two ways.

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 I think ACDC were right when they sang about the highway to hell.

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 The road to destruction is a highway.

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 It is wide.

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 It is fast.

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 And there are many people traveling this road.

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 But you don't need to be a hedonistic rock star to find yourself on this road.

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 By default, we all start our lives on this road.

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 It is an easy road.

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 It offers little resistance.

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 Those who travel this road,

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 they're like curling stones on the ice.

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 They slide effortlessly with great momentum.

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 But tragically, there are many people

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 who are effortlessly coasting down this highway

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 to eternal destruction.

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 Some blindly, they don't realize,

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 but others with eyes wide open.

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 But the road which leads to eternal life is narrow.

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 And this journey begins by entering through a narrow gate.

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 A narrow gate.

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 And because the gate is narrow,

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 you have to go through it alone.

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 You can't fit through it with other people.

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 You can't piggyback on the faith of others.

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 You have to pass through this one alone.

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 But once you're through the gate,

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 and you find yourself on the narrow road,

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 you will find yourself on the narrow road, rather.

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 And as we think about this narrow road,

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 think less the cobbled streets in the old town of Edinburgh.

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 We're not thinking about those.

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 Think more a winding mountain path.

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 If we think about the narrow road as a winding mountain path,

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 then we can imagine that the way is hard.

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 It is littered with trip hazards.

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 There are boulders on the path.

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 There are steep inclines.

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 There are loose, gravelly gullies

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 down to your left and right-hand side.

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 There's hazard everywhere.

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 But, like, walking along a narrow mountain ridge,

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 if you can imagine that,

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 walking along a narrow mountain ridge,

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 it is hazardous, but it is breathtaking.

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 It's painful, yet beautiful.

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 It is tough, but it is exhilarating

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 as you catch glimpses of your glorious mountaintop destination

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 appearing through the clouds.

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 The narrow road is tough,

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 but it is worth it

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 because it leads to life.

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 Sadly, many people prefer the highway

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 and they ignore the motorway exit signs.

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 They refuse Jesus' offer of life.

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 I've got a question for you then

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 as we thought about those two roads.

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 Which road are you on?

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 You can only find yourself on one of these two roads.

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 Which road are you on?

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 Are you drifting along the wide road,

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 asleep at the wheel,

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 towards an eternity outside of God's blessing?

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 Towards an eternity of making full payment

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 for your sinful life?

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 Or maybe you're not asleep.

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 Maybe your eyes are wide open

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 and your foot is firmly on the accelerator.

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 You know that you don't possess the life that Jesus offers,

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 but you're too stubborn to care.

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 I think this passage tells us,

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 wake up.

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 Recognize the road that you are on.

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 Recognize where it is taking you.

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 In verse 13,

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 Jesus commands those who are listening carefully

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 to turn from the wide road

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 onto the narrow way with Jesus.

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 Jesus,

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 I wonder,

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 are you at a crossroads today?

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 Is there an intriguing path crossing your way?

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 Today,

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 Jesus offers you a better road

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 and a better destination.

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 Don't ignore the motorway exit signs.

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 Turn from the broad way

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 onto the narrow way with Jesus.

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 Don't be fooled though.

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 The way with Jesus is often very difficult.

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 We will feel pressed down.

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 We will experience pain on this road.

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 We will be persecuted.

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 We will be distressed.

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 We will face all sorts of anxieties and depression.

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 But be encouraged.

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 Jesus has told us that this is what we should expect

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 from the narrow road.

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 This is what he's telling us here in this passage.

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 This is what you should expect from the narrow road.

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 And the good news as well is that

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 Jesus has traveled this road ahead of us.

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 Jesus has traveled this road ahead of us.

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 He faced serious resistance.

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 Throughout his life and ministry.

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 From the religious leaders who wanted to kill him.

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 From people who were offended by his teaching.

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 Resistance from his own family.

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 Resistance from Satan who tried to tempt him to sin.

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 But Jesus willingly walked the hardest path

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 all the way to the cross.

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 To suffer the most horrendous death.

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 To pay for our sins.

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 Jesus walked the hardest path.

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 To the cross.

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 To forgive us.

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 And to guarantee life.

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 For those who will follow the narrow road with him.

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 Maybe you are on the narrow path.

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 Maybe you would call yourself a Christian this morning.

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 I wonder.

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 Are your eyes fully fixed on your destination?

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 Or are the bright and shiny lights of the world distracting you?

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 Maybe this morning you are on the path.

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 But you are feeling a bit flat.

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 Maybe you plateaued in your faith a long time ago.

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 It just isn't fun like it used to be.

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 Maybe you are tired.

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 Maybe you are tired of walking the narrow path.

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 And those shiny lights look even more appealing than before.

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 Maybe you feel it's just not worth following the narrow way anymore.

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 It's just too tough.

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 I didn't expect it to be this hard.

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 Wouldn't it be lovely to jump in the motorway for a bit?

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 Take it easy for a bit.

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 Take a break from Jesus for a bit.

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 Have some fun now.

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 He will forgive us later on.

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 I'll take my faith more seriously later in life.

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 Do so at your peril.

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 For before you know, you will have drifted a long, long way down that slippery road.

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 If you are a new student here this morning, it's great to have you.

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 If you're a new student, it will be no surprise to you that you have freedoms now like you have never known before.

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 Freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want, with whoever you want, with no one looking over your shoulder.

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 I wonder then, are you going to persevere with the narrow path?

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 Are you willing to make costly decisions for Jesus' sake and sometimes be the odd one out?

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 Will you gladly walk the narrow path of purity and strive for godliness?

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 What life are you going to live at university?

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 Will you make your Christian identity known to others?

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 Or will you keep it a secret?

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 It might not look like it now, but the way with Jesus is a much better way.

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 Enter kingdom life through the small gate.

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 Take the narrow path.

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 Persevere with the narrow path.

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 Fixing your gaze on your destination.

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 The glorious dwelling place of God where all God's children will dwell with him for eternity.

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 Okay, next we're going to think about recognizing the wolves.

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 So if you look again at verse 15.

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 Here, Jesus is warning his followers that as they walk this narrow road, sometimes they will encounter false teachers.

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 These are teachers who will deliberately bend the truth of the Bible to lead people astray.

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 False teachers have been an enduring problem from the church from its beginning back in the book of Acts up until now.

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 False teachers are infiltrators.

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 They are liars.

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 They are influential.

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 And they teach the word of God for all the wrong reasons.

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 Jesus describes them as masters of fancy dress.

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 They will come to you pretending to be sheep.

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 But in actual fact, they are ferocious wolves.

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 You will not need to look for them.

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 You won't need to look for these wolves.

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 They are predators.

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 They will come to you.

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 They will infiltrate your churches.

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 They will look like true Christians.

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 They will sound like true Christians.

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 They'll even smell like true Christians.

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 But really, they are devourers of Christians.

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 They destroy the faith of Christians.

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 They throw them off the narrow road that leads to life.

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 They throw them off the road by feeding them all sorts of dodgy doctrine.

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 Or by tempting them with all the intoxicating things of the world.

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 And they are particularly dangerous for the church.

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 So Jesus warns us.

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 Watch out.

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 But how on earth will we spot wolves hiding in our midst?

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 How will we tell the good voices from the bad voices?

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 Well, like the good shepherd that he is, Jesus doesn't leave us to fend for ourselves.

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 He tells us twice.

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 Verse 16 and in verse 20.

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 You will recognize the false prophets by the fruit of their lives.

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 So after describing the false teachers as wolves in sheep's clothing,

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 in verse 16, Jesus describes them as fruit trees.

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 So if you try to pick grapes or figs from thorn bushes or thistles,

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 you will only end up with scratches and stings.

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 Jesus tells us grapes grow on the vine.

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 Figs grow on the fig tree.

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 Likewise, the fruit of righteousness grows in the life of a righteous person.

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 The fruit of unrighteousness grows in the life of an unrighteous person.

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 A person whose heart has been transformed by Jesus

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 and is continuing to be shaped by his word.

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 They will yield righteous fruit.

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 Galatians tells us what some of these fruits are.

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 Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

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 These are the fruits which grow in a true Christian.

00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:19.400
 Then in verses 17 and 18, Jesus teaches us the same thing,

00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:20.900
 but from a slightly different angle.

00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:27.059
 He says here that good fruit grows on good trees.

00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:30.740
 Bad fruit grows on bad trees.

00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:34.880
 You won't find good apples on a diseased apple tree.

00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:41.060
 In the same way, you won't find good fruit in a false teacher.

00:17:41.300 --> 00:17:46.260
 A false teacher does not love God, but loves himself.

00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:51.580
 A false teacher doesn't know joy, only self-satisfaction.

00:17:52.300 --> 00:17:56.280
 Instead of peace, they will experience anxiety and torment.

00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:58.899
 They will be impatient with others.

00:17:59.160 --> 00:18:00.720
 They will be harsh with others.

00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:02.639
 They will be rough with others.

00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:07.200
 And they will seek to indulge every evil desire of their heart.

00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:13.539
 Thus, by their fruit, you will recognize them, Jesus teaches us.

00:18:15.119 --> 00:18:18.960
 I think this is a call to have careful discernment.

00:18:19.879 --> 00:18:21.220
 Jesus says, look at the fruit.

00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:23.359
 Look at the way that they live.

00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:27.859
 And it should become quite obvious who they really are.

00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:31.519
 But if you know anything about fruit trees,

00:18:32.199 --> 00:18:35.500
 you will know that fruit takes time to grow.

00:18:37.159 --> 00:18:40.699
 This means that we might not immediately observe the fruit

00:18:40.699 --> 00:18:42.740
 of those who lead us and teach us.

00:18:43.439 --> 00:18:47.500
 Sometimes it will take time before we observe their true colors.

00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:53.059
 We probably won't spot their fruit while they preach or while they lead.

00:18:53.359 --> 00:18:57.019
 Sometimes the words of a false teacher sound plausible.

00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:59.539
 Their words fly close to the truth.

00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:02.079
 Their charisma will carry them a long way.

00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:09.379
 Instead, observe these people in the pews after the service.

00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:12.839
 Observe these people in the tea and coffee time.

00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:16.279
 How are they with other people?

00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:19.019
 How are they with their family members?

00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:22.019
 How do they treat vulnerable people?

00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:25.339
 How do they treat other leaders?

00:19:25.759 --> 00:19:28.519
 With suspicion or trustingly?

00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:31.919
 Do they actually love God's children?

00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:35.740
 Is Christ being formed in their hearts?

00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:40.480
 These are the sorts of questions that we need to ask ourselves.

00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:43.400
 Please don't freak out, though.

00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:46.420
 Don't start viewing everyone with suspicion.

00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:48.420
 Don't look at your neighbor and say,

00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:50.500
 I wonder, I wonder.

00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:55.180
 But I think this is a call for us to stay alert.

00:19:56.339 --> 00:20:00.319
 And a really good way that we can do this is by keeping our Bibles open when we teach.

00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:07.740
 Check that our message, the speaker's message, lines up with God's message.

00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:11.460
 Please ask us questions.

00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:13.920
 Sometimes we get it wrong.

00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:16.380
 Do observe us.

00:20:16.600 --> 00:20:17.740
 Do pray for us.

00:20:18.360 --> 00:20:21.400
 Do raise concerns when you have genuine concerns.

00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:26.160
 Use our safeguarding channels when appropriate.

00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:30.259
 And you can find details of who our safeguarding officers,

00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:34.000
 who they are, on posters dotted around our walls in the church.

00:20:35.800 --> 00:20:40.420
 But I think this also shows us the importance of coming to church on a Sunday.

00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:46.920
 Anyway, you cannot discern the fruit of someone if you only ever watch them online.

00:20:48.300 --> 00:20:52.980
 Can't you trust the teaching of someone you've only ever listened to online?

00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.800
 I'm not sure if you can.

00:20:59.060 --> 00:21:01.300
 It's good to observe them in the pews.

00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:04.800
 Now, again, if you are a new student here,

00:21:05.340 --> 00:21:09.300
 as you begin your new life in the city of Edinburgh,

00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:13.639
 it is really important for you to find a church.

00:21:14.419 --> 00:21:17.899
 A church which is going to teach you the truth from God's word.

00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:21.799
 And as you visit churches in this city,

00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:23.559
 and there are a lot of good ones here,

00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.240
 ask yourself,

00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:31.940
 are the leaders of this church going to encourage me to remain faithful to Jesus,

00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:36.460
 or are they going to expect you to be faithful to them?

00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:41.279
 Will they show me how to stay on the path of faith,

00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:44.279
 or will they distract me with other things?

00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:49.319
 How will you know if they are teaching the truth?

00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:53.400
 Well, weigh it up with what you see in the Bible.

00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:58.279
 Does what they say agree with the rest of the Bible?

00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:02.079
 Observing their fruit may take longer,

00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:05.879
 but weighing up their message is a really good start.

00:22:08.139 --> 00:22:09.419
 Far too often,

00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:14.639
 Christians have taken ministry success for fruit.

00:22:16.419 --> 00:22:18.839
 In every fallen Christian leader,

00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:21.179
 or imploded church,

00:22:21.939 --> 00:22:23.919
 there were early warning signs.

00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:27.279
 There were red flags which were missed,

00:22:27.939 --> 00:22:29.399
 or brushed under the carpet.

00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:35.580
 There were men and women who demanded change in the hearts of their people,

00:22:36.120 --> 00:22:41.180
 but who had long ago ceased being transformed into the image of Christ.

00:22:43.340 --> 00:22:44.320
 People said,

00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:46.800
 don't worry about his anger problems.

00:22:47.800 --> 00:22:49.620
 Don't worry about his impatience,

00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:51.240
 or his roughness with others.

00:22:52.360 --> 00:22:54.259
 Don't mind his drinking habits,

00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:59.720
 because his teaching is drawing more and more people into our church.

00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:03.759
 Don't worry about his unhealthy love of power,

00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:04.799
 or money,

00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:07.799
 or his inappropriate remarks about women,

00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:10.279
 because under his leadership,

00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:12.740
 this church is booming,

00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:15.859
 and it's reaching our city for Christ.

00:23:15.859 --> 00:23:23.699
 If a leader is not continuing to be shaped by the word of God,

00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:26.279
 he could well be a wolf.

00:23:27.659 --> 00:23:30.159
 Don't mistake ministry success

00:23:30.159 --> 00:23:34.559
 for the fruit of righteousness being formed in somebody's hearts.

00:23:36.899 --> 00:23:38.579
 Now, the good news for us,

00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:40.119
 for God's people,

00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:44.479
 is that God will not leave these false teachers unchecked.

00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:46.860
 He says in verse 19,

00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:50.500
 every tree that does not bear good fruit

00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:54.120
 is cut down and thrown into the fire.

00:23:55.640 --> 00:23:56.940
 These false teachers,

00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:59.599
 they pretended to be on the narrow road,

00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:03.700
 but it turns out they were on the wide road all along.

00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:08.059
 And they will meet the end destined for them.

00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:11.519
 God will throw them into the fire.

00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:16.720
 But this is immensely good news for the flock,

00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:20.379
 that our good shepherd Jesus,

00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:23.139
 he won't leave us to fend for ourselves.

00:24:23.639 --> 00:24:25.900
 He won't leave us undefended from these wolves,

00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:28.400
 but he will deal with the wolves.

00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:33.259
 So, just as I finish up,

00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:36.759
 let me recap some of the things that we've seen already.

00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:41.799
 It's really important that we recognize the road that we are on.

00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:46.839
 We are all either on the narrow road,

00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:48.339
 which leads to life,

00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:50.319
 or the wide road,

00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:52.339
 which leads to destruction.

00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:55.640
 Some people need to wake up

00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:59.160
 and see the crossroad that lies in front of them.

00:24:59.160 --> 00:25:06.240
 See that Jesus is offering you a much better way.

00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:09.620
 One that leads to eternal life.

00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:13.440
 And you can enter into his kingdom today

00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:15.420
 by praying to him.

00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:18.000
 And if that is you,

00:25:18.080 --> 00:25:19.560
 please come and speak to one of us

00:25:19.560 --> 00:25:20.640
 that you've seen up the front,

00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:23.440
 and we would be glad to pray that with you.

00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:28.740
 Some people are badly bruised

00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:30.820
 and need to be encouraged.

00:25:32.120 --> 00:25:33.360
 They are on the road.

00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:34.820
 Don't give up.

00:25:35.620 --> 00:25:36.140
 Keep going.

00:25:37.360 --> 00:25:39.960
 This is what the narrow road is supposed to look like.

00:25:40.580 --> 00:25:41.740
 It's supposed to be tough.

00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:47.100
 But keep your gaze fixed on Jesus' face as you do.

00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:50.820
 The destination is worth the difficulty.

00:25:50.819 --> 00:25:53.279
 And on this narrow way,

00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:55.599
 we need to be wary of the wolves.

00:25:56.379 --> 00:25:58.079
 They are less easy to recognize,

00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:01.659
 but we must ask God to protect us

00:26:01.659 --> 00:26:04.179
 and give us good discernment.

00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:06.099
 Why don't we pray?

00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:10.759
 Heavenly Father, we thank you

00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:13.319
 for this passage in Matthew.

00:26:14.939 --> 00:26:16.919
 Thank you for Jesus' teaching here.

00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:23.440
 Thank you for this clear instruction,

00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:25.960
 this clear teaching that there are two roads

00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:28.539
 that we might find ourselves in our lives.

00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:31.240
 Thank you that you show us

00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:32.960
 where these two roads lead.

00:26:33.800 --> 00:26:35.519
 You do not keep it a secret, Lord,

00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:37.680
 but you want to show us

00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:39.800
 that the narrow road with you

00:26:39.800 --> 00:26:42.400
 is far, far better in every way.

00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:45.440
 Lord, we pray for those

00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:46.860
 who are on the wide road this morning.

00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:50.500
 Lord, we ask that you would please

00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.759
 help them to wake up

00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:54.519
 and recognize the way that they are heading.

00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:57.440
 Lord, please convince them

00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:59.320
 of your better way

00:26:59.320 --> 00:27:00.900
 that leads to life.

00:27:02.280 --> 00:27:03.480
 Lord, we pray for those

00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:05.000
 who are at a crossroads this morning,

00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:07.240
 who are listening,

00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:08.319
 who see

00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:11.200
 that they are on the highway,

00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:14.460
 who see this narrow path

00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.319
 crossing their way.

00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:18.160
 Lord, we ask that you would please

00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:19.279
 help them to boldly

00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.799
 take the narrow road

00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:22.339
 and walk faithfully with Jesus.

00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:25.759
 Lord, we pray for those

00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.759
 who are faithfully

00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:29.140
 plodding along the narrow road.

00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.880
 Help them to keep going.

00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:34.039
 Protect them from stumbling.

00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:37.200
 Give them exhilarating glimpses

00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:39.539
 of their mountaintop destination.

00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.740
 Keep their gaze

00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:44.599
 fully fixed on Jesus' face,

00:27:45.579 --> 00:27:47.059
 knowing that the destination

00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:48.359
 is worth the difficulty.

00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:51.500
 Lord, give us eyes

00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.559
 that are wide open

00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:54.139
 to the wolves that come our way.

00:27:55.159 --> 00:27:57.059
 Remind us to keep our Bibles open.

00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:58.980
 Give us perception

00:27:58.980 --> 00:28:01.899
 to see not just unrighteous fruit

00:28:01.899 --> 00:28:02.899
 in these people,

00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:04.580
 but would you help us

00:28:04.580 --> 00:28:05.600
 to see more and more

00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:06.580
 the good fruit

00:28:06.580 --> 00:28:08.120
 that you are forming

00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:09.480
 in your faithful ones.

00:28:10.300 --> 00:28:11.620
 Help us to give thanks

00:28:11.620 --> 00:28:12.320
 for our leaders

00:28:12.320 --> 00:28:14.519
 and remember to pray for them.

00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:18.480
 Jesus, you are our good shepherd.

00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.860
 So please protect us,

00:28:21.540 --> 00:28:22.420
 fight for us,

00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:24.759
 lead us to good pasture.

00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:27.200
 We thank you that you will

00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:28.480
 deal with the wolves.

00:28:29.380 --> 00:28:30.400
 And we pray all this

00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:31.100
 in your name.

00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.240
 Amen.

00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:33.900
 Amen.

00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:33.900


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 may may may

00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:35.900
!

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 may may

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