The Road Less Traveled

 

Scripture:  Matthew 7:1–23

 

Observation:  We are not to only be aware about the weaknesses of other people.  Some people like to find reasons to talk about other people’s bad habits.  What does Christ call us to do?  He wants us to help each other, but we can only do that by doing these three things:

 

1.       By examining ourselves first and repenting of our own sins.  Remember repenting means more than confessing, it means to stop doing the wrong things and going in the wrong direction and to turn totally to Christ.

2.     By going in with the right attitude.  When we go to help or talk to someone you must do it with the right attitude.

3.     By being careful who you try to help.  Make sure they are people who really want help otherwise your help may be like “pearls before swine” or in another words ‘worthless’.

 

Ultimately we must remember, it is God who helps people, we are just vessels.  Those who truly seek God for help will keep on asking Him for help (they will keep knocking) until He shows us the answer.

 

The last half of our verses talk about the choice we all have to make.  Yeshua talks about a final judgment that is coming and that many people choose to live for the pleasures of this world that do not last.  Yeshua tells those listening that day and those of us reading the text now to chose the road less traveled.  He asks us to make a decision.  It is not enough to sit and listen to a message, but we must also obey the message.

 

Application:  Where do you find yourself today in this lesson?  Are you the one knocking (praying continually) for help in some area of your life?  Are you the vessel God is using to help others and answer their prayers?  Perhaps you are at a place of decision with the Lord?  Have you submitted your life to Him?  Is there something He is asking you to do (obey) that you are struggling with?  Where do you find yourself today in this lesson?

 

Prayer:  Father in Heaven, thank You for Your Word.  Thank You for this new week.  Thank You for Your protection in the midst of the storms.  Help us to be people who not only hear the Word, but seek to be doers as well.  Help us to choose the narrow road, even though it usually is the harder choice to make.  Thank you for strengthening us for this week.  In Your Son’s Name we pray, Amen & Amen.