The wrong and right roads illustrated.

Matt 7:13 - Why is the wrong way illustrated as the one treaded by most people?

- Note the vast numbers of people who believe that they will be saved

by good works.

- Note the preponderance of world religions that teach that good works

are a pre-requisite to salvation.

Matt 7:14 - Why is the right way illustrated by the image of a small gate and

a narrow road?

- Because either you go in through Jesus Christ or you do not go in at all!

- See John 14:6 - I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes

to the Father except through ME.

Prov 14:12 - The wrong way - its deceitfulness - we think it’s right.

- Note that the lure of salvation by works is clearly recognized

"seems right to a man" but, the end result is disastrous…. Death

Review: Heb 10:12,14 - once for all sacrifice…. Made us perfect.

Luke 15:4-5 - Visualize a shepherd looking for one lost sheep. Picture the love shown

when found. How he joyfully lifts the lamb and drapes it around his neck

as he makes his way back to the flock.

Luke 15:8 - Visualize the cleaning woman who loses one of 10 coins and turns the house

over to find the one lost.

Luke 15:6-7, 9-10 - Visualize rejoicing in heaven at every sinner who repents and is born again.

Romans 5:8 - We were not lovable when Christ sacrificed Himself for us

In fact we were all downright loathsome.

Luke 15:11-14 - Many read this and see only a charming story of a rebellious

teen-ager who later repents and lives happily ever after.

- Prodigal Son is a prototype of man. Man - bent on our own way.

We all naturally tend to move away from God, insistent on our own way, rejecting God’s love.

Isa 53:6 - Each of us has gone astray, turned to our own way.

Note Jewish tradition: asking for inheritance while father still lives is unthinkable, even to ask is extreme disrespect.

Isa 64:6 - No matter how sensible and logical they may appear to us, to Him, they are like

filthy garments, they can never make us right with Him. Why filthy? Because of sin problem.

- Note God’s love in the middle of all these. How does He respond to our rejection?

Luke 15:20 - He was still a long way off, yet his father saw him. How could he know the son was coming back that day? He was watching for him everyday!

-- Is there anyone here who feels he is too sinful? That his sin is to great, he cannot be forgiven? Recall the Seeking Savior: Luke 15:4-8

-- What about those at the other extreme? Who feel they are right with God on the strength of their pure lives, of their religiosity, their works of mercy, etc.?

Recall: Luke 15:24,32 - this son of mine was dead

Eph 2:8-9 - not by works

Luke 15:14-19 - We must accept our helplessness, must turn to God to be saved.

- Recall Israelites in the desert from John 3 study.

Review:

1 Cor 15:2-4 - The gospel - saves - if we firmly believe that Christ died, was buried, and was raised.

John 5:24 - believes - has life - not judged - has passed from death to life

What does to believe in Christ mean?

-- Blondin - Niagara Falls tightrope walker

-- Bullet proof vest

-- chair

-- airplanes

-- lifesaver

-- coin minting

-- medicines

Rev 3:20 - Jesus is knocking on the door, seeking Savior spoken of in the parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost coin, Prodigal Son

- But we must open the door. We must place our trust on his Death and Resurrection to be saved.

 Prayer: