The Way That Seems Right

[0:00] Take your Bibles and turn to the prophet Jeremiah.! Jeremiah chapter 6.!

[0:30] The city must be punished. It is filled with oppression. As a well pours out its water, so she pours out her wickedness. Violence and destruction resound in her.

[0:44] Her sickness and wounds are ever before me. Take warning, O Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you and make your land desolate so no one can live in it.

[0:57] This is what the Lord Almighty says. Let them glean the remnant of Israel as thoroughly as a vine. Pass your hand over the branches again like one gathering grapes. To whom can I speak and give warning?

[1:10] Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. The word of the Lord is offensive to them. They find no pleasure in it. But I am full of the wrath of the Lord, and I cannot hold it in.

[1:25] Pour it out on the children in the street, and on the young men gathered together. Both husband and wife will be caught in it, and the old, those weighed down with years.

[1:36] Their houses will be turned over to others, together with their fields and their wives. When I stretch out my hand against those who live in the land, declares the Lord. From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain.

[1:53] Prophets and priests alike all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. Peace, peace, they say, when there is no peace.

[2:07] Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all. They do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen.

[2:19] They will be brought down when I punish them, says the Lord. Stand at the crossroads and look.

[2:33] Ask for the ancient paths. Ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Please open your Bibles to Proverbs chapter 14.

[2:47] The book of Proverbs is a valuable collection of hundreds of little verses and wise sayings. Rich nuggets of truth that are couched in just a few words, but bring to us the very wisdom of God himself.

[3:06] These are truths for life. These are truths to live on. Indeed, truths to die on. Giving us insight into the way things really are.

[3:16] So let's look at just one of those Proverbs this morning. Proverbs 14 and verse 12. Especially suitable for us as we stand at the crossroads and look.

[3:31] There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death. Now turn over to chapter 16 and verse 25.

[3:46] And notice this verse carefully. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.

[3:58] You say, it's exactly the same. Yes, it is. And it's the only proverb that I know of that does that. That we find it exactly the same in two places.

[4:13] It's as though God were saying to us, here's something you can't afford to miss. And in case you missed it the first time, here it is again. There is a way that seems right to a man.

[4:28] Not everything in this world is as it seems. If we're not careful, we can be easily duped. We can be deceived. And maybe sometimes you've bought a vacation package over the Internet.

[4:46] And when you get there, it's nothing at all like what it seemed on the computer. Or maybe you bought a car and it sure seemed like a good deal.

[4:57] But six weeks later, you realize you've bought a lemon. What are you learning by these experiences in life? You're learning that not everything is as it seems, as it appears.

[5:07] And in the same way, God is telling us in our text, as we're standing and choosing the way to live this life. Know this.

[5:19] There's a way that seems right to a man that is not right. It's wrong. And it leads not where it seems to be leading.

[5:29] It leads to death. So the picture is of a traveler making his way to an intended destination. The traveler is you.

[5:40] The traveler is me. And life itself is a journey. To live is to be traveling. So as you sit there, you are going somewhere this morning.

[5:51] You are on a road that's going to come someday to a destination. Every one of you. And the important question for each of us is where? Where are you going?

[6:02] Where are you going to end up? For when your life is over, you will immediately reach your destination. And there's only two. Two final destinations.

[6:14] It's heaven or hell. It's eternal life or that second death that is described as the lake of fire. Unending joy or unending misery. We're all going to one of those two places.

[6:27] Even now as we're sitting here. As I'm standing here. And which it will be for us depends upon the road that we are traveling in this life.

[6:40] Remember how Jesus put it in Matthew 7 verses 13 and 14. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate.

[6:50] And broad is the road that leads to destruction. And many enter through it. But small is the gate. And narrow the road that leads to life.

[7:04] And only a few find it. Why is the road to death and eternal destruction so crowded? Why are so many on that road?

[7:18] Well our proverb gives us the answer. Because there is a way that seems right to a man. It feels right.

[7:30] It looks right. It suits my desires right. It's the way I'd like to have it go. But it's not right.

[7:41] It ends in death. John Bunyan pictures this truth for us in that allegory. That story of Pilgrim's Progress. Christian and Hopeful were traveling along the narrow road.

[7:53] They came through the narrow gate. Now they're on the narrow road that leads to life. And it's a road that was hemmed in by the walls of salvation. But the way was difficult and rough.

[8:06] And their feet got sore from traveling. And so they grew discouraged. And as they traveled along. They secretly were wishing for a better way.

[8:20] And lo and behold. Just before them on the left side of the road was a pleasant meadow. It's aptly named by path meadow. It's by the path.

[8:32] It's not the path. But it's pleasant. And so just there there was a style. There was a set of steps going over the wall.

[8:42] How handy. And so Christian steps up on the steps. And he looks over the wall. And sure enough. There's a path over there. And it's a lot smoother going over there.

[8:54] And. It's going the same way. It's by the path. So he says to Hopeful. Come on. Let's go. This is what we've been looking for.

[9:05] An easier way. And so since it seemed to be going to the same place. What could be the harm? And so over they went. But it only seemed to be going to the same place.

[9:18] Because as it grew dark. And night came on. They didn't notice. But the path ever so slowly. Began to wind around. And to go in a direction opposite.

[9:31] From the celestial city. The narrow road to it. There is a way that seems right to a man. But in the end it leads to death.

[9:42] So that being the case. We ought to gain some wisdom here. We ought to realize. That our mind. Our desires. Our will. These are unsafe guides for us.

[9:54] As we stand at the cross hold. And decide where we're going in life. And where should. What road should we take. We need God himself. To show us the way.

[10:05] We need his word. To point out. The right way. And we need a healthy distrust. Of ourselves. That looks away.

[10:17] From what seems right to us. And puts all of our trust. In the way that God says. Is right. For us. We need a vacation. Well. That's what.

[10:27] We're here. This morning to do. And what's at stake. Is far more than a vacation. Or a car. We're talking about our location. For eternity. Where you. Will be. A billion years from now.

[10:39] And just be starting. Where will that be? What will that be? It depends on the road. You travel. In life. So God's kindly telling us. Not to be fooled.

[10:49] By one of these ways. That seem right. But end in hell. And I want us to consider. Three ways. That seem right. But are wrong. Three ways. That seem right.

[10:59] But are wrong. And the first way. Is the way of salvation. By good works. And on this road. People think. They're earning their way. To heaven. By their own deeds.

[11:11] Their religious acts. Their good deeds. Done to others. And should you ask a person. On this road. Why God. Why they expect. That God will. Let them into heaven.

[11:23] They will say to you. Well I go to church. And I put money. In the offering. And I've been baptized. And I take the Lord's Supper. And I'm a member. At such and such a church. I read my Bible.

[11:34] And I even pray. Surely that should get me in. I've done my best. To live according to the Ten Commandments. And the Golden Rule. I try to treat my neighbor.

[11:44] As I would want to be treated myself. I'm basically a good person. I certainly have never done anything. Bad enough to go to hell forever. And. I do honestly think.

[11:56] That my good deeds. Do outweigh my bad deeds. And so. It will go well for me. In the end. There are many different variations. On the theme. But they all come down to this.

[12:09] That we expect to be saved. By what we do. By what I'm doing. That I expect. That that will earn my way. Into heaven. Heaven then.

[12:20] Is an achievement. That we earn. When I was recently in Arizona. My host family. Had a ball cap for me to wear.

[12:31] While I was there. To keep the sun out of my face. It was a Marines cap. And my hat's off to the Marines. Mike. But it said.

[12:42] The Marines. The few. The proud. And then. Right over here on the side. In capital letters. Earned. Never. Given.

[12:54] Earned. Never. Given. Inside. Made in China. Now you go figure that. But it's those words.

[13:05] Earned. Never. Given. Never. That I want you to think about. To become a Marine. Is an achievement. That is earned.

[13:16] And never. Given. Every bit of it. Earned by blood. Sweat and tears. And it's the same way in school. Isn't it? At whatever level of school.

[13:28] You're in. You earned the grade. You are given. Did you get an A? You earned it. You studied. You turned in your assignments. Did you get accepted.

[13:39] Into an elite university. You're supposed. To earn it. With your SAT scores. And other. Achievements. Not to have a rich mommy. Or daddy. Give it to you.

[13:51] By a bribe. A payment. It's to be earned yourself. And everybody cries foul. If it's a gift. That's bought for you. And the same dynamic.

[14:03] Operates in the workplace. Doesn't it? Did you get an achievement? Or a raise? Or a. A higher position. At work? A promotion? Well you earned it. You earned it by showing up.

[14:16] By listening to instructions. Doing your job. And doing it well. Did you get. A starting position. On an athletic team? You earned it.

[14:28] You got into shape. You practiced. And honed your skills. And. By listening to the coach. And doing what he said. You earned your way. On to the starting lineup.

[14:38] That's just the way. It is. You earn your way. Through life. Right? So when we come to religion. Then. Now. Now we're in church. And now we're. In this arena.

[14:49] Of religion. And how a person gets to heaven. Well. We are predisposed to think. That heaven must be earned as well. Heaven's like.

[14:59] The marines. It's like the job. It's like the school. It's like the. Starting position. On the athletic team. It's got to be earned.

[15:12] Never given. That's the way. That seems right. It's always that way. It must be true. About heaven. As well.

[15:22] So we can be. The few. And the proud. If we get to heaven. Why? Because it's earned. We got ourselves there. By our own. Achievement.

[15:33] Salvation. Salvation. By our good works. Then. Is. The way. Of the natural man. It's. It's the way. That. That seems right. To. To us. The way.

[15:43] That we're born. And the way. That we live. We're born. With that idea. Dominating. Our minds. Parents. Your children.

[15:54] Naturally. Tend to believe this. That if they're a good boy. Or a girl. They'll go to heaven. That when they die. They'll be welcomed into heaven.

[16:04] If you teach them. The ten commandments. And teach them to obey. Their parents. But do not teach them. The gospel of Jesus Christ. You'll raise little Pharisees. Who think they can earn.

[16:14] Their own way to heaven. By being a good boy. Or being a good girl. So teach them the law. And teach them the gospel. Teach them the difference.

[16:25] This is the way. All natural religion goes. Islam. Buddhism. Hinduism.

[16:37] Judaism. Animism. Anyism. Though they've. They're very different. From each other. In many. Different points. They all march.

[16:47] In lockstep. On this. Critical point. That salvation. Or heaven. Or nirvana. Or enlightenment. Or some higher form. Of reincarnation. Whatever they call it.

[16:59] It's something man must earn. By what he does. Isn't that something? Why is that? Because that's the way. That seems right. To a man.

[17:11] Every system of religion. Except biblical Christianity. The motto remains. Earned. Never. Given. And there's a reason. As we said.

[17:22] It's the way man. Naturally thinks. That's the way. It sure ought to be. Everything else is that way. It's not a free. Undeserved gift. Given by God. It's earned. By us.

[17:34] Now we might expect. To see that. In the religions. Of the world. But sadly. We find it. Within Christianity. As well. Christian church.

[17:45] I venture. An educated guess. This morning. That three. Out of four people. In churches. This morning. Think that their own works. Yes. Even their presence there.

[17:57] Contribute something. To earning. Heaven. For them. Surveys show that. Eight out of ten. Methodists.

[18:08] Eight out of ten. Lutherans. Eight out of ten. Episcopalians. Eight out of ten. Presbyterians. Think their deeds. Help earn their way. To heaven. Nine out of ten. Roman Catholics. Believe the same. That by church attendance.

[18:21] By money. Given to the church. Penance. Being kind. Obeying God's commands. Somehow contribute to earning. One's way.

[18:33] Into heaven. There is a way. That seems right. To a whole lot of people. It's the way of salvation. By good works.

[18:43] For that reason alone. I think it's true to say. That religion. Damns far more people. Than it ever saves. It's because there's such.

[18:57] So small. Amount of true religion. The true religion. Of the Bible. That James calls. True religion. Acceptable.

[19:07] In the eyes. Of God. So few preaching. Little preaching. Of the one way. Of salvation. In Jesus Christ. Now this isn't something.

[19:18] That we shouldn't be biting our nails. What is this? And be taken by surprise. It's the way it's always been. Ever since sin corrupted the human race. This has been the way it is. The Old Testament prophets.

[19:29] We read a portion of it. This morning. But they were constantly correcting. This faulty idea. That a man can be saved. By what he does. His good deeds.

[19:41] As if a little bit of consecrated meat. On the altar. Would ward off God's wrath. That their own righteous acts. Could somehow appease God. As if a little religion.

[19:51] Puts everything right. As if salvation comes. By living a good life. The Lord Jesus. Had to deal with it. All the time as well. Didn't he? He had the Pharisees.

[20:01] And scribes. And this was their cherished belief. The Jewish religious leaders. Of his day. This was it. We're saved by the good deeds we do. The obedience to the law.

[20:12] These were the blind guides. Leading the blind. And Jesus says. You know where they fall. They fall in the ditch together.

[20:24] He was visited by one of them one night. Nicodemus. Here's a Pharisee. You see. And he thinks that all the religion. And all the good things he does. Are going to get him into the kingdom of God.

[20:36] And Jesus says. You're absolutely wrong. In fact. You're so bad. That unless you're born again. You get a new heart. By the Holy Spirit. You'll never see. Much less enter. The kingdom of God.

[20:48] In fact. Your sins are so serious against God. That unless you trust in his son. Who will be lifted up. So that whoever believes on him. Not perish. But have eternal life.

[20:58] You'll die in your sins. Jesus had to deal with it. Over and over. Salvation.

[21:09] He taught. Is not by anything you have done. But by trusting in what I. The son of man. Will do. For sinners. You remember Saul of Tarsus. He.

[21:20] He's the author of. Most of the epistles. In our New Testament. And. He was a Pharisee. And he was thinking this very same thing.

[21:30] It seemed right to him that. The way into heaven is by keeping God's commandments. Indeed. He learned it from Gamaliel. That famous Jewish teacher.

[21:42] That rabbi. Under whom he studied. And so. Saul was confident. That his own works had landed him a place in heaven at last. He came from the right stock. Of Jewish parents.

[21:52] He was circumcised on the eighth day. He was a Pharisee. He kept the commandments of God. He had a faultless righteousness of his own. Pertaining to the laws of scripture. He was in good standing with God.

[22:05] Until he met the risen Christ. On the road to Damascus. And he was totally undone. He realized. That he was lost. And needed saving.

[22:16] And he came to see that the only righteousness. That could get him into heaven. Was Christ's righteousness. Received by faith alone. And so he writes in Philippians 3.

[22:27] I want to be found in Christ. Not having a righteousness of my own. That comes from keeping the law. But a righteousness. Which is through faith in Jesus Christ. The righteousness.

[22:38] That comes from God. And is by faith. He's the one that wrote. The words Pastor Jason started us off with. It is by grace. You have been saved. Through faith.

[22:48] And this not from yourselves. Is the gift of God. Not by work. So that no man can boast. Galatians 2.

[22:59] By observing the Lord. The law. No one will be justified. Titus 3.5. He saved us. Not because of righteous things. We had done. But because of his mercy.

[23:10] Why does Paul keep writing this? And we see it twice. In the Proverbs. The same proverb. In chapter 12. Or 14. And then in chapter 6.

[23:21] But Paul is over. Over. And over. And over again. Why does he keep saying? No one can be saved by. Keeping the commandments. Because there are so many.

[23:33] That it seems right. That that's how you get to heaven. And Paul is sent as an ambassador of mercy. To wake up these people. To show them that this is the wrong road.

[23:45] Nobody ever got into heaven on this road. Ever. So stop. Turn away. Stand at the crossroads. Ask for the good old way. The way that is truth.

[23:57] The way that has always been true. The ancient path. The path that is good. And walk in it. But don't walk in this road. It can save no one.

[24:10] It only seems to be right. In fact. In order to be saved. If you've got to renounce. Any of your own goodness.

[24:22] Isn't that right? Isn't that what the Bible teaches? That it's only as you come and renounce. Anything good. To commend yourself to God. That's what faith is.

[24:34] It's looking away from myself. It's saying there's nothing here God. But have mercy on me. The sinner. You've got mercy. You've got a savior.

[24:45] Have mercy on me. Remember me Lord Jesus. When you come into your kingdom. It's the look away from self. It's renouncing. I have not done anything. To contribute to my salvation at all.

[24:57] As R.C. Sproul used to say. You have contributed nothing but the sin. That makes salvation necessary. So. We must come to that point.

[25:08] And agree with God. What he says about us. And put all of the weight of our soul. Upon Jesus Christ. That he has obeyed enough. He has suffered enough. You see this is good news for sinners.

[25:20] Because whoever you are. And whatever you've ever done. I can say to you. It can all be forgiven. Because Jesus God's son. Suffered on the cross for sin. And he suffered enough.

[25:32] He shed enough blood. He has enough righteousness. To cover all your sin. Even as we were singing. Grace that is greater than all our sin. So you come empty handed. Nothing in your hands.

[25:43] To commend yourself to God. And you say. God have mercy on me. The sinner for Jesus sake. All my hope is in him. That's the road. That gets you to heaven.

[25:55] But there are other ways. That seem right to a man. Besides the road of. Salvation by good works. A second road. That seems right.

[26:07] Is the way of salvation. Without repentance. Salvation. Without repentance. And this seems right.

[26:21] These folks know. That they cannot be saved. By their own works. But only by God's grace. In Jesus Christ. Wow. That's. That's true.

[26:32] So it seems right. But what they do. Is they turn the grace of God. Into a license for sin. So. When you're speeding down the highway.

[26:43] And the officer pulls you over. And. And comes and asks for your license. You pull out your license. What. What do these people do? They. They trample all over God's law. And when. When. When the preacher comes.

[26:54] Or the. The word of God comes. The Holy Spirit comes convicting. They pull out their. Salvations. By grace. Not by works. Card. They made it a license to sin. An excuse to sin.

[27:06] It's not by my works. So. What are you getting all huffy about? My disobedience to God's commands. We're saved by grace. Through faith. In Christ's atonement. Oh. It seems the right way.

[27:21] It's the popular version of. Christianity. And the gospel. That is filled churches. With people claiming to be Christians. Who live no differently from the world. And yet are assured.

[27:33] That they're going to heaven. Just ask them. It's a salvation without repentance. Without renouncing our sin.

[27:45] And saying. That whole way of life is wrong. I. Renounce it. It's a salvation without a new birth. Without a supernatural change of the heart.

[27:57] And nature. It's a salvation that does not lead to holiness. And obedience of God's command. It's a faith that does not work. And therefore it proves itself to be no saving faith at all.

[28:09] There is no such salvation taught anywhere in the Bible. As a salvation without repentance. A salvation without a new birth. A salvation that does not lead to holiness of life.

[28:23] It's just another way that seems right to a man. And there's lots of. Evangelical churches. With people. Who are on this wrong path.

[28:35] It shrinks salvation. Instead of salvation from sin. It's just salvation from hell. This way they can have their cake and eat it too.

[28:45] They can have their sin. And heaven too. They can have their sin. And yet escape its consequences. In hell. But never did God offer such a salvation to any sinner.

[28:57] The angel said of Mary. She will give birth to a son. And you are to give him the name. Jesus. Why Jesus? Because he will save his people. From their sins. From their sins.

[29:09] Salvation that Jesus came to bring. Is salvation. Always from sins. From sins of pride. And lust. And greed. And gossip.

[29:20] And self-centeredness. And anger. And addictions. And every other sin. So if you don't want to be saved from sinning. You don't want this Jesus of the Bible.

[29:32] Because he came to save his people. From their sins. And that's why God calls on every man. Every man. Everywhere. To repent. To turn from their sin.

[29:44] To renounce it. And to entrust themselves. In the sweet surrender of faith. And repentance to Jesus Christ. To have him lead them. Wherever he would have them to go.

[29:54] To have him save them. From their sins. Many today have prayed a sinner's prayer. They've made a decision for Christ. They've asked Jesus into their heart.

[30:05] But they've never truly come to Christ. To have him save them from their sins. And from sinning. They were never interested in that. They still love their sins.

[30:17] They still want to go their own way. They still want to be their own boss. And do as they please. And yet they expect to go to heaven. In the end. Because salvation is by faith in Jesus. And not by works.

[30:28] You see. Seems right to a man. But it's the way. That ends in death. To think that you can have Jesus as your savior.

[30:39] But not take him as your master. Your lord. But again. Nowhere does Jesus offer himself. In such terms. You know how he's offered to sinners in the gospel.

[30:51] As the lord. Jesus Christ. So if you will have Jesus. You must take him. As he is. All or nothing. And if you take him.

[31:01] You'll take him as your lord. To rule over you. To be your master. To tell you what to do. And what not to do. You receive him as the lord.

[31:12] You'll receive him as Jesus. The savior. Who's come to save sinners from their sins. And you'll take him as the Christ. That one anointed by God the father. To be.

[31:25] The prophet. Priest. And king. All who trust in him. And so you'll come to him. As your prophet. To have him teach you. The will of God. You'll come to him as your priest.

[31:36] To have him die for your sins. And to pray for you. And you'll come to him. As your king. To rule over you. With his laws. And to defend you.

[31:49] Conversion. To Christ. Is no small thing. Oh. But we've shrunk it down. To just be a hand in the air. The walk of an aisle. The saying of a few words.

[32:01] That's conversion. No. Conversion is a supernatural thing. God must interrupt. Our heart. And life. And give new life. Where there's deadness.

[32:13] Or there'll be no conversion. There can be all kinds of hands in the air. Aisles walked. Prayers prayed. But if God doesn't show up. And do the work of the heart. It is.

[32:24] Just another way. That seems right to a man. No. Conversion to Christ. Is this. Jesus said it. If anybody wants to be my disciple. He must deny himself.

[32:35] Take up his cross. That instrument. For killing Christians. Willing to die for me. And then follow me. Because I'm going to the cross. And if you're going to be a follower of me.

[32:46] You need to be ready. To pay the ultimate price as well. And lose your life for me. Now. Who wants to be my disciple? Come follow me. No wonder the crowds were thinned.

[32:57] At such preaching. As long as Jesus is healing. And feeding. Oh. The crowds are big. But let him start to preach. What it. What true conversion. True following Jesus is.

[33:09] What a true Christian is. They follow him no more. No. We must follow Christ. That means we. We follow him. We follow his example.

[33:21] We follow his teachings. We. We. We trust in his gospel. We surrender. Submit yourself.

[33:31] Therefore. To the Lord. James 4. 8. Submit. We. We. We submit to him. To whatever he says. It's an unconditional surrender.

[33:44] That's. What the gospel requires. That unconditional. Surrender. Of. I'm done with the past life. With me in the driver's seat.

[33:55] I surrender to you Lord. You take the wheel. I'm in the back seat. We're going wherever you say. That's unconditional. Surrender. And that's what the gospel demands.

[34:08] No conditions. I'm yours. You bought me with your blood. Now. Do with me as you please. World War II.

[34:20] The allied nations called on Japan. To make an unconditional surrender. Didn't they? They were not willing. So we dropped an atomic bomb. On the city of.

[34:32] Hiroshima. And again. Called on them. To surrender without any conditions. If they would make peace. With us. The whole city is now leveled.

[34:44] With tens of thousands of people. Just. Just. Destroyed. In an instant. In a instant. But the emperor and war council of Japan.

[34:54] We're still not willing to give it up. But we're wanting to cut deals. They'll surrender. If. Four conditions were met. You see it's still on their terms.

[35:06] Peace on our terms. So three days later. We dropped a second. Atomic bomb. This time on Nagasaki. And at last.

[35:17] An unconditional. Surrender. Followed. And established. Peace. Whatever you think about. What happened in World War II. In Japan. This much is true.

[35:29] That's what's required. In the gospel. Jesus is saying. If you would be my disciple. If you would be saved. You must. Follow me.

[35:40] I'm. I'm on this road. You've got to follow me. As we'll see later. He's claiming to be the road. You've got to follow me. With an unconditional.

[35:51] Surrender. Of faith and repentance. No conditions. No deals. Lord. I'll give up this.

[36:02] But not that. Oh no. Not my pet sin. Not this. You can take this. But you can't take that. No. Whatever you say.

[36:13] Lord. You're the boss. You're the Lord. You're the master. My plans. My dreams. For my life. My desires. They're in your hands.

[36:26] I'm clinging to nothing. I'm yours. Take all of me. But there are ever so many. Who profess to be Christians. Who've never surrendered. To Jesus.

[36:37] Who are not following him. Never come to the end of themselves. And renounce their sinful way. Never denied themselves.

[36:48] Taken up the cross. And followed him. They're on the way. That seems right. To a man. But that ends in death. Do you know. Jesus lovingly. Confronted people like that.

[36:58] When he was on the earth. Didn't he? And so on that. Day. When he was on the mount. Of beatitudes. The crowd is before him.

[37:10] He said. Not everyone who says. To me. Lord. Lord. Will enter the kingdom of heaven. But only he who does. The will of my father. Who is in heaven.

[37:24] Many will say to me on that day. Not. Not a few. But many. Lord. Lord. Did we not. Prophesy in your name. Preach in your name. Did. Did we not. In your name.

[37:34] Drive out demons. And perform many miracles. And then I will tell them plainly. I never. Knew you. It wasn't that I knew you. And then you left me. I never knew you. Away from me. You evil doers.

[37:46] You see Jesus. Takes them to the end. And he walks us right. To the end of this road. And he shows us where it's going. This profession. Of me being your Lord. But you don't.

[37:57] Keep my commandments. Here's where it's going. Away from me. Away from me. I never knew you. You evil doer.

[38:09] They were religious. They professed to be a Christian. Everybody. Might have thought they were a Christian. They were preaching for crying out loud. They were working miracles.

[38:22] But they'd never surrendered to Jesus. And his will. The will of his father. So Jesus exposes their faith. As a dead faith. You see it is faith in Jesus alone.

[38:34] That will save us. But that faith that is in Jesus alone. Is never alone. In the sense that. It will be shown by. By good deeds. By obeying God's commands. It's not what gets you in.

[38:45] What gets you in is. Casting your faith on him. But whoever does that. That faith will be at work. Working in us. To obey God's command.

[38:56] That's genuine faith. The apostle Paul. Constantly warning people. We've been looking at him. Galatians 6 last week. Don't be deceived. God cannot be mocked.

[39:07] A man reaps what he sows. The man who sows to please his flesh. From the flesh. Will reap destruction. Over and over. Don't be deceived. Don't be deceived. To think that you're a Christian.

[39:18] And yet you're living like the world. Why does Paul keep saying these things? Because this is another road. That many. Seem to think. Is the right road. But without holiness.

[39:30] No man will see the Lord. And this is good news for us as well. Because it's not a man made holiness. It's when we come to Christ. With nothing in our hands to bring.

[39:42] And throw ourselves on his mercy. In Jesus Christ. That he saves us. He saves us. He gives us the Holy Spirit. To empower. This. Life of holiness. Not perfect.

[39:53] But radical holiness. Why? Because. The spirit of Christ. Dwells in us. We're attached to the fruitful vine. And his grace will produce a new life.

[40:05] That's good news. The answer. For me as a sinner. Is not to try to roll up my sleeves. And just work harder at doing good. No. That's the wrong road too. But it's to trust in Christ.

[40:16] Unconditional surrender. And he will save me. From my sin. He will save you. This morning. From your sin. Well there's one last road.

[40:27] We have time to look at. And it's. The way. Of procrastination. And. You see this person. May know the true gospel as well. Knows everything that.

[40:40] That I know. About how somebody gets to heaven. Knows it all. In fact. Perhaps you've been listening to my preaching. So you know exactly what I know.

[40:54] But you tell yourself. That you intend to get saved. Someday. Just not today. I agree with everything you say.

[41:04] Pastor John. I agree with every. Word in the book. I'm a lost sinner. I deserve to go to hell. Jesus is my only hope. Because of his blood.

[41:15] And righteousness. That's the. Only way. I must repent. And cast my all on him. And one day. I plan to do just that. And so anytime.

[41:28] He's convicted of sin. Anytime she's got her conscience. Pricking her and saying. It's not. You're not right with God yet. She can silence it all.

[41:40] By promising to repent. And trust in Christ. Later. I really am. I'm going to do that. Just later. Later. And so the road.

[41:50] She's on. Seems so right to her. Because she's not out and out. Rejecting Christ. In her mind. But agrees. With everything.

[42:01] The Bible says. Knows the importance. Of coming to Christ. She's just going to get around to it. Someday. Just not today. Later. Is the name of this road.

[42:12] Road. I'm afraid. That some of you young people. Are on that road. It's. It's the road. Most traveled in. Most churches.

[42:25] Where mom and dad know Jesus. And. You've been raised on the scriptures. And on the gospel. Yeah. You intend someday. To become a Christian.

[42:38] Young person. This is a road. That seems right to you. But it ends in death. It ends in death. Nobody ever was saved. By procrastinating.

[42:51] Nobody. When you hear the gospel. You promise yourself. Yeah. I'll surrender to Christ later. Well. If not now. When? When?

[43:04] Tomorrow? If I come to your house tomorrow. Will you be ready then? Well. No. Maybe when I get to high school. Then.

[43:17] Then high school comes. Find you no better. Than what you are today. But now you're telling yourself. That you will surrender to Christ. After high school.

[43:29] And so you go away to college. And you find it's harder. To drag yourself to church there. Where mom and dad aren't forcing you to go. And so you don't go. Now. You find college has a life of its own.

[43:42] To keep you from Christ. To drown out the call of the gospel. And before long. You're no even. You're not even. Concerned about your soul anymore.

[43:53] And then you marry someone. Who's not wanting to live a surrendered life. To Jesus Christ. And so. Rejecting Christ. Just keeps getting easier. And easier. As all along. Your heart is getting harder.

[44:06] And harder. Perhaps without even realizing it. But each time you reject Christ. If even for. A day. You make it all the easier.

[44:17] To reject him. Tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day. They say the road. To hell. Is paved with good intentions.

[44:27] But upon closer examination. These are not good intentions. At all. But just excuses.

[44:41] To go on. Putting. Christ. Off. Another day. Just an excuse. To go on. Rejecting. Jesus. Right now. That's all it is.

[44:54] Tomorrow. Later. Is still rejection. Of Christ. Today. God sent his one and only son.

[45:05] Into the world. To save sinners. He put him on the cross. And poured out his wrath. Crushing. Him. And you don't want him. He's offered to you.

[45:16] If you will come. And renounce your way. And come and surrender. And trust in him. To save you. From your sin. He'll save you. Not today.

[45:27] What is not today? It's no. It's no. There are only two responses. To the offer of the gospel. In Jesus Christ. You find it at the. The last verse.

[45:38] In John chapter 3. Verse 36. Whoever believes in the son. Has eternal life. And whoever rejects the son. Will not see life. For God's wrath. Remains on him. Did you hear them?

[45:50] Whoever believes. Eternal life. Whoever rejects. God's wrath. Remains. Forever.

[46:02] So if you're not believing. On him right now. As you sit there. If you're not a believer. In Jesus. You're not joined to him. By faith. You are rejecting. Whatever you may be telling yourself.

[46:14] Nobody's ever got into heaven. On this road. Of procrastination. Every single one here. Had to get off that road. And right. In the moment. Embrace Jesus Christ.

[46:25] It will never be easier. Than it is now. Because your heart gets harder. Each time you say no. Come to him. Why would you procrastinate. From the best thing in the world.

[46:37] Jesus is here to save you. From eternal damnation. He's here to bring you. Into the joy. Of the Lord. Forever. So you're traveling. We've looked at three roads.

[46:48] That seem right to a man. Salvation by good works. Salvation without repentance. Or just plain. Later.

[47:01] Procrastination. You on any of those roads. This morning. Anybody here. On one of those roads. Maybe it's another road. We didn't have time to look at. But it's just one of these. That seem right to a man.

[47:12] In fact. If you're not in Christ. This morning. You are following. One of those roads. That seem right. For you. That's the reality. The enemy has you thinking.

[47:23] That road will end up in heaven. Someday. When every step. Is a step closer. To hell. It's the great plan of Satan. To hide you. From the end. Of the road you're traveling.

[47:35] I'm. Encouraging you to stand. At the crossroads. And look. And see where that road. You're on. Leads. Where does it wind around? Where does it dump into? What is the eternity?

[47:46] The destination. Wait. There's just one road. That leads to life. And God has his servants. All around this world. And what are they doing? They're putting up posters. Danger.

[47:56] Beware. The road that you're on. Only seems right. There's only one road. That is right. And Jesus himself came to. From heaven to this earth.

[48:07] And stood. In Galilee. And said one day. I am the way. I am the way. I am the truth. I am the life.

[48:18] And no one comes to the father. But by me. I'm the way. And apart from me. There's no going. To the father. I am the truth. And apart from me. There's no knowing. The father.

[48:28] And I am the life. Both now and eternally. And apart from me. There's only death. So come to me.

[48:41] All you who are weary. And heavy laden. And I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you. And learn from me. For I am humble. And gentle in heart. And you will find rest.

[48:52] For your souls. For my yoke is easy. And my burden is light. Interesting. Rest. For your souls. Stand at the crossroads.

[49:04] And look. Ask. For the old paths. Ask for the right way. And walk in it. And you will find what? Rest.

[49:16] For your souls. Let's pray. Blessed father in heaven.

[49:27] Everyone here was born on the wrong road. We were born on the broad road leading to hell and destruction. We thank you Lord Jesus. Not only for coming and living the perfect life that we couldn't live and dying the death we deserve to die.

[49:43] But rising again. And filling the earth with the true gospel. For coming and telling us that you're the only way to heaven. And whoever has the son has life.

[49:55] And he that has not the son has not life. Now Lord we were deaf. We were blind. We could not see. We did not know. We had no faith. We had no repentance. And you have shown grace to us.

[50:08] Would you show grace to others here this morning. Who are today what we once were. Thank you for your mercy. That has planted our feet on Christ.

[50:20] That road that leads to life eternal. That even now knowing him is life eternal. Do the same for them. We ask in Jesus name.

[50:31] And for his praise. And for the good of sinners here. Amen. Number 724. Is a song of invitation.

[50:43] Come every soul by sin oppressed. There's mercy. With the Lord. If you only trust him now. It says. He will save you. Now. So. Even as we sing.

[50:55] You can come to Jesus. Right there where you're standing. And call out to him for mercy. Let's stand as we sing. 724. Jesus is just that good of a savior.

[51:15] That if you trust only him now. He will save you now. Today. If you've heard his voice. Do not harden your hearts. If you don't know.

[51:27] If you're on the right road. Talk to your parents. Talk to one of your pastors. We would love to talk to you. And to be sure. You need to be sure.

[51:37] You're on that road. That leads to heaven. Amen. Amen. Thank you.