The Path: Good Intentions, Distracted Decisions
July 21, 2024 / Cross Pointe Church
The Path – Sermon Notes Pastor Brad Myers
Good Intentions, Distracted Decisions July 21, 2024
A Path
- A narrow walkway formed by constant traffic.
- A route or track along which something moves.
- The path of a hurricane.
- A course of action, or direction.
Many “paths” referenced in scripture
Psalm 23:3 (NKJV)
- David reflecting on his life recalls times when he could clearly sense that he was on the right path, closely following the Lord’s lead.
Proverbs 3:5-6. (NKJV)
- If you trust with all our heart. (Unwavering)
- Refuse to lean on your limited understanding. (Your path of understanding)
- Submit every aspect of our lives to him. (All In)
- The best path will become unmistakably clear.
Q) Why did God make salvation such a narrow path?
- We have a perspective…
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
Q) If God really wants to save everyone, why didn’t He make it easier to be saved?
- Narrow gate is a “hard” path: Hardships and difficult decisions.
- Following Jesus requires:
- Crucifying our flesh: (Galatians 2:20; 5:24; Romans 6:2),
- Living by faith: (Romans 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 10:38),
- Enduring trials with patience: (James 1:2–3, 12; 1 Peter 1:6),
- Living separate from the world: (James 1:27; Romans 12:1–2).
- Two paths
When faced with the choice between a narrow, bumpy path and a wide, paved highway, most of us choose the easier road.
- Human nature gravitates toward comfort and pleasure.
- When faced with the reality of denying themselves (their path) to follow Jesus, (His path) most people turn away.
John 6:66 (NIV)
God offers a path to salvation to everyone who accepts but it is on His terms. We must come the pathway He has provided. We cannot create our own paths.
Two Paths: Matthew 7:13-14
- Wide Gate: Has many directions & endless decisions to arrive there all determined by us.
- Narrow Gate: Has one direction, one decision as determined by God.
Q) Why do so many people start out with a clear picture of where they want to be in life spiritually, relationally, financially, and professionally, and yet years later find themselves far from their desired destination?
Reason Is:
Principle of the Path: Direction, not Intention, Determines Destination
- How many times have we heard, “I really intended…….”
Intentions set the stage, but it’s the path we choose to walk, every single day, that determines our destination.
Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
Intentions: Something a person is meaning to achieve; an objective or goal.
God has intentions for us
Isaiah 43:7 (NIV)
- Glory of God: Beauty of His spirit that emanates from His character, from all that He is and is everlasting.
- Bible: Glory of Man: Human dignity and honor; which fades
- Represents two intended paths….
In Jeremiah 29 God punishes Judah
- God using Babylonian empire to capture Judah for punishment for sins.
God’s intent is here.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Interpretation: Even though there’s going to be 70 years of captivity in Babylon God’s intent is to still “prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
General Application: God wants the same for all his people.
Q) Why don’t we always follow our intended path to our destination?
Distractions
We may have good intentions, but distraction make for bad decisions.
What happens?
Thought: If you’re distracted by what’s on the path, you’ll end up being distracted from where the path is taking you. Your destination changes and you don’t even realize it.
- King David: Distracted by pleasure: Bathsheba
- Peter: Distracted by fear while walking on water.
- Solomon was distracted by luxury and indulgence.
Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
Intent: Your desired outcome, your objective
Intentional: Your desired outcome with a firm commitment to reach your destination.