Many Lanes On The Broad Road
Introduction
Matt 7:13-14
13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. 14 "For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. (NAS)
We have just returned from a trip. We traveled 2600 miles and use several highways and many lanes in those highways. Most of you have done the same thing.
In the text Jesus tells of two eternal roads. One leads to heaven (life) and the other to hell (destruction). On the broad road I want to point out many lanes that people travel on this road that leads to destruction.
I. Some people on the Broad Road are taking the Works Lane.
Matt 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. 22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.' (NAS)
The attitude of this person is dependence on their Works.
Illustration
I have seen ministers glory in what they were calling their good works. They have thrilled at the garments they get to wear and the accolades they receive. One man I am thinking of seemed as though he was keeping score for God of all his good deeds.
Application
Listen to these verses from God's Word about the destination of the lane on the broad road called the works lane.
Rom 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. (NAS)
2 Tim 1:9 who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
If you’re in the Works Lane, I urge you to get out of that lane and change to the Narrow Road.
II. Some people on the Broad Road are taking the Pride Lane.
Exod 10:3 And Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, `How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me. (NAS)
I Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. (NAS)
The attitude of this person is Pride in Self.
Illustration
Recently while waiting for an elevator at St. John's hospital I saw a man wearing a Christian Tee Shirt indicating he went to church in wilderness Missouri. Now he looked like a man of little means. He seemed to be uncomfortable in the city setting and a very humble and shy man. I judged this by his actions, dress and lack of teeth. He seemed ashamed to smile.
Well I asked him where the town of Wilderness is, and he shared with me that it is near the Irish Wilderness in Mark Twain State Park. Then I asked him, "Do you know the Lord?” He responded with a yes and I asked him, "How long have you known the Lord?” He said, "About 3 years." So my next question was about what took him so long? He surprised me with these words, "I guess it was just my stubborn pride."
We think so often pride is reserved for the affluent and those of superior education and intellect; but many different men and women travel in the pride lane on their way to destruction.
Do you remember the popular song "MY WAY"? Many people because of their stubborn pride and arrogance are seeking to get into heaven on the Pride Lane. It just doesn't go to heaven.
Application
If you’re in the Pride Lane, I urge you to get out of that lane and change to the Narrow Road.
III. Some people on the Broad Road are taking the Church Lane.
John 8:33-36 33 They answered Him, "We are Abraham's offspring, and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, 'You shall become free'?" 34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 "And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. (NAS)
The attitude of this person is dependence on the Church.
Illustration
The Jewish people of the first century believed their religion was the way to heaven. There are those today who believe that their particular religion is the only way to heaven. They are on the Broad Road and in the Church Lane without a willingness to recognize their road leads to destruction.
Application
If you’re in the Church Lane, I urge you to get out of that lane and change to the Narrow Road.
IV. Some people on the Broad Road are taking the Baptism Lane. Acts 2:38
38 And Peter {said} to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NAS)
Many who take the Baptism lane use this verse of scripture. They hinge their interpretation on the word "for" in this verse. Baptist say this word means "because of" and not "in order to". Read this verse both ways:
And Peter {said} to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ in order to receive for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
and Peter {said} to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
because you have received the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
If you take every verse of scripture that mentions any form of the word baptism, I believe you will make the proper interpretation about baptism not being essential for salvation.
The attitude of this person is trust in their Baptism.
Illustration
On one occasion I had an opportunity to ask a rather prominent man in town, “If you stood before God and He asked you why should I let you into My heaven, what would you tell Him?" The man answered, "I have been baptized." There was no word about Jesus but a word about baptism.
Pilate tried to no avail to wash away his sins. It did not work for him and it won't work for anyone else either.
Application
The Baptism Lane leads to hell. If you’re in the Baptism Lane I urge you to get out of that lane and change to the Narrow Road.
V. Some people on the Broad Road are taking the Wealth Lane.
Luke 12:18-21 "And he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years {to come;} take your ease, eat, drink {and} be merry."' 20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This {very} night your soul is required of you; and {now} who will own what you have prepared?' 21 "So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (NAS)
The attitude of this person is focused on their wealth.
Illustration
On our vacation we visited some former church members. One family told us of a brother who had become very wealthy. He made his money by taking companies from near bankruptcy to making money and was very well rewarded for his work. He now has a six million dollar home and a few years ago purchased a 1 ½ million dollar yacht. He took the yacht from Florida to Baltimore and it used 11,000 gallons of fuel.
For his niece's honeymoon he paid all the expenses and put them up in an $800.00 a night hotel bridal suite. Recently he purchased $7,500.00 of chocolates and sent them to his son's wife and his daughter's husband because they like chocolate.
He has a One-Million-dollar retirement payout every year. Do you realize that is $2,740 a day you have to spend just to use up your yearly retirement?
Our friend said, "My brother never does any of this without calling attention to himself."
He has had two heart attacks and is not in good health. He donated one million dollars to a hospital and told them I want special treatment when I come in here. If I come in and need an oxygen tent and there all busy, I want you to remember I gave you a million dollars and take one of those off somebody else and give it to me.
Application
Do you think that man is spiritual? Do you think he is on the Narrow Road or the Broad Road?
Notice these verses again. 20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This {very} night your soul is required of you; and {now} who will own what you have prepared?' 21 "So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (NAS)
If your in the Wealth Lane or the pursuit of wealth Lane I urge you to get out of that lane and change to the Narrow Road.
VI. Some people on the Broad Road are taking the Tomorrow Lane.
James 4:13-14 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are {just} a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. (NAS)
The attitude of this person is to Postpone Spiritual Matters.
Illustration
A hermit was guided by an angel into a wooded area, where he saw an old man cutting down boughs to make up a bundle. When it was large, he tied it up, and attempted to lift it on his shoulder, and carry it away; but finding it very heavy, he laid it down again, cut more wood, and heaped it on; and then tried again to carry it off. This he repeated several times; always adding something to the load, after trying in vain to raise it from the ground. In the meantime, the hermit, astonished at the old man's folly, desired the angel to explain what this meant.
"You behold," he said, "in the foolish old man an exact representation of those, who, being made aware of the burden of their sins, resolve to do something about them but then decide to wait until tomorrow. Their delay, instead of lessening their burden, increase it every day. At each trial, they find the task heavier than before; and so put it off a little longer, in the vain hope that they will by and by find it easier.
Application
Tomorrow is the devil’s word. This is one of his favorite lanes. If you’re in the Tomorrow Lane I urge you to get out of that lane and change to the Narrow Road.