choose life

LUKE 7:14 DEUT 30

THE CHOICES:

Deut 30 • Life/prosperity or death/destruction

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b>Matthew 7:13, 14 • KJV = “straight gate” = from Latin = strictum (narrow) …. Jesus clearly intended it to be restrictive, less inviting, therefore ‘narrow’ is the better English word …. Most people prefer the easier entrance, the ‘more inviting’ one • The BROAD road is spacious and accommodates crowds, and lots of baggage! • Two different Greek words used for ‘narrow’: vs. 13 = stene; vs. 14 = tethlimmene (cognate of thlipsis = tribulation due to persecution …. Thus, the way of Christian discipleship is narrow (restrictive) because it is the way of persecution …. NOTE Acts 14:19-22

DON’T ‘SHORT-CHANGE’ GOD: No possible barrier to blessing! Our role is to simply turn, receive, obey … no long arduous journey, pilgrimage, no climbing the mountain to get some special revelation • “EVEN IF” of vs. 4 • “EVEN GREATER PROSPERITY” of vs. 5, 9 • “EVEN GREATER PROSPERITY” of vs. 5, 9

Conclusion: “What people grasp and cleave to, they have for eternity” (Salvian The Presbyter, born in Cologne 400 - 405 AD; writer, theologian) … so too with what people choose!

extended notes:

Bible = pivotal moments of choice * Philistines with Goliath confronted Saul & Israel: choose a champion! * Joshua (Joshua 24:15) “Choose you this day whom you will serve” * Jeremiah (Jeremiah 21:8) “Behold I set before you the way of life and the way of death: * Pilate says to the Passover crowds:

“Barabbas or Jesus? Who should I release?”

THE CHOICES: Deuteronomy 30 • Life/prosperity or death/destruction • The offer is made to the Nation of Israel but the individual was not so swallowed up in the community that he/she could avoid personal responsibility • A radical change in Israel’s spiritual condition comes with a radical/basic attitudinal & behavioral “heart adjustment” • Ambrose = death is the divestiture

of the gift of breath and all that we enjoy

Matthew 7:13, 14 • “Two ways” language is common in Jewish literature, both Bible and secular • KJV = “straight gate” = from Latin = strictum (narrow) …. Jesus clearly intended it to be restrictive, less inviting, …. Therefore ‘narrow’ is the bestter English word. Most people prefer the easier entrance, the ‘more inviting’ one • The BROAD road is spacious and accommodates crowds, and lots of baggage! • Two different Greek words used for ‘narrow’: vs. 13 = stene; vs. 14 = tethlimmene (cognate of thlipsis = tribulation due to persecution …. Thus, the way of Christian discipleship is narrow (restrictive) because it is the way of persecution …. NOTE Acts 14:19-22 • Things that last, things of value, don’t come early or easily; and rarely is a masterpiece painted or a symphony composed or great literature penned via a simple shortcut!

Don’t ‘short-change’ God

“EVEN IF” of vs. 4 • No possible barrier to blessing! Hypothetical participle of strongest assertion (similar to Numbers 22:18) … out on the edge of the world, where all seems so foreign and frustratingly pagan, where God seems so distant, the Lord will gather, retrieve, rejuvenate, energize & bless!

“EVEN GREATER PROSPERITY”Vs. 5, 9

“EVEN GREATER PROSPERITY”Vs. 5, 9 Vs. 11-13 • ‘Not too difficult’ can also be translated “not too mysterious” … This is NOT A SECRET! - no need to comprehend the entire universe in order to really begin to live! • Our role is to simply turn, receive, obey … no long arduous journey, pilgrimage, no climbing the mountain to get some special revelation • The close proximity of the revelation – it is near! “In your mouth” = “you can even repeat it!” …. “in your heart” = “you can think it, feel it” • Paul builds on this in Romans 10:6-10 … salvation is by faith … “if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be s aved”

Conclusion:

• What people grasp and cleave to, they have for eternity (Salvian The Presbyter, born in Cologne 400 - 405 AD; writer, theologian) … so too, with what they choose! • Illustration: crash at Daytona 500 – “all of us on a collision course with eternity” p. 4 More Perfect Illustrations, Christianity Today 2003 • THE BIBLE SAYS CHOOSE LIFE! In light of recent public shootings (Denver movie theatre, Toronto Eaton Centre, Toronto block party) innocent people were deprived of their choice by depraved individuals who chose death! • Illustration: telemarketer calls, “May I please speak with the major decision maker of the home.” … response: “I’m sorry, our 5 yr old daughter is not home from Kindergarten yet.” – Humor for Preaching & Teaching, p. 53, Baker, Christianity Today, 1996 • ARE YOU HOME? ARE YOU READY TO MAKE A CHOICE? WILL IT BE LIFE? John 10:10, Romans 6:23 • So, … in your life is there something that today must be altered? Why not come before the altar of God Almighty and choose the alternate to death & curse – choose life & blessing!