(Audio Sermon Clip) Simple Devotion To Christ Till The End
Bob Jennings emphasizes the vital importance of maintaining a pure and simple devotion to Christ until the end, warning against the deception of false Christianity and spiritual blindness.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of truly entering into a genuine relationship with Christ, highlighting the dangers of false Christianity and the deception that can lead believers astray from pure devotion to Christ. It discusses the narrow gate that leads to life, contrasting it with the wide gate that leads to destruction, and the few who find the true way. The message warns against being blinded spiritually by the god of this world and the struggles faced in maintaining a simple and pure devotion to Christ amidst spiritual battles.
Full Transcript
It shouldn't surprise us that so many are around, fervent, real Christians, and yet they can't find the door, like the men of Sodom. Or like Judas, he kissed the door and still didn't enter in. It shouldn't surprise us that men are ever learning, reading good books on theology, and yet still not able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
It shouldn't surprise us that it wouldn't make a bit of difference if they found Noah's Ark. There wouldn't be one more believer then than there is now. No one rose from the dead, yet they will not believe, because the God of this world has got them blinded, spiritually.
And so here we are tonight hearing these things, and we ought to think of the words of the Lord Jesus. Strive to enter in at the narrow gate, for narrow is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and what few are those who find it. Wide is the gate, wide is the way that leads to destruction, and many, many, many are those who enter there at.
I used to think that the Lord was there contrasting Christians with the world. When you look more closely at the context, and the Lord is not doing that, but rather is contrasting true Christianity with false Christianity. Few are those who find it.
Paul knew these things. In view of that, he had a fear. You know, the mighty apostle, he had a fear.
How about that? He writes to these same Corinthians about seven chapters later, 11 verse 2, and says, I fear for you, lest, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the purity and simplicity of devotion to Christ. And all of the struggles that you face, and all of the spiritual battles that you face, really it boils down to this one thing. The devil is trying so subtly, or maybe boldly sometimes, to get you away from the purity and simplicity, this simple devotion to Christ, all the way to the end.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Many professing Christians fail to truly enter the narrow gate
- False Christianity is widespread and deceiving
- Spiritual blindness prevents many from knowing the truth
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II
- Jesus’ teaching on the narrow and wide gates
- Few find the narrow gate leading to life
- The contrast is between true and false Christianity
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III
- Paul’s fear for the Corinthian believers
- The devil’s craftiness in leading believers astray
- The call to maintain purity and simplicity in devotion to Christ
Key Quotes
“Strive to enter in at the narrow gate, for narrow is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and what few are those who find it.” — Bob Jennings
“The devil is trying so subtly, or maybe boldly sometimes, to get you away from the purity and simplicity, this simple devotion to Christ, all the way to the end.” — Bob Jennings
“It shouldn't surprise us that men are ever learning, reading good books on theology, and yet still not able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” — Bob Jennings
Application Points
- Examine your own faith to ensure it is a true and simple devotion to Christ.
- Be vigilant against subtle spiritual deceptions that can lead you away from Christ.
- Strive daily to enter through the narrow gate by living faithfully until the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the narrow gate represent?
The narrow gate represents the true path to eternal life through genuine faith and devotion to Christ.
Why do many not find the narrow gate?
Many are deceived by false Christianity or spiritual blindness, preventing them from entering the true way.
What is the main spiritual danger highlighted in the sermon?
The main danger is being led astray from the purity and simplicity of devotion to Christ by subtle or bold deception.
How does Paul express his concern for believers?
Paul expresses a fear that believers might be deceived and led away from true devotion to Christ.