What Direction
Are You Going?
The Bible teaches us that there are
only two possible paths to be on.
We need to be on the right path.
Matthew 7:13-14
• “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. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow
that leads to life, and few are those who find
it.”
• The Broad way is the way of the world.
• The Narrow way is the way of God.
Getting There
• While on earth there may be many paths to
get to a certain destination,
• It is not so when it comes to our spiritual
destination of heaven.
• The Bible teaches us about both paths and
there is a very strong suggestion implied that
you need to be on the right path because your
soul depends upon it.
Common Sense Rule For Getting There
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Before we can go anywhere, we must know.
Where the place is.
Where we are right now,
And what direction or path we need to follow.
Common Sense Rule For Getting There
• Depending upon how much time you have,
you can take various roads,
• But if you are pressed for time, you need to
take the most direct route.
• Since the world may end at any moment, we
had better be on the right path at that
moment.
• We need to be on that right path right now.
GPS
• One of the tools I use in my travels is a GPS
device.
• It is an amazing piece of technology. A sort of
mini computer with one function in mind.
• Global Positioning System.
• Uses satellites to calculate your exact position on
the earth.
• When you tell it where you want to go, it
calculates the fastest/ shortest routes to get you
there.
GPS
• When it comes to our spiritual journey, we need a
GPS designed by God.
• God’s Plan of Salvation.
• We use this GPS to get on the right path.
• Once upon that right track, we need to know how
to stay on the right track.
• God’s Perfect Standard.
• The Bible, keeps us on the straight and narrow.
GPS
• However, the GPS does not drive you there
itself.
• All it does is give you the direction you should
go.
• You make the choice of following or ignoring
the instructions.
• Most people live this way.
GPS
• When you have programmed a destination
into the GPS, as long as you stay on the route
suggested, you will be fine.
• If however you get on the wrong road or make
an unexpected turn,
• the GPS will implore you to turn around and
will recalculate another course to get you back
to your route as soon as possible.
GPS
• The church is likened to the voice of the GPS
unit.
• If you get off course, it implores you to get
back on course.
• That is what we as Christians do for each
other.
• We cannot make you change course, but we
can encourage you to get back on course if
you want to go to heaven.
Common Sense
• If you are on course, why would anyone want
to get off this right pathway?
• Why would you ignore the instructions?
• You might think you can get there on your
own, but you would be wrong.
• And you would waste a lot of resources trying
to get there by different means and routes.
GPS
• People who ignore God’s instructions on how to
get to heaven.
• Usually follow another GPS device.
• This is the device created by Satan and promoted
and advertised in our world today.
• This GPS stands for:
• Greed
• Pride
• Selfishness
Greed, Pride, Selfishness
• These three alone are the greatest hindrances
to people being faithful to God.
• These three drive all other sins that are listed
in God’s holy word.
• There is not a problem or sin that is not driven
by one of these.
Greed
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The desire for MORE:
Wealth
Possessions
Power
Fame
Greed
• Another word used in the Bible to describe this
sin is: Covetousness
• Jesus included this in Mark 7:20-23 “And He was
saying, ‘that which proceeds out of the man, that
is what defiles the man. For from within, out of
the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts,
fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of
coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit,
sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
All these evil things proceed from within and
defile the man”.
Greed
• Colossians 3:5 “Therefore consider the members
of your earthly body as dead to immorality,
impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which
amounts to idolatry.”
• Idolatry is anything that takes our adoration and
focus off of God.
• Men worship idols, when they should worship
God.
• When a person has greed, God takes any position
other than first place.
Pride
• 1 Peter 5:5 “you younger men, likewise, be
subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe
yourselves with humility toward one another,
for God is opposed to the proud, but gives
grace to the humble”.
• James 4:6 “But He gives a greater grace,
Therefore it says, God is opposed to the
proud, but gives grace to the humble.
• Quotation from several passages of the O.T.
Selfishness
• Notice the middle letter in S I N
• I the same as me and myself.
• There is not a sin that does not involve
selfishness.
• Even if we do not intend to sin, our wants and
desires are not always under control as they
should be, and thus we do what we want to
do.
Selfishness
• Philippians 2:3-4 “do nothing from selfishness
or empty conceit, but with humility of mind
let each of you regard one another as more
important than himself; do not merely look
out for your own personal interests, but also
for the interests of others”.
• Selfishness breeds pride and greed.
• These three are the foundation of all sin.
Conclusion
• Our path to the straight and narrow is charted
out for us.
• God has told us how to get there, and is
constantly helping us to recalculate our
direction when we get off course.
• His church and His bible are the tools to get us
and keep us on the right track.
• What path are you on right now?