Encounter Church
Sunday Morning 12.28.25
      • Bible Trivia
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  • Let It Fall
  • Cornerstone
  • Every Praise
  • Awesome
  • We're Blessed
  • Go Tell it on the Mountain
  • The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power

      • 1 Corinthians 11:23–26NKJV

      • Luke 2:1-3NKJV

      • Luke 2:4-6NKJV

      • Luke 2:7-8NKJV

      • Luke 2:9-11NKJV

      • Luke 2:12-14NKJV

      • Luke 2:15-16NKJV

      • Luke 2:17-19NKJV

      • Luke 2:20-21NKJV

      • Luke 2:22-23NKJV

      • Luke 2:24-25NKJV

      • Luke 2:26-28NKJV

      • Luke 2:29-33NKJV

      • Luke 2:34-35NKJV

      • Luke 2:36-37NKJV

      • Luke 2:38-39NKJV

      • Luke 2:40-42NKJV

      • Luke 2:43-45NKJV

      • Luke 2:46-47NKJV

      • Luke 2:48-50NKJV

      • Luke 2:51-52NKJV

  • Scripture:

    Matthew 7:13–20 NKJV
    13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
    King | Daring to be different | A tale of two paths
    Big Idea: Many are seeking a relationship with God and a path to Paradise. They are willing to work for it but not willing to “Trust” for it. Trusting and following Jesus is the only road to God’s Kingdom.
    As we go into our 2026 year I always evaluate. What worked? What didn’t work? What could be fixed based on blindsides that are now hindsight?  It is a time where we reflect the impact of our choices. It is a time of honesty transparency and reflection. 
    Growth comes from honest assessment and adjustment. Everything is a choice
    In his book “The principle of the Path Andy Stanley gives a powerful quote. :
    “Direction, not intention, determines your destination".
    This morning Jesus is giving us a central message :
    This world is not our Final destination.  And Our direction.. Not our intention will determine our final destination.
    This morning Jesus talks to us about a tale of two paths:
    Matthew 7:21–23 NKJV
    21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!
    Jesus lets us know that there is a path that looks like it may lead to heaven. In Matthew, we see an entire group of people that felt they were on the right road. They were not rank sinners. They were not egregious and no doubt the attended church, They did all the right things for all the wrong reasons.
    Power principle:  It s possible to do all the right things for all the wrong reasons. We must trust only in Christ to reach out destination.

    A. The Broad Way

    popularity 
    Familiarity - the tribal need to fit in and be accepted
    The ways of the flesh pleasing one’s self
    The people we just saw were people who sought to make themselves right with God through religion and effort. They have completely overlooked the work of Grace in their lives.
    This is the often chosen path. Many like this path because it offers the false illusion of being able to control our eternal destiny. There are many things in life that we can do that are good. But although our actions may help someone and make us feel good on the inside, those actions have 0 power to save us.

    B. The Narrow Way

    The Narrow way way or gate is Jesus  
    John 10:9 NKJV
    9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
    The narrow way is rejected often for several reasons:
    It erases the ability of man to take any credit for his salvation.(Ephesians 2:8-9) 
    Ephesians 2:8–9 NKJV
    8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
    It requires complete submission to the Lordship of Christ and abandoning of human wisdom, philosophy and pride. Colossians 2:8-10, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
    Colossians 2:8–10 NKJV
    8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
    Galatians 3:28 !Just look at
    Power Principle: The religious heart seeks good works to “validate” the heart is right with God. A heart transformed and validated by Christ will produce good works as a product of the new birth. Same acts different source. 
    There are many religions in the world. But scripture teaches that God has only made one way to Heaven. That is through his Son Jesus. The cross of Christ affords us access to God. 
    God’s way is the only way and it can be offensive.
    1 Corinthians 1:18–19 NKJV
    18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
    See also 2 Corinthians 2:16

    C. Guard The Path ( Matthew 7: 15-20)

    Since the path is the only way to eternal security. We must beware of those who offer alternative paths.
    The best cure for false Doctrine is a reinforcing of right Doctrine. If we fortify our hearts and minds with the truth, we build a stronger immunity to “false prophets”.
    That’s why Sunday school, Bible study and family devotional are essential. We must train our families the truth of God’s word.
    Deuteronomy 6:6–7 NKJV
    6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
    John 10:27–28 NKJV
    27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
    Conclusion:
    We must Turn down the noise and seek Gods path. It is the clear path that is laid out for us.
    “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.”
    Proverbs 4:18 NKJV
    https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.4.18.NKJV

      • Matthew 7:13–20NKJV

      • Matthew 7:21–23NKJV

      • John 10:9NKJV

      • Ephesians 2:8–9NKJV

      • Colossians 2:8–10NKJV

      • 1 Corinthians 1:18–19NKJV

      • Deuteronomy 6:6–7NKJV

      • John 10:27–28NKJV

Encounter Church
http://www.encounter360.org
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