This series of sermons is a look at LIFE and more
particularly the Christian life. There
are many turns in the road so please consult the map for the next pit stop
along the way.
Can I have a restart?
I loved to watch the dirt track races.
The most exciting part of the race was the finish and the start.
When the flagman waved the green flag the cars would kick in the gas
and the fun would begin. I
remember one race when the cars came out of turn 4 with three wide.
The car in the middle pushed the outside car into the rail and caused
it to roll completely over before coming back to rest on it’s wheels.
The driver of the rolled car was so angry that he ran around the track
pointing his finger at the one who had pushed him.
When the car stopped and the driver got out and walked over to the
angry driver the fun began. But,
the rule was that if you didn’t complete the first lap without a bang up
then the race would have to be restarted.
Often racers would crash on the restart because they didn’t like what
was happening. It was like high
speed bumper cars. To keep the
drivers from using this rule to their advantage the one who caused the crash
would have to go to the rear of the line to restart.
Everyone always wanted to win and get into the lead.
That’s why it was always exciting and to watch the fun.
There will be a restart.
Can I have a restart in life? Can
I look up to the sky and say wait a minute?
I want to start over. Can
I have a restart? We are all in
the race of the life. Today we
will look at the roads that we are taking as we travel through.
Scripture Text:
Mat. 7:13 Enter ye in at
the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that
leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because
strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and
few there be that find it.
I.
Beginning the Game of “Life”. Everyone is a player in the game of life.
God has ordained that you would be born into this game.
Throughout the next month we will be taking a look at the game of life.
What kind of stops will we find throughout the game will put us in
touch with the creator of the game. He
is called the Lord of heaven and earth.
II.
One Road can be chosen in Life. This
is called the restart. You can
have a new beginning in your life. The
Bible says that there are two roads to be taken through life.
Which road will you choose?
Many are on the
wide road and few are on the narrow one.
Without realizing it everyone is already on the broad way.
It is because we are all sinners.
All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
The narrow road is the road less traveled.
It is harder to navigate and more difficult to travel.
But what we have to remember is why are we on the road in the first
place. Where are you going?
The wide road leads to destruction and the narrow way leads into life.
We stand today at the crossroads of life.
Which way will we go? The
road we take will determine the destination we will have.
Which will you have? Which
will you take? You can have a
restart in the game of life. You
can begin again.
III.
Don Forget the Rules of Life.
a.
Only one life to live. (No
Second chances). You can have
a restart, but you don’t get another life to live.
There is no reincarnation. Once
the game of life is over, then it is over.
b.
Life begins and ends with God.
He decides when you are born and when you will die.
He is in control. Many may
never understand this until it is over.
c.
Life is Short. Only
a vapor. You don’t have much
time; so better make the most of what you have been given.
d.
Life is for keeps. It
is permanent and fixed. When I
played marbles with the other boys in the coal camp where I grew up we would
often play for fun or funsies as we called it.
That meant that when we were finished we would all pick up our own
marbles and go home. Sometimes we
played for keeps. Then when the
game was over whoever won the game got to keep the marbles.
This was a dangerous game. You
could loose your best marbles. Remember
life is for keeps.
e.
Life’s Roads can be changed before you come to end.
You can change your mind and have a restart at any point along the as
long as you do so before you come to the end of the game.
You can change lanes and come back home.
But don’t wait too long.
f.
Warning: The road
taken will lead to a destination. Before
deciding which road you take be sure that you will be happy with the
destination you will have. Once
you arrive where you are going, there you are.
IV.
All are on the Wide Road. One
of the roads that are mentioned is the wide road.
Everyone loves to travel the four or the six lanes.
It is the easiest way to go. It
is wide and smooth. As a matter
of fact you don’t have to do a thing to get on this road, because you are
already there. It is very similar
to some of the latest interstate highways we have today.
They are fast and smooth. For
all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
We are all in the fast lane to death in eternity.
But remember you can choose a new way.
V.
Take the Narrow Road In Life. Why should you? Because:
a.
The narrow road gives life new meaning.
b.
The narrow road gives life new direction and purpose.
c.
The narrow road gives life new joy and fulfillment.
d.
The narrow road gives life new peace of mind.
e.
The narrow road gives life a comfort of going with the greatest friend.
f.
The narrow road gives life a new destination.
g.
The narrow road is the right direction.
h.
The narrow road is the way that you were created to take.
i.
The narrow road is the only way that leads to life.
VI. Turn
around and Get Back on the Right Track.
- Have
you gone the wrong way in your Christian life?
- Have
you gone with the Lord or are you going in your own direction?
- Come
back home and go with the Lord.
One day I got lost in the woods and came out 16 miles
away from camp. Finally I made it
back home. What a great feeling
to be found. Have you come to
point that you are ready to come home? Pray
for someone who needs to come home. Would
you come home to God? Home is
where the Father is. He is
waiting on you.