2. Matthew 7 13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Luke 13 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Matthew 19 23 And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Easy road vs. Difficult road Being a Christian is Work

3. Easy road vs. Difficult road Being a Christian is Work Noah building the ark Noah building the ark Abraham going to a new land Abraham going to a new land Sarah having a baby! Sarah having a baby! We sin because it is appealing; resisting temptation is the hard road.

4. Being Part of a Family is Work Interpersonal Relationships Paul & Barnabas Paul & Barnabas Euodia & Syntyche Euodia & Syntyche Acts 15 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. 38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Philippians 4 2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Being Part of a Spiritual Family is Work

5. Doctrinal Controversy Acts 15 Options Ignore the people from Jerusalem Ignore the people from Jerusalem “Agree to Disagree” “Agree to Disagree” Go to Jerusalem and Make the case for truth Go to Jerusalem and Make the case for truth Being Part of a Spiritual Family is Work

6. Doctrinal Controversy Acts 15 Options from the point of view of those in Jerusalem Let the elders decide (“that’s their job”) Let the elders decide (“that’s their job”) This doesn’t concern us because we are all Jews This doesn’t concern us because we are all Jews Being Part of a Spiritual Family is Work

7. Confronting Sin 1 Corinthians 5 2 Thessalonians 3 Being Part of a Spiritual Family is Work

8. Organizing Acts 6:1ff Being Part of a Spiritual Family is Work

9. Even Ordering an Assembly 1 Corinthians 14:26 1 Corinthians 14:40 Being Part of a Spiritual Family is Work Sometimes the least polished, least experienced can be most edifying Should everyone say as much as he wants regardless of content? Should everyone direct the singing as much as he wants to regardless of ability? 1 Corinthians 14 26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

10. Let’s be willing to work through difficulties and not be discouraged by the effort If I’m not finding it an effort, maybe I’m not involved enough! Being Part of a Spiritual Family is Work