The Narrow Gate

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Matthew 7:13

Wide = having a larger distance from one side to the other than is usual or expected.

Jesus made it clear that the going of being a follower is tough. The road to convenience and comfortable living is wide. What do we do to make sure that we are moving towards the narrow gate?

Strategy To Enter Through The Narrow Gate

1- Determine To Be Chosen

For many are called, but few are chosen

Matthew 22:14

In the Parable of the Wedding Party everyone was invited to the wedding, but the invitation went out in two parts. The 'A list', the respectable people were invited first, but they did not take the invitation seriously. They only pretended to accept. They lied. The result is that they didn’t show up.  The invitation was then sent out to the 'B' list which was everyone else including the street people, prostitutes, etc!

Being chosen is a decision we make. It is a commitment to listen to the voice of the one who chose us in the first place.

2- Determine To Follow

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27

This has got to do with your determination to keep going. Following Jesus goes like this:

LISTEN

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

COUNT THE COST

But don't begin until you count the cost. Luke 14:26-28

GIVE UP

So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me. Luke 14:33

You cannot miss the narrow gate if you are wholeheartedly following Jesus and since we are at it, who are you leading towards the narrow gate? Because if you are a follower, this is not an option, it’s a must.

The Development Session

Every now and then I go back to the basics with the men in our men's group. I call these sessions "Development Sessions". They are a great  way to monitor the new converts' growth, assess where everyone is at and engage with the real  deal of being a follower of Christ. You can even get into discussions about ideas, mindsets, misconceptions among other interesting things.

Below is an example of a development sheet.

DEVELOPMENT SESSION 1   

(2 Timothy 2:2)

1) What is so bad about sin? Romans 6:23, Isaiah 59:2.

Sin leads to death. We have all sinned (Romans 3:23). Sin is when you do something God asked you not to (James 4:17).

2) Who is Jesus? John 3:16

He is the Son of God.

3) Why Jesus? John 14:6

He made a way for us to have relationship with God.

4) Why did Jesus have to die? 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 5:17

Jesus died to take the penalty our sins deserved. He took our punishment so that we wouldn’t have to. He made a way for us to go to heaven and live with God forever.

5) How do you get to heaven? Romans 10:9-10, John 1:12

“Receiving Christ” means: 1) acknowledging your belief in Jesus, 2) inviting him into your life, 3) turning to God from your present way of living (repentance), and 4) beginning the adventure of letting God direct your life.

6) What is Church?

A body of believers.

7) What is the Church’s purpose?

1 - To bring us strength. 1 Corinthians 14:26

2 - To help us flourish. Psalm 92:12

3 - To show us the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15, John 8:32, John 14:6

8) Why is the Church so important?

1 - The Church was Jesus’ idea. Mat 16:18 , I Pet 2:4-6

2 - Jesus died for the Church. Acts 20:28, Eph 5:25

3 - Jesus is the Head of the Church. Eph 1:22, Col 1:18

9) Why Serve?

1 - Great cure for selfishness. Phil 2:3

2 - Shows us the real purpose of living. Mt. 16:25

3 - It’s part of the core of who a true disciple is. Mt. 20:32-33, Mark 16:20

4 - Leads to greatness. Mt 23:11-12

Being a Woman

I am proud to say that Angela's new book is now available. What a masterpiece!

From a man's perspective I found this book valuable in understanding women better. Not only the role of a woman but also the heart. A must read for husbands as well as men who are seeking to draw the best out of the women in their world. Understanding the role of a woman could significantly change your life and the lives of the women around you. Being a Woman is very practical with applicable suggestions that will challenge men and women alike.   Much to my surprise I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The Being a Woman book and worksheets are available here as well as the awesome photos that my daughter, Lorah-Kelly took for this book. 

Free

"The world is crying out for men and women to fulfil their destiny". A powerful statement that got my attention right from the very start of this book. It even motivated me to plan the route of my life taking into consideration the destination. Sometimes we know where we want to go but not how to get there. Free will help you plan your route.

This is a very practical book in finding freedom in many areas of life. Angela's honest approach to difficult subjects is refreshing and inspiring. In this book you will find very practical keys to be free from things such as shame, fear, unforgiveness as well as keys to live a life to be free to give, love, lead, laugh and much more.

Free is a very insightful book drawn from Angela's own struggles and experiences. Although this book is pitched to women every single key is still relevant to men. A must read if you truly want to unleash your potential and be free.

We Walk Together

The church exists to build people up and since one is too small a number for greatness, here at D7 Church we choose to work together. We are building the church through teams of passionate skilled individuals. Still there is plenty of room for learning and improvement.

Here is the thing about D7

• We exist for the broken NOT the perfect

• We care for each other and we put others first

• We do whatever it takes NOT whatever it’s easy

• We do whatever it's needed NOT whatever we want

• At D7 Church Jesus is the centre of everything we do. But we don’t use Him as an excuse NOT to do anything. Faith without works is dead.

We believe that God has not called us to be normal and fit in, He has called us to STAND OUT!  How do we do this? Together. We are a bunch of people that believe that our God is big and absolutely anything can be accomplished as long as we don’t mind who takes the credit. We are not ordinary, we are extraordinary.We are not conventional, but remarkable. We are everything but normal.

We are chosen by God for a higher calling, God's instruments empowered to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the difference He has made in our lives. (1Peter 2:9-10)

The result? Life change. Testimonies of people being set free from addictions, depression, mental illness, the occult etc, all in a short period of our existence as a church.

That is why I believe that as Christians progress is our best product. We should constantly be thinking, 'How can I do this better?', 'How can I get closer to Him?' , 'How can I keep track and measure my spiritual growth?'.

Listen to our current series - A Love For the House here.