Homes of Hope & Healing Evangelistic Series
November 5, 2024
Issue #8
Choose the Path to Life: God's Strait and Narrow Way
In his impassioned message, Pastor Anthony Hall reminds us of a choice that confronts each person: the road we choose to walk. Just as poet Robert Frost mused on paths diverging in a yellow wood, we too face a crucial decision—a choice between following the crowd on the wide, comfortable road or stepping onto the narrow path of faith. Pastor Hall challenges us to consider not just the ease of our journey but its destination, urging us to examine the eternal weight of our decisions.
This message, the ninth in the “Homes of Healing” series, is no simple call to reflection; it’s a direct call to action.
This message, the ninth in the “Homes of Healing” series, is no simple call to reflection; it’s a direct call to action.
Pastor Hall emphasizes that following Jesus means committing to a life that may be strict and difficult but ultimately leads to true peace and eternal life. He draws us back to the Word, reminding us of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter ye in at the strait gate… because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” For those ready to follow Christ, there is no turning back. The journey may be hard, but as Pastor Hall declares, "You have got to make your mind up!"
Peter’s Vision: A Lesson in Acceptance
Peter’s vision in Acts 10 is often mistaken as permission to eat anything, but it was actually about embracing all people as equal in God’s sight. In the vision, God shows Peter a sheet filled with animals that were labeled “unclean” according to God’s law (Leviticus 11), which outlined dietary guidelines for His people, not just Jewish tradition. When God says, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat,” Peter is initially confused, holding firmly to the command in Leviticus 11,
“These are the animals you may eat,” which specifically allows only certain clean animals. Later, Peter realizes that the vision wasn’t about food at all. Acts 10:28 clarifies the message: “God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.” This vision was God’s way of showing that all people, regardless of culture or background, are invited into His family.
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Health is Wealth
Worldly success won’t mean much without health. Prioritizing God’s diet is like storing up treasure—not in banks, but in bodies that are ready and able to serve.
Clean vs. Unclean
God instructed Noah to take both “clean” and “unclean” animals into the ark, as stated in Genesis 7:2: “You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal… two each of animals that are unclean.” This shows that God had already set a distinction between clean and unclean animals, and He did not intend for humans to consume all animals, just as He did not intend us to consume all plants (some of which are poisonous).
The Straight and “Strait” Gate
Jesus calls us to the “strait” gate, a gate not just straight but strict. It’s a way that calls us higher, a walk that requires sacrifice. For those ready to choose it, it’s the only gate that leads to eternal life.
Living Counter-Culturally for Christ
Being a follower of Christ means going against the grain. Society may call us odd, too “strict,” but our call is to stand out, not fit in. Every “rule” we follow isn’t man-made—it’s God-given, a guide to life.
Health as a Spiritual Priority
3 John 2 states, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health.” This verse reinforces that our health is important to God, and we are called to live in a way that supports both physical and spiritual well-being.
Human be Humans, No Difference
It Can Kill You Too!
Some say the Old Testament food laws were only for the Jews, but let’s be real—what’s bad for them is bad for us too. If a food could harm a Jew, it can harm anyone. There’s no difference; we’re all the same.
The Body as a Temple
People might think SDAs are strict or weird, but our rules come straight from the Bible. God’s command to take care of our bodies as His temple applies to everyone, not just Jews.
Back to Eden
The original diet given to humanity was plant-based and pure. Following it today is like stepping back into Eden, honoring the simple, nourishing foods that God called good from the beginning.
Choosing the narrow way hits different when you know what’s at the end. ✨
'Nic' At Night
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The Narrow Road, It's a Choice
Choosing God’s path over traditional diets isn’t just about physical health; it’s a spiritual commitment to honor His design. When we walk the narrow road, even in our diets, we acknowledge that our bodies are not our own but are temples of the Holy Spirit. As Pastor Hall reminded us, we can’t serve two masters; we must choose either the wide, comfortable path or the road that calls us to faithfulness and discipline.
Following God’s dietary guidelines may not always be easy or popular, but it is filled with blessings. Those who have embraced this path have witnessed not only improved physical health but a strengthened faith and closeness to God. It’s a choice that impacts every part of our lives, from how we feel daily to how we serve those around us.
In the end, the choice is simple yet profound: will we live by the world’s standards or by God’s? The narrow road to health is an invitation to live in harmony with our Creator, embracing a lifestyle that allows us to serve Him fully, vibrantly, and wholeheartedly.
The Road Less Traveled
