Narrow gate difficult way wondrous Why few find it Really good news Artwork

Crazy Good God

Crazy Good God, do you know Him? He's somethin' else! And He thinks you are AWESOME! My fifteen minute Episodes eventually became five minute Quick Deep Points. The QDPs will make you ponder! Episodes launch every Wednesday morning 5am. Since a child I was told about Jesus. Over the years there have been difficulties and losses that have heightened understanding of who He is. I was involved in numerous ministries and church leadership for several decades. There were many opportunities to see God at work. But, it wasn’t until 2012 that the Lord took me on a journey to discover the mystery of the Gospel, the wonder of Jesus’s incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension. All of it involves us! For over ten years (hey, I’m a slow learner!) He exposed and dismantled religious mindsets that blocked my understanding of who He really is. Crazy good! Join me on a wondrous adventure to encounter and grasp Jesus's finished work. Religious Christianity tells us there are things we have to do or say to get saved. But, Jesus said, "It is finished." What does that mean? Sounds like Jesus did it all. God just wants us to enjoy His life. He freely gives it to all. All we do is RECEIVE! This crazy good God is head over heels in love with you and all mankind. He made us in His image and likeness so He doesn't make junk! God sees the hidden treasure in everyone. The fall of man brought darkened understanding, deception, and ignorance. The first lie was Adam and Eve thought God was holding out on them and really didn't care about them. What a big fat lie! Man still believes God is distant, aloof, angry, disappointed and we must do something to get back to God. But, Jesus said, "It is finished." Now, why do we think we have to do something? Get ready to be wowed! Find out jaw-dropping truths that will expose many lies you've believed about God. If you’ve tried to serve Him and still feel guilty, must do more, just plain worn out, then listen in. The truth is renewing and the Truth is FOR YOU! If you don't know God, never heard of Jesus, or could care less about God, then check out Crazy Good God podcast. You will be surprised and discover God is actually fun! I will even share some fascinating visions and dreams God has given me. They mean even more in light of Jesus' finished work. How cool is that?! QUESTIONS COMMENTS - I'd love to hear from you! CONTACT ME nancy@crazygoodgod.org (Music by joystock.org)

All Episodes

Crazy Good God

Narrow gate difficult way wondrous Why few find it Really good news

November 02, 2022 • Nancy Teague • Episode 39

0:00 | 5:42

E39 What is the narrow gate and difficult way? What is the destruction for choosing the broad way? Are these two ways contrasting life and hell or is it a wondrous good news for all? Have you ever considered the narrow gate and difficult way has to do with death? Also, I share a personal story about my grandma with dementia. She died then back to life and shared what she saw!

39E TRANSCRIPT Narrow gate difficult way wondrous Why few find it Really good news

www.crazygoodgod.org

Nancy Teague

nancy@crazygoodgod.org

Nov 2, 2022

Hi there, Nancy Teague here. Thanks for listening to crazy good God today.

00:15 Why is the gate narrow and the way difficult leading to life? Why do few find it? Isn't God big enough to help everyone?

Jesus said, “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. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and there are few who find it.”

Is Jesus talking about how many go to hell?

00:50 The Greek for enter, ‘Enter by the narrow gate’, means go or come in with a motion that implies penetration, a union for a particular purpose and result.

Narrow also means strait, S-T-R-A-I-T. It’s like a narrow passageway between two large bodies of water. Jesus is the narrow strait gate. This gate is all about relationship, union. It's narrow because it's one-on-one, and it's only Jesus because He's the only one that can give fullness of life.

01:27 With God you'll see a pattern of opposites. We have narrow gate difficult way compared to wide gate and broad way. Jesus said many choose it but it leads to destruction.

01:39 Now remember God is Hands off Let it be. He respects our freedom to choose, even if it is destructive.

01:47 This might surprise some. Destruction is not equated with hell. Destruction in Greek means loss of well-being. It's not about annihilation. Think prodigal son - his loss of well-being was hugged into being honored and celebrated.

02:10 Let's look more at narrow and difficult as it relates to Jesus. Narrow as only Jesus fully Man could do and accomplish this narrow walk. Fully Man - misunderstood, ridiculed, belittled, challenged, rejected, maligned, betrayed, tortured, yet willingly giving over His life. Talk about difficult! Jesus is not saying I'm making it hard for you, but I did it for you.

02:38 Narrow is also about death. Think about this. Only one person goes through their own death. Nobody goes with anybody at that moment of death. It is holy and sacred, a wondrous mystery that opens to life. Some are repulsed at death. It seems unfair, it's scary, an unknown. We can resent it. It is final! But, revelation of it IN Jesus changes our perspective.

03:10 This story might encourage you because it's about death. My grandma had dementia and eventually was in a nursing home. My dad told me that during lunch the nurse noticed Grandma’s head slumped over. The nurse went over to her and found no pulse. Grandma was about 92 at this time and being in a wheelchair the nurse could immediately wheel her back to her room. They got Grandma on the bed and the nurse used her stethoscope to confirm she was dead.

03:38 Then suddenly Grandma swung her arm up, knocking away the stethoscope, scared the nurse to death, and said “I saw Ernest and it was beautiful.” My grandma, who no longer recognized her son, her husband had died 20 years prior, but in death in that moment of seeing she explained clearly and simply a joy and wonder. Why God let her die, I don't know other than pass on what she saw and those with dementia will be whole. Grandma lived another four years in her dementia. I tell you, death leads to life and beauty.

04:19 By the way, to die in the Greek stresses the ending of what is former to make way for what naturally follows. What a good thing!

04:31 Now what about few find, few discover it? Humanity is bent towards doing, so few will discover revelation of Jesus’ finished work, God’s lavish grace for all, and the restoration of our sonship. Few will grasp at some level the fullness of Jesus’ Incarnation, Death, Resurrection, Ascension for all mankind. God saved the world, so even though few discover this fullness here and share it, God made sure all will get it.

05:02 Paul writes, “To whom He was not announced, they shall see, and those who have not heard shall understand.”

The narrow gate and difficult way is in truth crazy good news! Rejoice in it! There is no striving involved because Jesus made it easy for us.

Until next Wednesday. Bliss to you and never forget God is absolutely crazy about you.

References: Mt 7:13,14 Mt 27:31 Jn 10:18 Jn 19:30 Eph 1:8,5 Jn 1:16