Free to Choose
Pastor Tan Thai · Jul 1, 2017
This sermon explores the theme of free will as granted by God, focusing on the choice between two paths: the narrow way leading to life through Jesus Christ and the broad way leading to destruction. Every person bears responsibility to hear God's Word, weigh it carefully, and decide which path to walk.
The sermon opens with a familiar image from modern life: the explosion of material choices such as hundreds of brands of toothpaste, smartphones, computers, and more. The pastor uses this to introduce three common worldly views on choice: that individuals have absolute freedom to choose without anyone having the right to judge them; that all choices are relative and nothing is absolutely right or wrong; and that no one has the authority to criticize another's decisions. These views reflect the moral relativism spreading throughout contemporary society.
The sermon then establishes its biblical foundation: God granted humanity free will from the very beginning when He created Adam and Eve, yet He also set clear boundaries for them (Genesis 2:16-17). The devil uses temptation to cast doubt on God's Word and redirect human attention toward the one forbidden thing rather than the countless permitted blessings. Jesus Christ clearly teaches about two paths: the narrow gate and difficult road leading to life, and the wide gate and broad road leading to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). The invitation to enter the narrow gate is a sincere appeal, not compulsion, much like the picture of Christ knocking at the door in Revelation 3:20.
The next section emphasizes that God not only grants freedom but also clearly teaches the results and consequences of each choice. Through Moses, God placed before the people of Israel life and blessing or death and disaster (Deuteronomy 30:15-19). Psalm 1 describes two kinds of people with two different outcomes. Scripture declares there is only one path to salvation: through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; 1 John 5:11-12; Acts 4:12). The story of Dr. Richard Teo of Singapore, who died at age 40 from lung cancer after reaching the heights of material success, is used to illustrate that the world's path does not bring true happiness.
The sermon applies the narrow-road message not only to initial salvation but to the whole of discipleship. The narrow road includes faithful Sunday worship, not forsaking the assembling together, choosing forgiveness and humility over retaliation, and living according to Scripture's teachings even at personal cost. Four foundational character traits of every believer — faith, service, fruit of the Spirit, and unity — can only develop when believers submit to the Holy Spirit and daily choose the narrow path.
The sermon closes with the decisive challenge from Joshua 24:15: every person must listen, weigh carefully, and decide which of the two paths to walk. Neutrality is not an option. The pastor warns that even believers repeatedly abandon the narrow road to chase the world's broad way, and calls everyone to remain steadfast in their commitment to follow Christ in order to receive abundant and eternal life.