The Road goes ever on and on, Down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, And I must follow, if I can, Pursuing it with eager feet, Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say. -Bilbo Baggins, The Fellowship of the Ring "You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. -Robert Frost Matthew 7:13–14 CSB “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it. Genesis 4:17–26 CSB was intimate with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to . Then Cain became the builder of a city, and he named the city Enoch after his son. Irad was born to Enoch, Irad fathered Mehujael, Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered . Genesis 4:17–26 CSB Lamech took two wives for himself, one named Adah and the other named Zillah. Adah bore ; he was the first of the nomadic herdsmen. His brother was named ; he was the first of all who play the lyre and the flute. Zillah bore Tubal-cain, who made all kinds of bronze and iron tools. Genesis 4:17–26 CSB Tubal-cain’s sister was . Lamech said to his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, pay attention to my words. For I killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. If Cain is to be avenged seven times over, then for Lamech it will be seventy-seven times! Genesis 4:17–26 CSB was intimate with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him , for she said, “God has given me another offspring in place of , since Cain killed him.” A son was born to Seth also, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord. North or South on I-77? Genesis 4:17–22 CSB Cain was intimate with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain became the builder of a city, and he named the city Enoch after his son. Irad was born to Enoch, Irad fathered Mehujael, Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. Lamech took two wives for himself, Genesis 4:17–22 CSB one named Adah and the other named Zillah. Adah bore Jabal; he was the first of the nomadic herdsmen. His brother was named Jubal; he was the first of all who play the lyre and the flute. Zillah bore Tubal-cain, who made all kinds of bronze and iron tools. Tubal- cain’s sister was Naamah. North or South on I-77? •Sin’s Nature is to Build (But God) Psalm 23:1–4 CSB The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. Genesis 4:23–24 CSB Lamech said to his wives: Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; wives of Lamech, pay attention to my words. For I killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. If Cain is to be avenged seven times over, then for Lamech it will be seventy-seven times! North or South on I-77? •Sin’s Nature is to Build (But God) •South to Vengeance North or South on I-77? •Sin’s Nature is to Build (But God) •Southbound to Vengeance •Northbound to Forgiveness Matthew 18:21–22 CSB Then Peter approached him and asked, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times?” “I tell you, not as many as seven,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven. Luke 7:41–48 CSB “A creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one he forgave more.” “You have judged correctly,” he told him. Luke 7:41–48 CSB Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she, with her tears, has washed my feet and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet since I came in. Luke 7:41–48 CSB You didn’t anoint my head with olive oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Matthew 18:23–35 CSB Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And because he was angry, his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed. So also my heavenly Father will do to you unless every one of you forgives his brother or sister from your heart.” North or South on I-77? •Sin’s Nature is to Build (But God) •Southbound to Vengeance •Northbound to Forgiveness •Worship Reroutes the Heart Genesis 4:25–26 CSB Adam was intimate with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, for she said, “God has given me another offspring in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” A son was born to Seth also, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.