Matthew 7:13-14
Notes
Transcript
The Narrow Gate/Way
The Narrow Gate/Way
As we come to these next two verses here in this magnificient Sermon on the Mount, we are faced with a crossroads. A crossroads is the best way I can describe it.
This sermon that is laid out before us, describing who we should be and who we are in the Christian life comes down and a decision has to be made.
All of the arguments and the information has been given, and so we get to the decision. And there has to be a decision, by the way by all of us. We will talk more about that in a little while.
But this sermon is at the point now where a decision is to be made and it’s time for us to “make up our mind”.
What will we do with all of this information that we’ve been given?
A decision has to be made at the crossroads of life.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
This description of the two ways here is such a great illustration of the ways that a person can go in this life.
It is a crossroads. There is a choice to be made.
Here is something that we see from here on out throughout the end of this sermon: We see a contrast. A vast difference between the choices that lie before us.
Two Gates, Two Ways, Two Trees, Two Fruit, Two Destinations, Two Houses
Not to Choose IS to Choose!
Not to Choose IS to Choose!
By the way, NOT to choose is to choose. You are a sinner by default if you didn’t know that - and so if you say in this life “well, I haven’t quite made up my mind about all of this Christianity stuff” - then quite frankly - you’ve chosen to neglect and refuse Christ if you were to die immediately.
It’s a sobering thought, and one that really should give us some pause and reflection.
If you think at the end of this life that you can just “roll the dice” and let the chips fall where they may - then you can be sure that your destination will be Hell itself.
But “not choosing” isn’t the only fatal error that the crowds are making when it comes to eternity.
All Roads Don’t Lead to Heaven!
All Roads Don’t Lead to Heaven!
Coexist doesn’t exist!
You can’t get on a plane headed for LA and hope to end up in Miami just because you really believe you will end up there.
John 14:6 is in the Bible for a reason folks.
Christianity is exclusive. Not exclusive in the sense that it keeps people out that want to be saved, but it is exclusive in the fact that there is only one way to be saved. The only way is to acknowledge our true nature and predisposition to sin, our inability to do anything about our pitiful condition, and to realize that if we don’t confess our sin and trust Christ to redeem us - We will perish in Hell as just payment for our sin.
Narrow Gate
Narrow Gate
What is significant about the fact that it is narrow?
Narrow means difficult (talk more about this in a little while)
Narrow means less popular and only one person at a time can pass through it.
Narrow means we can’t take all of our baggage with us (sin). Ever seen someone try to take a bag that’s way too big as a carry on and it won’t fit?