It is a difficult way, but the end is life' Matthew 7:1314

1
Enter Through The Narrow Gate

• It is a difficult way, but the end is life.
  Matthew 713-14

2
Introduction

• Since the beginning God has confronted man with
  great either or choices for us to decide.
• To Adam and Eve either choose to eat the fruit
  and die or keep from it and live. Gen. 3
• To Israel either choose life or death. Dt.
  3019-20
• Joshua Israel before his death choose gods or
  the True God. Josh. 2415
• Elijah to the leader (Ahab) of Israel. 1 Ki. 1821

3
Introduction

• While the answer always seems objective simple to
  answer the reality is that many choose that which
  is harmful to our lives our eternal souls.
• Adam and Eve chose to eat the fruit, knowing the
  consequence of death. Gen. 31-3
• Israel often chose death and foreign idols,
  rather than life from the only true God.
• The people of Israel hundreds of years later,
  like their forefathers of ancient days, chose the
  gods created by their hands, rather than the God
  who created them.

4
Introduction

• So it is today as many look to heaven
• Many look to heaven from mans perspective of
  righteousness which is basically
  self-righteousness.
• Instead, what we really need is Christs narrow
  way which is often difficult but the way that
  leads to life.

5
The Context

• The overall message of Jesus sermon on the
  Mount the relationship with man and God must be
  based upon Christs righteousness not the self
  righteous Pharisees.
• Those who come to the Lord on His terms will be
  blessed. Matt. 51-12
• Those in the kingdom must live as called. Matt.
  513-19
• Summary the righteousness of Gods people must
  exceed that of the Pharisees. Matt. 520

6
The Context

• Jesus then illustrates the contrasting difference
  between the righteousness of the Pharisees with
  His in personal relationships.
• Murder. Matt. 521-26
• Adultery. Matt. 527-30
• Marriage. Matt. 531-32
• Vows. Matt. 533-37
• Retaliation. Matt. 538-42
• Love. Matt. 543-47
• Summary be perfect, like your father not like
  the Pharisees. Matt. 548

7
The Context

• Jesus continues to illustrate the contrasting
  difference between the righteousness of the
  Pharisees with His in areas of service/worship to
  God.
• Helping others (alms giving). Matt. 61-4
• In prayer. Matt. 65-15
• In fasting. Matt. 616-18
• In their overall trust (in treasures of earth or
  treasures for God). Matt. 619-34

8
The Context

• After two final illustrations Jesus summarizes
  the teachings of the law as summed up in what is
  referred to as the golden rule. Matt. 71-12
  (cp. Matt. 2237-39)
• Judging others. Matt. 71-6
• Gaining wisdom from God. Matt. 77-11
• Golden rule. Matt. 712

9
The Context

• Now comes the exhortation that leads man to make
  a choice Matt. 713-14
• This is an either or choice and is further
  illustrated in various ways. Cp. Matt. 713-27
• Enter through the narrow gate which is difficult
  and hard to find.
• Or, go through the broad gate which many go
  through, but leads to destruction.
• NOTE Both ways based upon the context we
  have just looked at are that of righteousness,
  but one way leads to life, while the other leads
  to death.

10
Because the Broad Gate Leads to Destruction

• The gate is wide.
• To get into the kingdom many promote an easy
  entrance come as you are, just say this prayer
  of faith, simply accept Christ into your heart,
  etc.
• Conversely, others bring a narrow way also
  espoused with man made righteousness, but in
  reality is nothing more than a false entry into
  Gods kingdom.
• In other words, the broad gate typifies every
  false entry into Gods kingdom that has its
  attraction among the masses hence it being the
  broad gate.

11
Because the Broad Gate Leads to Destruction

• The way is broad.
• Like the entry into the kingdom, the
  teaching/practice of its way is also broad
  (with the implication of being agreeable and
  pleasant to many).
• The very teachings Jesus condemned (in Matthew
  5-6) were the acceptable way of righteousness.
• Today is no different from loose
  teachings/practices to binding teachings/practices
  , so long as the teaching/practice is acceptable
  to the masses.

12
Because the Broad Gate Leads to Destruction

• It is easy to find.
• Just as the slogan join/attend the church of
  your choice appeals to the masses, so is the
  ease to enter the broad gate.
• This type of righteousness is easy to find, but
  leads to destruction.

13
Because The Narrow Gate Leads To Life

• The gate is small. Cp. Lk. 1324
• You cannot enter in with all your sins still
  attached to you.
• You cannot enter in by other gods or religions
  Buddhism, Hinduism, or false Christianity.
• You can only enter in through Christ and His way.
  Jn. 146

14
Because The Narrow Gate Leads To Life

• The way is narrow.
• The narrow way is not based upon majority rules
  because this is the stance of the church based
  upon dogmatic bylaws, etc.
• The narrow way is based upon the teachings of
  Christ, and such is often difficult for many.
  Cp. Matt. 721-23 Jn. 666

15
Because The Narrow Gate Leads To Life

• Only a few find it.
• Many do not look for the narrow gate because they
  are blinded by their hearts desire to enter the
  broad gate.
• Those who find it and follow the narrow way are
  those who empty themselves of their own
  righteousness and put on Christs righteousness
  which leads to life.

16
Conclusion

• The broad way is the way of the masses full of
  mans righteous standards seemingly leading to
  heaven but ultimately leads to death.
• It is the narrow gate and the narrow way lead
  by Christs righteousness that truly leads to
  eternal life.