Sermon on the Mount (Two Gates)
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
There have always been two systems of religion in the world. One is God's system of divine accomplishment, and the other is man's system of human achievement. One is the religion of God's grace; the other is of men's works. One is the religion of faith, the other the religion of the flesh. One is the religion of the sincere heart and the internal, the other the religion of hypocrisy and the external. Within man's system are thousands of religious forms and names, but they are all built on man’s achievements and the inspiration of Satan. On the other hand, Christianity is the religion of divine accomplishment, and it stands alone.
In this study, we will consider these two opposing pathways to decide wisely which path we are on; the one that ends in destruction or the one that leads to life -
13“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
There have always been two systems of religion in the world. One is God's system of divine accomplishment, and the other is man's system of human achievement. One is the religion of God's grace, and the other is of men's works. One is the religion of faith, the other the religion of the flesh. One is the religion of the sincere heart and the internal, the other the religion of hypocrisy and the external. Thousands of religious forms and names are within man's system, but they are all built on man's achievements and Satan's inspiration. On the other hand, Christianity is the religion of divine accomplishment, and it stands alone.
In this study, we will consider these two opposing pathways, so we can decide wisely which we are on.
“Enter through the narrow gate.
"Enter through the narrow gate…Nevertheless, the gate is narrow, and the way is difficult, leading to life, and few find it.
"Enter through the narrow gate because it is vast, and the way is spacious, leading to destruction, and many enter through it. However, the gate is narrow, and the way is difficult, leading to life, and few find it.
The Wide Pathway
"Enter through the narrow gate because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
The wide pathway is popular.
Christ says only a few find the narrow path, so the broad way is popular and tempting. Since crowds are on it, it is very alluring. Those who don't follow it are looked down upon, considered strange, and often persecuted.
This pathway is inclusive, as it includes the world's various views, religions, and lifestyles. It is the pathway of self-achievement and works
that leads to destruction,
Destruction does not mean those on this pathway cease to exist. They do not. All will live eternally, either in damnation or blessing. Destruction refers to eternal ruin (cf. Matt 8:12, Rev 14:11, 20:10). However, this ruin does not just happen at the end of the pathway; it happens throughout. The world's views on marriage, parenting, education, success, etc., all lead to constant ruin. God made this world based on spiritual principles. When denied, these causes hurt, pain, depression, and even death (Rom 8:6). The wide pathway leads to earthly and eternal ruin.
Observation Question: What are the characteristics of the wide pathway?
The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible said:
The broad and easy way can be followed without thought. There is plenty of space to walk in; there is plenty of space for the beautiful things of the world to grow and allure; there is plenty of space for a person to wander about. It is not easy to wander off its path. The broad way is the way of the unthoughtful, the undisciplined, the lazy, the worldly, the ungodly, the materialistic, and the carnal.
The wide pathway leads to destruction. (Matthew 7:13-14)
The narrow pathway refers to the need for conversion and the continuing process of sanctification.
Application Question: Which aspects of the wide pathway stood out to you most and why?
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life,
Because straight (wide) is the gate, and narrow is the road,... And so, difficult to enter in at; and when entered, the way is unpleasant to the flesh to walk in, being enclosed on each side with afflictions and tribulations; moreover, is like the "narrow place," or "the strait place," as the Septuagint in Numbers 22:26 render it; in which the angel that met Balaam stood; and in which there was no turning to the right hand or the left; and such is the way to eternal happiness. The great encouragement to walk on in it is because it is that way which leadeth unto life: unto eternal life: it indeed leads there; it never fails to bring persons to it; believers in Christ, all that walk in Christ the way, though they are said to be "scarcely" saved, because of their afflictions and trials, they meet with in their way to the kingdom; yet they are, and shall be certainly saved: they shall be safely brought to glory; which will be generous compensation for all the troubles and sorrows that have joined them in their journey.
Enter through the narrow gate…Nevertheless, the gate is narrow, and the way is difficult, leading to life, and few find it.
Though difficult, this pathway leads to life. To enter it is to experience new life. In John 17:3, Christ said, “this is eternal life—that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ.” Though hated and mocked by the world, kingdom citizens have a more excellent quality of life because of intimacy with God. There can be peace amid a storm—joy amid hardship. Christ said, “I came that you may have life and life more abundantly” (John 10:10 paraphrase). We find this thorny path easy to follow as we walk with Christ. Christ said, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”
and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:14)
Moreover, few there be that find it; the way, and so consequently the life it leads to. "The gate is strait"; small and tiny, and so unobserved: there is but one way to heaven, and the majority of men neglect it. "The way is narrow," and so disagreeable; the company few and not engaging. Men choose large gates, broad ways, and much company. The flesh loves to walk at liberty, unconfined, and uncontrolled, and with a multitude to do evil: hence, Zion's ways are thin of passengers; a small number, comparatively speaking, walk to it and will be saved; a remnant, a little flock, a little city, and few men in it. It is asked in the Talmud,
"Why is the world to come created with "jod?" (the least of the letters in the "Hebrew alphabet") the answer is because "the righteous which are in it are few."''
Some read the words, as the Syriac, Arabic, and Vulgate Latin, with a note of admiration, "how strait is the gate!"
In this study, we will consider these two opposing pathways, so we can decide wisely which we are on.
"Enter through the narrow gate…Nevertheless, the gate is narrow, and the way is difficult, leading to life, and few find it.
Please enter through the narrow gate because it is vast, and the way is spacious, leading to destruction, and many enter through it. However, the gate is narrow, and the way is difficult, leading to life, and few find it.
Observation Question: What are the characteristics of the narrow pathway?
1. The narrow pathway is hard to find.
Unlike the broad way, the narrow way has to be found (v. 14). For some, this is easier than for others. Some are raised in Christian homes and are exposed to the gospel from a young age. Others live in places with no gospel witness. Creation witnesses to them God's existence and glory (Ps 19), but they lack any opportunity to hear biblical revelation. Others are exposed, as Christians live in their society, but they have either rejected it or not considered it. The narrow way is not easy to find whatever a person's situation. Only a few find it, and even less accept it.
2. The narrow pathway is unpopular.
In life, people typically take the path of least resistance. Therefore, people are naturally inclined to follow the broad path of the world. To find and follow the narrow path, one must turn away from the crowd—sometimes even leaving friends and family to do it (Luke 14:26). Sometimes, it is a lonely pathway, though those who follow it are never truly alone because Christ is with them.
3. The narrow pathway must be entered by one's deliberate and calculated choice.
The great preacher Alexander Maclaren poetically declared that the side-posts of the gate to the kingdom were the first two beatitudes. One side-post is the poverty of spirit (Matt 5:3). One must come before God recognizing his spiritual bankruptcy and desperate need for God. He needs God in order to become righteous and acceptable to enter heaven. The second side-post is mourning over sin (Matt 5:4). Because this person is far from being right with God, he mourns his sin and desperate situation.
This reality causes the person to cry out to God for salvation. It causes him to choose to enter the kingdom of heaven's gates. Romans 10:9-10 says that you will be saved if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. For with the heart, one believes and thus has righteousness; with the mouth, one confesses and thus has salvation.
To enter this narrow path, we must make a deliberate choice. We must, in faith, accept that we are sinners under God's wrath because he is holy, perfect, and just. We must cry out for God's mercy which is found in Christ. Christ bore the wrath for our sin so we can have his righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). Those who accept him shall be saved. Christ will walk with them along the narrow path of the kingdom and take them into eternity.
4. The narrow pathway is restricted because of biblical revelation.
God's Word guides kingdom citizens. God's Word is the gate, as a person needs to hear and respond to the gospel to be saved. However, biblical revelation is also the pathway. It guides and, in some sense, restricts both the believer's actions and attitudes. God's Word keeps the believer from the broad path of the world. In John 8:31, Christ said, "‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.”
5. The narrow pathway requires believers to leave many precious things.
Since the path is narrow, one cannot bring everything with them. (1) We must constantly forsake our sins. In Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul calls us “to put off the old man and put on the new” (paraphrase). We cannot live in lust, anger, pride, and other vices anymore. We must put on love, joy, peace, longsuffering, and other virtues. (2) We must put off self. As seen in the Lord’s Prayer, we must cry out for God’s will to be done in our own lives and the world (Matt 6:9-10). In Galatians 2:20, Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (paraphrase). We must give up selfish ambitions for kingdom ambitions. (3) We must give up the crowd, and many times, even our friends and families. In Luke 14:26, Christ said that if anyone wants to follow him, he must hate his Father, mother, brother, sister, and even his own life to be his disciple. Christ declared that he did not come to bring peace but a sword (Matt 10:34). The members of one’s household would often become one’s enemy. This is a sad reality, but following Christ often separates us from our loved ones. To go down the narrow path, we must be willing to leave many precious things.
6. The narrow pathway is complicated.
It is difficult for many reasons: We will constantly battle sin. We will fight against ungodly attitudes and actions. Following Christ is a call to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect (Matt 5:48). But this fight against sin is not only to conquer our sin but to help others conquer sin. In Matthew 7:1-6, Christ calls for his disciples to help others to take the specks or splinters out of their eyes. This ministry is marked with a lot of pain and frustration at ourselves and others when failing in the battle with sin. Pain also comes as others become angry at us because of our ministry to them.
As mentioned, the narrow pathway is also tricky because of the hate and persecution we will commonly experience. In the last beatitude, Christ said that kingdom citizens would be persecuted because of righteousness (Matt 5:10). They will be persecuted because of their moral beliefs. Those on the broad path hate any restrictions that hinder their comfort. Teaching that adultery, abortion, or homosexuality is a sin will cause an uproar in many societies worldwide. However, many will mock believers simply because one chooses not to participate in acceptable sins like sex before marriage, drunkenness, etc.. It is a complex pathway. Paul said that “all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim 3:12). The broad road is easy, but the narrow way is complicated.
7. two systems of religion .
Matthew 11:28-30
Ultimately, those who follow this narrow path will spend eternity in the heavenly kingdom. They will rule with Christ on this earth (Matt 5:5).
Big Question: What are the characteristics of the two opposing pathways?
Matthew 7:13
Application Question: Which aspects of the narrow path stood out to you most and why?
General Applications
Application Question: What are some applications we can take from Christ’s call to pursue the narrow path?
1. Christ’s call to follow the narrow path reminds us of our need to teach people about the costs of following Christ when presenting the gospel.
Christ was unlike many modern evangelists and revivalists who boast about how simple and easy the gospel is. In Matthew 7:13-14, Christ essentially calls people to count the cost (cf. Lk 14:25-34). He calls for people to consider this reality. The narrow road is hard to find and difficult to follow. One cannot bring everything with them. However, with this hard road, there is life. Yes, we must share that following Christ brings eternal life, but we also must share that it is a costly road—it may even cost people their lives. Christ’s message reminds us to present the whole gospel without sugar coating it. They will respond if the Lord has called them (John 6:37).
2. Christ’s call to follow the narrow path reminds us of the importance of asking for a decision when presenting the gospel.
Moses laid a blessing and a curse before Israel as he challenged them to follow God (Deut 11:26-28). Joshua did the same as he called for Israel to choose whom they would serve (Josh 24:14-15). Elijah asked Israel whom they would follow—Baal or God (1 Kgs 18:21). We must not be scared to be prophetic. Yes, we must plant the seed of the gospel, but we must also ask people to decide. Peter said, “Repent and be baptized, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38 paraphrase).
3. Christ’s call to follow the narrow path reminds us of the importance of application in our teaching and studying of the Bible.
As mentioned, Matthew 7:13-14 marks the beginning of the conclusion and application of the Sermon on the Mount. Christ taught the character of the kingdom and its citizens and now calls for a commitment. In the same way, biblical teaching must not just disseminate knowledge. It must also challenge people to action. Paul taught Timothy to devote himself to Exhortation and teaching (1 Tim 4:13). Exhortation, or preaching, is the application and call to obedience part of the message.
Similarly, as we study the Bible, we must not just aim to understand but to obey. James 1:22 says, “Be doers of the word and not hearers only” (paraphrase). We must study God’s Word to apply it to our lives and that of others. Christ’s call to enter the narrow gate gives us an example for our teaching and Bible study.
Application Question: What are some other applications that can be drawn from Matthew 7:13-14? What are some tips for finding applications when studying the Bible?
Conclusion
There are only two pathways—one leading to destruction and the other leading to life. One is readily found; the other must be searched for. One is popular; the other is unpopular. One is easy; the other is difficult. Choose wisely, for our eternal destiny depends on this choice. Which will you choose?
