The Narrow Way

Please the note the references of Utley of Understanding the Bible and Joyce Meyer's 365 Day Devotional

Title: The Narrow Way

Theme: To show that God’s way is a way of protection and security. He gave us a narrow road so that we can keep our self secure in Him.

Text: Matthew 7:13 – 14

Introduction

If you would please open you Bibles to Matthew 7:13 – 14. Matthew 7:13 – 14. I am so excited to be with you this morning. As some of you know I was not intending to be with you but through different circumstances I felt like I needed to be here.

Saturday morning in my devotional time the Lord brought this scripture to my spirit. I think it is a freeing word.

Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. (14) Because [32] narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Let us Pray

To understand the context of this word we must go back to Matthew 7:1. This chapter 7 is probably one of the most quoted chapters in the Bible. The problem is we often take it out of context. We use different scriptures through different times yet we need to see it as a whole.

Matthew writes from the perspective that Jesus is king. Many times he puts Jesus teachings together to express this.

Look at verse 1.

Matthew 7:1-12 "Judge not, that you be not judged.

This is a very popular scripture. We hear it all the time. But again out of context. Why did Jesus say it here? What was Matthew trying to do when he compiled these scriptures together? I think this morning when we realize the truth of the context there is going to be freedom.

God’s warning to be careful

(2) For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (3) And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? (4) Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? (5) Hypocrite! (actor) First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

(6) Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Be careful about the advice that you give freely. It could be wasted.

Wait on the Holy Spirit, Luke 12:12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

Nestled in this passage is another famous passage that we often use separate.

(7) "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (8) For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (9) Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? (10) Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? (11) If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (12) Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

What Jesus is saying is to use your words carefully. This is often presented in a negative way. Yet we need to learn to use our words sparingly because they mean so much. As Christians we can ask, seek and knock for God. Don’t waste them arguing with people or nagging. Don’t use them vainly.

Words are Powerful - Scripture

James 3:5b-8 “How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.”