The Parable Of The House Built On The Rock Series

The parable of the house built on the rock

Matt. 7:13-29

Life consists of the choices we make and is built on the things we do every single day. But how do you know if the life you’re building is secure? How do you know that your world isn’t just going to fall to pieces when the storm comes in?

Most of us would prefer to be given a choice. We want selection. We like to leave our options open. We want to be able to decide things for ourselves. And fortunately for us, we have a choice.

God gives us a choice. He lets us decide certain things for ourselves.

Jesus presents his followers with three choices in the final section of the Sermon of the Mount. He says :

(1) Choose your path - Matt. 7 13-14

One of the most startling teachings of Jesus is his teaching about the two gates. It is startling because few have really understood its true meaning. People that attend any kind of church usually believe that the wide gate is reserved for the godless and those who are not interested in serving God. Let's look at what Jesus taught in Matthew 7:13-14 about these two gates.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is 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.

Look at the narrow gate and narrow way. What do we know about this gate?

First, Jesus says that it is the gate that leads to life. This obviously means that it is the gate that leads men to heaven.

Second, Jesus says that it is a "narrow gate. The word "narrow” means difficult. Jesus tells us that entering heaven will not be easy. This is a surprise to most people, because they have been taught that the way to heaven is easy. They've been taught, " All you have to do to be saved is believe in Jesus." There is a great difference between what men teach today and what Jesus taught .

Third, Jesus tells us that there are not many people going in through this narrow gate and narrow way. He says, "Few find it." This too, is a surprise to many people, because they believe that most people will be saved because most people believe in God.

So far, we have no trouble understanding what Jesus has said. While it may not agree with what most have been taught and believe, it is clear and easy to understand.

Let us imagine, for a moment, that there is a sign over the narrow gate. What would it say? Obviously, it would say, "To Heaven." It would mean that because those entering in know the truth and have heaven as their destination. Remember though, Jesus says that there are only a few that will find it and go in?

Consider the wide gate now. Jesus tells us some things about it, also.

First, it is a "wide" gate. It is a gate that is easily seen. Perhaps it is attractive. It surely draws people to it.

Second, Jesus tells us this gate is the entrance to a broad way. Some translations say it is the "easy way."

In other words, it is not hard to enter this gate nor walk the road it covers.

Third, Jesus tells us that it is a gate that leads to destruction or Hell. Those who go in that gate are bound for destruction.

Fourth, Jesus told us there are going to be "many" who go in this gate. Remember, there are going to be only a few who go in the narrow gate to Heaven, but many will go in the gate to Hell. Many! Why is that? Do they want to go to eternal punishment? Is that what people desire? This is a question that also bears serious consideration.

Let's use our imagination again, and ask ourselves:

"What does the sign over the wide gate and broad say?"

Most people, when asked this question say that the sign over the wide gate would say "To Hell." It is true, that Hell is where those who go in that gate will end, but is that what the sign would say?

No! That sign over the broad gate says "To Heaven!"

It is a lying sign. It is a sign that gives false directions. Think about it a moment. People going through the wide gate and broad way actually believe that they are going to end up in heaven. Prove it to yourself.. Read what Jesus says in the next verse. And this takes us to our next point.

(2) Choose your guide? Matt. 7: 15- 20