The Exclusivity of the Gospel

Introduction

Well if you have your Bibles, you can take them and open them to Matthew chapter 7. This morning we continue in our series “The Gospel in the Parables” by turning to another familiar parable that you have probably memorized, quoted, heard, or read at some point in your life. It is one that many pastors love to quote, and rightfully so, but this morning, I want to look at this parable, along with the passage that is it tucked into in a little bit of a different facet. Last week, we talked about “Hearing the Gospel”, and how there are many ways that people may hear and respond to the gospel. This week, I want to focus on this idea of “The Exclusivity of the Gospel”.

In the early 2000’s, following the tragic attack of September 11, 2001, a religious movement known as the “COEXIST movement” erupted in the United States. You probably remember the “COEXIST” bumper sticker that many people had on the back of their cars. Many saw this as a sorta “free speech” protest against the wars that were being declared on Iraq following their terrorist attacks. It was a call that all all religious groups, as many nations are often identified by their national religion (Iraq- muslim, and the US- Christian) needed to have more tolerance towards one another. The argument that drove this movement insisted that all religions ultimately lead to salvation and heaven, and so instead of fighting over differences, we just needed to coexist alongside of one another, because regardless of beliefs, we would all spend eternity in heaven (whatever heaven meant to that specific religious sect) together.

Christians responded to this in multiple ways. Some Christians full on adopted this mindset, and became universalists believing that everyone was going to make it to heaven. Some Christians didn’t fully adopt this, but became a lot more sensitive to people who were seeking religious answers during this time, and it lead to a very “seeker-sensitive” movement by making Christianity a lot more “appealing” through watering down the Gospel, and being a lot more inclusive of people who had not yet believed in the Gospel. A third response, and the one we will look at this morning, was to crack down on the idea of the “Exclusivity of the Gospel”, meaning, that the Gospel as God has revealed in his word, is the only way someone can be saved, and unless someone fully submits to the Lordship of Christ and believes in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, they will not be saved. As we look at Matthew 7:13-23, we are going to see the biblical evidence for this exclusive gospel, but also why it is important for us to uphold this doctrine if we are going to (1) Profess to be Biblical Christians, but also (2) Actually when people to Christ. So if you will, stand with me as we read Matthew 7:13-23

Matthew 7:13–23 CSB

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it. 15 “Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. 16 You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’

Body

The Exclusivity of the Gospel means…

(1) Salvation is through the Gospel Alone (v.13-14)

a. The Gate is Narrow

Leaves no room for other beliefs

b. The Road is Difficult

Involves denying, dying, and following

Matthew 16:24 CSB

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

Involves Hardships

Acts 14:22 CSB

strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 5:3–12 CSB

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Involves persecution

Matthew 5:10–12 CSB

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Exclusivity of the Gospel demands…

(2) A Proper Understanding of the Biblical Gospel (v. 15-20)

a. A Warning Against False Prophets

False Teaching/Preaching

Jeremiah 23:16 CSB

This is what the Lord of Armies says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are deluding you. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the Lord’s mouth.

2 Timothy 4:3–4 CSB

For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.

Wicked Intentions

b. A Test for Biblical/False Prophecy

Bad Fruit

Good Fruit

The Exclusivity of the Gospel promises…

(3) A Biblical Assurance (v. 21-23)

a. A Works-Based Assurance (v.22-23)

Seeks Salvation by works

Seeks Assurance by works

A misconception about James: James 2:17 “In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself.”

Notice it is works in the presence of FAITH. James is not devaluing the fundamental necessity of salvation by grace through faith, but rather is showing how faith will produce works, but the flipside of this is true as well, works without faith is just as dead as a faith without works.

b. A True Gospel Assurance (v. 21)

Holy Spirit Assurance

Ephesians 1:13–14 CSB

In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

Romans 8:16 CSB

The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,

Sanctification Assurance

Sanctification is God’s work in conforming you to the image of Christ. In other words, you begin to look more like the one whom you worship.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 CSB

For this is God’s will, your sanctification…

Romans 8:30 CSB

And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

Galatians 5:22–23 CSB

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.

Conclusion