Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
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Openness
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Conscientiousness
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The Narrow Gate
Jesus is beginning to bring the sermon to a close
It matters whether and how we apply His teachings
He is not just giving some good self help advice
He is providing us with revolutionary ideas and principles that are not optional
His Words are true and right regardless of the number who choose them
and you do have a choice
4 Key elements in this passage
The Gate
The Way
The Many
The Few
Enter by the Narrow Gate
We are commanded to “enter”
So there is an entrance, or gate that we must choose
The command to “enter” could be linked back to 5:17-20 where Jesus mentioned entering the kingdom of heaven
So the gate could be seen as a City Gate, the entrance into the promised kingdom
The idea of a gate is a sharply defined mode of entry -
requires a definite decision -
one does not wander in by accident
You must receive Christ by choice
requires a decision to believe, repent, receive forgiveness and sanctification
So, there is a very sharply defined mode of entry into this City (Kingdom)
this entry is described as a “narrow” gate
Narrow is the Gate
“narrow” This gate is not obvious.
May not be easily seen, or intuitive.
perhaps uncomfortable
not where the crowd is going
the unstated assumptions are that everyone must go through a gate and end up somewhere and that only two gates exist
Everyone must end up somewhere
Only two gates exist
There is the city of destruction, and the celestial city
Jesus Christ is this Gate!
This Gate is narrow - only one
Wide is the Gate
There is also another gate
This gate is wide - easily entered
Not at all difficult to find
So far He still hasn’t described the destinations beyond these gates
only that one is narrow and one is wide
One is able to accommodate much traffic, the other, less comfortable
But we are instructed to enter by the narrow gate
too many so called Christians are being deceived into thinking that they can enter the kingdom through the wide gate
They live in ease, excusing themselves from any responsibility or sacrifice
not willing to suffer loss, be inconvenienced, or to work for only His reward
Their God is their belly as Paul said
Having a form of Godliness yet denying His Power
These pseudo Christians live so much like the rest of the world they can scarcely be seen as different
They think that the passage in 1 Peter having to do with giving an answer concerning the hope that is in you has to do with worldly wealth or position
There is nothing in them that could be described as this “Peculiar people” that Peter mentioned.
They want to enter the kingdom one day, but they have no concept of the difference between a wide and narrow gate
indeed they measure their success and their godliness by comparing themselves with the rest of the world that does not know Jesus Christ.
The evidence of their Christianity is how well they fare in comparison to the rest of the people entering the wide gate
compare this to Paul who said if I must boast, I will boast of my infirmities
2cor4.
Broad is the way
The word picture is expanded now to include a “way”.
Having chosen to enter at the gate, one must now choose the best “way” to get to the gate
To get to the right gate, one must first choose the right way
This introduces the idea of time for the journey - tenacity
whereas the gate may represent a decision, the way represents living it out
The wide gate corresponds to the broad way
this is the way that leads to destruction -
this is true in this world, and ultimately of hell
The broad way illustrates a wide roadway, able to accommodate a large number of people
like a superhighway with numerous lanes
This “WAY” to hell is paved with “self” and “comfort”
This road represents the path of ease, and carnal pleasure
It is easy to take this road - just set he cruise control and go
Decisions are led by emotion and self satisfaction on this road, and should never be difficult
Jesus didn’t come to make us comfortable (contrary to the opinion of some)
In fact, this was one of the problems He had to confront
The Pharisees were comfortable in their self righteousness
the Sadducees were comfortable in their legalism
the sinners were comfortable in their sin
the Romans were comfortable in their idolatry
Jesus made them all very uncomfortable!
commanding to repent!
To give!
To Love!
To Forgive!
Those Pastors who make people comfortable in their sins are warned
This Broad way must be avoided
psa1.
Clearly, it matters which “way” you take
Clearly all paths do not lead to heaven
There are only two gates
only two destinations
Just as Jesus Christ is the gate (door) that leads to life
He also is the way to reach that door
So, Jesus is the decision that we make in choosing life, and He is the way we choose each day in the journey!
And there is no other way
There is a false Christianity today teaching that there are many “ways” to heaven
These false teachers and false prophets wrap themselves in many subtle disguises, and slowly leak their false doctrine into the water supply of Life
with such graduality and subtlety that it largely goes unnoticed.
Consider the recent movie “The Shack”
There is overwhelming christian support for this movie
Christians applaud it as an evangelistic tool, teaching the love and character of God
It is in fact a satanic lie - distorting the Character of God and hiding the truth of an eternal hell and judgement for the unbelievers
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