Two Ways

Text: Matthew 7:13-14

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (05/13/01)

Introduction:   

ILLUS:

Emphasize the difference between the MANY and the FEW.

The majority, the MANY are on this broad road.

Genesis 6:12  And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

1 John 5:19  And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Psalms 14:2-3  The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

3  They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Romans 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

It is a road or pragmatism, relativism and even moralsim.

Many of the religious are not on the right path.

Matthew 23:13  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Those on the narrow way are a slim minority.

Romans 11:5-6  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

6  And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

One way is the way of the genuine, the other is the way of deception. Vs.15

One way brings forth good fruit, the other evil fruit. Vs.16-20

One way is the way of those who know Christ, the other is the way of those who merely claim to know Him. vs.21-23

One way is the path of obedience, the other is the way of the transgressor. Vs.24-29

(*EMPHASIS – “Mother’s Day” 2001 – Parents have a great influence, and especially mothers upon the way a child walks).

Proverbs 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Today we will look at the Entrance of the Way, The Effects of the Way, and the End of the Way.

I. The Entrance of the Way

It is through a Gate. – This is a picture from the ancient walled cities.

A. The Wide Gate

They were surrounded with walls, and entered through gates. Some of those, connected with the great avenues to the city, were broad, and admitted a throng. Others, for more private purposes, were narrow, and few would be seen entering them.

The wide gate may be…

SINCERITY

OPENMINDEDNESS

TOLERANCE

PLEASURE

PRIDE

B. The Strait Gate

Strait not “Straight”

“STRAIGHT” means not crooked.

STRAIT – narrow (it is narrow because it runs contrary to natural things).

Matthew 20:16  So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

So says Christ, is the path to heaven. It is narrow. It is not the great highway that men tread. Few go there. Here and there one may be seen--- travelling in solitude and singularity.

The way to death, on the other hand, is broad. Multitudes are in it. It is the great highway in which men go. They fall into it easily, and without effort, and go without thought.

In  LUKE 13:24 – Christ said we must strive (LIT. agonize) to enter the gate.

Christ Himself is that gate.

John 10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Matthew 19:24  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

It is impossible to enter this gate and walk the way of Salvation if…

You think the entrance depends upon your own good works.

You desire to continue in your sin.

II. The Effect of the Way

What is the typical experience of those on each of the two ways?

By the way, there are only two ways.

It may not be what you would expect.

ILLUS: The Funnel – J. Vernon McGee

LOOK UP & READ Ezekiel 47:1-12

A. The Broad Way

BROAD - Spacious

ILLUS: The Prairie Highways of Saskatchewan

Life can be like that, broad, spacious, comfortable and forgiving.

The devil would like nothing more than for you to be comfortable on the road to hell.

“There is pleasure in sin, for a season”.

B. The Narrow Way

The word used here,  different from vs. 13, conveys the idea of being hemmed in, like you would be in a mountain gorge.

ILLUS: Driving the Fraser Canyon (Unforgiving, no room for error).

Matthew 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Jeremiah 6:16  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Acts 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

III. The End of the Way

A. Destruction

Proverbs 16:25  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

DESTRUCTION speaks of loss, ruin, waste, to perish.

Obviously its reference is to the eternal destruction and damnation of Hell.

Matthew 25:41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Revelation 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

1 Peter 4:17-18  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

B. Eternal Life

John 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Conclusion:     (Review)

It’s not too late to enter the narrow gate.

LOOK UP & READ Ezekiel 18:27-32