Sermon Tone Analysis

Today we enter into the conclusion of Jesus’s sermon on the mount.

The essentials are so simple in Jesus’s sermon, in 6:24 we are to serve God, v33 we’re to seek God first and His righteousness.

Second, when those commands seem daunting, we’re to ask God for help!

When we seek His grace, He will grant it (7:7-11).

Third, the path of discipleship is harder, but better, than drifting along with the world.

We’re to choose the harder but better road (vv13-14).

That’s Jesus’s first conclusion, but Jesus is a really good preacher because

He has four endings.

There are also two trees (7:15–20).

Good trees bear good fruit, and bad trees bear bad fruit.

What fruit do you bear?

What do your words and deeds reveal about your nature?

There are two ways to call upon Jesus (7:21–23).

Some call upon his name and even prophesy and perform wonders in that name.

But they do not know him and are not saved.

Others call upon him as their true Lord and are saved.

On the last day, when all stand before Jesus, the Judge, there will be one question.

Do you know Jesus as Savior or not?

Two builders construct houses on two foundations (7:24–27).

In dry weather, both look sound.

But when the rain comes, the rivers rise, and the wind blows, all is revealed.

A house built on sand will collapse, but a house built on rock will stand.

Upon what foundation do you build?

These are the four images that Jesus gives to describe their choice.

For this morning, Jesus issues a challenge to His hearers to respond right to His teaching.

"“...For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it."

‘Enter through the narrow gate,’ is an immensely serious demand.

Jesus sets before them two gates, two roads, two destinies and, therefore, two classes of hearer.

The gate and the road, or way, seem to represent a decisive act followed by a lifelong walk.

The end of the walk is either destruction, the hell of 5:30, or

eternal life, the equivalent of entering the kingdom of heaven (5:20; 7:21).

The true disciple embarks on the journey, ‘the road that leads to life’ (7:14), by entering through the narrow gate.

In the words,

‘For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction’ (7:13), he is focusing on the present situation.

If they turn down his offers of mercy, reject his demand for repentance and

for works suited to righteousness, then they will end up in hell.

All his hearers are confronted with a choice, a decision that has to be made.

Decisive action is required, not admiration.

Today’s message will be seen in two main points.

The WRONG path and the RIGHT path.

Let’s break down the wrong path first.

The WRONG path

v13 "“...For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it."

First, the Condemnation of the path.

“destruction”

This is eternal destruction, as Paul calls it.

"since it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you "and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us.

This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, "when he takes vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

"They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious strength” ()

By “destruction” we are to understand a cursed state of man, in which

he is without all fellowship with God in respect to His

If there are any on this road, you must flee from it today!

“destruction” we are to understand a cursed state of man, in which he is without all fellowship with God in respect of His favor, mercy, and love, and yet in body, soul, and conscience does apprehend the bitterness of God’s wrath and fury forevermore, having no fellowship save only with the devil and his angels, and damned souls.

This is no life but eternal death

favor,

mercy, and

love, and

yet in body, soul, and conscience he does apprehend the

bitterness of God’s wrath and fury forever!

Having no other fellowship except with the devil and his angels, and damned souls.

This is no life but eternal death!

The “happy” one in doesn’t “stand in the pathway with sinners”.

"...but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.” ()

If there are any on this road, you must flee from it today!

If there are any on this road, you must flee from it today!

This wide path can be traveled upon on the highway of a foul contaminating life

or it can be traveled upon the back way of hypocrisy!

Which ever way you do your sinning it will be to your eventual ruin and destruction if you don’t repent!

"For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight you.

"Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you.

"It will rescue you from the way of evil— ...” ()

Second, the Character of the path.

“wide…broad...”

Brothers and sisters, for those on this broad path, every step taken, no matter how easy it is for them now,

Brothers and sisters, for those on this broad path, every step taken, no matter how easy it is for them now,

each step taken is a step towards eternal ruin!

No matter how inviting the progress these folks make, the end of where they’re heading is frightful!

Second, the Character of the path.

“wide…broad...”

Oh wow, complete independence, no restraint in traveling down this path!

This gate is wide it stands wide open to tempt those that are traveling upon the RIGHT path.

You may enter in at this gate with all your evil desires, thoughts, and deeds

It’s a broad way, there’s nothing to hedge in those that walk in it but they wander endlessly.

There’s nothing to hedge in.

Third, the Crowd on the path.

“many who go through it.”

We find this path to be crowded.

You’ll have an abundance of company with you on this path!

Many pass through this gath and travel this path.

But be assured, if we follow the multitude, it will be to do evil.

If we go with the crowd it will be the wrong way!

Sadly it’s natural for us to incline to go down the stream, to do what everyone else does!

This teaches us to so cautious!

Many go to hell!

Fourth, the Consequences of the path.

“...leads to destruction...”

We’ve touched on this already, but this is the end.

This is where that path leads at the end.

The consequence is eternity in hell!

So the question as to what path you’re on, is of utmost importance!