Sermon Tone Analysis

I. Reading of Scripture

This is God’s Word, Amen.

Pray

II.

Introduction

A. Introduction to Theme

It is very interesting how our minds work and process thoughts even when we are not aware of it.

We may desire to purchase a particular type of car, and what happens?

As we think about that car, and research that car, and simply have an interest in that car — it seems that we find those cars appearing everywhere we look — on TV commercials, on billboards, and being driven next to us on the roads.

Those TV commercials, billboards, and cars on the roads had been there all along, its just that we start to notice them when we look for them.

When we think about them and talk about them, we become more aware of them.

When we seek them, we find them.

This is the kind of transforming effect that the Word of God has upon us.

This is the effect the teachings of Jesus have upon all who are near to hear.

The teachings of Jesus are not sayings to be applauded.

They are sayings to be applied.

As someone observed (Stott?) —

The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most well-known and celebrated of teachings and yet it is the least obeyed.

While many hear Jesus’ words, only a few receive them, believe them, and obey them.

This is made visible in the setting of this Sermon.

The crowds are gathered around and hear.

But the disciples have come near to Jesus.

The disciples not only hear, but also receive what He speaks as those who will do something with it.

That first action of the disciples was an important one.

“his disciples came to him.”

That is the first step of seeking.

Not standing at a distance, but coming to him.

Come near.

It’s a posture of receiving to believe and obey.

Up until this point, you may have heard Jesus’ teachings and remained relatively comfortable.

Because what Jesus says, sounds goods to you.

“Love your enemies.”

That’s a hard teaching, but it sounds good.

But here, at the conclusion of The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins to clearly distinguish the thoughts of His hearers — separating those who think these things sound good, from those who think upon these things to seek after them, and do them.

This is where, as R.T. France says, that a contrast is presented between a “disciple’s profession” and “his performance.”

What we seek after, we find.

What we think upon, we apply.

Who we are, is revealed by what we do.

Has your profession of faith informed the practice of your faith?

Your profession of faith will not grant you access into Heaven.

A profession is simply words.

But it is your profession accompanied with your belief that is the evidence of God’s saving and transforming work.

So what is it that you see, as you look around?

Whatever appears is evidence of what you are seeking after, and shows the intentions of your heart - whether Christ dwells there by faith or not.

What you see around you are indicators, like billboards, of the way you are walking, and the destination you will arrive at in the end.

B. Introduction to Text

Our Lord has been teaching his disciples on the mountain about two priorities they are to diligently and prayerfully seek after — God’s Kingdom and God’s Righteousness (6:33).

These are two prominent themes of Jesus’ teaching that will occupy the thoughts and desires of any person who has already responded to Jesus’ preaching, by repenting of sin, and preparing for God’s coming kingdom (4:17).

Through teaching, Jesus clears up any errant thoughts his followers may have had about the reason for His coming.

He is not abolishing the Law and the Prophets.

He is not erasing their history or religion.

But He is fulfilling it, by bringing all the Law and Prophets to their intended end.

And after concluding the main body of teaching in The Sermon on the Mount, which in itself is full of commands, warnings, and instructions, Jesus now summarizes His teaching with a series of short applications and final words that will distinguish the disciples from the crowds, and the wheat from the weeds.

Jesus speaks about Gates, Ways, Destinations and Numbers.

The word “gate” [πύλη] represents an entranceway.

Most often, it is used of the entrance not to a building, like a door, but to a city.

Many important activities happened at city gates.

The elders of a city would gather at the gates and conduct business or legal transactions there (think about Boaz, conducting the business of the kinsmen-redeemer in Ruth, with the elders at the city gate).

The mention of gates may refer to the city elders or leaders.

It may also refer to passage for entrance or exit.

But Jesus does not limit his illustration only to a gate.

Gates define a point.

But what about the process for getting to that point?

So Jesus also speaks about a Road [ὁδός] or way.

These roads, or ways lead somewhere.

So Jesus speaks about a Destination [ἀπάγω].

The gate and road represent entrance to a particular destination or end point.

And lastly, Jesus speaks about Numbers.

He employs generic, quantitative descriptors to represent the popularity of the respective gates and ways.

And he doesn’t leave his disciples wondering which option they should choose.

Instead he tells them outright in a form of command:

III.

Exposition

A. Command (7:13a)

“Enter by the narrow gate.”

This is the command.

Don’t mistake Jesus speaking about two gates, ways, and destinations, as if he is presenting us with two options to choose from — one or the other.

That’s a common thought, but it is wrong!

Jesus is not providing options for his disciples.

His disciples don’t get to choose the gate or road.

And we don’t either!

The only decision to be made, is whether or not to obey!

Look again at verse 13!

Before Jesus gives any of the options, he tells them which way to go!

He commands them which way to go!

He gives them the address and the coordinates to enter into their GPS.

How easily we pass over this!

We start to debate, and question, “Which gate am I entering?

Which way am I on?”

And we miss the fact that Jesus tells us which gate to enter, and which way to be on.

We only need to obey Him, and follow Him!

I believe the word order is so intentional here, because Jesus is testing us.

He does not want our attention to be on the gate, the way, or the destination.

He wants our attention to be on Him and His Word!

We can obsess about doing good works (like the Pharisees), so much that we miss the good word of Jesus’ command.

And if we would simply hear, and obey the command, the rest is not necessary for us to know!

We could end this teaching with “Enter through the narrow gate” and we have our answer!

No explanation needed!

The preaching and teaching of the church has gone astray in this regard, for too much has been made about the destination.

What is the number one question you have been trained to ask when you desire to tell someone about Jesus?