The New Covenant - Gates

Introduction

Matthew 7:13–14 KJV 1900

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Body

Jesus gives us some insight into the spiritual world:

There are two, and only two ways to go after this life is over.

One leads to eternal life, and one leads to eternal destruction.

There are no third options.

God is the one who desires to pay for our sins, but we must receive that gift His way.

God gives us the power to choose which gate we will enter.

Deuteronomy 28 - The Blessings and the Cursings. God set both ways before His people and then let them choose!

Joshua 24:15 “…choose you this day whom ye will serve;”

Gates

First and foremost, a place of transition

Entrance into the city from somewhere else

Exit out of the city to somewhere else

A meeting place and for assemblages

Most everyone passed through the gate every day

The gate was the center of public life

Here the markets were held

It’ s where teachers and prophets went with their message

The place of the legal tribunals

The elders would “sit in the gate”

“oppression in the gates” was a synonym for judicial corruption

A place of strategic value

To “possess the gate of your enemy” was to possess the city

Protected from attacks

Sometimes protected by a tower overhanging the gate and with flanking projections.

Sometimes an inner gate was added.

The Way of Destruction

The gate is wide

You will have (almost) complete liberty here.

You may keep all your lusts, your passions, your carnal appetites.

Everything is okay here, except to follow God’s laws.

The way is broad

There is (almost) nothing to hedge you in. Nothing to hinder you doing what you want to do.

There are many, many paths here. Many flavors, many varieties. Pick any one you want. Pick several!

All of them contradict reality at one point or another, but that’s okay. Just stay away from truth!

Many of them contradict each other, but that’s okay just as long as you don’t choose God.

There is room to walk anywhere you want. Believe anything you want. Do anything you want.

Many will choose this gate

There is a danger in following the crowd. The majority in this world are wrong!

Following the majority is a very real compulsion, and it will lead us to destruction if we’re not careful.

The Bible refers to us as sheep.

Sheep have a strong instinct to follow the sheep in front of them. When one sheep decides to go somewhere, the rest of the sheep usually follows, even if it leads them into danger.

Sheep are very social animals, They will usually stay together in a group while grazing and will become highly agitated if it is separated from the group. It is the banding together in large groups which protects sheep from predators which will go after the outliers in the flock.

The majority wants us to follow them, and they will do everything they can to get us to follow them.

Flattery

Mockery

Peer Pressure

Threats

Bribes

Etc.

The Way of Life

The gate is narrow

Death, discipline, conversion are at this gate.

We must possess a new heart, a new mind to get through this gate.

This involves swimming against the current. Going against the majority.

We will find ourselves at odds with family and loved ones.

We will have to fight even against ourselves!

We’ll have to stoop down to fit through this gate.

Humility

Complete surrender to Jesus Christ

Obedience and submission to His will

The gate is narrow, but it is not yet shut.

The way is hard

We do not enter the Promised Land after we cross the Red Sea. We must first go through the Wilderness.

We go through trial and test to become refined.

We are hedged in by God’s law.

We must learn to discipline our bodies, our minds, and bring them into subjection to Christ.

We must learn to do battle against our enemies.

We must learn to trust in God, and to stand on His promises no matter what!

Only a few will find it

Many will pass by it unawares

Some will look on it and reject it

Others will start down this path only to turn back when it becomes hard.

Conclusion

Our attention is always drawn to the road we’re on. We must keep our attention on our destination.