The Way is Narrow
Notes
Transcript
Intro: Today we conclude our study of the Sermon on the Mount. In the final few minutes of Jesus sermon, he gives the audience four warnings and yet some good news.
One commentator outlines it this way:
We see these paired contrast, Two ways, two trees, two claims, and two builders. So today we are going to borrow this framework.
I.Two Ways(gates)
I.Two Ways(gates)
The first thing we see is this command by Jesus to enter by the narrow gate. It is important to note the location of the gate.
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it.
14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.
A. The Narrow Gate
A. The Narrow Gate
It is Difficult -the word used for “narrow” root word comes from the word “persecution”. It is quite literally “The Way of Persecution”
It is less traveled “due to it’s nature” - You will often feel alone and rejected.
B. The Broad Gate
B. The Broad Gate
It is easier
It is popular - you will feel accepted and will travel this path with many.
It is important to note the position of the gates. The gates are at the beginning of the path and not at the end. Jesus is not telling His disciples that if they work hard and be good that they will then be rewarded with entrance into the kingdom.
Instead He is telling them that now is the time of decision . look beyond the gate and choose your path.
Application: In the same way Jesus is telling his audience you must choose. You cannot stand and stare at the gates forever. One way will be easier, poplular, and accepted, yet end in destruction. The other often lonley, unpopular, you will be rejected and yet it will end in splendor and reward.
I stand here today, pleading with you to look beyond the difficulty to the Joy that is to come.
2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
II. Two Trees
II. Two Trees
15 “Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves.
16 You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit.
18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit.
19 Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.
The Tree of Truth
produces good fruit
- They teach the “narrow way” which produces the fruit of faith and the works that come with it.
The Tree of Lies (false prophets
produces bad fruit
- They tear down faith
18 They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are ruining the faith of some.
They promote divisiveness and bitterness
4 he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions,
5 and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain.
23 But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels.
16 Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness,
Those who are preaching the The Gospel of “The Narrow Way” produce a fruit that is fit for consumption. While those that are evil will produce a fruit that poisons and disrupts the mind of the people foolish enough to listen.
Trans: If we deal with false prophets, than logic tells us we will deal with false followers.
III. Two Claims
III. Two Claims
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’
23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’
True followers
False followers - A false follower may do many good things and yet end up in hell.
They even did these works in Jesus name. Church family it is out of love that I tell you the truth.
It is possible for a person to serve the church with distinction and dedication yet never truly serve Jesus Christ.
How is this possible?
because Jesus did not preach the gospel of good works. He preached the gospel of “The narrow way”. Unless one fully enters through the gate of Jesus Christ, one will not enter into heaven.
Application: What are you trusting in today. Your goodness or as we will see in just a moment the foundation of the gospel.
Trans: Which brings us to the last point and some good news.
IV. Two Builders
IV. Two Builders
24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock.
26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.”
Builds his house on the sand(foolish).
“A wise person represents those who put Jesus’ words into practice; they too are building to withstand anything. Those who pretend to have faith, who have a merely intellectual commitment, or who enjoy Jesus in small doses are foolish builders. When the storms of life come, their structures fool no one, above all not God
Carson, D. A. (1984). Matthew. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 194). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
2. So then what is the good news?
The good news is that there is a sure foundation on which we can build our lives. We can trust that all that God is doing through us in the end will stand the test of time and trials.
His foundation and promises are sure. We can look past the time of testing and keep our eyes on the Joy that is coming!
Closing question: Won’t you build your life on the sure foundation of Jesus Christ?