Bible Studies
Enter Through the Narrow Gate (Matt. 7:13-29)
Series: Additional StudiesIntroduction:
1. “It really doesn’t matter what one believes. All the different ways are just different roads going to the same place.” This would be a pleasant thought IF it were true, but it is damnable in light of what Jesus says in his closing remarks in the Sermon on the Mount. 2. It would bring me great comfort if all roads promised entrance into the kingdom of heaven. My relatives and loved ones would be safe. The Jews who are still waiting the coming Messiah would be safe. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists all would be safe. 3. But our thinking is skewed for Jesus is not considering groups. Groups do not enter the kingdom of God. Individuals do and so Jesus’ appeal is to individuals. 4. This is what he says… (7:13-15, 21-23).Discussion:
I. There are (only) two gates (7:13-14).A. One leads to destruction. One leads to life.
1. The fact that one leads to destruction should be frightening.
2. It is to most of us. This may be the very reason why it would be comforting to us to think that all the roads are leading to the same good place. But it is not true, according to the words of Jesus. One leads to destruction.
3. We scarcely want to think of the judgment of God.
a. We may read of God’s wrath in the O.T. (Ezek. 16:38ff), …even reflect on the destruction of Sodom (Gen. 19), or perhaps the destruction of the Canaanites, “but these were before the cross, God loves us now.”
b. The message of the kingdom includes warning to flee from the wrath of God (Matt. 3:7-12).
c. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10).
d. There is a way that leads to destruction.
4. There is a way that leads to life.
a. Some in Corinth had found it. “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11).
b. The way to life is made possible by the death of Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:6-21).
B. The way that leads to life is described as entered through a “narrow” “small” gate. The way that leads to destruction is “broad” and its gate is “wide.”
1. It is my desire that all enter the narrow gate. I know this is your desire too. This is God’s desire too. Second Pet. 3:9 says, “God is patient, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
2. Few find this way. It is not that it is hard or difficult to find. It is small, but for some it is not what they expect and so they overlook it. The broad gate and the broad way become a distraction for many. “Why should I be looking for something else when I am already on the way?”
3. “Besides, this is the way most others are on.” The majority is on the way to destruction. It is not about how many there are on the way we are on. Be careful of taking comfort in being in the way of the majority. “I am a member of the biggest church or denomination or religious group in town, in the state, in the world. They can’t all be wrong.” Listen to Jesus in Lk. 13:22-30.
II. Because there are two gates—one leading to life and the other to destruction we need to beware of false prophets (15-23).A. Being aware of false prophets assumes the powerful influence of words on our direction.
1. The contrast between “false prophets” and “these words of Mine” (v. 24) is powerful.
2. We need to “beware” of false prophets, but we need to hear and act on the words of the Lord.
3. The assumption is that listening to the voice of false prophets leads in the way of destruction—“inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”
B. Warnings about false prophets traces back all the way to the days of Moses (Deut. 18:9-22).
C. Eve was deceived when she listened to the voice of the Serpent rather than the voice of God.
1. The voice of God is associated with truth.
2. The devil is the father of lies (Jn. 8:44), but it is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18).
3. The same danger faces us that faced Eve. Death and destruction result from listening to false prophets.
4. Life results when the word of God is the source of our information.
D. How can we know the false prophets?
1. Not by their claims. They claim to prophesy in the name of the Lord, cast out demons in His name and in His name perform miracles (v. 22). This is all part of their deception.
2. Not by their clothing (v. 15), i.e. not by what they appear to be. They appear as sheep, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
3. What they are on the inside is revealing. “How do I know what they are inside?”
4. By looking at their fruits (16-20).
5. Practicing lawlessness means that they are not known by the Lord (v. 23).
E. How concerned should we be about our determination of whether we are listening to false prophets or true prophets? It is a matter of destruction or life?
F. You have observed that I have taken Matt. 5:21-23 to apply to the false prophets.
1. Notice the context of Lk. 6:39-45 as supporting this application.
2. The blind guides are the same as the false prophets.
3. In these texts it applies particularly to the scribes and Pharisees.
III. There are two alternatives as a result of hearing the words of Jesus—act on them or not act on them.A. These alternatives present themselves in light of the two ways and in light of the option of listening to false prophets rather than the Lord.
B. False prophets do not do according to the word of the Lord.
C. And those who follow false prophets fall into the ditch with them.
D. The man’s house is destroyed (13, 26f) who hears and does not do. “These words of mine” are critical and the doing of them brings security.
IV. The response of the crowds—amazement.A. He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
B. Some interpreters observe that Jesus did not teach as the scribes. The scribes quoted authorities, but Jesus simply said, “But I say unto you.” This may be true but it misses the point.
C. Jesus’ content was different than theirs. It is not a difference in method that the listeners observed so much as the fact that what He taught was authoritative.
Conclusion:
1. What will you do with His teaching? 2. Give attention to His words to do them. 3. This is the way of life.
