MATTHEW 7:13-29 MAY 22, 2011
“THE WAY IS HARD THAT LEADS TO LIFE”
One of the musical icons of the nineteenth century was the Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind. She came to New York City in 1851 at the height of her popularity. During her visit she attended a worship service and heard Pastor Olaf Hedstrom. At the conclusion of the meeting she went to talk with the minister because she felt the weight of her sins was pressing down upon her. The pastor presented the Gospel message to Ms. Lind She knelt down in tears and called on the name of the Lord, and accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. Pastor Hedstrom received several letters from Ms Lind expressing her appreciation. She relayed to him of her desire to leave the theater forever. The news of her decision created a sensation, and much bitterness from her fans. Yet, she did not change her mind and retired to pursue her calling as a Christian disciple.
One day a friend found the former celebrity sitting on the beach with her Bible open on her lap. After they talked for a while, the conversation came around to the question, “How did you decide to abandon the stage at the very height of your success?” She sat quietly for a moment then said with deep feeling, “With each passing day, show business made me think less of my Bible and hardly anything at all of what lays beyond this life- so what else could I do?”
This passage concludes the Sermon on the Mount with a series of warnings. Jesus was speaking to his disciples, knowing that the crowds and the religious leaders were also listening. Jesus issues a warning to his disciples. One might think it strange that his first warning was to those who already had decided to follow him, those who were already listening to his teaching. Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV) 13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” The wide gate opens onto an equally wide road. These terms also evoke the sense of an easy and comfortable journey. Traveling on this wide road is easy and as a result, is the way most people take in life. However, there is a major problem with this route: it leads to destruction. This road leads to hell.
Jesus tells his disciples that the correct path begins with a narrow gate and equally narrow path. As a result of this narrow opening few people find it. Jesus is talking about himself. In John 10:9 (NIV) Jesus said “9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” A majority of Americans still mistakenly think that being good is what determines entrance into heaven. They’re missing the narrow entrance which is faith in Christ alone. A mega church pastor recently created a sensation by publishing a book which implied that God will save everyone. Francis Bacon said, “people prefer to believe what they prefer to be true”. Jesus said “small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Each person must choose which path they will take. Don’t take the broad and easy path, without realizing the eternal consequences of a wrong choice. The narrow gate and narrow path is a hard path, but it leads to life, not destruction.
Once a person decides to enter through the narrow gate Jesus warns that there will be self seeking preachers and teachers who will try to mislead you. Follow along in your bible as I read from the Message. “Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.”
Jesus tells his followers to become fruit inspectors. Matthew 7:18-20 (NIV) “18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Do you understand that Jesus is commanding us to practice discernment with all teachers? I was at a presbytery meeting in our former denomination and heard a minister teach on why we should not address God as Father. The preacher never mentioned any scripture. (not surprising!, as there are none!) I was stunned and I realized that the speaker was a false teacher and that I had a choice to make: stay or leave. False teachers will always seem to be genuine and sincere. A person can be genuine and be sincerely wrong. Jesus teaches that true repentance in the heart will produce a repentant life that rejects sin and endeavors to be faithful to the word of God. Judgment is coming on those who teach falsehoods.
Jesus then delivered the third warning. From the CEV, “Not everyone who calls me their Lord will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only the ones who obey my Father in heaven will get in. On the day of judgment many will call me their Lord. They will say, “We preached in your name, and in your name we forced out demons, and worked many miracles.” But I will tell them, “I will have nothing to do with you! Get out of my sight, you evil people!” It is not enough to claim we are Christian; the name belongs only to those who actually obey the commands of God. (God’s will) Jesus demands our inward allegiance. Only God can see the heart and knows those who truly believe in Him. We are called only to see if others are producing fruit- not condemn them.
The fourth warning is a call to be wise in how we choose to live our lives. The main issue is not how often you come to church or participate in church activities. It is whether or not you daily follow Christ, doing what He says. From the Message verses 24-27, “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter- who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit- but nothing moved the house. It was fixed to the rock. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” The wise person who daily follows Jesus, seeking to faithfully follow the commands of scripture will discover the joy of heaven awaiting them. Following Christ can be hard, yet we will also discover the joy of being in communion with our Lord, who will help us along the way, providing what we need and the strength to do it.
Jesus taught with authority as he is the Son of God. God has been gracious and provided His Word to be the guide to life. We ignore his words of warning at our peril. I appreciate hearing from you that I preached a good sermon. I remind myself though, that every false teacher has probably heard the same words. What I hope for as your pastor, is whether or not you are producing the fruit that comes from a changed and repentant heart. Build your life upon the solid foundation, Jesus Christ, he is the narrow gate and road that leads to life eternal.
Let us pray.
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