The gate stands for the choice that a person makes here in this life which leads to a final destiny. The right initial choice leads to sanctification, whereas the wrong entry point leads to destruction. The contrast is between life and death. Which gate have you entered? All persons have either entered by one gate or the other.

Matthew 7:13-20

INTRO: Much modern religious thought tries to make heaven more populous than God does. The whole idea that some will be excluded from heaven is quite intimidating to much of modern theology and society. Even some well-meaning evangelicals, of late, have begun to teach that Jesus wouldn’t really exclude anyone. The whole notion that “Jesus accepts everybody regardless of their belief, behavior, or lack of either one” could not find a more blatant contradiction than in these words spoken by Jesus himself.

Some of you recall the old gospel chorus, “Straight is the gate and narrow the way that leads unto life.” An age that thinks its religious expertise is higher than Christ’s, however, attempts to substitute sincerity, emotions, groundless hopes, buddy-circles, or foreign ideas in place of Jesus’ own teachings. This morning I want you to look at these verses so you won’t fall for that trap.

With verse 13, we enter the section in this Sermon that contains Jesus’ final applications. Having heard all that has gone before, Jesus now gives some final applications and an exhortation to action.

“A number of commentators suggest that the main body of Jesus’ Sermon (or teaching) is now over, and that with verse 13 the application or conclusion begins. Certainly he emphasizes here even more strongly than before the necessity of choice. Enter by the narrow gate, he begins. The contrast between the two kinds of righteousness and of devotion, the two treasures, the two masters and the two ambitions has been faithfully portrayed; now the time for decision has come. Is it to be the kingdom of Satan or the kingdom of God, the prevailing culture or the Christian counter-culture?”

Each presents a contrast between the genuine and the spurious, and this genuineness is found not in the disciple’s profession but in his performance. A professed adherence to Jesus and His teaching may be very impressive so as to deceive others, and even the professed disciple himsel, but Jesus here gives warning that it will not deceive God, who looks for practical results. The teaching of The Sermon on the Mount is not meant to be admired but to be obeyed

Jesus says, in effect, this is the type of kingdom I am forming. This is how I want you to live. I’ve just described what your character should be. (Now maybe he pauses and looks into the eyes of his listeners). What are you going to do about it? There’s no point in listening to this sermon (or any other sermon) if you are only going to listen. I ask the same of you, “What are you going to do about it now?”

In this passage there is a series of contrasts. D. Bonhoeffer calls this “The Great Divide”; C. S. Lewis called it “The Great Divorce.” Jesus, having finished teaching his principles, now says that the disciple must decide whether or not he will follow these. There are two contrasting choices. They are inescapable and absolute. Either we’ll be on one road or the other, either we’ll be wolves or sheep, either we’ll bear good fruit or bad. There is no other third choice as we’d prefer. Jesus will allow no easy-going syncretism.

As you reflect on your life, which is true of you? Jesus now tells us it is time to act. He tells us that our choice between the 2 contrasting avenues will be known by the fruit of our life. There are three contrasting images in this section:

• Two Roads and Gates (13-14)

• Two animals: Sheep vs. Wolf (15)

• Two Types of Trees (16-20, briefly)

I. First let’s analyze the great contrast that Jesus gives us in vss. 13-14. He begins this exhortation with the command “Enter through the narrow gate.” That is the command for action given to us. In the next sentences, two contrasting options are succinctly explained. In each there is a contrasting gate, pathway, destination and frequency mentioned. Let’s contrast these: Unbelievers Boulevard and Disciples foot-trail. First look at —

A. The Gate. One gate, one religion, is wide. The gate in mind here might have been at the entrance to a sheep fold. The Broad-way has a large spacious gate. It is roomy and all can fit in. Everybody fits easily. Over this gate is a sign “Welcome to each of you and to all your friends, the more the merrier. Travel as you wish. There is no charge and you can travel as fast or wide as you wish.” This gate is the friend of ease, comfort and everything is acceptable. This gate is favored by the evangelist who heralds cheap grace and the ease of getting saved. Many people today think the best plan is to offer a church that is as easy, as inclusive and as non-committal as possible. One can do that on the broad way.

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