Full Service

Jesus has reached the point in his ‘Sermon on the Mount’ where it is time to start wrapping things up. Time to challenge His listeners to practice and implement everything He has been teaching them. It’s application time, a call to action.

Summary of the text:
- There is a wide gate and a broad road that leads to destruction – it is a popular route.
- And there is a small gate and a narrow road that leads to life – it is much less popular.

Two distinctly different options:
- The wide gate with the broad road is the easy way.
- The small gate with the narrow road is the hard way.
- They don’t lead to the same destination.
- The easy way leads to destruction.
- The hard way leads to life.

Jesus says enter:
- He is not suggesting you choose between two equally viable options. He is instructing you, inviting you, to enter through the narrow gate.
- Jesus is the narrow gate.

Enter what?
- Enter into the narrow road, the prescribed way of life that Jesus has laid out for the citizens of His kingdom.

Implications of the Narrow Gate:
- Takes one at a time, like a turnstile.
- Cannot take things with you.
- Entering by the narrow gate requires holding onto Jesus and only Jesus.

Implications of the Narrow Road:
- It is difficult.
- There will be suffering and trouble and persecution.
- It requires work, care and attention.
- It is unpopular – few find it.
- Our sinful human nature prevents us from seeking God, from understanding and following His ways.

What road are you on today? There are only two options – the wide gate and wide road that leads to destruction, or the small gate and the narrow road that leads to life.

PRINT SERMON NOTES