THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT #27

Are You On The Right Way?

Matthew 7:13-14

INTRODUCTION

A. Everyone is on a spiritual journey as they travel
through life

1. Whether religious or not, we travel a spiritual path

2. Every day we make choices that affects the direction in
which we are headed

B. Many people think that the paths we can travel are
many

1. In one sense that may be true; there are all kinds of
religions

2. But in another sense there are really only two paths

C. Matthew 7: 13-14

1. In His sermon on the mount, Jesus spoke of these two
ways

2. Each with its own beginning, each with its own end

3. One way is heavily populated, the other is traveled by
few

D. Where are you in your spiritual sojourn?

1. Are you on the right way? Are you heading in the right
direction?

2. Or, are you headed the wrong way?

E. To answer such questions, let’s look closely at what Jesus
said. Note first that…

DISCUSSION

A. THERE ARE TWO GATES

1. The Wide Gate

a. This “gate” represents the beginning to the “way”
that leads to destruction

b. It is described as “wide” – evidently it is a gate
which:

1) Allows many to enter with no sacrifice on their part

a) It does not require giving up anything

b) One is allowed to bring along whatever “baggage”
they desire – materialism, an unforgiving spirit, or
believe whatever one wants to believe

2) Is therefore chosen by most people

a) For there are no restrictions…

b) It is also opens the way to “the path of least
resistance”

2. The Narrow Gate

a. This “gate” represents the beginning, or starting
point, to the “way” that leads to life

b. Why is it “narrow”? Because it is a gate which:

1) Requires self-denial and obedience – Mt. 16:24

2) Has no room for…

a) A consuming desire for earthly goods – Mt. 6:19-20

b) An unforgiving spirit – Mt 6:14-15

c) Self-righteousness – Mt. 6:1

3. These two “gates” are only the starting points. Let’s now
take a closer look at the fact that…

B. THERE ARE TWO WAYS

1. The Broad Way

a. The way that leads to destruction is broad because it
allows:

1) Any behavior one desires

2) No need for reformation or changes in one’s “lifestyle”

b. Many people love this path

1) They think they are “free”

2) They believe they are “open-minded”

3) They view themselves as “tolerant” of others

2. The Constricted Way

a. Translated “narrow is the way” (KJV), or “difficult is the
way” (NKJV)

b. The picture is one of a narrow and difficult path
between two cliffs

c. The way that leads to life is “difficult” because it
requires:

1) A righteousness that exceeds that of many religious
people – Mt. 5:20

2) A change in our behavior – Mt. 5:21-7:12

d. Because of its difficulty, many choose not to travel its
path

1) They think it too “confining”

2) They think it is too “narrow-minded”

3. As Jesus describes the two gates and the two ways, He
also reminds us that…

C. THERE ARE TWO GROUPS

1. The Many

a. “Many there be which go in thereat” (Mt 7:13)

b. We have seen reasons why this is so:

1) The entrance is wide: “Come as you are! No
changes necessary!”

2) The way is broad: “Make your own rules! Believe
what you want! Do what you want!”

c. This is the way people travel by default; unless they
are actively seeking the narrow path, this is the one
they will travel

2. The Few

a. “Few there be that find it” (Mt. 7:14)

b. As proven true so often in the past, only few will be
saved

1) The millions lost in the flood vs. the eight saved on
the ark (Noah & his family)

2) The hundreds of thousands lost in the wilderness
vs. the two who entered the promised land (Joshua
& Caleb)

3) So Jesus warned on another occasion – Lk 13:23-24

c. That it must be “found” suggests effort must
extended

1) As Jesus said in Lk 13:24: “Strive to enter in at the
strait gate…”

2) Even then not all will be saved: “…for many, I say
unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

3) Not just effort, but the right kind of effort  –
Matthew 6:33

3. Finally, we note that Jesus tells us that…

D. THERE ARE TWO DESTINATIONS

1. Destruction

a. “…broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction”

b. Paul wrote of the “everlasting destruction” that is to
come – 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

c. John described it as “a lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15; 21:8)

d. A most sobering thought are these words of Jesus:
“…many there be which go in thereat.”

2. Life

a. “…narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life”

b. This “life” is the “everlasting life” received at the
judgment (Mt. 25:46)

c. It is the “gift of God”, given at the end (Rom.
6:22-23)

1) To those who have been set free from sin (Rom. 6:3-7)

2) To those who became slaves of God and of
righteousness (Rom. 6:17-18)

3) Those who bore the fruit of holiness (Rom 6:20-22)

d. Another sobering thought are these words about the
way that leads to this life: “…and few there be that
find it.”

CONCLUSION

A. So we have seen that Jesus describes:

1. Two gates

2. Two ways

3. Two groups

4. Two destinations

B. Are there many roads that lead to heaven?

1. Many people like to think so

2. That all religions lead to heaven

3. That it really doesn’t matter what you believe or do, as
long as you are sincere

C. But according to Jesus…

1. There are only two roads (ways)

2. One leads to life – heaven

3. The other road, filled with many people with many
different beliefs, leads to destruction!

D. Which road will you travel?