Ready or Not Series
FIRST WEEK: Stewardship: Jesus will ask you and I how we used our resources (time, lives, money)
SECOND WEEK: The parable of the 10 virgins: If Jesus came back this Friday would you be ready?
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
-Matt 7:13-14 (NASB)
You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
-Matt 7:13-14 (NLT)
Four Contrasted Features
2 Gates, 2 Paths, 2 Traveler Types, and 2 Destinations
1. Two Gates
Narrow Gate:
- small, difficult to enter
- may have to stoop and crawl to enter
- requires a decision and intention
Wide Gate:
- doesn't require much thought
Both these gates are open; they are not locked yet.
2. Two Roads:
Narrow Road:
- may be dusty and have some prickles
- has restrictions and limitations
- likely has a fence to keep you in and on the road
Wide Road:
- symbolizes many pursuits, easy fun
- no limitations or restrictions
3. Two Travelers:
Who is on the journey?
- Narrow Road has few travelers
- Wide Road has many travelers
4. Two Destinations:
Why does Jesus say this and what has it got to do with our series?
Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
Matt 7:13-14 comes at the end of the sermon of the Mount.
Here is the context in which Matthew sets these verses:
1. Matthew 5:3-12 is about the Blessed Life (Beatitudes)
Jesus begins by describing the blessed life, which is contrary to worldly values: humility, meekness, purity, mercy, and a hunger for righteousness.
2. Matthew 5:17-48 is about true righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees
Jesus calls His followers to a righteousness that goes beyond legalism (v. 20).
He redefines obedience, focusing on heart-level transformation rather than external conformity.
3. Matt 6:1-24 is about devotion to God alone
Jesus warns against performing righteousness for human approval (prayer, fasting, giving).
Jesus then teaches us how to pray
He challenges people to store up treasure in heaven rather than earth (v. 19-21) and to serve God alone, not money (v. 24).
This section encourages rejection of worldly security and comforts for eternal priorities.
4. Matthew 6:25-34 is about trusting in God for His provision as we put Him first
Jesus calls His followers to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness (v. 33).
It encourages us to put our faith in God’s provision rather than self-reliance or materialism.
5. Matthew 7:1-23 Jesus concludes
To never think too highly of ourselves when we point out sin in others
He reminds us that our heavenly Father is good and longs to hear our prayers
The “Golden Rule” (v. 12) sums up kingdom living: treating others as we want to be treated
He concludes with with 3 illustration: two gates/roads, a tree and its fruit, and two foundations
The Two Roads (Matt. 7:13-14)
After laying out the radical demands of discipleship, Jesus presents a stark choice:
The broad road is easy, popular, and leads to destruction.
The narrow road is difficult, requires true commitment, and leads to life.
Tension 1: What Does it Mean to “Have Life?”
We want a life of meaning, purpose, and happiness. We want the American dream.
But does God’s definition of “life” align with ours?
The early church took Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount seriously and changed the world by the way they lived. For example:
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
-1 Peter 4:7 (NIV)
Therefore be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
-James 5:7-9 (NASB)
The early church lived out this urgency because they did not know when Jesus was coming back.
Do you have an urgency for the things of God?
Because the early church lived with urgency for the things of God, they truly lived life making an eternal impact.
If you truly want life, then you have to accept Jesus’ definition of life.
When you compare your life and the life of the early church, would that show you and I living life the way Jesus told us to?
Tension 2: Our Understanding of Truth
Our society has taken the wide road in regards to our understanding of truth.
“I have my own truth”
Relativism:
A claim is true relative to the beliefs or valuations of an idea or group that accepts it. It is made true for those who accept it by the very act of acceptance.
-JP Moreland, William Lane Craig
Postmodernism rejects reality; It says
...reality is a social construction. Language creates reality, and what is real for one linguistic group may be unreal for another.
-JP Moreland / William Lane Craig
Today people tend to interpret scripture subjectively in regards to morality, what is right and wrong especially in regards to sexuality and identity.
The “wide road philosophy” is that you can have your own truth based on how you feel and make your own reality.
Many Christians today have incorrectly blended worldly views on sexuality and identity and with Biblical theology.
There are also many who believe that all religions are true and fundamentally the same.
So there is the tension: Between the narrowness of God’s view of a blessed life and truth given to us in Scripture and humanity’s view of life and truth.
Ready Or Not, If Jesus Was To Come Back...
1. You Want to be Found in the Narrow Gate:
This is not an option. If you want real life, if you want to end up with a blessed life, with eternal life, with a life that brings real meaning attached to objective truth and reality.
Luke says “strive to enter”.
Jesus says, make sure to look for the narrow gate, for few will find it. The gate is access to life.
Conversion and regeneration are at the gate.
-Matthew Henry
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
-Matthew 5:3-4 (NASB)
The blessed life starts when we realize two things: “the consciousness of our emptiness, and sorrow for our sin” (A. MacLaren).
The small gate is too small to bring ego, self confidence, world view, reputation, knowledge and wealth.
The only way to get in…is to go down on your knees; No one can enter unless they are stripped of everything…
-A. McLaren
On the other side of the small gate is life eternal, life forever with God of love. The Only way to get there is accepting what Jesus said.
Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to Father except through me.
-John 14:6 (ESV)
The small gate means it can be overlooked.
Are you ready?
If your end goal is an abundant life and blessed life here and in eternity, there is only one option: the Narrow Gate. You want Jesus to find you there.
2. You Want To Be Found On The Narrow Road.
This Road constitutes living out God’s Word out of love for God and your neighbour.
If you are a Christian, the life you live should be hard. We may find blessings, and wealth but the Christian life is one of sacrifice, dying to self, and “picking up of your cross daily.”
Narrow: intentionality in becoming more like Jesus
The natural desires in you must be constantly dying as Jesus’ desires are growing more and more.
Tethlimmene (greek): to press, to hem in, afflicted.
When [Jesus] said, ‘Be perfect,’ He meant it. He meant that we must go in for the full treatment. It is hard; but the sort of compromise we are all hankering after is harder - in fact it is impossible.
-C.S. Lewis
The “full treatment” based on the Sermon on the Mount:
1. Living a life contrary to worldly values
2. Living in obedience, focusing on heart-level transformation rather than external conformity
3. Rejecting worldly security and comforts for eternal priorities.
Truth is narrow in its nature. Pastor Jeff says, “Every so often the real God will contradict you.”
The narrow way conforms you into the image of Christ the Son by the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father
3. You want to be Found With the Few
The narrow way cannot be pursued as long as we are motivated by a desire to please the mass of men.
-Dorn Carson
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
-1 John 5:19 (NIV)
“Children of God” vs the “Whole World”:
The World is under the influence of the evil one - that is the wide path.
WHO IS YOUR NUMBER ONE INFLUENCER?
The Irony: The narrow path is where true life is.
If Jesus were to show up today, where would he find you?
You want Jesus to find you being perfected, being sanctified, dying to yourself, and allowing the narrow road to make you more like Him.
Jesus wants to find the disciple being a good steward, ready with oil in the lamp and living on the narrow path.
For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. At that time there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.
-Matthew 24:37-42 (NASB)
Make a Decision