The Narrow and Wide Gates

In this sermon, Joel Aston continued the exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on Matthew 7:13-14. The emphasis was on the importance of walking the narrow path and sharing the Gospel to guide others from the wide path to the narrow path.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)

Main Points

1. Two Roads and Their Nature

- Wide Path (Pharisees' Gospel):

- Appealing and easy to find.

- Achievable by human effort and logic.

- Glorifies self and satisfies human desire for approval.

- Narrow Path (Kingdom Gospel):

- Requires self-sacrifice (Matthew 16:24-25).

- Achievable only through Jesus, not by personal merit.

- Found through the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

- Glorifies God rather than self.

2. The Subtle Difference

- Outwardly, the two paths may appear similar, but the true distinction lies in Jesus Christ.

- Romans 3:21-25 (NLT) emphasises that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus, not by adhering to the law.

3. The Purpose of Good Works

- Good deeds should accompany the proclamation of the Gospel.

- Ephesians 2:8 (NLT) and Hebrews 13:15-16 (NLT) highlight that salvation is a gift of grace and good works are sacrifices pleasing to God.

- Good works alone, without sharing the Gospel, offer only temporary hope.

4. The Urgency of Sharing the Gospel

- Believers must actively speak about the Kingdom Gospel.

- Actions can attract people, but the spoken Gospel is essential for true understanding and salvation.

- 2 Thessalonians 3:13 (NLT) urges believers to continue doing good and sharing the Gospel.

5. The Interconnected Paths

- The paths to life and destruction are close, offering the chance to guide others to the narrow path.

- Living out and sharing the Gospel provides everlasting hope, unlike temporary relief offered by good deeds alone.

Discussion Questions

- What distinguishes Christianity from other religions?

- If someone considers themselves a good person, better than many Christians, will that be enough for salvation?

Conclusion

While the two paths may look similar on the surface, the narrow path leads to life, filled with joy, peace, and hope through Jesus Christ. The wide path, though seemingly easier and logical, leads to destruction. Believers are called to live out their faith through good works and to share the Gospel, ensuring that others can find the narrow path to eternal life.