The Broad And Narrow Ways 1 WS233
Enter Ye In At The Strait Gate
by Wesley Simons
Introduction
1. Matthew 7:13-14 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and
broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth
unto life, and few there be that find it.
2. These verses tell us of:
1. Two gates.
2. Two ways.
3. Two destinies.
4. Two groups of people.
3. It is as if the Master had presented two cities with two gates.
I. We are bidden to enter.
1. We are to enter the “strait gate” not the “straight gate”.
1. Straight: means not crooked.
2. Strait: means narrow, pinched, difficult to be entered.
2. It requires effort on our part.
1. “Strive” Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say
unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
2. Strive come from the Greek word [ agonizomai ] which means to
agonize.
3. The following verses come from the root word “agon”. 1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art
also called, and hast professed a good profession before many
witnesses. 2 Timothy 4:7 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished
my course, I have kept the faith:
II. The Gate Must Be Entered.
1. Many approach the gate ,but will not enter.
2. It is not good enough that mom and dad have entered - we must enter.
3. It is not good enough to hear the truth: Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore
whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him
unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain
descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that
house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one
that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened
unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain
descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that
house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
4. It is not good enough just to hear, believe, repent, confess, and be
baptized.
5. We must do God’s will: Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me,
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the
will of my Father which is in heaven. 1 John 2:3-4 And hereby we do
know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I
know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is
not in him.
6. Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they
may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into
the city.
III. The Gate Is Strait ( Narrow, Close, Hemmed In, And Not
Easily Entered ).
1. A wider way to heaven would detract from it’s beauty.
2. What if the morals were lowered? Revelation 22:14-15 Blessed are they
that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and
may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and
sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and
whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no
wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh
abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's
book of life.
3. Some will try to enter the gate with the world on their backs: 1 John
2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any
man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is
in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth
away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for
ever.
4. Some will try to enter the gate with great amounts of money: 1 Timothy
6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some
coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves
through with many sorrows.
5. Some will try to enter the gate by receiving the honor and praise of men:
John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and
seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
6. Some will try to enter the gate while practicing the works of the flesh:
Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through
the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
7. To enter the gate, one’s heart must be changed: Matthew 5:8 Blessed are
the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
IV. Not Only Is The Gate Strait, But It Is Narrow.
1. The concept of narrow means: suffer tribulation, press hard upon, a
compressed way.
2. However, the way is just as broad as the love of God.
3. The way is as narrow as the commandments of God.
4. The devil’s way and the way of error is the easy and broad way.
5. We should not complain because the way is narrow, but rather should
rejoice that it has been made possible.
6. A soldier rejoices that one is able to lead him through a mine field.
7. We want on-coming traffic to stay on their side though the road might be
narrow.
V. Few Travel The Narrow Way.
1. It requires effort, energy, thought and perseverance to find and enter.
2. The Jews claimed to be Abraham’s seed ( Jesus was not impressed ).
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall
exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case
enter into the kingdom of heaven.
3. We can claim to be members of the Lord’s church, but unless we live the
for the Lord the God is not impressed.
4. Why are just a few going to make it?
1. Many believe that the kingdom can be entered without much tribulation.
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to
continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter
into the kingdom of God.
2. Some will not deny self: Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his
disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take
up his cross, and follow me.
3. Some will not get rid of that which offends: Matthew 5:29-30 And if thy
right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is
profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that
thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend
thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one
of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be
cast into hell.
4. Some will not put away the deeds of the flesh: Romans 8:13 For if ye
live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify
the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
5. If the narrow way requires effort, then what about: attendance, language,
dress and the company we keep.
VI. The Narrow Way Leads To Eternal Life.
1. There is a price to pay in living the Christian life , but it is worth it.
2. John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also
in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I
would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there ye may be also.
VII. The Broad Way Is Easily Found.
1. The broad way is a way of: sin, error, hate and do it your own way.
2. The broad way is: wide, easy, smooth, crowded, deceptive and fatal.
VIII. The Broad Way Is Destructive.
1. There will be gnashing of teeth. Matt. 8:12.
2. There will be outer darkness. Matt. 25:30.
3. It will be eternal destruction. Matt. 10:28.
4. Hell is a place of fire. Rev. 20:14-15.
5. Hell is a place of no hope. Luke 16:26.
6. One will be punished forever. Matt. 25:46.
7. Ones companions in all eternity will be evil. Rev. 21:8
Conclusion
1. Which road are you traveling?
2. You are on one of these two roads.
3. Will you be happy a million years from now as we count time?
4. Why not obey God today? To become a child of God one needs to: hear
Rom. 10:17; believe in Christ, John 8:24; repent, Luke 13:3; confess Jesus
as the Christ, Matt 10:32-33; and be baptized for the remission of sins,
Acts 2:38.
5. Then, one is to live a faithful Christian life. Rev. 2:10.
6. You have no promise of tomorrow. What will your decision be?