How to Get to Heaven Matthew 7:13-14

People have many misconceptions about heaven and hell… About who will populate them About how to get there About where they are located About why they exist or even if they exist Even Christians are confused…

Jesus did not hesitate to speak of both places as very real He gave stern warnings about the significance of where you end up… Luke 12:5 “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!” (NKJV)

The destination of heaven is usually referred to in terms of eternal life The destination of hell is referred to as everlasting punishment Matthew 25:46 “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46, NKJV) There are two destinations and both are final

It is interesting that even popular culture has some insight on these… Argus Hamilton noted: “Rock music is in many ways a form of theology. The fact there’s a highway to hell , but only a stairway to heaven tells you a lot about the anticipated traffic numbers.” (ABQ Journal, Oct. 12, 2016) This is an interesting juxtaposition in light of our text today!

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13–14, NKJV)

I. There are Two Possible Ultimate Destinations The OT contains several references to diverging ways that force one to choose between 2 paths “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil,” (Deut 30:15, NKJV) “Now you shall say to this people, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.” (Jer 21:8, NKJV)

A. There is a way that leads to destruction We are all under a death sentence We all have our ideas on how to live life We all know intuitively what this destruction means

B. There is a way that leads to life Eternal life is the opposite of eternal damnation Eternal life is the result of remedying the sin problem “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3, NKJV)

II. There are Two Contrasting Paths in This Life “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Mt 7:13–14, NKJV)

A. There is a wide gate with a broad way This way is easy and natural This way has many travelers

III. There are Many Ideas as to How to Get to Heaven “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13–14, NKJV)

A. The human idea is that we make it to heaven by our works There is reference to works in Scripture There is no definitive sufficiency with works

B. The divine idea is that we make it to heaven by grace alone The essence of the Gospel is pure grace, not works The reality of salvation as God’s work has serious implications