The Life of Christ – Lesson 7 December 26, 2018 Matthew Chapters 5-7 Luke 6:20-49 The Life of Christ – Lesson 7 The Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 7:13-20 “Enter by the narrow gate …” “You will know them by their fruits …”

“Enter through the narrow gate …”, Matthew 7:13-14 2 gates – small or wide 2 ways – narrow or broad 2 groups – few or many 2 destinies – destruction or life

“Enter through the narrow gate …”, Matthew 7:13-14 “Way” – a way of travel. One way is “narrow” (to crowd or press (Strong and Thayer) – interesting this Greek word is most often translated to “suffer” or be “afflicted”). One way is “broad” (accommodating; spacious … without suffering and affliction)

“Enter through the narrow gate …”, Matthew 7:13-14 Each “gate” and “way” “leads to” vastly different destinies: Life – John 10:10 – Jesus came to give “life … abundantly” Acts 5:20; Philippians 2:16; 2 Timothy 1:10 – through the gospel. 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 – contrast to temporal life. (1 Timothy 4:8; 6:19). Absence of everything we don’t like about this “life.” (Revelation 21:3-4) Acts 5:20 – "Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.“ Phil 2:16 – “…holding fast the word of life…” 2 Tim 1:10 – “…the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” Revelation 21:3-4 – “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.“ Isaiah 51:11 – “So the ransomed of the Lord will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”

“Enter through the narrow gate …”, Matthew 7:13-14 Each “gate” and “way” “leads to” vastly different destinies: Destruction – “utter destruction” (Thayer) Philippians 3:19 – for those whose “god is their appetite” and “set their minds on earthly things.” 1 Timothy 6:9 – For those who “want to get rich.” 2 Peter 3:16 – For the “untaught and unstable who distort … the scriptures.” Hebrews 10:39 – for those who “shrink back.” “In the NT, apoleia refers to the state after death wherein exclusion from salvation is a realized fact, wherein man, instead of becoming what he might have been, is lost and ruined… not extinction” (Zodhiates)

“Enter through the narrow gate …”, Matthew 7:13-14 Two groups – “Many” – who enter the wide gate and pursue the wide way. “Few” – who enter the small gate and travel the narrow way.

“Enter through the narrow gate …”, Matthew 7:13-14 Why are there few? Luke 13:22-28 Don’t use the “narrow door”/gate (verse 24) Don’t “strive” (verse 24) Wait too late – the door was shut (verse 25) Mistakenly believed being “religious” is sufficient (verse 26). 1 Peter 3:20-21 – few are “brought safely through the water.” We were in your “presence” and knew of your teaching. Matthew 9:37, there are just a few laborers. Matthew 22:11-14 (not properly clothed)

“Enter through the narrow gate …”, Matthew 7:13-14 Why are there many? Matthew 7:22, “… many will say to Me on that day …” Jesus will declare to the “many” … “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”

“Enter through the narrow gate …”, Matthew 7:13-14 Why are there many? John 6:60, 66, “Many of His disciples, when they heard this said, ‘This is a difficult statement, who can listen to it?’ … as a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.”

“Enter through the narrow gate …”, Matthew 7:13-14 Why are there many? 1 Corinthians 1:26, “For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble.” They subscribe to the wisdom of the world.

“Enter through the narrow gate …”, Matthew 7:13-14 Why are there many? Philippians 3:18-19, “For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.” They are fleshly focused.

“Enter through the narrow gate …”, Matthew 7:13-14 Matthew 24:3-14, “many” will … Be “misled” by false prophets/teachers. Verses 4-5, 11 (2 Peter 2:2) “Fall away” because of persecution. Verse 9 “Fall away” because they will turn on each other. Verse 10 Have their “love … grow cold.” Verse 12 Simply not endure. Verse 13 Not respond to the preaching of the gospel. Verse14 “Then who can be saved?” – Luke 18:26