Why Few Find the Narrow Way 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. {14} Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Why Few Find the Narrow Way It Is Strict, Rigorous and Difficult.It Is Strict, Rigorous and Difficult. –Matthew 22:37; Luke 9:23

Matthew 22:37 “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” (Takes Total Commitment)

Luke 9:23 “Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Takes Self-Denial)

Why Few Find the Narrow Way It Is Strict, Rigorous and Difficult.It Is Strict, Rigorous and Difficult. –Matthew 22:37; Luke 9:23 Many Are Prejudiced.Many Are Prejudiced. –Isaiah 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 13:5

Isaiah 6:9-10 “And He said, ‘Go, and tell this people: “Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.” {10} ‘Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.’” (Refuse to see the truth)

2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?; unless indeed you are disqualified.” (We each need to examine ourselves with honesty)

Why Few Find the Narrow Way It Is Strict, Rigorous and Difficult.It Is Strict, Rigorous and Difficult. –Matthew 22:37; Luke 9:23 Many Are Prejudiced.Many Are Prejudiced. –Isaiah 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 13:5 They Have Been Deceived.They Have Been Deceived. –2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Peter 2:1-2

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”

2 Peter 2:1-2 “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. {2} And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.”

Why Few Find the Narrow Way It Is Strict, Rigorous and Difficult.It Is Strict, Rigorous and Difficult. –Matthew 22:37; Luke 9:23 Many Are Prejudiced.Many Are Prejudiced. –Isaiah 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 13:5 They Have Been Deceived.They Have Been Deceived. –2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Peter 2:1-2 They Succumb To Peer Pressure.They Succumb To Peer Pressure. –John 12:42-43; John 5:44

John 12:42-43 “Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; {43} for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

John 5:44 “How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?” (It doesn’t matter what men think… only what God requires from us!)

Why Few Find the Narrow Way It Is Strict, Rigorous and Difficult.It Is Strict, Rigorous and Difficult. –Matthew 22:37; Luke 9:23 Many Are Prejudiced.Many Are Prejudiced. –Isaiah 6:9-10; 2 Corinthians 13:5 They Have Been Deceived.They Have Been Deceived. –2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Peter 2:1-2 They Succumb To Peer Pressure.They Succumb To Peer Pressure. –John 12:42-43; John 5:44 Because We Fail To Teach Them About It.Because We Fail To Teach Them About It. –Romans 1:14-15; Acts 8:4

Romans 1:14-15 “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. {15} So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.” (If we don’t have a desire to preach the word, it will not happen!)

Acts 8:4 “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” (Even persecution should not preclude our sharing His word with the lost!)

Conclusion Are you among the “few” who will find life eternal? “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”