The Gospel of Matthew: The Narrow Way of the Kingdom

Scripture References: Matthew 7:13-20 (Main) Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 16

Intro: As we near the end of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:13-20), Jesus' words shift from tenderness to unqualified toughness. He presents stark choices: two roads, two kinds of prophets. This sermon explores the necessity of choosing the narrow, hard way that leads to life, while recognizing and rejecting the false guides who promote the easy path to destruction.

Key Points:

1. The Two Ways (v. 13-14): Narrow Path to Life, Wide Path to Destruction
   • The Narrow Way: Jesus honestly describes His path as hard and narrow. It involves pruning, self-denial, and dying to self (disciplines common to all good things, like marriage or parenting). It feels tight, but like a megaphone, it opens into life.
   • The Wide Way: This easy path leads to destruction, yet many choose it, often due to pride resisting God's way.
   • The Choice: Echoing Moses (Deut 30), Jesus urges, "Choose life!" Focus on the destination – goodness, flourishing, true life – to navigate the narrowness.
2. The False Prophets (v. 15-20): Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
   • Danger: These guides encourage the wide path. They appear harmless but are inwardly destructive.
   • Methods: They tell people what they want to hear, flatter (unlike Jesus), promote indulgence, and ignore inconvenient truths (e.g., misleading ads, unbalanced self-help).
   • The Test - Fruit: Jesus gives a simple test: evaluate the fruit produced by their lives and teachings over time. Does it lead to goodness and life? If yes, embrace it. If no, reject it ("cut it down"). Be discerning; bad fruit can seem appealing initially.
3. The Goal: True Freedom and Life
   • The narrow path of obedience, though involving loss, ultimately leads to a transformed heart that wants what God wants – true freedom and life. Jesus walked this narrow path of the cross first, opening the gate for us.

Conclusion: Jesus confronts us with a critical choice between the narrow, demanding way to life and the wide, easy way to destruction, often promoted by deceptive voices. We must intentionally choose the narrow gate, test influences by their fruit, and trust that the path involving pruning and dying leads to the abundant life found only in Him.

Call to Action: Embrace the narrow way – choose life today. Identify what Jesus is asking you to prune or die to. Evaluate the messages and influences in your life by their long-term fruit. Come to communion remembering Jesus' sacrifice on the narrow road, opening the way for us. Pray Psalm 16, declaring God your chosen portion.

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The Gospel of Matthew: The Narrow Way of the Kingdom  (Matthew 7:13-20)
with Mike Young