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Matthew 7:13-23 (The narrow gate)

INTRODUCTION: We are fast approaching the end of our study on the Sermon on the Mount. We saw at the very beginning of our study that Jesus addresses two groups of people in the Sermon. He was primarily talking to his disciples. We read in Matthew 5:2: “His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.” (Matthew 5:2) But he was also addressing the crowds who were listening in. This was a public teaching addressed to his disciples in front of the crowds.

Throughout the Sermon Jesus has been showing us the difference between his disciples and the rest of the world. So far we have looked at the Christian’s character, the Christian’s influence, the Christian’s righteousness, the Christian’s motivation and the Christian’s relationships. In each case Jesus’ disciples are set apart from the rest of the world. Now as we enter the final section on the Christian’s destiny we learn that this separation will be eternal. (Read Matthew 7:13-23 and pray.) [Outline: 1) the Christian’s character (5:1-12); 2) the Christian’s influence (5:13-16); 3) the Christian’s righteousness (5:17-48); 4) the Christian’s motivation (6:1-34); 5) the Christian’s relationships (7:1-12); and 6) the Christian’s destiny (7:13-27).]

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We begin today with one of the most important questions anyone could ever ask you. Are you a Christian? I’m not asking if you call yourself a Christian, if that’s what you fill out on a census form, but are you really a Christian? Do you know what that means?

Because according to Jesus’ own words, there are many people who consider themselves Christians who are not. In other words there are genuine Christians and then there are Christians who are Christian in name only. Which are you? It’s an important question because it has to do with your destiny. The Christian has a different destiny than the non-Christian, and the non-Christian has a different destiny than the Christian.

In this section on the Christian’s destiny Jesus teaches us three things about genuine Christianity. Genuine Christianity begins with a true conversion. It produces a fruitful life. It ends with a favorable judgment. And Jesus does this using several illustrations that involve contrasting pairs. He speaks of two gates leading to two different roads; of two trees producing two different kinds of fruit; and then finally of two professions resulting in two different destinies. In doing so he presents these three marks of genuine Christianity.

I. Genuine Christianity begins with a true conversion (13-14)
   – two gates leading to two different roads

So let’s look at the first mark of genuine Christianity. Genuine Christianity begins with a true conversion. Jesus teaches us this using the illustration of the two gates leading to two different roads. Look at verses 13-14 with me: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

Genuine Christianity begins with a true conversion. The Bible has always insisted that there are only two ways in life. These two ways are called by different names in the Old Testament –the way of the wicked and the way of the righteous, the way of foolishness and the way of wisdom, the way of death and the way of life. Here Jesus gives us some new vocabulary. He calls them the broad road and the narrow road.

   A. “Enter through the narrow gate.” (John 10:9, 14:6)

But he begins with an urgent command: “Enter through the narrow gate.” (Matthew 7:13a) In other words, you must make a decision. There is only one way onto the narrow road, and that is through the narrow gate. If you want to travel the narrow road, you must pass through the gate first.

The reason the gate is narrow is that there is only one way to God and that is through Jesus. In John 10:9 Jesus said: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John 10:9) In John 14:6 Jesus says: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Why is the gate narrow? You can only come to God through Jesus Christ.

But the gate is also narrow because you have to squeeze through it. When you come to God through faith in Jesus, you don’t bring anything with you. There is a cost to following Christ.
You leave behind your pride, your works, and your former loyalties. You repent of your sin. You remove everything that stands in your way. You come to God simply through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Jesus says, “Enter through the narrow gate.” (Matthew 7:13a)

   B. The wide gate/road leads to destruction – many find it (Proverbs 14:12)

And then Jesus tells you why you should do this. Look at the second half of verse 13. “For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matthew 7:13b) Enter through the narrow gate. Why? Because the wide gate leads to the broad road that leads to destruction.

I want you to notice a few things about the broad road here. First of all, notice that it is easy to find. It’s a whole lot easier to find a wide gate than a narrow gate. And in fact you don’t need to do anything to find yourself on the broad road. You were born there, and unless you enter through the narrow gate, you will die there.

Next, notice that the broad road is crowded. The broad road represents the way of the world and there are many people on it. Once again, it doesn’t take any effort to follow the broad road. All you have to do is miss the narrow gate.

Finally, notice that the broad road is deceptive. It seems like the best way to go. There’s lots of company. It’s wide and easy to travel. But it’s deceptive because it leads to destruction. Proverbs 14:12 says: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12) Every road goes somewhere. The broad road is literally a “Highway to Hell.”

   C. The narrow gate/road leads to life – few find it (Luke 13:23-24)

Jesus tells you to enter through the narrow gate, not only because the broad road leads to destruction, but also because the narrow road leads to life. Look at verse 14 again: “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:14)

The narrow road is not an easy path. Christianity involves making hard choices. You must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus. Jesus also warned us about persecution. Why is it a narrow road? Because as a Christian you must follow Christ and his teachings. On the broad road you can do as you please; but on the narrow road you live to please God. Be honest – would you rather do what you want to do or what someone else wants you to do? Most of us would rather do what we want to do. That’s why the narrow road is hard. Now you know why Jesus says so few find it.

So if the narrow way is a hard way, why bother taking it? Because it is the road that leads to life, both joyful life in the Spirit now and eternal life with God later. There is a paradox here. The easy way is actually harder, and the hard way is actually easier. As Jesus said in Matthew 11:30: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30)

The broad road impossible to miss because you’re already on it. The narrow road is easy to miss because you have to go through Jesus. Few people find it, because few people seek it. Salvation is as narrow as Christ and as broad as the world. You can only be saved through Jesus Christ, and yet all who come to Christ will be saved.

Jesus’ teaching about the narrow road and the broad road shows that you cannot look to the majority to determine what is right and what is wrong. We hear a lot of talk about being on the right side of history these days. But what if the right side of history is on the wrong side of eternity? “Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:14)

Some people read this verse and wonder if it means only a few will be saved. It is hard to say from Scripture. We have verses like this which say there are only a few on the road to life. But then we have other Scriptures that speak about many being saved. (e.g. Matthew 8:11) In Luke 13 when Jesus’ disciples asked him if only a few people would be saved, Jesus never gave them a direct answer, but simply told them: “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door.” (Luke 13:24) In other words, Jesus said don’t worry about how many are going to be saved. Rather, make sure that you are going to be saved! And then of course, share the good news with others.

You’ve heard the saying: “All roads lead to heaven.” The reality is all roads lead to hell – except for one. You need to enter through the narrow gate. You need to enter through Jesus. Genuine Christianity begins with a true conversion. Whether you are converted as a child or as an adult, everyone must make a decision about following Jesus.

II. Genuine Christianity produces a fruitful life (15-20)
      – two trees producing two different kinds of fruit

So that’s our first principle this morning. Genuine Christianity begins with a true conversion. Secondly, genuine Christianity produces a fruitful life. Jesus takes this second principle and applies it first to false teachers and then to people in general.

First of all he applies it to false teachers. Look at verse 15: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)

   A. “Watch out for false prophets.” (Jeremiah 23:21-22)

      1) They are dangerous and deceptive

Jesus gives us two reasons in this verse why we should watch out for false prophets: because they are dangerous, and because they are deceptive. They are dangerous because they can lead you away from the truth, and as we’ve just seen, choosing the wrong path in life is disastrous. They are deceptive because they can seem like the real thing. They play the part well, but they are really wolves in sheep’s clothing.

False prophets in the Old Testament were those prophets who claimed to be speaking for God, but their words were their own. God says about them in Jeremiah 23: “I did not send these prophets … I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds.” (Jeremiah 23:21-22)

There are lots of teachers and lots of teachings out there. There are a lot of churches, a lot of religious groups, a lot of radio and television broadcasts. So who do you listen to? How do you know who is genuine and who is false?

      2) You will recognize them by their fruit

Jesus says you will recognize them by their fruit. Look at verse 16: “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” (Matthew 7:16) False prophets reveal themselves by their life and their teaching.

Here are some key things to look for. If they do not preach Christ as the only way of salvation, they are a false teacher. If they do not preach the Bible as God’s Holy Word, they are a false teacher. If they do not preach obedience to Christ and about God’s judgment for sin, they are a false teacher. If they do not live in obedience to Jesus’ commands themselves, they are a false teacher.

Basically, look at their message and look at their life. If they are a false prophet, their words and their deeds will eventually betray them. Of course, the very best way to guard against false teachers is to study God’s Word for yourself. Once you know the real thing, you won’t be taken in by the false. You will recognize them by their fruit.

   B. Every good tree bears good fruit:
      – obedience to Christ and his words

Jesus has applied this principle to false teachers. Now he applies this same principle to all people in general. Look at verses 17-18: “Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” (Matthew 7:17-18) What is Jesus saying here? If you are a Christian, it will show in your life. There will be a change in your life. You will bear good fruit: the fruit of the Holy Spirit, Christ-like character, spiritual growth, obedience to Christ and his words. There’s an old saying: “Like root, like fruit.” If you have a good root, if you are a good tree, if you are a genuine Christian, then you will bear good fruit for God in your life.

   C. A bad tree bears bad fruit:
      – cut down and thrown into the fire (cf. Matthew 3:10)

But Jesus tells us not everyone is a good tree. There are bad trees as well. Look at verses 19-20: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:19-20) Jesus uses the same words here that John the Baptist used back in Matthew 3:10 when he warned the people about God’s coming judgment. The tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

So, the question here is: are you bearing good fruit for God in your life? Are you living for Jesus? Are you growing in your faith? If not, then you need to examine your salvation. Did you enter through the narrow gate? Are you walking on the narrow road? Genuine Christianity produces a fruitful life. We should look for good fruit in those who teach us God’s Word, and we should look for good fruit in our own lives.

III. Genuine Christianity ends with a favorable judgment (21-23)
   – two professions resulting in two different destinies

Genuine Christianity begins with a true conversion. Genuine Christianity produces a fruitful life. And finally, genuine Christianity ends with a favorable judgment. We have looked at the two gates leading to two different roads. We have looked at the two trees producing two different kinds of fruit. And now Jesus presents us with two professions resulting in two completely different destinies.

   A. The person who professes faith and does the will of Jesus’ Father will enter the kingdom of heaven. (John 6:28-29)

He begins with the true Christian’s destiny. The person who professes faith and does the will of Jesus’ Father will enter the kingdom of heaven. Look at verse 21: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

Notice Jesus does not call God “the Father” or “our Father” but “my Father.” Earlier Jesus taught us to pray “Our Father in heaven,” but here Jesus calls God “my Father who is in heaven.” Jesus is the Son of God, and he has a unique relationship with God the Father.

Jesus says only the person who does the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter the kingdom of heaven. What is the will of Jesus’ Father? Primarily it is believing in Jesus Christ. We read in John 6: “Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’” (John 6:28-29)

Of course God’s will for us is also revealed in Jesus’ teachings – here in the Sermon on the Mount and elsewhere. To truly believe means to follow and obey. That means you don’t get to pick and choose from Jesus’ commands. Daniel Doriani puts it this way: “Selective obedience – obedience to the commands we happen to like – is not genuine obedience at all; it is mere agreement.” You are not saved by your works or your obedience, but if you’re truly saved you will seek to live in obedience to Christ’s commands. The person who professes faith and does the will of Jesus’ Father will enter the kingdom of heaven.

   B. The person who professes faith but does not actually follow Christ will be turned away by Christ himself. (John 5:22)

However, the person who professes faith as a Christian but does not actually follow Christ will be turned away by Christ himself. Notice that Jesus presents himself here as the Judge. Back to Matthew 7:21 Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) You will be reporting to Jesus on judgment day. Jesus said in John 5:22: “The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.” (John 5:22) Jesus is more than just a prophet or teacher. He is the Son of God, and God has entrusted all judgment to the Son.

      1) your words will not save you on that day (Romans 10:9)

Notice a couple more things from these verses. First of all, notice that your words will not save you on that day. These people address Jesus as Lord and yet Jesus still turns them away.

Words are important. No one is saved without confessing with their lips that Jesus is Lord. But verbal confession is not enough. Romans 10:9 says: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

There are many people who use Jesus’ name, but they do not follow the Jesus of the Bible. When they read God’s Word they say things like: “Well, my Jesus would never say or do things like that.” Well, then what Jesus are you following? The Jesus of the Bible, or a Jesus of your own making?

There will be no name dropping at heaven’s door. Your words will not save you on that day.

      2) your deeds will not save you on that day (2 Thessalonians 2:9)

Secondly, your deeds will not save you on that day. These people not only presented words to Christ on judgment day, but also their deeds. And not just any old deeds, look at what these people did! Verse 22: “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’” (Matthew 7:22)

These people not only talk the right language, but they have an impressive track record as well. These are not just your ordinary run-of-the-mill deeds like I went to church and I loved my family. No, these people prophesied in Jesus’ name; they drove out demons in Jesus’ name; they performed many miracles in Jesus’ name. If any deeds are going to get you into heaven, you’d think these would be it.

And yet even preaching the word and working miracles are no guarantee that you are saved. Judas preached the word of God. Judas cast out demons and performed miracles. And then Paul also warns us about counterfeit miracles. We read in 2 Thessalonians 2:9: “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9) Jesus does not deny any of these people’s claims. He just denies them entrance into the kingdom.

There will be many people who will stand before Jesus in that day and say things like: “Did we not go to church and listen to sermons and take care of our families and live good and decent lives?” But neither your words nor your deeds will save you on that day. It’s not what you speak with your lips or what you do with your hands, but what you believe in your heart. Words and deeds do not save, but simply faith in Jesus Christ.

   C. “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (John 10:14)
      – not genuine Christianity because no real relationship with Christ

And so Jesus issues his final judgment in verse 23: “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:23) Jesus makes a solemn declaration here. This is the final division, the great divide between believers and non-believers. In the end it doesn’t matter what others think of you or even what you think of yourself. The only thing that matters is what will Jesus say.

Why were these people turned away at the end? G. Campbell Morgan writes: “They had done everything but the Lord’s will.” And the Lord’s will is to believe and follow Christ. They really didn’t know Jesus, and even more significant, Jesus never knew them. It’s not that they fell away from their salvation. Jesus says they never had it to begin with. They never knew Jesus, and Jesus never knew them. And so they are banished from his presence on judgment day. That is their eternal destiny.

But the true believer has a different destiny. In John 10:14 Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” (John 10:14) The person who professes faith and does the will of Jesus’ Father will enter the kingdom of heaven. Genuine Christianity ends with a favorable judgment.

CONCLUSION: So we end today with the same question with which we began. Are you a Christian this morning? Or do you just call yourself a Christian?

Jesus has just issued three warnings about three ways that we can be deceived into thinking we’re okay when we’re really not. In the first instance the world deceives you. The broad road looks good. It looks inviting. There are a lot of people over here. But it really leads to destruction.

In the second instance it’s false teachers who deceive you. They sound good. Their teaching is attractive. They seem to have it all together. But they are really wolves in sheep’s clothing.

In the third instance you deceive yourself. These people really thought they were going to heaven. They thought they were the real thing. They really thought their words and deeds would be enough. But Jesus sent them away.

Are you a Christian? It’s pretty simple to know. A genuine Christian follows Christ, so if you’re not following Christ, then you’re not a Christian. It’s not a matter of do you go to church, did you pray a prayer, do you say or do the right things, but do you know Jesus? Are you following him? If you follow Jesus, you will end up in heaven. If you don’t follow him, you will end up somewhere else.

Jesus has presented us with two gates, two trees, and two professions of faith. They represent two different choices, two ways to live, and two final destinies. But in the end it all comes down to Jesus. He is gate by which we enter. He is the way that we follow. And he is our ultimate destination. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

© Ray Fowler

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