Please the note the references of Utley of Understanding the Bible and Joyce Meyer's 365 Day Devotional
Title: The Narrow Way
Theme: To show that God’s way is a way of protection and security. He gave us a narrow road so that we can keep our self secure in Him.
Text: Matthew 7:13 – 14
Introduction
If you would please open you Bibles to Matthew 7:13 – 14. Matthew 7:13 – 14. I am so excited to be with you this morning. As some of you know I was not intending to be with you but through different circumstances I felt like I needed to be here.
Saturday morning in my devotional time the Lord brought this scripture to my spirit. I think it is a freeing word.
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 [32] narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Let us Pray
To understand the context of this word we must go back to Matthew 7:1. This chapter 7 is probably one of the most quoted chapters in the Bible. The problem is we often take it out of context. We use different scriptures through different times yet we need to see it as a whole.
Matthew writes from the perspective that Jesus is king. Many times he puts Jesus teachings together to express this.
Look at verse 1.
Matthew 7:1-12 "Judge not, that you be not judged.
This is a very popular scripture. We hear it all the time. But again out of context. Why did Jesus say it here? What was Matthew trying to do when he compiled these scriptures together? I think this morning when we realize the truth of the context there is going to be freedom.
God’s warning to be careful
(2) For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (3) And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? (4) Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? (5) Hypocrite! (actor) First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
(6) Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
Be careful about the advice that you give freely. It could be wasted.
Wait on the Holy Spirit, Luke 12:12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
Nestled in this passage is another famous passage that we often use separate.
(7) "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (8) For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (9) Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? (10) Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? (11) If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (12) Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
What Jesus is saying is to use your words carefully. This is often presented in a negative way. Yet we need to learn to use our words sparingly because they mean so much. As Christians we can ask, seek and knock for God. Don’t waste them arguing with people or nagging. Don’t use them vainly.
Words are Powerful - Scripture
James 3:5b-8 “How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.”
Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Matthew 12:36-27 “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
So we must be careful that we don’t waste our words. In this we must be careful that we don’t make light of God’s words.
Taking God’s name in vain. Doing the things of God in vain.
Mat 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 [32] narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Notes from Utley: You Can Understand the Bible Guide by Bob Utley
Matthew 7:13-14 NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_7:13-14
13"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way (lifestyle) is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter through it.
Mat_7:13 Does this verse imply (1) entering a gate and then walking on a path; or (2) walking on a path which leads to a gate; or (3) is it an example of Hebrew parallelism? The fact that the gate appears first and then a way implies that this is referring to one's coming to know God in a personal way through Jesus' teachings and then living a new kingdom life. Some of the confusion here can be attributed to the threefold aspect of biblical salvation: (1) initial faith and repentance; (2) lifestyle Christlikeness; and (3) eschatological culmination. This parable is paralleled in Luk_13:23-27. See Special Topic: Use of "Door" in the NT at Mat_6:6.
Two Ways – Narrow or Broad
▣ "the narrow gate" This type of proverbial truth has traditionally been known as "the two ways" (cf. Deu_30:15; Deu_30:19; Psalms 1; Pro_4:10-19; Isa_1:19-20 and Jer_21:8).
Deuteronomy 30:15 "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil,
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
Starting with Mat_7:13-27 there is a series of contrasts related to religious people.
1. the two ways of performing religious duties (Mat_7:13-14)
2. the two types of religious leaders (Mat_7:15-23)
3. the two foundations of a religious life (Mat_7:24-27)
The question is not to which group of religious people Jesus referred, but to how religious people respond to their understanding of God's will. Some use religion as a guise to gain immediate praise and rewards from men. It is a " me" and "now" focused lifestyle (cf. Isa_29:13; Col_2:16-23). True disciples order their lives in light of Jesus' words about the present and coming Kingdom of God.
▣ "for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction" "Way" can be (1) a metaphor for lifestyle and (2) the earliest title of the church (cf. Act_9:2; Act_19:9; Act_19:23; Act_22:4; Act_24:14; Act_24:22; Act_18:25-26). This verse implies that salvation is not an easy decision which fits in with the mainstream of culture, but a decisive change of life which issues in obedience to the principles of God. The fact that one way leads to destruction shows the ultimate outcome of those who live lives independent of God. Often they seem very religious (cf. Isa_29:13; Mat_7:21-23; Col_2:23)!
This phrase has a typical Greek manuscript variable. In the first of the verse it says, "enter by the narrow gate," but in the second half "the gate" is omitted in the uncial manuscript א*, some old Latin manuscripts, some Vulgate manuscripts, the Diatessaron, and the Greek texts used by Clement and Eusebius. It is present in the uncials אcf8 i1, B, C, L, W, and some old Latin, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic manuscripts. So the question is, "Was it inserted for balance" or "fell out by accident?" The UBS4 gives the longer text (i.e., its inclusion) a "B" rating (almost certain). However, its inclusion or exclusion does not change the meaning of the text. This is true of the vast majority of the NT variations in the 5,300 Greek New Testaments in existence today! See Bruce Metzger, A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament, p. 19.
14For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it."
Mat_7:14 In a day of "easy-believeism" this is a needed balance! This is not saying that Christianity is dependent on human effort, but rather that the life of faith will be filled with persecution. "Narrow" in this verse shares the same root word as "tribulation" or "persecution" in other NT passages. This emphasis is the exact opposite of Mat_11:29-30. These two verses could be characterized as the "gate" and the "way." We come to God through Jesus as a free gift of God (cf. Rom_3:24; Rom_5:15-17; Rom_6:23; Eph_2:8-9), but once we know Him, it is the pearl of great price for which we sell all that we have to follow Him. Salvation is absolutely free, but it costs everything that we are and have.
The phrase "few they are that find it" should be compared with Mat_7:13 and Luk_13:23-24. The question is "are more going to be lost than saved?" Is the verse teaching this numerical distinction?
Main Points
Joyce Meyer’s August 1st Devotional
Narrow Is the Road
Following God means walking the 'narrow road.' It means facing adversity. Here are several things I've learned that help me to keep going:
1. God's Word is a border for my life. As long as I stay within the guidelines laid out in Scripture, I'll have what I need to do what I need to do. God is faithful and true to His Word.
Psalms 119:105 “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”
2. I have to be willing to finish what I start. God uses committed people who aren't led by emotion. It's easy to be excited in the beginning when something is new, but the ones who cross the finish line are the ones who hang in there when no one else is excited anymore.
Hebrews 12:1 – 2 Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on JESUS the author and finisher of our faith”
3. When no one is there to help me, I get to know Jesus really well. The narrow road of living for God and not conforming to the ways of the world is often lonely. But the trade-off of gaining real intimacy with Christ is worth more than anything you could ever get from the world.
Conclusion
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. (29) Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. (30) Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
I believe these truths can help you like they've helped me. Always remember that even though there will be opposition, the rewards of walking the narrow path are absolutely worth it.
Prayer Starter: Holy Spirit, I desire to walk the narrow path - the way of life in Christ. Keep me within Your boundaries and show me how to live so that I can persevere to the end.
