The Greatest Sermon Ever Told | Narrow-Minded
January 28, 2024
Matthew 7:13-20
13“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. 15Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Purpose
To discover and experience Jesus Christ in our midst
To cultivate mutually encouraging relationships
To participate in God’s mission to the world
Opening Prayer
Lord God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many great dangers, that because of our frailness we cannot always stand uprightly: Grant us such health of body and soul, that we may well pass and overcome all those things which we suffer for sin; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Responsive Prayer—Psalm 25
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
Let me not be put to shame;
Let not my enemies exult over me.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
Teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
For you are the God of my salvation.
Summary and Connection
This week’s discussion is based on Matthew 7:13-20. Jesus is rounding off his sermon in this section. This is the application part of Jesus’ sermon. Here, Jesus not only emphasizes the absolute necessity of faith in God, and the value of right doctrines, but also the necessity of living out the gospel—practicing and implementing the faith and doctrine in all areas of life. Throughout his sermon Jesus has stressed that Christian life is not only distinct from the world, but it is also fundamentally distinct from the moralistic, and self-righteous religiosity of the Pharisees. Jesus has described the upside down nature of the kingdom, how it is unique, distinct, and separate from the world. In this section, Jesus presents two contrasting metaphors, or images to distinguish between the kingdom of God and the world, and between true followers of Jesus, and the false teachers, who claim to be true followers of God.
Firstly, in verses 13-14, Jesus distinguishes between the kingdom of God and the world. The kingdom of God is compared to a narrow gate that is hard to find, and the Christian life is compared to a narrow path that is traversed by fewer people. In contrast, the world is compared to a wide or broad gate that is easy to find, and the worldliness is compared to a wide path that is filled with people. It is vital for us to understand that according to Jesus, there are only two paths, and there are only two destinations — life, and death. In other words, there is no third alternative path. Jesus appeals to his listeners that included common people, disciples, and the Pharisees to enter the narrow gate and follow the narrow path. Jesus, in clear words, describes Christian life as hard, and in comparison to the world, it is confining. Yet, it is ‘The Good Life.’ The narrow path is the way of true human flourishing. In Jesus’ words we learn the all-encompassing scope of the gospel: The gospel not only offers eternal life, but also informs and sustains our life on earth. Remember, gospel is not just the ABC of Christian life — entrance into the kingdom of God, it is all-encompassing — the A-Z of Christian life.
In verses 15-20, Jesus distinguishes between true followers of God and the false teachers, in this case, Pharisees, who appear to be true followers of God. Notice how Jesus has narrowed the scope of distinction from the world to the realm of the people of God. It is vital for us to remember Jesus’ appeal to his followers: be in the world and not of the world. We are not called to totally cut-off from the world, creating Christian silos, rather we are called to be in the world — as salt and light, pointing the world to Jesus. In 15-20, Jesus presents a contrasting image, describing the threat of creating Christian echo-chambers, and living in a Christian bubble to such an extent that one fails to identify between true and false teachers. Notice, according to Jesus, the identity marker between true believers and false teachers has nothing to do with external appearances, mere outward display of piety and most importantly, theological knowledge. As religious authorities, the Pharisees displayed piety and impeccable theological knowledge. Yet, according to Jesus, they were the ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing — a bad tree! How else are we to distinguish between true and false believers? The answer has to do with what Jesus has been talking about throughout his sermon: internal, deeper, or the whole-person righteousness. Christians, by virtue of their union with Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit in and through them, enter the narrow gate, and walk the narrow path, displaying the good fruit of the Spirit — life. In contrast, the false teachers, who appear to be true believers, in reality, are self-deceived, dangerous, and deceptive, displaying external pseudo-righteousness, thus inevitably producing bad fruit — death.
Discussion Questions
1. Looking at the Bible
Observation: Read the passage privately. What does the text say? What according to you is the theme of this passage?
- Read verses 13-14. What contrasting image is Jesus presenting here? What are the characteristics of the two ways? What does the destination tell us about the nature of the two ways?
- Read verses 15-20. What contrasting image is Jesus presenting here? What does Jesus warn us about? How are we to distinguish between true and false believers or teachers?
2. Looking at Jesus
At Central we believe that all of Scripture points to Jesus. In other words, Jesus is the theological center of the Bible. Every passage not only points to Jesus, but the grand narrative of the Bible also finds its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus.
- How does Matthew 7:13-20 point to the person and work of Jesus on our behalf?
- How is Jesus the true path leading to life and the good tree producing the fruit of life?
3. Looking at Our Hearts
The following are personal application questions based on the stages of growth in Christian faith.
- Take a moment to reflect on your Christian experience so far: How does the image of wide and narrow gates and ways resonate with your experience? Consider sharing how your Christian life has been difficult, yet rewarding.
- According to you, what is the true scope of the gospel in your life? Is gospel just the entrance/gate into Christian life or is it also the path? Discuss.
- Verses 15-20 has to do with appearance and reality. We tend to minimize the gospel and embellish our own righteousness by ‘pretending’ and ‘performing.’ How do you guard yourself against these tendencies? Consider sharing some helpful ways you apply the gospel to your life.
4. Looking at Our World
- How might this passage help you to be a faithful presence — following the narrow path, reflecting the love of Christ, and displaying true righteousness, pointing people to Jesus both in words and actions — in your community, and workplace?
Sending
God’s word is a lamp to our feet. Christ’s teachings are a light to our path. May God’s word take root in our lives. May Christ’s love nourish and sustain us. Amen.