The Two Paths

Matthew 7:13-14

Introduction.

  1. This photo was taken in 2012.

    1. These are people of the village of Shuylyao in the Chinese province of Guizhou.

    2. A drought had come upon them, and they were forced to make this kilometer-long trek every day (sometimes several times a day) just for water for their village.

    3. You’ll notice only children and elderly people here—that’s because all the young, working-age people went to the city to work.

    4. They closed the school for a while and organized a “children’s column for the extraction of water,” taking turns, accompanied by an adult.

    5. Look at what these people were willing to go through for water.

    6. It’s either this or death—could you make that choice?

  2. Jesus tells us about another difficult path (7:13-14).

    1. This path the Christian must make if he is to have life.

    2. He contrasts that to the broad way that leads to destruction.

  3. Preview: The Broad Path (13); The Difficult Path (14).

Body.

  1. The Broad Path (7:13).

    1. Driving illustration.

      1. Have you ever been driving along, not paying attention, and missed your turn?

      2. How long did it take for you to notice? We were on autopilot.

    2. Sometimes we operate our lives on autopilot.

      1. We are not paying attention, going with the flow.

      2. We have our priorities: have a job, make money, have a family, take care of the kids, retire.

      3. We don’t stop and think about what’s truly important, or perhaps we think we already know.

      4. Yes, these things are important:

        1. Providing for family.

        2. Making sure kids can go to college.

        3. Saving for retirement.

      5. But all these things are temporary—what good is your kids having a college degree if you are they don’t end up in heaven for an eternity?

      6. I’m not saying don’t do these things, but make sure your priorities are in order (6:33).

    3. The problem with operating on autopilot is we never stop to think about those priorities or how to put these things into practice.

      1. We do not ask, seek, or knock (7:7-8).

      2. So we pass by the narrow gate without even noticing it.

      3. Our attention is placed elsewhere—job advancement, what sports should my kid play, how much is in my 401k.

      4. It may feel like we’re moving and making progress.

      5. Really, all we’re doing is moving to different positions on that same broad path.

      6. It’s like jockeying for the best seats on the Titanic.

    4. Ultimately that path leads to destruction.

      1. Jesus later says that if the blind lead the blind, they both fall into a ditch (15:14).

      2. These blind folks not only include those on autopilot, but those who seek after truth, think they found it, and quit looking.

      3. This includes those blinded by their so-called prophet or other religious leaders, by their traditions, by their feelings.

      4. Christ is the only way to heaven—He is that narrow gate!

      5. The other path leads to destruction, death, separation from God for eternity, hell.

    5. The saddest part about that is many go that way.

      1. We humans are like electricity, follow the path of least resistance—and that path leads to hell.

      2. That’s not what God wants—He wants all to come to repentance.

      3. But the grim reality is the majority of people won’t make it.

      4. “If everyone else jumped off a bridge would you do it?”

      5. That’s effectively what Jesus is asking—we cannot simply go with the flow.

  2. The Difficult Path (7:14).

    1. Jesus says this path is difficult.

      1. We look at this dirt road, and you are not looking forward to driving on that.

      2. Dirt roads can get bumpy, and you’re forced to drive slower and more carefully.

      3. There could be some narrow or steep places.

      4. There are many places where we could stumble and fall.

      5. We might even decide to go back.

    2. No one ever said the Christian life was easy.

      1. Paul said that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).

      2. Early in the SotM, Jesus said we are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, that we should rejoice (5:10-12).

    3. On top of external persecution, there are our own internal struggles.

      1. Sin keeps calling us back.

      2. We still have our own desires, and Satan tries to exploit them to tempt us to sin.

      3. It takes vigilance to keep on that straight and narrow.

    4. Let’s take a look at 2 Pet. 1:5-11.

      1. Peter lists a set of excellent traits we ought to possess or work to possess (1:5-7).

      2. If we possess these traits … (1:8).

      3. If we lack them, we become blind, unable to find that narrow gate (1:9).

      4. So we must also possess diligence—doing the traits above, we will never stumble (1:10).

      5. An entrance will be supplied, that narrow gate that leads to life (1:11).

    5. Other passages.

      1. This is walking in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7).

      2. However, if we do stumble on that path, we can get back up again by confessing our sins to Him, and repenting (1 John 1:9).

      3. I thank God we have the Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1).

      4. So let us walk in the Spirit, and not in the flesh (Gal. 5:16-26).

      5. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25).

    6. This path leads to life!

      1. Just as those in that Chinese village had to walk a narrow path to get water to live, we must walk this narrow path to obtain eternal life.

      2. No matter the struggles on this earth, it will all be worth it in the end.

      3. Some will struggle more than others, but we all struggle.

      4. Sometimes we will feel like throwing in the towel, going back to that broad path.

      5. It’s easier, after all – I’m sure many early Christians said that when they were being killed for their faith. It would be easier to worship a false god that suffer through this. But many of them did not succumb! And they died for it, but they have their home in heaven.

      6. This path leads to eternal life with our Lord in heaven!

    7. The sad thing is, few people find it.

      1. This is not a path that the majority will find.

      2. This is a path for those who truly hunger and thirst for righteousness.

      3. This is a path for those who truly seek after His kingdom and His righteousness.

      4. This is a path for those who truly put God first in all things.

      5. Not their feelings, not their wishes, not their creeds or traditions, but after God’s commands, His wishes, and His Word.

      6. Unfortunately, not many people seek long and hard enough for that narrow path.

      7. And many who find it reject it.

      8. But all have the opportunity.

Conclusion.

  1. All have the opportunity:

    1. But all must ask/seek/knock,

    2. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,

    3. Obey the will of the Father,

    4. And make sure they are on a sure foundation.

  2. This is no game, but a matter of eternal life or eternal destruction.

  3. The good news is, you have the choice.

    1. Take the easy path or take the tough path.

    2. Really, when we consider the outcomes, the choice is easy.

    3. That tough path leads to eternal life.

    4. Choose life this morning.

  4. Consider this poem by Robert Frost you likely read in school.