"The Good Life" - Week 28

Week 28 - Matthew 7:13-23

"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."

If you've grown up in church or if you are familiar with the Bible, you've heard this verse. Likely you've heard it used to prove the smallness of the kingdom. If so, then you've heard the traditional interpretation that the doctrinally sound are the ones on the narrow path.

I could write the rest of that sermon. Next, the preacher quotes from 2 Timothy 4 about a time will come (and apparently is now here) when "men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."

So, be a part of the one true church where we have our doctrine correct. Anyone who disagrees with us disagrees with Scripture. Those who disagree with us either haven't heard the truth or have had their itching ears scratched.

But is that what Matthew 7 is really about? Is it about doctrine?

I don't think so.

So, if the narrow way isn't referring to our doctrine, what is it referring to?

We have to read this text in context. Be a detective. Read the rest of the chapter and it should become clear what the narrow way is really referring to.

I'm leaving you with this mystery. May the Spirit reveal the truth to you as you listen this week.

As you dwell in Matthew 7:13-23, here are a few questions to consider and comment on:

1) What is the narrow way? Read the context carefully. (Hint: next week's sermon on the verses that follow will help you.)

2) How can you tell a false prophet from a true prophet?

3) If people were judging your authenticity by the fruit of your life, what would they discover about you?

4) What are some ways that Christians (those committed to putting the kingdom on display) might seek to implement this passage in 2012?

(If this post has frustrated you and you can't discover the narrow way, please listen to my sermon this Sunday. Check out the sermon archives at www.littletonchurch.org)