Two Gates, Two Ways, Two Destinies


On TV and at the movies, diffusing a bomb always comes down to choosing the correct wire to cut. If the man could just look ahead in time or see a few frames ahead on the videotape, he would know for sure which wire to cut. He could make the absolutely correct decision.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us the means to "look ahead" so that we might make the absolutely correct decision for our souls. He does not give us many choices, but only two: His way and the wrong way. This is particularly true of Matthew 7:13-27, in what might be described as the "Invitation Following the Sermon on the Mount."

Matthew 5:3 the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 7:12 the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 7:15-27 decision time = 2 choices

vv 13-14 -- 2 gates entering 2 ways to 2 destinations

vv 15-20 -- 2 fruits in life

vv 21-23 -- 2 destinies

vv 24-27 -- 2 ways to build

  1. The Two GATES -- All will enter one of the two gates:
    1. God's way requires FOCUS & DEDICATION
      1. strait = "narrow" -- describes the ENTRANCE (gate)
      2. narrow = "pressed," also "to trouble, afflict, distress" -- describes the JOURNEY (way)
      3. The gate is difficult because many REFUSE to see it, not because it is hard to find (recent correspondence w/OSAS man)
    2. The wide gate requires NOTHING
      1. wide -- from the Greek platus (plateau?)
      2. broad -- "spacious"
      3. no discipline is required, anything goes, do your own thing
      4. any choice other than the narrow gate is to choose the wide.
      5. "There is a way that seems right to a man . . ."
        1. Story = entering the "L" in Chicago at O'Hare--"No bills larger than $10." No matter how many we had or how much sense it made, we weren't getting on without correct change.
        2. "I thought"
          1. Abram -- Genesis 20:11
          2. Naaman -- 2 Kings 5:11
          3. Paul -- Acts 26:9 (cf Acts 23:1)
  2. The Two Ways
    1. Joshua 24:15
    2. Elijah, Israel, and the prophets of Baal -- 1 Kings 18
    3. The way is narrow not because it cannot hold many, but because many refuse to travel it.


  3. The Two Destinies -- 1 Peter 1:3-4
    1. The straight and narrow leads to life
    2. The wide and broad leadd to eternal destruction
    3. Some will be surprised at the Judgment -- Matthew 7:21-23


  4. "Oneness" Religion
    1. One Way- not many -- John 14:6
    2. One Name- not just any -- Acts 4:12
    3. One Church- all the rest not worth a penny -- Mt 15:13; Acts 2:47
    4. Decisions Determine Destiny:
      1. Hebrews 11:24-25
      2. Deuteronomy 30:15-20