Title: Only Two Ways / Matthew 7:13-27
There are many roads in the world. But Jesus says there are only two ways. That is the way to heaven and the way to hell.
I. Is it the broad road or the narrow road? (verses 13-14)
French writer Andr Gide's love story between silver cousins, expressing doubts about asceticism. (1909) People want a wide and comfortable road. But Jesus tells us to go the narrow way. It is not clear whether you enter the door to enter the road or enter the road to get to the door. In the former case, the door will be conversion; in the latter case, the door will be death.
1. The narrow gate and the wide gate speak of the path of obedience and disobedience.
The way to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow the Lord is a narrow gate. The path of obedience means a life of 'Confidence and unity'.
2. The way and the gate are Jesus Christ.
'I am the door; if anyone enters through me, he will be saved' (John 10:9) Human morality, religion, devotion, and strength can neither seek nor meet God. In Luke 13, the Lord says, 'Strive to enter through the narrow gate' (Luke 13:24). To pass through the narrow gate, you must cast off all the burdens of sin. We must cast away our pride, envy, greed, and even ourselves.
II. Is it a fruitless tree or a fruitful tree? (verses 15-20)
These are words of warning against false teachers (leaders). Beware of wolves that come out in sheep's clothing. How can we identify as false leaders who know more and have more respect than we do? It is because of the words of the Lord, 'You will know them by their fruits' (verses 16, 20).
1. You can tell by looking at the fruit, that is, your deeds.
Leaders must be at a high moral and ethical level.
2. It must bear good fruit.
'People's wounds are taken lightly and they say they are at peace, but there is no peace' (Jeremiah 8:11) Under the slogan of democracy and egalitarianism, they break down the enemy and treat those who have it unfairly. We must confess Jesus Christ, the true leader, as Lord, and bear much good fruit under His rule.
III. An empty claim or a claim of truth? (21-23)
Here, “not everyone who says to me, lord, lord, lord will enter the kingdom of heaven” (7:21) refers to the curse against the hypocrite. It was a rebuke to a believer who made only empty claims and was not fruitful. He is a person who calls on the Lord with his lips, but has no personal fellowship. They make the right confession of doctrine and perform prophecies and miracles in the name of Jesus. But they have no practice.
IV. Are you a foolish builder or a wise builder? (verses 24-27)
We are all builders of the house of life. What are you building your house on? “Whoever hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is the one who built his house on the rock” (verse 24). In other words, he is a person who lives a life of unity. William Borden, an aspiring missionary, died of illness in Egypt while en route to China. His determination is revealed in a letter to his friend. 'No Reserve', 'No Retreat', 'No Regret' (No regrets) Borden, who knew how to build a house that would not burn on a solid foundation, prepared to meet Jesus and I was able to stand in front of it.
closing words
There is no other way for us. Let's enter through the narrow door. We must follow the strait road, bear good fruit, and build a house that does not burn on the basis of unity as a wise builder, believing only in Jesus Christ, the true leader. 'No Reserve', 'No Retreat', 'No Regret' (No regrets) I hope that we can all follow this path of life.