The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 7 Part 6 Jesus Is The Straight Gate That Leads To Heaven

 

Two gates, two roads, two eternal destinations. Which road are you traveling on?

Matthew 7:13-14  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 

I cannot think of a more clear way to declare the  gospel of Christ than using the words of Jesus in this text. 

Jesus' teaching in this place is a very effective tool to share the gospel with someone who does not know the Lord.

This lesson about two gates, two paths and two eternal destinies goes right to the heart of man's depravity and God's offer of salvation. 

There are two spiritual gates through which a person can enter during this life.

There are two spiritual roads which one can travel through this life.

There are two opposite eternal destinations that can be reached at the end of this life.

The lessons to be learned from Jesus in two verses are profound and have eternal ramifications.

Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus consistently demonstrated that people need a new heart and new spirit from God.

In John's gospel, Jesus told a prominent religious leader named Nicodemus "Ye must be born again" and this is the new birth we are talking about.

We enter life through the wrong wide gate and are born spiritually dead because of Adam's fall into sin (Genesis 3).

We who walk on the broad way that leads to destruction are sinners dead in our trespasses and sins. 

Our path is marked by darkness until we hear the gospel, repent of our sins and turn to Christ for salvation (See Ephesians 2:1-10).

When we place our faith in Christ, the Spirit of God regenerates us and indwells us, giving us spiritual life (See Ephesians 1:3-13).

What is the "straight" gate Jesus mentions? 

The word "straight" means narrow, confined or restrictive.

The idea of a straight gate is like a cattle chute where only one animal at a time can go through.

The straight gate teaches us that salvation is restricted to the individual level, one person at a time.

In other words, just because I may have been born into a Christian family does not automatically mean I am also a Christian.

I have to hear the gospel so that I can know my sin and see my need of a Savior.  Then I can call upon Jesus Christ to save me.   

This straight gate Jesus taught about is an invitaton for all people to repent and enter. 

God's provision of salvation is universal in scope, offered to all people who must as individuals, hear the gospel heed its message and trust Christ for salvation.

Turn away from the wide gate and broad way to seek God and live.

Proverbs 9:6  Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

This is the message of the straight gate. "Sinners, repent and turn from your wicked ways and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."

There is an invitation from God in Isaiah 55:1-3, for all people to leave their sinful ways, and cultural corruption and seek the LORD.

No one finds any lasting satisfaction in pursuing worldly pleasures. 

Consuming sinful things of this world are like drinking saltwater. It never quenches your thirst, and in fact it makes you thirstier and sick.

The gospel always includes God's invitation for sinners to repent and be saved.

Isaiah 55:1-2  Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2)  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

We do not always think about the gospel being found in the Old Testament but it is very prominent and easily seen if we look for it.

As far back as Genesis 3 the gospel of God and His provision of salvation is on display.

God sought Adam and Eve after they sinned. He killed an innocent animal, applied its blood and covered their sins.

Isaiah was very bold in proclaiming the gospel.

In this text the word "Ho" is a very emphatic call to humanity to stop what you are doing and listen to what God says.

All who are parched with thirst and craving cool, refreshing water are invited to come to God.

All who are hungry are invited to come and eat fresh bread at God's table.

All are invited to drink His pure, sweet wine.

Isaiah paints a picture of a lavish banquet hosted by God who invites all sinners to come and dine without cost.

God's offer of salvation is offered to all people in all places. Man's duty is to repent and turn to Christ with faith that He will save them.

God will save every single person who repents and believes.

This is the same gospel message throughout the Bible that God has for all generations of people. 

Isaiah 55:6-7  Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7) Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 

Isaiah urged people to respond when they hear the gospel.

Do not put it off acting after hearing the gospel and do not waste time. 

Simply respond by hearing and heeding the gospel message of repentance for sin and salvation by faith in Christ.

Seek Jehovah while He is near for there may come a day when He is not near to you and it will be too late to seek Him at that time. 

Isaiah describes repentance as turning away from our wicked ways and evil thoughts and turning to God with faith that He will save you.

How will God respond to us when we repent and trust Him? 

He will have mercy on the repentant sinner and He will forgive all our sins when we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The gospel includes God's promise of a new heart, a new spirit and a new life to live.

Ezekiel 18:27-28  Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. 28)  Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 

I have referred to Ezekiel's promise from God many times.

Sinners who repent and turn to God will find He will readily receive them.

Those who repent shall find the salvation God promises to all who believe the gospel.

He shall save his soul and he shall surely live and not die. 

Repentance for sin, faith in Jehovah and God's mighty regenerating work makes us fit for heaven.

Ezekiel 11:18-20  And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. 19)  And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: 20)  That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 

Verse eighteen shows repentance.

Verse nineteen shows the regenerating work of the Spirit of God when we believe the gospel.

There is new spiritual life from God. 

We are called out of darkness into His marvelous light (See 1 Peter 2:9).

God will give us a new heart that knows Him and longs for the things of God.

The repentant sinner who trusts Christ will be able to walk in the statutes of God and able to keep His ordinances.

Being born again means that we are put into the family of God as His people and He is our God!

Jesus is the door, that wonderful straight gate that leads to the way of salvation.

John 10:7-9  Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8)  All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9)  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 

The "straight gate" is exclusive to Jesus Christ Himself, for He said He is the door to heaven. 

Jesus said that He is the door twice in John's gospel to emphasize that no other person, no other "gods" or no religious system of man can offer salvation from God.

Salvation is of the LORD (See Jonah 2:9).

God initiated it, provided for it through the sacrifice of His only Son and proclaims it through the preaching of His Word.

All those who enter the door which is repentant faith in Christ, shall be saved. 

Psalm 116:13  I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

Psalm 116:17  I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

All who call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved

Jesus taught that no man comes to the Father except through repentant faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God (See John 14:6).

Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 

The "straight gate" is restrictive in that there is only one name given in this world that sinners can repent and call upon for salvation. 

It is the blessed name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is why each Christian must be willing to be a witness for Christ to share the gospel with lost people, because faith comes by hearing the Word of God (See Romans 10:17).

People believe in Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Islam, Confucianism or other man made religious systems, but they are powerless to save anyone.

There is only One, True God of heaven and earth, the God who revealed Himself in His Word, the Bible.

There is only one source of eternal, immutable, absolute truth and that is the inspired scriptures given by God.

There is only One Savior, Lord, King, Creator and Sustainer, and it is the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is the full expression of the Godhead. 

He is the King who will judge all nations by His righteous, holy standard at the "Day of the LORD" final judgment. 

He will judge and condemn all people who die in their sins but He will save any and all who repent and call upon Him for salvation.

The "straight gate" teaches that there is only one way of salvation from the One, True God of heaven. 

The message of the "straight gate" is to repent of your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and He will save you.

Bob