Staying of the Titanic

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February 23, 2003 - Matthew 7:13-14

Open It

  1. Why are most people apt to believe in heaven but quick to dismiss the reality of hell?
  2. If you were setting the standards for who gets into heaven, what requirements would you establish?
  3. What do you think heaven will be like?

Explore It

  1. What command did Jesus give his followers in this passage? (7:13)
  2. What exactly are we called to enter? Why? (7:13)
  3. How did Jesus describe the gate to the kingdom of God? Why? (7:13)
  4. In what way did Jesus describe the gate that leads to destruction? (7:13)
  5. What was said about the road that leads to destruction? (7:13)
  6. How many people are said to travel the path to destruction? (7:13)
  7. What kind of gate leads to life? (7:14)
  8. The small gate is attached to what kind of road? (7:14)
  9. Where does the narrow road lead? (7:14)
  10. How many people find, and follow the narrow road? Why? (7:14)

Get It

  1. What is encouraging about Christ's words?
  2. What broad roads did you travel before you met Christ?
  3. How did you find Christ?
  4. What was your entry through the narrow gate like?
  5. What wide gates and broad roads are some of the people you know following?
  6. How should we fit or not fit into the world?
  7. How might you respond to the charge that Christians are narrow-minded and arrogant?
  8. In what sense is it narrow-minded to believe in Christ?
  9. Why do many people prefer the broad way that leads to destruction?
  10. Why is it difficult to stay on the narrow road?

Apply It

  1. What can you do this week to point someone toward the small gate?
  2. How can you show God your appreciation for his mercy and grace in leading you to the path of eternal life?
  3. What action can you take this week to help you stay on the narrow path?

NOTES

Matthew Henrys Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible

Christ came to teach us, not only what we are to know and believe, but what we are to do; not only toward God, but toward people; not only toward those of our party and persuasion, but toward people in general, all with whom we have to do. We must do that to our neighbor which we ourselves acknowledge to be fit and reasonable. We must, in our dealings with people, suppose ourselves in the same case and circumstances with those we have to do with, and act accordingly.

There are but two ways right and wrong, good and evil; the way to heaven and the way to hell; in the one or other of these ways all are walking: there is no middle place hereafter, no middle way now.

All persons are saints or sinners, godly or ungodly. See concerning the way of sin and sinners, that the gate is wide, and stands open. You may go in at this gate with all your lusts about you; it gives no check to appetites or passions. It is a broad way; there are many paths in it; there is choice of sinful ways. There is a large company in this way. But what profit is there in being willing to go to hell with others, because they will not go to heaven with us?

The way to eternal life is narrow. We are not in heaven as soon as we are got through the strait gate. Self must be denied, the body kept under, and corruptions disciplined. Daily temptations must be resisted; duties must be done. We must watch in all things, and walk with care and go through much tribulation. And yet this way should invite us all; it leads to life: to present comfort in the favor of God, which is the life of the soul; to eternal bliss, the hope of which at the end of our way, should make all the difficulties of the road easy to us.

This plain declaration of Christ has been disregarded by many who have taken pains to explain it away; but in all ages the real disciple of Christ has been looked on as a singular, unfashionable character; and all that have sided with the greater number in the broad way have gone on in the road to destruction. If we would serve God, we must be firm in our religion.

Can we often hear of the strait gate and the narrow way, and how few there are that find it, without being in pain for ourselves, or considering whether we are entered on the narrow way, and what progress we are making in it?

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