Main Text: 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:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and
few there be that find it.” — Matthew 7:13–14
We are living in a generation that wants Christianity without commitment,
salvation without repentance, blessing without obedience, and heaven without
the cross.
Many people believe that because they attend church, have been baptized,
know the Bible, or call themselves Christians, they are automatically safe.
But Jesus gave us a serious warning:
Jesus did not say that every road leads to heaven. He did not say that the majority is always right. He said there are two gates, two ways, two destinations, and two groups of people.
The uploaded message emphasizes this uncomfortable truth: the narrow gate leads to life, while the broad way leads to destruction.
This is not a message intended to frighten people away from Christ. It is
a loving call to come genuinely to Christ before it is too late.
1. THERE ARE ONLY TWO WAYS
Jesus said:
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the
way, that leadeth to destruction.” — Matthew 7:13
And then: “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
leadeth unto life.” — Matthew 7:14
There is a broad way and there is a narrow way.
The broad way says:
“Do whatever you want.”
The narrow way says:
“Follow Jesus.”
The broad way says:
“Live for yourself.”
The narrow way says:
“Deny yourself and follow Christ.”
Jesus said:
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross daily, and follow me.” — Luke 9:23
The Christian life is not merely accepting information about Jesus. It is
surrendering our lives to Jesus.
2. THE NARROW GATE REQUIRES REPENTANCE
Luke records an equally serious statement from Jesus:
“Strive to enter in at the strait gate.” — Luke 13:24
The message explains that the word translated “strive” carries the
idea of earnest effort, struggle, and determination.
But we must understand this correctly.
We do not earn salvation by our works.
The Bible clearly teaches:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works.” — Ephesians 2:8–9
Salvation is God's gift through faith in Jesus Christ.
But genuine salvation produces a changed life.
Paul says:
“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, striving to enter the narrow gate does not mean working to
purchase salvation.
It means being willing to repent, surrender, obey, and follow Christ.
3. YOU CANNOT FOLLOW CHRIST AND LOVE YOUR OLD LIFE
Jesus said:- “No man can serve two masters.” — Matthew 6:24
One of the strongest points in this message is that the narrow way
requires us to lay down the things that compete with Christ—sin, pride,
self-righteousness, worldly approval, and an unchanged old life.
The question is not:
“Do I attend church?”
The question is:
“Who is ruling my life?”
Is Jesus Lord only on Sunday?
Or is Jesus Lord on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday?
Paul declared: - “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live;
yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” — Galatians 2:20
The narrow way means that Christ takes the throne.
4. THE BAGGAGE THAT PREVENTS US FROM ENTERING
Imagine a person trying to enter through a very narrow door while
carrying heavy luggage.
The luggage represents everything we refuse to surrender to God.
A. Self-righteousness
Some people trust their goodness.
They say:
“I am a good person.”
“I help people.”
“I attend church.”
“I give offerings.”
But salvation is not based on our moral achievements.
Isaiah says: - “All our righteousness are as filthy rags.” —
Isaiah 64:6
Paul says:- “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us.” — Titus 3:5
We must come to Christ not boasting about our goodness, but acknowledging
our need for a Savior.
B. Hidden Sin
The uploaded text strongly warns about secret sins that people refuse to
surrender.
A person may hide sin from the church.
He may hide it from his family.
He may even hide it from his Pastor.
But nothing is hidden from God.
Hebrews 4:13 says:- “Neither is there any creature that is not
manifest in his sight.”
And 1 John 1:9 gives us wonderful hope:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
God does not expose our sin to destroy us.
He calls us to repentance so that He can forgive, cleanse, restore,
and transform us.
5. DO NOT LIVE FOR THE APPLAUSE OF PEOPLE
Another form of baggage is the desire for human approval.
Jesus said:- “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of
God.” — John 12:43
Sometimes following Jesus means people will misunderstand you.
Sometimes you will have to say NO when everybody else says YES.
Sometimes you will have to stand alone.
But remember:
It is better to stand alone with Christ than to stand with the crowd
against Christ.
Paul asked:- “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to
please men?” — Galatians 1:10
The narrow road is not determined by popularity.
It is determined by truth.
6. DO NOT CONFUSE RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY WITH KNOWING JESUS
This is perhaps the most frightening warning in Matthew 7.
Jesus said:
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in
thy name?”
They continue:
“And in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many
wonderful works?”
But Jesus answers:- “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity.” — Matthew 7:22–23
Notice something very important:
They called Jesus “Lord.”
They had religious activity.
They claimed to have performed miracles.
They had a religious vocabulary.
But Jesus said:
“I never knew you.”
The issue was not merely what they did.
The issue was their relationship with Christ.
Christianity is not merely doing things for Jesus.
It is first about knowing Jesus.
Paul's greatest desire was:- “That I may know him, and the power of
his resurrection.” — Philippians 3:10
7. THE BROAD ROAD IS EASY BECAUSE IT REQUIRES NO SURRENDER
The broad road is attractive because it says:
“Follow your heart.”
“Do whatever feels right.”
“Everybody is doing it.”
“God understands.”
“You don't need to change.”
But Scripture warns:- “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof are the ways of death.” — Proverbs 14:12
The broad road is crowded.
But crowds do not determine truth.
Noah preached righteousness while the world continued in unbelief.
Jesus Himself was rejected by the majority.
The question is not:
“How many people are walking this road?”
The question is:
“Where does this road lead?”
8. THE NARROW WAY IS DIFFICULT—BUT IT LEADS TO LIFE
Jesus never promised that following Him would always be easy.
He said:- “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good
cheer; I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33
The narrow road involves obedience.
It involves forgiveness.
It involves holiness.
It involves resisting temptation.
It involves taking up the cross.
It involves denying self.
But look at the destination:
LIFE!
Jesus said:
“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly.” — John 10:10
The narrow way is not designed to destroy you.
It is designed to lead you to life.
The uploaded message beautifully presents this paradox: the narrow gate
demands surrender, but that surrender leads to genuine freedom and life in
Christ.
9. JESUS HIMSELF IS THE DOOR
Here is the greatest truth of the sermon.
The narrow gate is not merely a difficult religious system.
The gate is Jesus Christ.
Jesus said:
“I am the door: by me if any man enters in, he shall be saved.”— John 10:9
He also said:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me.” — John 14:6
There are not many saviors.
There is one Savior.
There are not many ways to the Father.
There is one way—Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12 declares: - “Neither is there salvation in any other.”
Therefore, the gospel invitation is not:
“Try harder.”
It is:
“Come to Jesus.”
Repent.
Believe.
Surrender.
Follow Him.
10. TODAY IS THE DAY TO ENTER
The most dangerous thing a person can do is hear the truth and postpone
responding to it.
The Bible says:- “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the
day of salvation.” — 2 Corinthians 6:2
Do not say:
“Tomorrow I will repent.”
“Later I will surrender.”
“When I become older, I will serve God.”
We are not promised tomorrow.
James says:- “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that
appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” — James 4:14
The invitation is open today.
CONCLUSION — WHICH ROAD ARE YOU ON?
Jesus placed two roads before us.
The broad road — easy, popular, comfortable, but
ending in destruction.
The narrow road — difficult, demanding surrender, but
ending in life.
So today I want to ask you some serious questions:
Are you truly following Jesus?
Have you genuinely repented of your sins?
Is Christ really Lord of your life?
Are you carrying hidden baggage that you refuse to surrender?
Are you living for the applause of people or the approval of God?
Do you know about Jesus—or do you truly know Jesus?
The final question is not:
“How much ministry did I perform?”
It is:
“Do I belong to Christ?”
Jesus said:
“I never knew you.”
May none of us hear those words.
Instead, may we belong completely to Jesus Christ.
The door is open.
The invitation has been given.
The way has been revealed.
Jesus is calling you.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest.” — Matthew 11:28
Do not choose the road because it is crowded.
Choose the road because Jesus is on it.
Do not choose the road because it is easy.
Choose the road because it leads to life.
Do not merely admire Jesus from a distance.
Enter through the Door.
Follow the Shepherd.
Take up your cross.
Walk the narrow way.
And one day, by the grace of God, we will enter into eternal life with
Christ.
FINAL APPEAL
Today, Jesus is asking:
“Will you enter through the narrow gate?”
Leave behind your sin.
Leave behind self-righteousness.
Leave behind the desire for worldly approval.
Leave behind religious hypocrisy.
Leave behind the old life.
And come to Jesus Christ.
He is the Door.
He is the Way.
He is the Truth.
He is the Life.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come before You in the name of Jesus Christ. I acknowledge that I
cannot save myself through my goodness or religious works. I need Your grace
and forgiveness.
Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to You. Forgive my sins, cleanse my
heart, and remove everything that prevents me from following You completely.
Help me to deny myself, take up my cross, and walk faithfully on the
narrow road.
Do not allow me to be deceived by religious activity without a genuine
relationship with You.
Let Christ be the Lord of my life.
Give me grace to walk in holiness, obedience, faith, and truth until the
day I see You face to face.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
