Sunday service, Dietmar Joosten, 5 Aug 2018
Matthew 7:13-14
13 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: note
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
What are you busy with? Are you a blessing to others or only care about those close to you? When last were you on your knees knocking at heaven’s gate, that you call to the Lord to answer your prayers. Remember when you were just saved, that there was nothing too difficult for you to do for the Lord. But today you can criticize and know better how things should be done.
Here in our text the Lord describes two ways, the narrow vs the broad way.
In Deut 30 we read of the way of life vs the way of death. And you have to make a choice.
The Lord says, enter through the narrow gate, which is Christ Himself. We can only be saved by Him and Him alone. That’s where obedience starts. The devil paints an impossible picture. Humanly it is impossible, but with God it is possible.
There is also the broad way, an easy way that comes naturally. You don’t even have to look for this way, you come upon it automatically. But there comes a time when you have to decide whether you will continue on this way or stop and turn around. It’s an easy way where you can lie, slander, hate, and talk in whatever way you want.
Remember where you come from. Remember when your heart was still on fire for the Lord, and you could not go to bed without making right if there was anything between you and the Lord.
But today are you able to listen to slander? That slander changes your heart towards others you respected before. When last have you shared God’s secrets with others?
To enter the narrow gate costs everything. It is a disciplined life. It’s hard, it’s difficult, you have to depend totally on the Lord. As Paul wrote in 2Cor 1:8-10, “we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raises the dead:
10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and do deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;”
Choir
Download
German translation
Download
French translation
Download