The Broad Way and the Narrow Way
Text: Matthew
Introduction: this portion on the sermon on the mount concentrates on man at the crossroads. There are two possibilities which we have to choose. Most of the time this passage is not preached in it's context. Though an application can be made in reference to salvation, it is not the primary application of it.
I. We all have a choice and the choice here is either a broad choice or a narrow choice.
Note: Every decision represents a choice for the narrow way or the broad way
A. Every person must choose the broad way or the narrow way
B. Every family must choose the broad way or the narrow way
C. Every church must choose the broad way or the narrow way
D. Every denomination or fellowship must choose the broad way or the narrow way
1. Crossroads confront everyone and every entity from time to time
2. Crossroads are much deeper than any single issue.
3. Crossroads involve many choices made long before the crossroad manifests itself.
E. Every church will come to a crossroads and must choose the broad way or the narrow way
1. In missions
2. In soul winning
3. In which translation to use
4. In ecclesiastical separation
5. In worship and praise (so called)
6. In convictions and standards
F. There are two gates that we each must choose
1. You will enter the narrow way by choice and focus only
2. You fall into the broad way which allows plenty of space for diversity
G. Two crowds are involved.
1. The broad way with many leads to destruction - simply to understand
2. The narrow way with few lead to life - equally easy to understand
II. What Determines your way is the choice you make
Note: You don't start out to choose the broad way but each choice takes you off course a little further. The natural man has a tendency to head towards the broad way. There are groups and churches that once knew life but now are dead. They were destroyed. They did not die choosing the NARROW WAY!
A. It is not the size of the crowd that gives us the way we should choose
B. It is not the PAST or choices in the past but rather the NARROW choices you are making NOW
C. It is not others that determine our way - it is the BOOK
D. It is not the culture that determines our way
Conclusion:
Discipleship is a command to be obeyed. The broad way is a place of apparent freedom but eventually it will serve to bind the believer. The narrow way seems confined but the freedom that Christ offers is true liberty and only found in the narrow way.