The Narrow Way
A Sermon on Matthew 7:13-14
Scripture
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: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be …
Sermon Description
“Why are Christians so narrowminded?” This is a frequent charge against Christians, but according to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, the great danger is actually when Christians in the church become broadminded. In order to curry favor with “the man of learning,” the church is cutting and trimming the gospel message. Instead Christians must embrace the narrow way, and preach the whole truth of the gospel with holy boldness. In this sermon on Matthew 7:13–14 titled “The Narrow Way,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones examines the words of Jesus Christ who taught much on the soul during His years of ministry on the earth. Dr. Lloyd-Jones gives several examples of Jesus’s life and teaching where He focused on the human response to His message. The message of Jesus Christ is intimately narrow, and intensely personal so that every individual must face it alone. The narrowness of the gospel is seen most clearly in the saving work of Jesus Christ, because there is no other way of salvation. Jesus lived His whole life on earth by the narrow way, eventually leading to His death on the cross. But the narrow way ultimately leads to eternal life as seen in the risen Lord, Jesus Christ. The wide way, however, leads to destruction.
Sermon Breakdown
- The charge of narrowness is frequently brought against Christians and Christianity. Many Christians are afraid of this charge and try to avoid it.
- However, Jesus himself chose the term "the narrow way" to describe the Christian life. We should not be ashamed of it.
- The narrow way refers to confining our considerations to one subject: man's relationship to God. The Bible focuses on this one theme.
- Jesus himself focused on this one theme in his preaching and ministry. He used illustrations from nature and life to teach about man's relationship to God.
- The narrow way also refers to the intensely personal nature of faith. It is about individual souls and their standing before God.
- The narrow way demands a particular way of living, both in what we avoid and what we do. It dictates how we live ethically.
- The narrow way is also seen in the fact that salvation is only through one person: Jesus Christ and his death on the cross.
- Jesus' own life illustrates the narrow way. From his birth to his death and resurrection, he endured increasing "narrowing" and confinement. But it led to life.
- The broad way, in contrast, leads to destruction. Though it seems easy and popular, it destroys the best qualities in human nature.
- The narrow way, though hard at first, leads to abundant life in Christ. It restores the image of God in us and brings eternal blessings.
- We must choose which way we are on. We are invited to enter the narrow way through faith in Christ.
Itinerant Preaching
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.