WHY FEW ENTER THE NARROW WAY.

Mt. 7:13-27; 22:14.

INTRO:

1. Man has only two roads to choose from, one is narrow and the other is broad.

2. One leads tolife--the other to destruction.

3. One will be difficult--the other easy.

4. Jesus made a startling statement concerning the narrow way, when He said, "few there be that find it."

5. This suggests that it must be sought after dilligently. Mt. 7:7,8; 5:13.

6. There will be many that will not find and enter into the narrow way, and this for many and varied reasons.

I. NOT BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ENTER, HAVING BEEN PREDESTINED TO DESTRUCTION RATHER THAN LIFE.

A. Such doctrine would make God responsible for those that did not find and enter it.

1. But God wills that none should perish. 2 Pet. 3:9.

2. Why would God exhort us to enter if it was impossible?

B. The gospel is the power of God to save. Rom. 1:16.

1. If this be true, why preach the gospel to those unable to accept and obey it? Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15,16.

C. Whosoever will may enter the narrow way. Mt. 11:28-30; Rev. 22:17.

II. NOT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT KNOW.

A. Why say enter and make it so that a man could not know how to enter?

1. Such would be a reflection on the mercy and goodness of God.

2. All can come. Eph. 5:17; Jno. 7:17; Isa. 35:8; Jno. 8:32.

B. There is not one thing that directs man into the narrow way, that man cannot understand if he tries.

III. SOME MAY NOT ENTER BECAUSE WE HAVE FAILED TO TELL THEM ABOUT THE NARROW WAY.

A. We are to preach the word. 2 Tim. 4:1,2; Mk. 16:15,16.

1. We must plant and cultivate, God will give the increase.

B. We are to be to the world what Ezekiel was to Israel, a watchman. Ezk. 3:16-21.

C. We are debtors. Rom. 1:14.

D. Let it never be said, "You never mentioned Him to me." Acts 8:4.

IV. SOME WILL NOT ENTER BECAUSE OF PREJUDICE.

A. Prejudice is an opinion formed, usually unfavorable, before a thorough examination of the facts is made.

B. Som examples of prejudice.

1. If it was good enough for my parents it is good enough for me. Mt. 10:34-39.

a. Remember the old song: "Give me that old time religion, it is good enough for me. It was good enough for mother and father and it is good enough for me."

2. One church is as good as another. Mt. 16:18; Acts 20:28.

3. We are all going to the same place, only by different ways. Jno. 14:6.

4. You people think you are the only ones that are going to heaven or going to be saved. Mt. 7:21-23.

5. That is just your interpretation. 2 Pet. 1:19-21.

V. SOME WILL NOT ENTER BECAUSE THEY ARE FOLLOWING THEIR PREACHER WITHOUT INVESTIGATION OF WHAT HE TEACHES.

A. Many preachers preach error. Such preachers as: The Pope of Rome, Mohammed, Joseph Smith, Charles Taze Russell, Ellen G. White, Billy Graham, Jim Jones, etc. 2 Pet. 2:1-3.

B. We are to go to the law and to the testimony. Isa. 8:20.

1. The Bereans were commended for doing so. Acts 17:11.

C. We are to study for ourselves. 2 Tim. 2:15.

D. If the blind lead the blind both shall fall into the ditch or pit. Mt. 15:14.

VI. SOME TRY TO ENTER WITH THE WORLD UPON THEIR BACKS.

A. They want to walk the narrow way, they say, but they do not want to give up the things of the world.

1. Such as: dancing, drinking, gambling, cursing, immodest dress, mixed bathing, lying. etc.

B. The gate is too narrow to enter in with this type of load.

1. Such a load must be left outside.

2. It is said that when the Bible talks about a camel going through the eye of a needle, Mt. 19:23,24, it has reference to camels with large loads having to kneel down and their goods unloaded before they could enter certain gates of certain cities.

C. We must deny ourselves. Lk. 9:23; 16:13.

D. Except you repent, leave your sins, turn your back upon them, you will perish. Lk. 13:3.

E. True discipleship will be distinguished in that day by:

1. The decision of their choice.

2. The carefulness of their judgment.

3. The consistency of their lives. Yes:

a. The NARROW GATE calls for "caution".

b. The STRAIT WAY calls for 'courage and discipline."

F. The Lord contrasts the two courses of discipleship and worldliness in four particulars:

1. The contrast of: Ways, Entrances, Travellers, Ends.

a. The WAYS are Broad and Narrow.. Strait and Wide.

b. TRAVELLERS are Many and Few.

c. ENDS are Death and Life.

G. The scriptures tell us much about that which is false, that we may always be on guard against it. There are:

1. False gods.

2. False doctrines.

3. False ways.

4. False hopes. 5.

False teachers.

H. Mr. Spurgeon says, "Mere talent ought not to attract us. Carrion, well dressed and served on Palissy ware is still unfit for men. As we would not be fascinated by the azure hues of a serpent, so neither should we be thrown off our guard by the talents of an unsound theologian."

I. We are to seek the good, the real, the durable.

1. There is a true God.

2. There is a true doctrine.

3. There are true and blessed hopes and promises.

4. There are true teachers, the chief of which is Jesus Christ.

5. There are true Christians and true characters

J. All of these can be tested by the "fruit test"

1. Obedience to God is the sum of religion.

2. Obedience to God is faith in action.

3. Obedience to God is the test of true love.

VII. SOME WILL NOT ENTER THE NARROW WAY BECAUSE THEY FOLLOW THE MAJORITY OF BIG CROWDS.

A. They are seeking the most popular route. Exo. 23:1-3.

B. The majority are travelling the broad way.

C. This has been true down through the years.

1. Noah.

2. Lot.

3. Joshua and Caleb.

4. Few followed Jesus for His teaching, only for His bread.

VIII. SOME WILL NOT ENTER THE NARROW WAY BECAUSE OF PROCRASTINATION.

A. Meant to enter, but wait for a more opportune time. Acts 24:24,25.

B. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

1. "The saddest note of word or pen, are these words; 'It might have been.'"

C. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.

1. Some keep saying: "I'm gonna, I'm a gonna" until they can only say: "I'm a goner".

CONCLUSION.

1. Jesus is the way, open to all men alike.

2. All must do the same things to enter the way.

3. What hinders you from entering the narrow way today?

4. Have you entered the way but have fallen by the wayside? If so, why not return today?

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