Why Few Find the Narrow Way

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David Riggs
08/16/04 - Knoxville TV

Introduction

1. Jesus shows that there is a way that leads to life and a way that leads to destruction.
  1. He shows that the way to destruction is broad, and many will go into destruction by it.
  2. He shows that there is a narrow way that leads to life, and few find it.
2. Actually, He gives two illustrations: a gate and a road.
  1. One gate and road is: narrow, difficult, is entered by few, and leads to life.
  2. The other gate and way is: wide, broad, is entered by many, and leads to destruction.
3. In this lesson we will concentrate on the expression, "and there are few who find it."
  1. Why do only a few find the narrow way?

BECAUSE THE WAY IS STRICT, RIGOROUS AND DIFFICULT.
1. The word "strait" as used in the KJV, is not the word "straight" which means without curves, crooks or bends.
  1. It is spelled "s-t-r-a-i-t", which means nearly the same as the word "narrow" (the second word used here) and means "being narrow, restricted, hemmed in, hard pressed." As Paul said, "I am in a strait betwixt the two..." Phil. 1:23
  2. The KJV and ASV uses the two words interchangeably. KJV says, "strait is the gate, and narrow is the way," whereas the ASV says, "narrow is the gate, and straitened the way."
    1. The NJKV says, "Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way."
2. Our Lord's use of words shows that the way to life is hard, rigorous and difficult.
  1. Many people do not enter the narrow way because of the difficulty involved.
    1. Being a Christian is the most challenging task ever laid upon anyone. It takes all that one has, and is, to be a faithful Christ.
    2. It takes one's whole being. Matt. 22:37
  2. Most people shun a difficult task.
    1. Moses (Ex. 4). First, he said the people will not believe or hear me. God worked two miracles and said, "If they will not harken to the first sign, they will believe when they see the second."
      1. Moses then made the excuse that he could not speak. Vs. 10 Notice God's answer. Vs. 11-12
    2. As we know, Moses accepted God's challenge and went on to be a great leader.
  3. There are many examples in the Scriptures of those who courageously accepted difficult challenges.
    1. Abraham left the Ur of Chaldees, not knowing where God was leading him for he looked for a city which has foundations. Heb. 11:8-10
    2. Noah was not one who shunned a difficult task. Heb. 11:7
    3. Rahab hid the Israelite spies from the King of Jericho because she had faith in the one true God. Joshua 2:11
  4. We need to determine that though living the Christian life may be often difficult, we will be up to the task. Luke 9:23
    1. Let us continually remind ourselves of the reward. Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17
Another reason many do not find the narrow way is BECAUSE OF PREJUDICE.
1. "Prejudice" is forming an opinion, or holding to something as true, without examining the facts.
  1. Isaiah the prophet condemned this frame of mind. Isa. 6:9-10
    1. This was quoted by Jesus and applied to the people of His time. Matt. 13:14-15
    2. They were blinded to the truth because of their preconceived ideas.
      1. They were looking for a Messiah who would sit upon the literal throne of David, destroy all their enemies, and restore the kingdom to its former power and glory.
      2. Jesus tried to teach them that the kingdom would be a spiritual one. Luke 17:20-21
      3. When Jesus did not fit into their preconceived ideas, and when He began to expose their wickedness, they hated him and set about to destroy Him.
2. Prejudice did not die with the scribes and Pharisees.
  1. Many today have their preconceived ideas of how the religion of Christ should be.
    1. For example, Jesus said, "Because strait..." (Matt. 7:14)
    2. However, many proclaim, "Broad is the way that leads to life, and many there be which go in thereat."
      1. "We are all going to the same place, but by different ways," they say.
      2. They say, "If your teaching (of the church of Christ) is right, look at how many you are saying are wrong."
      3. They have pre-conceived ideas that most all religious people will be saved, for they are good moral people.
  2. Let us put away prejudice and simply go to the Bible with open minds in order to learn what God wants of us. 2 Cor. 13:5; 2 Pet. 1:10
Many do not find the way that leads to life -- BECAUSE OF DECEPTION.
1. There are many false prophets in the world, disguised as preachers of the gospel. 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Pet. 2:1-2
  1. It is significant that Matt. 7:15-20 follows 7:13-14.
  2. Many well-known denominational preachers claim there are many ways to heaven.
    1. Billy Graham once said, "There are many right ways to heaven, but only one wrong way." Again, the opposite is true--there are many wrong ways, but only one right way.
2. No one will be excused because he has been deceived.
  1. The scriptures repeatedly warn against false teachers. Eph. 4:14; Col. 2:18
    1. We are to know them by their fruits--by what they teach and do.
  2. The Bereans showed the right way to determine if one is teaching truth. Acts 17:11
    1. John's exhortation -- 1 John 4:1
Another reason many do not find the narrow way is because they SUCCUMB TO PEER PRESSURE.
1. Many succumb to the pressures of family, friends, associates, religious leaders, etc.
  1. The parents of the man who was born blind failed to confess Jesus because they feared their religious leaders. John 9:18-22
    1. It was not because they did not know (they had the strong, open testimony of their own son), but because of the pressures of men they did not take advantage of an opportunity to confess our Lord.
  2. Many of the rulers believed on Jesus, but did not confess Him because they wanted the admiration of their fellow men. John 12:42-43
  3. For this same reason, many did not believe at all. John 5:44
2. For one to be of the narrow way, he cannot allow anyone to discourage, pressure, or in any way hinder him from finding and entering it.
  1. He cannot submit to wishes of anyone but God. Matt. 10:37; Luke 14:26
Another reason many do not find the narrow way is because we FAIL TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT IT.
1. Let us considers ourselves debtors as did Paul. Rom. 1:14-15
2. Let us be like the early Christians. Acts 8:4; 1 Thess. 1:8
  1. We need to proclaim the word at every opportunity we have.
    1. We should not consider it a hard task or heavy burden, but a joy and privilege.
  2. If more of us were diligent in proclaiming the word at every opportunity, more would find the narrow way.
    1. Let us, as servants of the Lord, go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in. Luke 14:23
    2. Lets us always be ready to give an answer to everyone. 1 Pet. 3:15
    3. Let us maintain the attitude of the prophet Isaiah. Isa. 6:8 and Paul. 1 Cor. 1:16
Many do not find the narrow way because they are PREOCCUPIED WITH WORLDLINESS OR MATERIALISM.
1. They are like the seed which fell among the thorns. Luke 8:14
2. Their problem is that they lack true interest in saving their own souls.
  1. They don't understand the value of the soul, not even of their own. Matt. 16:26
  2. They do not fear God. As Paul said -- Rom. 3:18.
    1. They think that God is so merciful that somehow they will get by and God will save them after all.
    2. They need to come to understand the true nature and character of God. Rom. 11:22
    3. God will render vengeance on all those who do not know Him and who do not do His will. 2 Thess. 1:6-9
3. For one to find the narrow way, he must come to have a genuine interest in saving his own soul and escaping the wrath of God.
  1. Any who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled. Matt. 5:6
    1. One must come to love the truth. 2 Thess. 2:10
    2. Those who truly want to do the will of God shall know the truth. John 7:17; 8:31-32

Conclusion

1. Why do only a few find the way that leads to life?
  1. Because the way is strict, rigorous and difficult.
  2. Because many are prejudiced--blinded to the truth.
  3. Because many have been deceived by false teachers.
  4. Because they succumb to the pressures of family, friends, or religious leaders.
  5. Because we, as Christians, fail to tell them about the narrow way.
  6. Because many are so preoccupied with the affairs of this life, they have no genuine interest in saving their own souls or escaping the wrath of God.
2. Remember, Jesus gave only two choices. There is no third alternative.
  1. You can travel the easy road where nearly everyone is traveling.
    1. It is unrestricted. There is room for every opinion, doctrine and practice.
    2. You can do whatever comes naturally--be a lover of self, enjoy the pleasures of sin.
    3. There is no need of learning of the true religion or practicing it.
    4. But rest assured and remember: this way leads to destruction, eternal damnation.
  2. Or, you can travel the other road where there are only a few.
    1. This way is strict and difficult--setting before us a great challenge.
    2. Its boundaries are ordained by divine revelation--the way of truth.
    3. It requires sacrifice, self-denial, and obedience.
    4. But rest assured, this way leads to eternal life.
      1. Jesus is encouraging us to travel it. "Enter by the..." Matt. 7:13
      2. May God help us to travel in the narrow way which leads to life.

How about you tonight? Do you seek the narrow way that leads to life? Jesus says in Luke 9:23-24, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it."Why not chose to save your life eternally and start following Jesus every day? See you next time on, "Speaking the Truth in Love".