September 14, 2008  •  Pastor Randy Smith  •  Third Annual Beach Baptisms

Back in the early eighties my cousin, only 14 at the time, purchased his first boat. Personally, I was near the tail end of my high school years. Together we were ambitious fishermen who grew tired of reeling up flounders in the back bays. We wanted the exciting stuff. We wanted the shark and the tuna and the marlin. So with a few pounds of frozen mackerel and our rods equipped with 100-pound test line, we boarded his new boat (which was an old boat), passed through Townsend’s Inlet in South Jersey and had a course set for buoy 2FB–roughly 20 miles off-shore.

We were successful getting out, unsuccessful with the fish, and highly unsuccessful getting back. You see, at that distance the shore disappears. And in a day and age prior to affordable GPS devices, the only navigational aid to return to port was a good old-fashioned compass. And though the compass was accurate, the two guys navigating the boat were both inexperienced and careless.

Fortunately the first land we saw was New Jersey and not North Africa! Unfortunately, nothing appeared familiar as we approached the shore. As we entered the first inlet we saw, a local fisherman informed us that we were in Cape May, approximately twenty miles off our intended target! And what a blessing it was that we hit the most southernmost point of the state or we’d still be doing circles in the Delaware Bay trying to figure out how to get home!

It is amazing how just a few degrees off course on the compass and we can be so far from our intended destination. Possibly most frightening is the fact that we had a wonderful time our whole way home, totally unaware of our error and unfavorable fate until it was too late.

It is dangerous to make these mistakes when our physical safety is at stake. It is even more dangerous to make these mistakes when our spiritual safety is in jeopardy. But this is exactly what millions of people do. They set a course for life, travel down a bad path chosen by the majority totally oblivious to the dangers, and then, when arriving at their destination, realize they made a terrible miscalculation. In the boat we were able to correct our mistake. Via the inland waterways we were able to reach safety. Yet spiritually speaking, arrival at the wrong destination is eternity at the wrong destination!

This morning as we prepare for our five baptisms, I would like to look at what God’s Word says on this very important issue. In our passage we will examine two gates, two paths, two destinations, and two crowds. There are no exceptions. Every human being has entered one of these gates and is heading down one of these paths and is approaching one of these destinations.

1. TWO GATES

Let’s begin with the two gates.

From a spiritual perspective, we have many choices before us. We are created with the capacity and desire for worship. We all worship, the only question is who or what will we worship. For example, some have chosen to worship Buddha or trees or money or even themselves. In today’s world, these and countless others are viable options for worship. These gods all stand at their respective entrance and plead with us to enter their gate. They cry for our affections and our loyalty. In turn they promise us joy and contentment.

Yet according to the teaching of Jesus, what appears to be a multitude of gates is in reality only one gate. In verse 13 He calls it the “wide” gate. It is not many openings. Rather, it is one large opening that can accommodate many. The heathen pagan living a life of debauchery has entered this gate just as much as the devote moralist that is entrenched in a false religion.

The wide gate is marked with neon lights. It is attractive to feelings and carnal desires. It is welcoming to all who reject an absolute truth and adopt a man-centered religion. It preaches tolerance and permissiveness. It is easy. It appears to have few rules and few restrictions and few regrets.

Possibly the most alluring characteristic of the wide gate is found at the end of verse 13 where Jesus said, “And there are many who enter through it.” So most reason with themselves as they enter this gate, “How can I be wrong if so many people have also chosen to enter through this gate? College professors, successful businessmen, attractive models–surely this must be the way I should go as well!”

In opposition to the wide gate, Jesus said in verse 13 to “enter through the narrow gate.” Commentators have compared this gate to a turn style. As a matter of fact, the verb “enter” is in the imperative mood. Jesus commands us to enter through the narrow gate!

Obviously it is the best gate. Unfortunately, it is a gate that most individuals reject. Look at verse 14, “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Why is that? I believe the primary reason is because the gate is restrictive. We do not like restrictions. We want to make our own choices!

C.S. Lewis described the time in his teen years when he began to “broaden his horizons.” He said, “I was soon altering ‘I believe’ to ‘one does feel.’ And oh, the relief of it!… From the tyrannous noon of revelation I passed into the cool evening twilight of Higher Thought, where there was nothing to be obeyed, and nothing to be believed except what was either comforting or exciting” (Surprised by Joy, p. 63).

Floaters guided by feelings and popular opinion never make it through the narrow gate. Maybe that is why Jesus said in the parallel verse in Luke, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Lk. 13:24). Strive, agonizomai, where we derive the English word, “agonize.” If we learned anything from the Sermon on the Mount, it is that it is not easy to be citizen of Christ’s Kingdom. It is a radical call to submit to Jesus Christ!

The narrow gate has clear boundaries established. It is coming to God on His terms and not our own. As Jesus will later tell His disciples it is denying yourself, taking up your cross and following Him (Mt. 16:24-25). Basically, to enter this gate we must exchange all that we are for all that He is. Few are willing to make that transaction. They prefer the gate that says self-righteousness and self-esteem. They want nothing to do with a gate that has the name Jesus Christ plastered over the top and a name they must carry with them throughout the duration of the journey.

Yet the Scripture cannot be clearer, the narrow gate is Jesus Christ: John 10:9, “[Jesus said,] “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’”

2. TWO PATHS

So from two gates, we move to two paths. After entering one of these gates, we begin our journey down the respective path following the particular gate.

According to verse 13, the broad gate leads to a “broad” path. There is plenty of room on this path. There is enough room to carry all kinds of travelers along with their personal baggage. The drunkard can bring his bottle, the gossiper her lies, the moralist his righteousness, the religious her traditions, the idolater his idols, and the materialist her possessions. It is a busy thoroughfare. It is southbound on the Jersey Turnpike heading out of New York City at 5:30. It is filled with all kinds of people, many of whom even refer to themselves as Christians! The way seems unobstructed and natural and right. After all, they again reason with themselves, “How can I be wrong when so many people are on this path as well? Would a loving God really send this many people to hell?”

The public considers the narrow path the one occupied by those fanatical “Jesus Freaks.” They observe their apparent lack of fun. They observe their apparent intolerance. They observe their persecution. They observe their path relatively deserted and wonder why anyone would make such a foolish decision.

And sometimes we on the narrow path look around and sometimes we are tempted to wonder these same things ourselves. Then we come to our senses and are reminded that Jesus and His followers were also a despised minority. And that Jesus said few would be those who choose to follow Him. And Jesus promised that following Him would result in persecution from the world. And that the Word of God is true and repentance and holiness have never been fashionable. And we remember our experience on that broad path and find nothing glamorous about that journey. And in all this we find solace.

As John Stott remarked, “[So we look at the] multitudes on the broad road laughing and carefree with apparently no thought for the dreadful end to which they are heading, while on the narrow road there is just a ‘happy’ band of pilgrims,’ hand in hand, backs turned upon sin and faces set towards the Celestial City, ‘singing songs of expectations, marching to the promised land’” (John Stott, Sermon on the Mount, p. 195).

3. TWO DESTINATIONS

The two gates lead to two paths which lead to two destinations.

Look at verse 14, “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” The word “life” is synonymous with fellowship with God. As the Scriptures say, we can be alive and dead while we live (Lk. 15:24; 1 Tim. 5:6; Rev. 3:1). Without Christ we are dead in our sins (Eph. 2:1). Without Christ we have not yet even begun to experience abundant life (Jn. 10:10). We know nothing about sins forgiven and guilt removed. We know nothing about satisfaction and peace and direction and purpose and joy.

Sure, the people drifting along the broad path appear to be happy. But after closer examination, we soon come to realize the sadness and despair and hopelessness and confusion and regret and misdirection they are experiencing.

All people have eternal souls. All people will live forever. The only question is the blessedness of life we will enjoy now and into eternity. So the issue is not about the quantity of life but rather the quality of life that we are to pursue.

And those in Christ on the narrow path enjoy a level of life that others do not experience. As the songwriter penned:

And then those in Christ on the narrow path enjoy an ever better life when they are ushered into heaven immediately upon their death.

Yet this wonderful destination is the one that is rejected by most. Verse 13, “For the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction.” Like the calm waters that precede Niagara Falls, little does the broad pathway serve as an indication of what is to come. These people have bought the lies and the false promises. They have rejected divine revelation from the living God. Unexpectedly their life is cut short and their fate is sealed. Call it destruction. Call it hell. Call it eternity apart from God. And no one spoke of this dreadful place more than Jesus (Mt. 3:12; 5:22, 29; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33)

4. TWO CROWDS

Our last point, two crowds.

In Alice in Wonderland, when Alice comes to a junction in the road that leads in different directions, she asks the Cheshire Cat, “Cheshire-Cat...would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to go to,” said the Cat. “I don’t much care where,” replied Alice. “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.”

Where do you want to go? Before we enter the gate we must determine our destination. According to Jesus there is only one gate that leads to one path that leads to life and few choose to enter it. And according to Jesus there is only one gate that leads to one path that leads to destruction and many choose to enter it. As J.C. Ryle once remarked, “Surely it is better to enter into life eternal with a few, than to go to destruction with a great company” (Commentary<, Matthew 7).

Millions are deceived! Many who attend church are deceived! Let’s remember, Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, people already professing Christ (Mt. 5:1)! Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Matthew 7:22-23, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” Remember beloved, the pathway to destruction is not marked “hell”–it is marked “heaven.” The pathway to destruction is a pathway of deception! Will we follow our feelings or will we follow truth? Will we follow the world or will we follow the Word?

There are only two gates and two paths and two destination and two crowds. The teaching of Jesus Christ is clear. Which journey are you presently on? Are you heading for the wrong destination? If so I beg you to get off your present path and enter through the narrow gate of Jesus Christ. Jesus sets a choice before you. Believe on His work on the cross to remove your sins and begin to live a life that is pleasing in His sight.

For Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (Jn. 10:27-28).

As we consider the beach and the vast ocean that is behind us, many if not all of our minds recall good times. Yet for some unfortunate few in our community, they recall only tragedy and death. People have died along these very beaches, and I would venture to say that most drownings along the Shore have resulted from rip currents.

The Star-Ledger, dated July 13, 2008, reported, “Two men died, one is missing and a surfer said he’s lucky to be alive, after all four were caught in powerful swells [rip currents] this weekend caused by a distant tropical storm [Bertha].”

Manasquan beach manager Walter Wall said… “Most people don’t have a clue about the water.” Chris Brewster, the president of the United States Lifesaving Association, said... “A rip current can be deadly for a swimmer… Rip current speeds are typically 1 to 2 feet per second, but speeds as high as 8 feet per second have been measured. That’s faster than an Olympic swimmer can sprint. A rip current is like a treadmill moving away from shore. It’s hard to spot and it’s hard to know you are in one except when you are trying to swim back to shore and you realize you are not making any progress.”

The broad path is like a rip current–hard to spot and hard to know you are on it. But when you come to your senses and resist the pull toward destruction, you realize something is wrong. Only then can you be saved.

Lifeguards will say people do not need to die in a rip current. There is a way out. Likewise, you do not need to continue on the path of spiritual self-destruction. Jesus who is the way has provided the way!