A young man and his wife had just sent grandfather home late Christmas Eve, when the young man heard a traffic emergency reported on the news.  A reckless driver was going south on the northbound highway.  He called is grandfathers’ cell phone to warn him of the danger:

“Grandfather, be careful!  I just heard on the news that someone is going the wrong way on the highway!”

Grandfather replied, “Oh grandson, I’m scared to death!  It’s not just one car going the wrong way, but ALL OF THEM!”

I want to die peacefully, in my sleep, like my grandfather, not screaming hysterically like the passengers in his car.

Have you ever ‘stepped back’ and looked at your life, asking yourself: am I going the right direction?  Or am I on a course of self-destruction?

Please turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew 7:13-23.

In our passage today, Jesus is coming close to finishing up his Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus has been speaking about living in the Kingdom.  He has been telling his disciples (and us) what our hearts and lives should look like if we are living Kingdom-centered lives.

The question surely arose in the minds of the disciples (and it arises in our minds as well):

How can we be really sure we are going the right direction in life?  How can we be sure we are going the Kingdom way?

In Matthew 7:13-23, we see that there are three things that we need to do to make sure we are living the Kingdom Way.

The first thing we need to do is:

Walk the narrow way.

Jesus says in verses 13-14:  “Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

These two verses clearly lay out an important truth: There are only two ways to go in life.  There is the gate and road that leads to destruction, and there is the gate and road that leads to life.

Jesus here commands us to take the narrow gate and narrow road – the Kingdom way; so what are the narrow gate and narrow road like?

Jesus uses two different Greek words that are translated into English as “narrow.”  The first word (enter through the narrow gate) refers to a small space through which a large group would not be able to pass.  The second word (narrow is the road that leads to life) carries with it the idea of hardship, like oppression or persecution.

There is a story about a pirate who had a wooden leg, a hook on one arm, and a patch over one eye.  Someone asked him how these things happened.  He said that a whale bit off his leg… crocodile had chewed off his hand… and a bird dropping hit him in the eye.
The other guy replied that he understood about the wooden leg, having had his original bitten off by a whale… and the hook was there to replace the hand the crocodile had chewed off; that made sense… But a patch over the eye just because of a bird dropping?

The pirate said… “Aye...when the bird dropping hit me in the eye, that was me first day with the hook.”

Yep, Pirates are non-conformists, and they do sometimes deal with a bit of adversity, but Jesus is here talking about going the lonely road and dealing with hardship because of a commitment to the glory of God, not because of a career choice.

We know two things, then, about the way that leads to life.

First, the gate to life is narrow in a sense that not many people find it.  Second, the road to life is difficult; it is wrought with hardship.

The gate to destruction is wide:  the wide gate is more inviting and spacious; it has plenty of room for the crowds and their baggage.  The gate to destruction is the one through which most people enter.  Jesus is quite clear.  So the key application question, then, is this: are you committed to walking through the narrow gate?  Have you decided that life is all about pleasing Jesus and not other please people?  Are you okay with the idea that you are just not going to be going along with the crowd in this world?

A Christian is not going to fit in with this world.  Why not?  A follower of Christ has different values.  One who follows Jesus is not going to have the same passions that this world has.  The Kingdom road that leads to life is narrow – not many people are choosing it!

And consider the second word that is translated as ‘narrow’ in verse 14:

Jesus is teaching us that the Kingdom way is also a way of difficulties.  It is a way of persecution and oppression.  It is a way of hardship.  The Kingdom way is not an easy way.  It is the way of LIFE, yes, but it is not always comfortable.  So the key application question is this: have you decided that comfort is not your top priority in life?  Do you recognize that following Jesus is not easy… and have you given your life to him anyway?  Have you decided to follow Jesus no matter what kind of difficulties it might bring you in this life? 

Consider a few other verses which confirm this truth:

In Acts 14:21, Luke writes:  “They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples.  Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,  strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.  ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”

Did you hear it?  He writes that they encouraged the followers of Jesus to remain true to the faith, and they did this saying, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”

Consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:10-12:  “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Jesus is quite clear, isn’t he?  The road to life is not trouble-free!

For the Christian, hardship and trouble is not the goal; no, the roads are not an end in themselves.  One road leads to life, and one road leads to destruction.  The road to life is full of trouble, but that is also the only road to life.

There are only two roads.  Only two ways. 

Following Jesus and living the kingdom way leads to life.

Not following Jesus leads to destruction.

Eternal life or eternal destruction.

Either you are following Jesus and living the Kingdom Way, or you are not.

Eternal life is real, and hell is real.  Which road are you on?

So in a nutshell – be prepared to ditch the crowds and have trouble in this life…. If you want to be going the right way. 

Walk the narrow way.

And as we move on in our passage, we’ll see that the next thing that we need to do to make sure we are really going the kingdom way is this:

Avoid the lies

Jesus says in verses 15-20:  “Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them.  Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

“Watch out!” Jesus says.

What are to watch out for?  False prophets.

Who are these false prophets?  And what is their message?

Apparently these false prophets look good on the outside (they come in sheep’s clothing), but their hearts are bent on destruction; Jesus calls them ferocious wolves!

I hear that years ago, Bradley, the Automotive Division of Thor Corporation, sold a fiberglass body that fit perfectly onto a VW bug chassis. The body was very modern in style and design, giving the impression it was an expensive sports car. On the outside it looked expensive, showy and modern, but on the inside it was – well, still just a VW bug.

Looks can be deceiving!

False prophets are those who confess to be Christians but who lead us astray from going the Kingdom way.

What is the common message of false prophets in scripture?

“Peace and safety,” they say.  “You don’t need to go through any hardship as a Christian, they say.”  “The road to life is not narrow” they say … “follow the crowd!”

Jesus says in John 18:36:  “My Kingdom is not of this world.”

The message of false prophets ultimately boils down to this: live for the pleasures of this world, not for the Kingdom of God.

Watch out!  Jesus says.  You can’t love both this world and the Kingdom of God!

Notice, as well, that it is not too difficult to tell who are the false prophets… if you can be patient!  People are like trees, Jesus says.  A good tree will produce good fruit; a bad tree produces bad fruit.  We might immediately think of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23:  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

And then in verse 24, Paul writes:  “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.”

A good tree is going to bear fruit.  One who belongs to Jesus Christ is one who has crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  One who belongs to Christ is one who has the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

Jesus no doubt was aware that there would be plenty of people in the church, claiming to be devoted followers, who are really only concerned about enjoying the pleasures of this world.  Don’t listen to them!  And don’t be one of them!

Avoid the lies.

And lastly, as we continue through this passage, we’ll see that if we want to go the Kingdom way, we need to:

Yearn for the relationship

Listen to what Jesus says in verses 21-23:  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

Jesus has taught us to walk the narrow road… the road of hardship and the road that the world around us is not taking….

And Jesus has taught us to avoid the lies that we can have pleasures of this world and still go the Kingdom way…

And now, Jesus is telling us what the Kingdom way is all about, and what it is not about.

He tells us that just because we call him “Lord” doesn’t mean we are Kingdom people.

Who are kingdom people?  What is the Kingdom way?  Jesus says that only those will enter the kingdom of heaven who do the will of his Father in heaven.

We likely will ask, “Well, what is His will?”

Jesus continues in verse 22, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’”

Can you imagine standing before God… the maker of heaven and earth – the majestic, glorious God! – and say, “Look at all I did!  Aren’t I special!  Let me in!”

Does God want us to be people who do good deeds? Yes.

Is that going to get you into the Kingdom of God?  No!

Those who are in the Kingdom of God live out these good deeds, but the good deeds are not Kingdom life in themselves.

Listen to what Jesus says:  “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

I find it particularly interesting that these people have just finished announcing their good deeds, and Jesus calls them evildoers!

We might remember that it says in Isaiah 64:6: “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.”

So what in the world is God’s will?

The answer is found in Jesus’ words: “I never knew you!”

“I never knew you.”

Do you see it?  Do you see what God requires of us?  Do you see what his will is?

Jesus wants us to know Him.

The Kingdom way is to know Jesus.

There was a young ambitious man talking to his grandfather about his future plans.  The young man said, “I will learn my trade.”

The grandfather asked, “And then?”

The young man said,  “I will set up a business.” The grandfather asked, “And then?”

The boy said, “And then I will make my fortune.” The grandfather repeated,   “And then?”

The boy said, “I suppose I will retire and live on all my money.” The old man asked, “And then?”

The boy said hesitantly, “I suppose some day I will die.”

The grandfather looked the young man straight in the eye and asked, “AND THEN?”

What is your life all about?  Are you ambitious, too?  What are you ambitions for?

According to Jesus, there is only one thing worth living for – knowing Him!

Jesus says in John 17:3:

“This is eternal life… that they may know me!”

Knowing Jesus is life.  Knowing Jesus is the Kingdom way.

Maybe you are sitting here this morning, and you know that you have never chosen the Kingdom way.  You have never given your life to Jesus.  If you haven’t made the decision to follow Jesus… to go the Kingdom way, make that decision today.

Or maybe you are here this morning, and you know that you chose the Kingdom way long ago, but you have lost your focus.  You know you are not close to Jesus.  You know that you are not living for Him.  There are other things in your life that have taken control.  You need to get back on the Kingdom way today, and you know it.  Don’t leave today without giving your life back to Jesus.  You know, deep down, that you are going to be miserable until you turn once more to Jesus.  Get back on the Kingdom way; do it today.

Whoever you are, you are here this morning for a reason.  God brought you here this morning because he wants you to choose the Kingdom!  God is working in your heart right now; don’t make the mistake of ignoring him.  You won’t find life anywhere else.  Why keep waiting?  Why keep walking aimlessly though life, not knowing where you are going or why?  Choose life; choose to know Jesus; that is the Kingdom way.

Let’s pray:

Jesus, believe you.  You are the way.  There is no other.  I am a sinner, my righteous deeds are like filthy rags.  I believe you, Jesus, that you lived a righteous life for me.  I believe that you died on the cross and gave your life for me – you took the punishment for my sins.  I believe.  I want to know you.  Forgive me, come in to my life and take over.  I want my life to be all about you.  Change me.  I want life.  Eternal life.  I want to go the Kingdom way.  Amen.