WHY FEW FIND THE NARROW WAY

Matt. 7:13-14

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. 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.
   B. 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.
   C. 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?

I. BECAUSE THE WAY IS STRICT, RIGOROUS AND DIFFICULT.
   A. 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."
         a. The NJKV says, "Narrow is the gate and difficult is the
            way."
   B. 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.
         a. 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.
         b. It takes one's whole being. Matt. 22:37
      2. Most people shun a difficult task.
         a. 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
         b. 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.
         a. 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
         b. Noah was not one who shunned a difficult task. Heb.
            11:7
         c. 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
         a. Let us continually remind ourselves of the reward. Rom.
            8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17

II. Another reason many do not find the narrow way is BECAUSE OF
   PREJUDICE.
   A. "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
         a. This was quoted by Jesus and applied to the people of
            His time. Matt. 13:14-15
         b. 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. 
   B. Prejudice did not die with the scribes and Pharisees.
      1. Many today have their preconceived ideas of how the
         religion of Christ should be.
         a. For example, Jesus said, "Because strait..." (vs. 14)
         b. 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

III. Many do not find the way that leads to life -- BECAUSE OF
     DECEPTION.
   A. 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.
         a. 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.
   B. No one will be excused because he has been deceived.
      1. The scriptures repeatedly warn against false teachers. Eph.
         4:14; Col. 2:18
         a. 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
         a. John's exhortation -- 1 John 4:1

IV. Another reason many do not find the narrow way is because they
   SUCCUMB TO PEER PRESSURE.
   A. 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
         a. 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
   B. 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

V. Another reason many do not find the narrow way is because WE FAIL
   TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT IT.
   A. Let us considers ourselves debtors as did Paul. Rom. 1:14-15
   B. 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.
         a. 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.
         a. Let us, as servants of the Lord, go out into the highways
            and hedges and compel them to come in. Luke 14:23
         b. Lets us always be ready to give an answer to everyone.
            1 Pet. 3:15
         c. Let us maintain the attitude of the prophet Isaiah (Isa.
            6:8) and Paul (1 Cor. 1:16).

VI. Many do not find the narrow way because they are PREOCCUPIED
   WITH WORLDLINESS OR MATERIALISM.
   A. They are like the seed which fell among the thorns. Luke 8:14
   B. 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.
         a. They think that God is so merciful that somehow they
            will get by and God will save them after all.
         b. They need to come to understand the true nature and
            character of God. Rom. 11:22
         c. God will render vengeance on all those who do not
            know Him and who do not do His will. 2 Thess. 1:6-9
   C. 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
         a. One must come to love the truth. 2 Thess. 2:10
         b. Those who truly want to do the will of God shall know
            the truth. John 7:17; 8:31-32

Concl.
   A. 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.
   B. Remember, Jesus gave only two choices. There is no third
      alternative.
      1. You can travel the easy road where nearly everyone is
         traveling.
         a. It is unrestricted. There is room for every opinion,
            doctrine and practice.
         b. You can do whatever comes naturally--be a lover of
            self, enjoy the pleasures of sin.
         c. There is no need of learning of the true religion or
            practicing it.
         d. 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.
         a. This way is strict and difficult--setting before us a    
            great challenge.
         b. Its boundaries are ordained by divine revelation--the
            way of truth.
         c. It requires sacrifice, self-denial, and obedience.
         d. But rest assured, this way leads to eternal life.
            (1) Jesus is encouraging us to travel it. "Enter ye      
                in..." Matt. 7:13
            (2) May God help us to travel in the narrow way which
                leads to life.

Chart:
Why Do Few Find The Narrow Way?

Because it is strict, rigorous and difficult.

Because many are prejudiced.

Because they have been deceived.

Because they succumb to peer pressure.

Because we fail to teach them about it.

Because they have no genuine interest in their souls.