Matthew 7:13-14 • Hodos
-
Matthew 7:13-14
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
The GATE
PULE (poo-lay) Definition: a gate Usage: a gate.
The WAY
HODOS (ho-dose) Definition: a way, road Usage: a way, road, journey, path.
The Gate: Salvation through Jesus
The Way: Sanctification by God to desire and do His will
NT Wright
“The kingdom of heaven is God’s dimension, God’s sphere of existence, I note present, not simply a destination in the future.”
“But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t future destinies or that yours is not going to be shaped by the choices you make in the present. And as soon as you hear that little voice saying, ‘maybe Jesus didn’t mean it - surely he can’t have been that strict - maybe it’ll all come right in the end no matter what we do’, you need the next warning”
Wade Berry’s
“It [the kingdom of heaven] is not a place, although it has its origins in the dwelling place of God . It is not the same thing as “going to heaven when you die”, although one of its primary concerns is the eternal destiny of its citizens. Rather, the kingdom of heaven is a sphere of existence - an alternate reality that transcends the limits of space and that breaks into the flow of time. This alternate reality stands over against the reality that dominates normal human experience, of its defining characteristic is that it is where God’s will is done. Moreover, we do not enter the kingdom of heaven when we die. The kingdom of heaven broke into the present order of things with the coming of Jesus, and although it has not yet been consummated, it can be entered in the present.”
The kingdom of heaven is reality - the way things are supposed to be.
The Narrow Gate = Salvation through Christ
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
1 Corinthians 15:12-19
“But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? 13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. 16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.”
The Way = Sanctification by God to desire and do His will
Wade Berry
“Those who belong to the kingdom are, by definition, those whose lives are characterized by the kingdom’s priorities. Can we really claim that we trust Christ when we are unwilling to live according to his teachings? Can we really claim to love God when we have no interest in obeying His commands?”
Beatitudes
Salt & Light
Anger
Lust/Adultery
Marriage
Violence/Retaliation
Loving our enemies
Giving to the needy
The Lord’s Prayer
Laying up treasures in heaven
Seek first His kingdom
Judging others
Ask, Seek, Knock
The Golden Rule
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”
-
Each Sunday we come together we offer an open invitation into the way of Jesus. An invitation to enter into sacred rhythms - to draw near to God through singing, giving, learning, and praying.
As a community that desires renewal in Des Moines as it is in Heaven, we recognize that we cannot offer what we ourselves do not have. We cannot lead where we ourselves have not been led; in turn, these questions aim at reflection. Reflecting on God’s word and making space for his leadership.
After watching or listening consider the following discussion questions as a large group or in groups of three to four:
What stood out from the teaching?