The Greatest Sermon Ever Told The Narrow Gate – Matthew 7:13-14

The Greatest Sermon Ever Told

The Narrow Gate – Matthew 7:13-14
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Pastor Mike Bailey

Introduction

The greatest sermon ever told was not preached by a celebrity pastor or even a famous prophet. It was not given from a stage or in a convention center. It was given from a hillside with standing room only. The speaker was not paid for his time, nor was the event promoted, yet thousands were in attendance. This man ultimately paid for his words with his own life and became the most influential religious leader in all of history. This is a sermon worth hearing and this is the message we all need.

June 29: Generosity – Matthew 6:1-4

July 6: Prayer – Matthew 6:5-15

July 13: Fasting – Matthew 6:16-18

July 20: Possessions – Matthew 6:19-34

July 27: Judging – Matthew 7:1-6

August 3: Asking – Matthew 7:7-11

August 10: The Golden Rule – Matthew 7:12

August 17: The Narrow Gate – Matthew 7:13-14

August 24: Fruit – Matthew 7:15-20

August 31: Disciples – Matthew 7:21-29

IMPACT Church 101 E. First Ave. Parkesburg, PA 19365
(610) 857-3887 [email protected]

The Narrow Gate

Matthew 7:13-14

We must make religion our business, and be intent upon it; we must be strict and circumspect in our conversation, which is here represented to us as entering in at a strait gate, and walking on in a narrow way. – Matthew Henry –

1. The gate shows us God is both merciful and just.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. John 6:66

Notes:

2. Following Jesus requires crucifying the .

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Galatians 5:24

Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Romans 6:2

Notes:

3. Following Jesus requires living by .

This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” Romans 1:17

”And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” Hebrews 10:38

Notes:

4. Following Jesus requires enduring .

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Notes:

5. Following Jesus requires living separate from the .

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27

¹And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. ² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Notes:

Challenge: Which gate am I walking towards?

It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Isaiah 59:2a

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

All Bible verses are from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.