Here is our passage for the week:
Matthew 7:13-14
"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 verses seem contrary to the present mind-set in the culture and in the broader Christian community which says, "I’m OK; you’re OK."
What do you think Jesus is talking about?
What does it mean that only a few are going to find "life"?
Why only a few?
Is he talking about eternal life, heaven?
What else is on your mind this week?
Sunday, March 11, 2007
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25 comments:
My first thought: Wide and broad...we are always looking for a bigger "gate" and a nicer "road", whether it be through success and money, material things and recgonition or whatever it maybe, unfortunately in todays world this is the majority. In reality we should be looking to find the small gate & narrow raod... simple, humbleness, service, prayer that brings us closer to God) and the narrow road that will leads us to Heaven. We waste too much time on things that are useless and that take us farther from our relationship to God. Unfortunately there are many that do not get it. They are always in search of more. I'm not sure if this is making any sense to anyone else, I am a little sleep deprieved.
I also want to thank you all for the prayers, cards, food and those who visited the funeral home today. There were many that represented the Church of Christ and my church family, thak you so much ...I am blessed to be a part of this family.
I really hated missing the Winterfest meal and hearing the stories from our teens and Chaperones. I heard from many that it went very well. Thanks for all those who pitched in to help with the food, serving and clean-up and those who covered me in my absence. I hope that I will get a chance to see the video, I heard it was spectacular...Thanks to Lindsay for all the video taping she did on the trip.
I love our Church family and you have all been very sweet and supportive.
Laura
Laura, I appreciate all your thoughts, and we all love you dearly. The WF fund-raiser went well, and the video was great! We did miss you, however.
The narrow and difficult path to salvation makes me wonder--why is it this way? It's always the few, the remnant who're saved. God chooses a small group of people in the Middle East, makes a nation of them, and reveals Himself to the world thru them. They were no better than the other tribes and nations around them. Why? The Old Testament is full of tales where the many are lost and the remnant are saved. This has often puzzled me.
Donna
I will have more to say about our text soon. In the mean time, I would love to hear your thoughts.
How about this weather? Last night after we got home from church (about 7, due to a Leadership meeting; love the 5 p.m. start!), we went out to the pond and had our first “camp fire” of the season. It was great! Lester is home for Spring Break. The boys built a nice fire; we roasted hot dogs. Ben brought his BB gun out, so we had the perfect combination for fun: boys, fire, and guns. I laughed; Kedra and Rebecca worried and wondered “why?”. It’s a guy thing, they didn’t understand.
This evening we unpacked our deck furniture, and I grilled out. We even ate at outside. I know the warm weather won’t last long, so I want to take advantage of it.
Luke and Lester have joined Brent and Gary this evening as they all try to get Brother Jimmy started.
I know I get more out of my sermons than anyone else, probably a lot more. I stay awake during them; ha ha ha. Something I said/read yesterday has really stuck with me. It’s the quote from Augustine about biblical texts having more than one meaning. Here’s what Augustine said:
What more liberal and more fruitful provision could God have made in regard to the Sacred Scriptures than that the same words might be understood in several senses.
[On Christian Doctrine 3.27.38]
I think we have all experienced this. A lot of times the meaning of Scripture is determined by our context and situation in life. I find all this a little bit scary. It seems that it might not be too hard to “twist Scripture” to make it fit what we want it say. I think this, again, highlights the importance of having people, a community, who helps us make sure we are seeing Scripture properly.
It is interesting to me personally that after having talked about this yesterday, I came across this passage this morning in Reading Scripture with the Church - Toward a Hermeneutic for Theological Interpretation. The writer is discussing Thomas Aquinas, a 13th century Catholic scholar who worked to bring theology and philosophy together. Notice what the writer says (p.40-41):
Thomas holds that the primary author of Scripture is God or more precisely the Holy Spirit. The human authors under the Spirit’s inspiration are significant, though secondary in this respect. The Spirit is capable of understanding all things and intending more by the words of Scripture than humans could ever fully grasp (De quodlibt Q. 7 art. 6.1 ad 5). This means the believers should not be surprised to find that there may be many manifestations of the literal sense of a passage. Here is what Thomas says in the Summa theologiae: “Since the literal sense is that which the author intends, and since the author of Holy Scripture is God, Who by one act comprehends everything all at once in God’s understanding, it is not unfitting, as Augustine says [Confessions 12], if many meanings [plures sensus] are present even in the literal sense of a passage of Scripture” (Summa theologiae 1.Q.1. art. 10).
I find it very helpful to look at Scripture as drama, a story. As I strive to live out the Story of God in my life, I look to the stories of others in Scripture for direction. Their stories may have different things to say to me, depending on my present situation in life.
Truly, God’s word is living and active.
Just a quick response to Donna's thoughts/questions. I don't really know, but I wonder if has to do with the difficulty of having true faith. A faith that allows us not to trust in possessions, to not seek attention, to not base our self-worth on prideful personal accomplishments. A faith that allows us to really love ALL others, including our enemies. Basically a faith that allows us to live out the ethic Jesus presents in this Sermon on the Mount.
Just wondering... Really trying to figure all this out.
I always thought this passage was talking about heaven. Eternal life.
I think only a few because God wants every part of us. Its hard to start giving up yourself to transform into what God wants you to be. I think a lot of people don't get past this part.
I believe the plures sensus is a special thing the Holy Spirit does for us....beautiful.
Annette
I honestly don't mean to step on some toes here, but is this verse one of those the old Churches of Christ held too, that supported them that they were the "ones"? I grew up hearing from the ultra conservative CoCs around my house. ( honestly in about 5 miles there were 4 CoCs!)that they were the only "ones" and the rest of the Christian world was wrong (including the other CoCs down the road)
Why do few find this? Is it because few are really willing to lay it all out there? I just finished the book "Starving Jesus" and admittingly, it is probably a little edgier (is that a word?) that most would like the real message is there. One of the authors left a $100K/year job, with $1500 in the bank, a $1400/month mortgage and $4400 in other monthly bills. Why? Because he felt God's call to go into the ministry. How many would do that?
He fasted for 40 days, because he felt God asked him to and he says that is the greatest experience he has ever had in his life! Ok, so how many are willing to quit their jobs today and have no idea how they are going to pay the bills and not eat for 40 days because that is what God is telling you? Not many I think.
Laura mentions that we spent too much time on useless stuff that takes us away from God. I agree and I think the church itself does that. We worry about the size of the building, the carpet, the chairs, etc. Terry and I were talking yesterday that no doubt if you asked for people to come and work a few would show up, if you told everyone they had the choice of working for 4 hours or putting $50 in the plate, the plate would fill up faster! Why, it is easier and quick and less of a sacrifice.
RR
I think the answer you're going for is, "cause we have more $$$ than time." That's our own fault, of course. But, there's more to do today than in times past, which is a mixed blessing. Our standard of living has improved (and, let's not start up a bunch of nonsense about how the past was so much simpler and better. Poverty, racism and polio were not better!) but not our judgment about what's important.
As far as scripture having several meanings, I know I'm just a lowly little creature, but I think Augustine and Thomas Aquinas may have had the wrong end of the stick. I always cringe when I hear somebody say, "what does this scripture passage mean to you...?" I want to say, "My interpretation may be faulty, but that passage means whatever the author/Holy Spirit meant it to say. It shouldn't mean something different for me than it does for someone else. That would fall under the heading of Special Revelation. My job, when reading the Bible, is to eliminate the historical distance between the author and myself to get at his meaning. I don't think God's intention is to leave us confused.
Donna
Just a little bit of Dallas Willard (Divine Conspiracy) that may provide a lot of stimulation:
The narrow gate is not, as so often assumed, doctrinal correctness. The narrow gate is obedience–and the confidence in Jesus necessary to it. We can see that it is not doctrinal correctness because many people who cannot even understand the correct doctrines nevertheless place their full faith in him. Morever, we find many people who seem to be very correct doctrinally but have hearts full of hatred and unforgiveness. The broad gate, by contrast, is simply doing whatever I want to do.
What do you think of that?
To me the BROAD and NARROW roads are all about choices we make every day both consciously and unconsciously. The more we make conscious, deliberate decisions that are in line with Jesus words the more of a pattern for our steps is being set. We all have to step back and take a hard look at the paths we are choosing every week when we observe the Lord's Supper. Satan is so suptle in his approach. He takes an innocent activity or act and can move it towards his broad way so easily. Most of the time sin doesn't come about quickly. Seeds are planted that slowly grow within us and taking assesment daily as to whether this can be a weed that is invasive or a fruit of the spirit has to be done not only on Sunday but every day. There is a blessing in quietness if we fill that time with the positive. My mind seems to be in a hurry about work to be done, both physical and spiritual, about keeping promises and commitments that overload occurs and overwhelms to the point that discouragement sets in. It is then that I am vulnerable and lose focus, tend to give up and coast. In the poem 'The Road Less Traveled', there is a line, 'and that has made all the difference.' 'That' is our faith in God. Jesus chose the rocky, thorny, hilly, painful, sacrificial road as an example for us and to give us salvation. If we are headed down the path of least resistance we need to check our compass, step back and re-asess where we are going and what is at the end--a reward for eternity or temporary pleasure that could lead to the loss of our soul. Do we have a promise of tomorrow that we can keep walking on the wrong path long enough to turn around? Or do we choose the path of most resistance and follow Him. The choice is ours to make and it affects everyone around us because there are those in our lives who will follow our example. For their sakes we must make conscious choices in our attitudes, speech, habits, actions and reactions that reflect Christ in our lives. In the narrow way there is hope. In the broad way there is nothing but emptiness and self. The choice is ours. I have a long way to go. LOVE, Sherron
Thanks Sherron! Your post came in while I was writing this:
It seems to me that this passage is talking about heaven and hell, or at least the paths or lifestyles that lead to them. I have included a passage below that shows the contrast between “life” and “eternal fire” and the “fire of hell.”
Here are some questions:
What, then, does all this mean for us?
Are the people you work with (or family, friends, etc.) on “Broadway?”
If so, should you do anything about it?
Do you see grace and mercy in this passage?
How does this (Matt. 7:13,14) passage work with the idea that “everyone who believes is ok”?
Does this (Matt. 7:13,14)passage lead us down a path to a dark past of legalism?
Matthew 18:8,9
If your hand or your foot causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
Allen, thanks for you wise words. We have to temper the passage with compassion for those on the broad road and help them find the narrow and ask that they do the same for us. I think in community we do that because we spur one another on to good actions and encourage one another in the right paths. Having been down the wrong path before I do know it starts in small ways. Having escaped legalism and the guilt and pressure it puts on a Christian and having found grace, I can offer it to others because I have been there. I was thinking this morning about bindweed that grows in my garden and chokes out the flowers by wrapping itself around the life giving veins that need nutrients from the soil. Unwinding it allows sun and nutrients to help it grow strong and reproduce. That reminds me to keep pulling weeds from my own life that get in the way. It is not my job to be constantly pulling weeds from my brother's life when I have plenty of my own to pull but I will help him with his garden if invited in. I woke up at 3:30 this morning thinking of our scripture and could not sleep and arose at 4:00 to write down my thoughts. I don't think a Christian who is trying has to worry about falling in and out of grace because Jesus blood covers the sins I commit daily and I am compelled in thankfulness to walk for Him in His path. Thanks for the nudge. Sherron
I need some help/input. What do you think we should do on Easter Sunday? I usually have a series of sermons leading up to Easter, which helps dictate what happens that day, but this year the Sermon on the Mount is filling that role. It doesn’t seem to me that the Sermon on the Mount is a good lead in to Easter Sunday. This leaves Easter Sunday out there by itself. Have any good, creative ideas about what would be good to do that day? We usually try to focus on the large number of visitors that attend.
It's ALIIIIIVE!!!!!
At approximately 7:30 last night, Jimmy came to life. We had a couple of bugs to work out, but Gary was driving him home at 9:30.
Gary was happy to have him back and I was happy for him to have it!
I would like to thank Luke Burris. He was a big help and I think he learned a few things too. For keeping me company and lending a hand, I would like to thank Mike Matthews, T-Dub, Matt Sowders, Lester and my daughter Maddy. It was quite an experience. I never knew that an engine swap could be such a social event.
Now to the topic at hand. Unfortunately, I have to head to Canada tomorrow and will miss class tomorrow night, but I wanted to share what the Pathfinders thought of this verse on Sunday night. I read the verse to them and we discussed it. We decided that a good way to think about the wide road and narrow road was to compare a little 2-lane back road to a big interstate.
On the little country road, you have more time to enjoy the little things than the interstate. You may have some aggrevations like tractors on the road, small town slow downs, animals to watch out for , etc. But when you get to where your going, if you have the right attitude, you realize that those distractions shaped your memories of the trip.
On the big interstate, it's the easy route, you don't have much to go back and remember about the trip, it's harder to exit, you can almost be lulled into a daze along the way and become numb to your surroundings. You might get there easier, but what did you gain from the trip?
Maybe it's not the best analogy in the world, but now maybe you see why I hang out with kids.
See ya Sunday!
Brent
If you think the interstate is a safe, easy, uneventful trip just try riding it with Todd sometime!
Donna
Seventeen years ago I stayed up all night awaiting one of the greatest gifts I could ever receive. Around 8.30 in the morning the gift finally arrived: Luke Howard Burris. Can it really be 17 years? Last night I was talking to Brian F., down at the “corn barn” in Bryantsville. He was leaving to go spend a little time with his precious son, Levi. As I pointed to Luke, I told him to take the time and spend the time because one day you will look up and he will be 17. Just as an aside: the weather 17 years ago was about like right now. I think it was 80 degrees the day Luke was born.
Speaking of another real life issue: how ‘bout Duane’s parents being married 70 years? Wow! There was a nice article about it in the Times Mail last night. You can click Here to read it.
Allen, reading your last post, I just had this thought.
The verse this week has so many parallels to so many things. You mentioned Duane's mom and dad and 70 years. this verse ties to marriage. It is easy to get married and once married it is easy to find divorice. The hard part is finding the path to a good marriage.
Then you spoke about Luke and a few weeks ago about Lester. The same thing there. Easy to have children and easy to find destruction there. The difficult part is leading them in the right direction and true parenting.
Just a thought that hit me as I read that.
On a side note, to all of you doing the 40 days of focus; hang in there. I am impressed and admire your desire to take this closer walk with God.
RR
So the word is PERSEVERANCE. Good points, Ryan.
I find it ironic that the long and winding road is often dangerous and fraught with problems (think crucifixion), but in The End it is the road of life (think resurrection). Paradox.
Hey, just a little Comic Relief (if you want it) from all this heavy thinking.
So how’s it going? I just finished our sermon for Sunday. I think the Sermon on the Mount is wearing me out. Things that appear simple on the surface seem to become quite complex as I start digging in a little bit. Am I making this too hard??
Here is part of my conclusion of Sunday’s sermon
The Sermon on the Mount is emphasizing to me the holiness that God requires of me. I have asked several times, “Where is the grace?” So much of what Jesus says, seems to me, to be in tension with our understanding of salvation by grace. Certainly we are only saved by grace; there is no other way. But I guess the question raised by the Sermon on the Mount is: What’s the nature of your response to grace?
I think I need a day off, but it’s going to have to wait. Tomorrow is going to be busy (but good). I am going to run 2-3 hours with Tony in the morning. Load two semis with BHRP corn (1400 bags) at 11. Have a few couples over for simple food and fellowship at 6.
Allen,
What about a communion service on Thursday night to commemorate the Last Supper? Maybe some kind of devotional time centered upon the Stations of the Cross on Friday? Probably not very helpful suggestions for planning the Sunday service, but just a couple of things I have loved doing in the past. Both really help to focus your mind/soul upon the incredible significance of the Easter Sunday commemoration. Hey, we are in the midst of a modified Lent observance! ;)
I agree. A Maundy Thursday service is very traditional (in a good way). And, I'd be interested in attending a Good Friday devotional, as well.
Donna
I am way into jeans ideas, lets do it. i don't care if its thursday or what day, i like it! tw
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