Millions (Matthew 7:13-14)
I swim five mornings a week, and about a year ago, I stumbled on a gym downtown. That LA Fitness is far better than the one in Pasadena—far cleaner, the pool water is just right, the staff and clientele are much better, and there’s no woman walking in the locker room while I’m trying to shower off the chlorine.
While I love the LA Fitness on Yale Street; there is something I absolutely hate—the Houston traffic coming home. Leaving the house at 4:30 am means getting downtown is a breeze, but leaving the gym at 8:00 am is an absolute nightmare. I always use Apple Maps to find the route with the least traffic. But it doesn’t matter which way I go, there are thousands and thousands of people headed to work, and I sit in traffic. Houston roads are packed in the morning.
I know each of you has dealt with Houston traffic and sat still on the interstate. Have you ever waited in a packed waiting room full of sick folks before you could see your doctor? You perhaps have gone to a tourist attraction and found the place a sea of people. Have you ever tried to find a place to eat on Mother’s Day? Maybe you’re a real Texan and you’ve gone to the rodeo and been crammed in NRG with a bunch of folks.
Do you know where there is even worse traffic than in Houston? The road to hell. Millions are groping without the gospel, and those “Millions are going to hell.”
Scripture (Matthew 7:13-14)
verse 13:
The Old Testament often spoke about two paths; for example, Psalm 1 mentions the path of the righteous and the path of the wicked.
There are two reasons for a narrow gate. First, you don’t need a wide gate if most folks are going to hell; those going to heaven can easily fit through a narrow gate. Second, there is only one gate—Jesus. “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved” (Jn 10:9).
The gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to hell. The two words—wide and easy—together show a lack of effort. In other words, the lazy folks doing nothing find themselves on the wide and easy way. No requirements, no obedience, an easy path.
Many choose that path, for “Millions are going to hell.” Yes, everyone you meet is headed for an eternity in either heaven or hell. Sadly, the vast majority of them are headed to hell.
verse 14:
The gate Jesus mentioned likely refers to a small gate in a city’s wall. At night or in times of danger, the main city gates were locked; however, there would be a small, hidden gate known only to the city’s citizens. Those approved by the gate keeper—and only those approved by him—would be allowed to enter.
The way is hard—Jesus demands great obedience and sacrifice; the way to hell is far easier. However, the hard way leads to an eternal life instead of an eternal damnation.
Application
“Millions are going to hell.” That’s what Jesus said. Yes, we have an obligation to share Jesus’s truth with everyone we can; some will respond to the gospel. However, most people will not and will go to an eternal hell.
I understand this isn’t an uplifting truth, but it is truth. And you need to ask yourself, “What can I do because ‘Millions are going to hell?’”
One: Self
Start with Self and make absolutely certain that you are on the right path. “Brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall” (2 Pet 1:10). Look in your heart , look at your actions, see just which route you’re traveling.
Do you want to know—beyond any doubt—that you are on the right path? If you are in Christ, do what Peter’s inspired pen said to do: 2 Peter 1:5-8. Why are those qualities so very important? Because: “If you practice these qualities you will never fall” (2 Pet 1:10). Practicing those Christian graces prevents you from going off the straight and narrow path.
Ask yourself: How is my faith? How is my virtue? How is my knowledge? How is my self-control? How is my steadfastness? How is my godliness? How is my brotherly affection? How is my love? Growing in those graces leads to the narrow gate.
Are you taking care of the Self and on the narrow road?
Two: Swarm
Understand that a Swarm of people is headed to hell. Why emphasize that truth? Because no matter how much you plead, beg, and study with some people, they will not respond, and that’s not on you.
Ezekiel was made a watchman for Israel and was commanded to proclaim God’s truth. Yahweh told him, “If you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul” (Ezek 3:19). Ezekiel wasn’t responsible for people’s response; he was responsible for proclaiming God’s message.
Some people came to Jesus, heard him teach, and rejected him. The rich young ruler heard Jesus, and “he went away sorrowful” (Matt 19:22). Many of Jesus’s disciples found his teaching on his being the living bread a hard saying (Jn 6:60); “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him” (Jn 6:66).
Jesus told a parable about four soils (Mk 4:1-9). Only one soil produced an abundant harvest from the seed of the word. Think about it: Out of four soils, only one led to a harvest of walking the narrow road.
Don’t forget the example of the Apostle Paul. “Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel” (1 Cor 1:17). Some say the apostle diminished the importance of baptism there; not at all. Instead, he said that the Lord told him to preach, not get results. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Cor 3:6).
Look, I know you have family, friends, and neighbors you desperately want in heaven. I know you have opened your Bible, you have begged, and you have prayed. A lack of results is not your fault, for the Swarm is going to be lost.
You will invite your family to our Soul-Saving Sunday. You will invite friends to Soul-Saving Sunday. You will invite coworkers to Soul-Saving Sunday. You will invite neighbors to Soul-Saving Sunday. Some will accept your invitation, and some will reject it. Don’t feel guilty when people reject the gospel; “Millions are going to hell.”
Where will you spend eternity? What gate are you entering? What road are you on?
This sermon was originally preached by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at Church of Christ Deer Park in Deer Park, Texas.