Sermon: Rooted in the Sermon on the Mount – Road Less Traveled – Mt 7.13–23 (1/4/26)
Introduction
Turn to Matthew 7 as we get back into our sermon series on Jesus's famous Sermon on the Mount.
The most frightening verses in the Bible...
Matthew 7.21–23
Matthew 7.21 | Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. (CSB)
Matthew 7.22 | On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ (CSB)
Matthew 7.23 | Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’ (CSB)
These verses are frightening not because they show us how HARD it is to obtain salvation...
They are frightening because they show us how EASY IT IS TO BE WRONG about the genuineness of our own salvation.
Remember, Jesus is speaking to very religious people here!
Matthew 23.27 | “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of the bones of the dead and every kind of impurity. (CSB)
Matthew 23.28 | In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (CSB)
And he says that some (we will learn in a moment that he actually says many or even most) will be shocked to learn at the judgment that they were not really children of God.
Just let that thought settle over you for a few moments...
These verses raise the most important questions...
Questions
HOW CAN I BE SAVED?
How can I be a child of God?
HOW CAN I KNOW I'M SAVED?
How can I have an assurance that I really am a child of God?
Can we be certain and if so how?
Let's look at these one at a time...
How can I be saved?
Let's turn back to Matthew 7.
Matthew 7.13–14 Gives us great insight into that question.
Scripture
Matthew 7.13 | Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. (CSB)
Matthew 7.14 | How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it. (CSB)
Gospel...
The gate is Christ himself!
In Matthew 7.14, Jesus describes salvation, the gate and road, in three ways:
Scripture
Matthew 7.14 | How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it. (CSB)
Three Ways
Narrow
Difficult
Few find it
What does it mean that it is NARROW?
We must trust in Jesus ALONE for salvation.
There are not other options to lean on...
We can't lean on our goodness...
We can't lean on our effort...
We can't lean on our sincerity...
EE Diagnostic Question ###2:
Suppose you were to die today and stand before the Lord and he were to ask you...
"Why should I let you into my heaven?"
What would you say?
Luke 13.24 says that many will TRY to enter the narrow way but fail.
Scripture
Luke 13.24 | Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won’t be able (CSB)
The reason why is that they try to come in with some kind of SYNCRETISM.
*Syncretism is the blending, mixing, or combining of elements from different religions, belief systems, or philosophiesinto a new, hybrid system often in a way that alters or compromises the original meanings of those beliefs.*
Many people fail to enter because they seek to be saved by Jesus plus...
Other faiths...
Sincerity...
Effort...
Personal goodness...
What does it mean that it is DIFFICULT?
This does not mean that you are in danger of losing it.
We will see confirmation of this later in this passage.
The word NEVER in Matthew 7.23...
Matthew 7.23 | Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’ (CSB)
This is not a picture of people losing their salvation.
DIFFICULT describes the character of discipleship...
Not the fragility of salvation.
The difficulty is not in keeping yourself saved...
It is in dying to yourself...
What does it mean that FEW FIND IT?
How many is a few?
Is it 50%?
Is it 25%?
Is it 10%?
Is it 2%?
We don't know.
Let's stick with Jesus's words:
FEW
It is NOT few because...
God doesn't want to and is unwilling save everyone from their sin...
2 Peter 3.9 | The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. (CSB)
There are limits to God's grace...
Romans 5.20 | The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more (CSB)
Heaven can only accommodate a limited number of people...
John 14.2 | In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? (CSB)
Revelation 7.9 | After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands. (CSB)
So, What are the requirements of salvation?
A. Salvation requires a deliberate choice.
Since it is entering a gate, there is no DRIFTING in.
This must be a clear and deliberate choice.
The word for enter in Matthew 7.13 is an aorist imperative and refers to decisive action.
The Bible speaks often of making clear decisions.
Joshua 24.15 | But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship—the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.” (CSB)
Deuteronomy 30.19 | I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, (CSB)
It is not enough just to admire Jesus or admire Christianity or admire the gospel...
It must be a deliberate choice!
B. Salvation requires an exclusive choice.
Jesus is the gate and the ONLY gateway to the Father...
John 14.6 | Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (CSB)
There is no middle way...
1 Kings 18.21 | Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him. But if Baal, follow him.” But the people didn’t answer him a word. (CSB)
Now, here is the important thing to know...
Of course the two gates in Matthew 7.13–14 are metaphorical, but imagine there is a sign over each gate...
What do you think the two signs would say?
Do you think they would say...
Sign above narrow way:
The way to heaven...
Sign above wide way:
The way to hell...
No!
Both gates say, "HEAVEN..."
It is just that one would say...
HEAVEN THROUGH TOTAL SURRENDER TO JESUS
The other would say...
HEAVEN THROUGH JESUS AND ME
MY OWN EFFORT AND IDEAS
But only one sign would be the truth!
Both gates promise salvation.
Only one delivers it.
C. Salvation requires a personal choice.
YOU must enter through the narrow gate!
You cannot...
Inherit salvation from another...
Be saved by association...
Some Bible teachers compare the gate in Matthew 7 to a turnstile.
We are individuals...
We have sinned as individuals...
Ezekiel 18.20 | The person who sins is the one who will die. A son won’t suffer punishment for the father’s iniquity, and a father won’t suffer punishment for the son’s iniquity. The righteousness of the righteous person will be on him, and the wickedness of the wicked person will be on him. (CSB)
We are guilty as individuals...
And apart from an individual faith in Christ alone, we will be judged as individuals.
Romans 14.12 | So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. (CSB)
D. Salvation requires a consequential choice.
There is a material difference between going through one gate and being on one road and choosing the other gate and road.
This is not just a mental assent.
This is not just an attitude.
This is not a state of mind.
This is not an emotion.
When we choose the narrow gate and pathway, we are surrendering ourselves to Jesus's way.
One way Bible teachers often say this is...
No change, no Jesus...
Know Jesus, know change...
Paul said it this way...
2 Corinthians 5.17 | Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! (CSB)
James said it this way...
James 2.17 | In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself. (CSB)
Have you called upon the Lord to save you?
Have you trusted?
Have you surrendered?
What is keeping you from choosing the narrow way today?
GOSPEL
Assurance
Now that we have defined salvation, the great question many people face is HOW CAN I KNOW I'M SAVED.
Recent research by the George Barna group suggests that 26% of regular church attenders are struggling with doubting their salvation.
One pastor read that and wrote:
And another 25% should be struggling with it!
Confusing the gospel and assurance is our adversary's biggest and most effective tactic.
I know I'm likely speaking to hundreds of people who are struggling with the gospel and assurance.
Research also shows that almost half of people who stop attending church did so because they could not continue to struggle with their doubts.
The good news is, we can have assurance.
Assurance is not automatic...
2 Peter 1.10 | Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. (CSB)
Assurance takes time...
But the Lord wants you to live with assurance.
1 John 5.13 | I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (CSB)
The answer to the question, "How can I be certain I'm saved," is more than we can really cover in just one sermon, but I think we can make good progress on it today.
We are still in our long sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount...
So, let's continue to look at Matthew 7.
How can I be certain of my salvation?
There is a lot of material here.
To make this easier to follow, let me explain how I am going to give it to you.
First, I want us to read further into this Matthew 7 section...
And I want to give you four unreliable evidences of salvation.
Things that people lean upon but shouldn't.
Then, we will step back and see how the Bible presents five very reliable evidences that our salvation is authentic and sure.
It is important to mention...
With these evidences, none of this is how to earn salvation.
These evidences are how to RECOGNIZE salvation.
I. Unreliable Evidences of Salvation
Let's read Matthew 7.15–20 and notice some unreliable assurances that can lead to deception.
Scripture
Matthew 7.15 | Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. (CSB)
People will lie to you about this matter!
Satan is doing all he can to steer you away from the truth!
Matthew 7.16 | You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? (CSB)
Matthew 7.17 | In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. (CSB)
Matthew 7.18 | A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit.(CSB)
Matthew 7.19 | Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.(CSB)
Matthew 7.20 | So you’ll recognize them by their fruit. (CSB)
Jesus is not exposing conscious fraud here. He is exposing sincere self-deception.
Deceit is a real and a common problem.
Jeremiah 17.9 | The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it? (CSB)
Proverbs 14.12 | There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.(CSB)
James 1.22 | But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (CSB)
Unreliable Evidences
A. I once prayed a prayer...
Often people confuse the Bible's command to trust and obey as "pray a prayer."
People treat a "sinners prayer" as the magic password to get into the fort.
Now, the Bible does say to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead.
Scripture
Romans 10.9 | If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (CSB)
But people cheapen that to just become:
"Say these words with your mouth..."
Just because you have said some words does not mean you have trusted Jesus and surrendered to him.
Matthew 15.8 | This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. (CSB)
Romans 10.10 | One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. (CSB)
"Confess with your mouth" is parallel with "believe in your heart."
You are confessing something that is true in your heart.
You are saying that you believe in your inner being that Jesus is who he says he is...
And that you have made him the Lord of your life.
So, just having once said some words that sounded like a nice prayer, is not reliable evidence that you are a child of God.
Look back to the first verses we read this morning...
Matthew 7.21 | Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. (CSB)
Matthew 7.22 | On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’(CSB)
People can say the right things and still not be on the narrow path!
B. I once felt sorry for my sins...
Often people confuse sorrow for repentance.
There are two kinds of sorrow...
Paul calls them godly sorrow and worldly sorrow...
2 Corinthians 7.10 | For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death. (CSB)
Some sorrow is...
Sorrow that you got caught...
Sorrow for consequences...
That kind of sorrow has little spiritual value.
Sorry has no value unless it leads to repentance.
Hebrews 12.17 | For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance. (CSB)
C. I once admired Jesus...
Often people will believe they are children of God because they have favorable thoughts about Jesus or the Christian faith.
This just isn't so.
I think of a man who once came to Jesus for eternal life in Mark 10.
This man thought a lot of Jesus.
This man valued the Christian faith and wanted the trappings of the faith.
But he wasn't willing to repent...
So Jesus refused to save him.
Scripture...
Mark 10.21 | Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (CSB)
Mark 10.22 | But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. (CSB)
Another example...
John 6.66 | From that moment many of his disciples turned back and no longer accompanied him. (CSB)
D. I once was emotional about Jesus...
This is very similar to the last unreliable evidence.
But the reason I included it is that often when I ask people about their faith and if they have trusted Christ...
They will then tell me a story of an emotional experience they had.
Their emotions were real...
So, they assume their relationship with Christ is real.
Jesus rebutted this in Matthew 13.
He speaks of those who have an emotional reaction to Jesus or the things of Christ...
But the experience proves to be short lived...
The experience does not lead to any lasting changes...
And he says the experience is not authentic salvation
Scripture
Matthew 13.20 | And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. (CSB)
Matthew 13.21 | But he has no root and is short-lived. When distress or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away. (CSB)
When James explains what false faith can look like, he speaks of how the false faith can be very emotional...
James 2.19 | You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder. (CSB)
We also see this in the temporary crowds who followed Jesus and his ministry...
John 6.26 | Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled. (CSB)
II. Reliable Evidence of Salvation
First, remember we have talked about how salvation is OBTAINED.
What I'm going to give you now are not the causes of salvation, but the evidences of life.
Reliable Evidences
A. A Declaration of Faith and Repentance
Salvation must have a beginning.
Even if we cannot pinpoint a time and day or remember where it falls on the calendar...
Jesus describes salvation as being BORN AGAIN...
John 3.3 | Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (CSB)
Birth is not a gradual process.
Our awareness of it may be gradual...
But birth itself is a real beginning of life...
Let's look back at Romans 10.9–10...
Notice this points to a real actual transition from unbelief to belief...
Romans 10.9 | If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (CSB)
Romans 10.10 | One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. (CSB)
There must be a time when we have consciously and purposefully put our faith in Christ...
Confessed with the mouth...
Entered the narrow gate...
This does not have to be a time of full doctrinal clarity and understanding, but it must be an act of the will.
A childlike faith is commended, but it still must be a declaration and a confession.
Now, I'm not saying this evidence is dependent upon your clear memory of an event.
The Bible warns that faith does not come from environment or association.
Faith is a confession.
A first confession...
A continual confession...
Why do we need to mention this evidence?
Sometimes people will talk about their faith being the product of just growing up around the faith.
Growing up around the faith is good, but there still must be a declaration of faith and repentance.
B. Not Sinlessness but Ongoing Repentance and Cleansing
This is so important but at the same time, difficult to explain.
It is not that the presence of sin says a person is not truly born again...
It is the attitude about that sin that can suggest that a person is not born again.
Christians sin, but they desire to...
No longer sin...
Be free from the bondage of sin...
To be cleansed of the filth of sin...
Listen to this familiar verse...
Scripture
1 John 1.9 | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (CSB)
True Christians are characterized by a desire to be cleansed of sin demonstrated by their regular practice of confessing their sin.
A person who is not concerned about having his present sins cleansed, has reason to question the genuineness of his or her salvation.
If you read the last dozen verses of Romans 7, you will hear Paul talking about his struggles with sin.
Paul writes:
Romans 7.19 | For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. (CSB)
But the one thing you come away with from this chapter is how much Paul hates his sin and desires to be cleansed.
Romans 7.24 | What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? (CSB)
Romans 7.25 | Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am serving the law of God, but with my flesh, the law of sin. (CSB)
C. Perseverance
One of the most often mentioned evidences of genuine salvation is perseverance.
Hebrews 3.14 | For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start. (CSB)
Matthew 24.13 | But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (CSB)
Colossians 1.22 | But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him— (CSB)
Colossians 1.23 | if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.(CSB)
Now, we must remember that perseverance is evidence of salvation not the way of salvation.
1 John 2.19 | They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us. (CSB)
I once heard this truth declared in a succinct and easy to remember way...
Faith that fizzles before the finish was faulty from the first.
D. Love for God and Hatred of Sin
When the world says it hates sin, it really only hates the consequences of sin.
Augustine said:
People do not hate their sin; they hate the pain that follows it.
The world does not hate lust or sexual immorality.
It just hates violence, disease, broken marriages, shattered homes, ruined careers, and the exploitation of women and children...
The world does not hate drunkenness.
It just hates accidents, addiction, broken families, lost productivity, and early graves.
The world does not hate greed.
It just hates bankruptcies, economic collapse, foreclosures, layoffs, lawsuits, and financial scandals.
Genuine Christians hate SIN.
Not just the consequences, but the SIN.
We hate sin because God hates sin.
We hate sin because hating sin is the opposite of loving God.
John 14.15 | If you love me, you will keep my commands. (CSB)
We hate sin because it wounds our fellowship with the Lord.
We hate sin because it keeps us from seeing the Lord and his truth in our world.
Hebrews 12.14 | Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord. (CSB)
E. Love for God's People
The logic is clear and simple.
New birth creates a new family, and new family life produces new affections.
When someone is genuinely saved:
God becomes their Father...
Believers become their brothers and sisters...
Love for God’s people follows naturally...
This is why love for the brethren functions as evidence, not entry.
The Bible makes this evidence indisputable...
1 John 3.14 | We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death. (CSB)
John 13.34 | “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. (CSB)
John 13.35 | By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (CSB)
1 John 4.20 | If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. (CSB)
1 John 4.21 | And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister. (CSB)
This is not necessarily a sentimental love.
It is a love that shows itself in...
Honor
Romans 12.10 | Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. (CSB)
Philippians 2.3 | Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. (CSB)
Care
Galatians 6.10 | Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith. (CSB)
Sacrifice
1 John 3.16 | This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. (CSB)
Philippians 2.4 | Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. (CSB)
Philippians 2.5 | Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, (CSB)
Conclusion
What should we do with these evidences for genuine salvation?
Scripture never presents the evidences of salvation as material for judging others, but as tools for examining ourselves.
2 Corinthians 13.5 calls believers to intentional self-examination.
Scripture
2 Corinthians 13.5 | Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test. (CSB)
Not to create doubt, but to confirm reality.
Paul assumes that Christ truly dwells in believers, but he insists that this indwelling produces RECOGNIZABLE fruit.
2 Peter 1.10 urges Christians to actively confirm what God has graciously done.
Scripture
2 Peter 1.10 | Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. (CSB)
This is not earning salvation, but strengthening assurance.
The evidences of faith steady us so that we “will never stumble” into presumption or self-deception.
Luke 13.23–24 shows that Jesus treats the question of salvation not as theoretical, but personal and urgent.
Scripture
Luke 13.23 | “Lord,” someone asked him, “are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, (CSB)
Luke 13.24 | “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won’t be able (CSB)
He does not answer, “How many will be saved?”
He answers, “You must make every effort to enter.”
What are the fruits of assurance?
Freedom from fear
Romans 8.15 | For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” (CSB)
Romans 8.16 | The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,(CSB)
Joyful obedience, not reluctant duty
Fear produces shallow obedience...
Assurance produces love-driven obedience..
1 John 5.3 | For this is what love for God is: to keep his commands. And his commands are not a burden, (CSB)
Psalm 40.8 | I delight to do your will, my God, and your instruction is deep within me.” (CSB)
Stability in trials
Romans 8.38 | For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, (CSB)
Romans 8.39 | nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (CSB)
Hebrews 6.19 | We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. (CSB)
Boldness in prayer
Hebrews 4.16 | Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. (CSB)
1 John 3.21 | Dear friends, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have confidence before God (CSB)
Let us linger on the question today...
Linger and then do one of two things...
Call on the Lord...
Admit your sin...
Turn from your sins...
Confess him as Lord...
Or celebrate his grace and mercy that had led you to salvation and to assurance!