“Life’s Greatest Question”
(Rex Herndon’s Sermon
July 2024)
Where will I spend eternity?
Matthew 7:13-14
INTRODUCTION
From my English literature class of many years ago, I hear Shakespeare’s Hamlet in his famous soliloquy saying, “To be, or not to be, that is the question.”
Standing at a crossroads, he is faced with a difficult decision. He must decide, “Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing them. To die?”
His question was, shall I suffer
the indignity and intimidation of the ‘slings and arrows” of life or shall I stand and fight, knowing in doing so I will most likely die?
I refer to him because the dilemma he faced is an example of the critical decisions we are often required to make in life. None more important than which path we will take on our journey toward eternity. Will it be the broad path that leads to destruction or the narrow way that leads to life?
For many years an Evangelist friend often closed his sermon with the question, “Eternity, Eternity, where will I spend eternity and what will I do with Jesus Christ?”
A bold question, the importance of which cannot be overstated, and must be answered by all who cross the stage of human history.
The Greek philosopher, Pythagoras ( Pie-thy-gro us) said, “Choices are the hinges of destiny.” In terms of where we spend eternity, his insight could not be more accurate.
In a recent news report, the former governor of California scoffingly said, “There is no such thing as heaven or hell. When you die that is the end.”
Of course, the former Governor could not be more wrong! To believe that, one must totally reject the inerrancy of God’s Word and choose to walk in the darkness of unbelief to the peril of their own soul. The certainty of eternity and the need to prepare for it is clearly stated throughout Scripture. The writer of Hebrews states it emphatically, “It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)
Dr. Billy Graham preached the message for decades. This is man’s, “Hour of Decision.”
In the poem, “The Road Not Taken,” the Pulitzer Prize Poet, Robert Frost, wrote, “I’ll be telling this with a sigh, somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged into the wood and I —-I took the one less traveled by, that has made all the difference.” (The Road Not Taken)
Speaking from His mountain pulpit, Jesus referred to a “road less traveled by.” He described it as the “narrow way.” His attention was focused on those faced with the critical decision of which path in life they will choose. Will it be the ‘broad’ path leading to destruction, taken by ‘many,’ or will it be the ‘narrow way’ leading to life, taken by few?
Speaking with compassion …and a sense of urgency, He calls all men to enter in at the ‘straight gate’ and take the “narrow way.”
It is, “The one less traveled by,”
but, the one that “Makes all the difference.”
In Matthew chapter twenty-seven, Jesus is seen standing before the Roman Governor, Pontus Pilate. He is being falsely accused by the Chief Priests and Elders of violating a number of Jewish religious laws and traditions including, referring to himself as, “The King of the Jews.”
The raucous crowd surrounding Him was seething in anger and filled with hate. They demanded He be released to them to be crucified.
After questioning, Pilate determined the accusations made against Jesus were without merit, and turning to those calling for His crucifixion, he said, “I find no fault in Him.” It was then, he asked life’s greatest question, “What shall I then do with Jesus who is called the Christ?” (Matthew 27: 23)
As Governor, Pilate had a choice. He had the authority to release Jesus, but in a display of cowardice, he acquiesced to the demands of the people and turned Jesus over to be crucified.
After making that momentous decision he was feeling a sense guilt. Seeking to absolve himself of any responsibility in the matter, he, publicly washed his hands, not knowing, his actions would become symbolic of man’s rejection of Jesus Christ through the centuries.
His question, “What shall I then do with Jesus who is called the Christ,” has reverberated through the centuries, demanding an answer from all who cross the stage of human history.
It is a question that must be answered by agnostics, atheists and those who have little time or interest in spiritual matters.
Such an important decision as choosing the path that will determine where we spend eternity is personal. It cannot be made by others on our behalf, and its urgency cannot be ignored. The Bible says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
John Calvin, the French Theologian and Pastor reminds us: “Since no man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is open to all. There is nothing else to hinder us from entering but our own unbelief.”
As with all that Jesus taught, there is much to be learned from the analogy of the ‘strait gate’ and ‘narrow way.”’
Please understand, I, in no way consider myself to be a Biblical Scholar with a full understanding of all things taken from the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. I simply offer the impression the Holy Spirit makes upon my mind when reading and studying God’s Word.
It is in that spirit, I share my remarks on this most important subject.
(1) In the text, there is first the “Strait Gate” or “Narrow Gate” through which one must pass in order to travel the “Narrow way, that leads unto life.”
It is my conviction, the “Strait Gate,” speaks of Jesus Christ and His Atoning Work on Calvary. It is only through Him we enter upon the “Narrow Path” that leads to eternal life.
It will be remembered, in His parable of the shepherd and the sheepfold, Jesus says, “I am the door, (some translations use the word ‘gate), by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture.”
(John 10:9). The key phrase is, “I am the Door.”
Also in the gospel of John, He speaks to His disciples prior to returning to the Father saying, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh to the Father but by Me.” (John 24:6)
The Scripture could not be more clear. Salvation is attained only through Jesus Christ and His Atoning work on the Cross. He is, “The Gate.”
In the 14th century poem titled, “The Divine Comedy,” Dante, passed through the gate of hell bearing the inscription, “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.”
In contrast to that message of hopeless despair, the “Straight Gate,” should it have an inscription, it would be, “Christ in you the Hope of Glory.”
In the Book of Acts, we are given the foundation and source of our salvation. The writer says, “Neither is salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:13)
We presently live in a world filled with voices that loudly cast doubt on the words of Jesus, Who said, “No man cometh to the Father but by me.” They espouse the idea of inclusion. Their argument is, all ideas have merit; there is no such thing as exclusivity in any phase of life, including man’s relationship with God.
The doctrine of ‘inclusion’ so broadly embraced in our world is misleading and false and must be rejected no matter how intellectually and fluently it is presented.
Sitting with His disciples on the Mount of Olives, Jesus warned, “Many false prophets shall rise and deceive many,” (Matthew 24:11). His prophetic words have become a reality.
For many years the Church has sung, “Twas His Blood, His Precious Blood that stained the Old Rugged Cross. Twas His Love that paid the awful Cost. Oh sinner so far astray, come and plunge today in the Blood that stained the Old Rugged Cross,” (The Blood That Stained The Old Rugged Cross; Albert Brumley: copyright 1942: Stamps BaxterMusic).
Let there be no misunderstanding. Jesus is the ‘gate’ through which we must pass to gain access to God and eternal life.
There is also the voice of the humanist loudly proclaiming eternal life can be attained through good works. Things such as Church attendance, living a moral life, giving to the poor will gain the favor of God and give man a pass into heaven.
Speaking of good works, as they relate to salvation, the Bible says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His Mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost,”(Titus3:5).
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German Lutheran Pastor executed by Hitler in 1945 for his strong anti-Nazi convictions, spoke very pointedly on the subject of salvation void of Jesus Christ and the Cross, in his book, “The Cost Of Discipleship. He referred to it as, “Cheap Grace,” which he characterized as, “Grace without discipleship, Grace without the Cross, Grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” (The Cost of Discipleship: Dietrich Bonhoeffer).
His message from his Nazi prison cell was clear, without Jesus Christ and the Cross there is no salvation. He is the Gate!
(2) Secondly, Jesus in His analogy refers to the, ‘Narrow Way’ that leads unto ‘Life.’
The “narrow way” is defined by Bible scholars as being, “a path that winds its way through a very ‘narrow gorge’ the sides of which rise menacingly above it.
May I suggest the ‘narrow way’ is a path of submission to the Will of God? It is that “crucified life,” of which Paul spoke when describing his relationship with Jesus Christ. He said:
“For I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
The ‘narrow way,’ is living a sanctified, or set apart life, in which we seek to conform to the image of Christ, while resisting the temptation and pressure to conform to the world. It is a path of discipline and discipleship upon which we obey the command of Jesus Who said, “If any man would follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24).
In spite of what some may think, the ‘“Narrow Way,” is not a path of legalism, or simply abiding by laws and rules created by man, but rather, it is our obedience and faithful service to Christ motivated by love and devotion, not law.
The “Narrow Way” is a path on which we are surrounded by His Presence and covered by His Blood. When we make our way
through the narrow and perilous places in life and the storms of adversity unleash their fury upon us, we are comforted by the promise, our Lord will never leave or forsake us.
A wonderful promise of God is found in the ancient Book of Job with reference to the hidden path of those who place their trust in God. “There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vultures eye hath not seen; the lions whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.” (Job 28: 7-8) That is a great comfort to those walking on the “The road less traveled by.”
(3) Finally, we pause to remember where the “narrow way” leads us.
Jesus said, “Strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life.”
The old hymn of assurance reminds us, “The way of the Cross leads home; it is sweet to know, as I onward go, the way of the Cross leads home.”
(Jessie Pounds: pub. dom.)
The “narrow way” takes us to the Throne of God where through eternity we shall sing His praise. It leads to that wonderful place described in The Book of Revelation where, “God shall wipe all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for all the former things are passed away.”(Revelation 21:4)
Following the ‘narrow way” we will have a glorious reunion awaiting with loved ones, never to be parted again.
Almost on a weekly basis, we hear from video friends who have suffered the loss of a loved one. Without exception they tell how they look forward with joyful anticipation to that day when they will be together again with those whom death has taken from them.
I can still hear the faithful saints in my boyhood Church singing, the great hymn of anticipation, “The Eastern Gate.” You may know it as, “I’ll Meet You In The Morning.” The last stanza of which says, “O the joys of that glad meeting with the saints who for us wait! What a blessed happy meeting just inside the Eastern Gate.”
(Isaiah Martin: pub dom)
Anticipating that day when together with the Redeemed of the Ages we glorify Jesus Christ the King of Kings around the Throne, we are made to sing, “Until then, my heart will go on singing. Until then, with joy I’ll carry on. Until the day my eyes behold that City, until the day God calls me home.”
(Until Then:Stuart Hamblen)
We are made to sing, “Won’t it be wonderful there? Having no burdens to bear. Joyously singing, with heart bells all ringing, won’t it be wonderful there?”
With so much to gain, we simply cannot afford to lose. The question then becomes, will you join me on the road…”Less traveled by?” I encourage you to call on the Lord, ask forgiveness and receive Jesus Christ today.
If you are presently walking on the “Road less traveled by,” may I encourage you to continue being faithful, knowing, “The way of the Cross leads home.”
Robert Frost, when referring to two roads in life said, “I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference.” Making a decision for Jesus Christ and taking the ‘Narrow Way’ will make all the difference in your life today and will determine where you spend eternity!
The Shepherd's Staff 