Crucial Aspects of Matthew 5 Through 7
Message Seven
Entering through the Narrow Gate and Walking on the Constricted Way That Leads to Life, the Ever-blessed Condition of the Kingdom
THE EXTRACT OF THE OUTLINES
Scripture reading:
Matt. 7:13-14 Enter in through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter through it.; Because narrow is the gate and constricted is the way that leads to life, and few are those who find it.
I. In the issuing of the constitution of the kingdom, Christ presents two possible ways for man to live and work before God; the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and few are those who find it—Matt. 7:13-14: (Monday)
A. The constricted way leads to life, is according to the divine law, and fulfills the spiritual requirements, so as to bring in God’s chosen people, to be the testimony of Jesus Christ, and to accomplish God’s economy for the building up of the Body of Christ—Rom. 1:9.
B. The more we are restricted, the more we are regulated; the more we are regulated, the healthier we are; to be vital means to be healthy.
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II. We must remain on the way of life, the line of life, by enjoying Christ as the tree of life in the flow of life, to be maintained in life so that we may grow in life for God’s building in life—John 10:10b: (Tuesday)
A. We remain on the way of life by living and serving according to the principle of life and not according to the principle of right and wrong.
B. We remain on the way of life by eating Jesus through pray-reading and musing on the Lord’s word and by exercising our spirit to supply the word, which is spirit, into others—John 6:57, 63; Eph. 6:17-18.
C. We remain on the way of life by abiding in Christ as the tree of life in the flow of life under the headship of Christ and according to His divine nature—Rev. 22:1-2.
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III. The way ordained by God for the church is the way of Philadelphia; the way ordained by God is the constricted way that leads to life—Rev. 3:7-8: (Wednesday, Thursday)
A. The overcomers in Philadelphia are characterized by their brotherly love; among them, love is effective, so that they shepherd others according to God, cherish others with the pleasant presence of God, and nourish others with the healthy teaching of God’s economy—1 Pet. 5:2; Eph. 4:11; 5:29.
B. For the spreading of His recovery, the Lord uses the key of David to open doors; but Christ also uses the key of David to subjectively open the door of our inner being so that we may be transformed and built up as pillars in the temple of God—Rev. 3:12.
C. The overcomers in Philadelphia keep the Lord’s word in His unique New Testament ministry, and this word brings them to a real appreciation, treasuring, and enjoyment of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself as the precious Person who is their life and their everything—Rev. 3:8; 2 Cor. 11:2-3.
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IV. Once Philadelphia falls, it becomes Laodicea—Rev. 3:15-18: (Friday)
A. In the Lord’s eyes, Laodicea is characterized by being lukewarm and by spiritual pride; there was a time when the Lord was merciful to them, and they remember that history, but today they have lost that reality—Rev. 3:15-18.
B. If we are to continue on the way of Philadelphia and avoid becoming Laodicea, we must learn to humble ourselves before God—Matt. 5:3; Isa. 57:15.
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C. He who overcomes, to him I will give to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne—Rev. 3:21-22. (Saturday)
