Pastor Ralph Posted April 22, 2023 Report Share Posted April 22, 2023 Q12. (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to “find” the narrow gate? Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, “and only a few find it”? How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bianca Posted September 9, 2023 Report Share Posted September 9, 2023 A person has to truly want the life Jesus has for them. They just can't do it passively. We have things to do on our part in order to get to the place we need to be. God will never turn anyone down saved or unsaved that is truly seeking him with the right heart. Not everyone is going to find the narrow gate. God has made that very clear. Many people get caught up in their own world and how the world see things. They care more about what others think and how they personally want to live their life the way they want to then what God has to say about it. The parable encourages people to keep following Jesus no matter what because it matters to God what we do and our choices. It encourages us to continue on the path of righteousness because that pleases God. We can't go with the flow because it will not end up good in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Olamiji Taiwo Posted September 11, 2023 Report Share Posted September 11, 2023 On 9/9/2023 at 5:57 PM, Bianca said: A person has to truly want the life Jesus has for them. They just can't do it passively. We have things to do on our part in order to get to the place we need to be. God will never turn anyone down saved or unsaved that is truly seeking him with the right heart. Not everyone is going to find the narrow gate. God has made that very clear. Many people get caught up in their own world and how the world see things. They care more about what others think and how they personally want to live their life the way they want to then what God has to say about it. The parable encourages people to keep following Jesus no matter what because it matters to God what we do and our choices. It encourages us to continue on the path of righteousness because that pleases God. We can't go with the flow because it will not end up good in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robomom3 Posted September 11, 2023 Report Share Posted September 11, 2023 Q12. (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to “find” the narrow gate? Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, “and only a few find it”? He is reminding us not to follow the masses... God's Kingdom is completely upside-down to the world's kingdoms... we are a peculiar people because we just don't fit in with the world's passions and goals... the world tells us to pamper ourselves... that we deserve the best... to remove anyone from your life that might offend you... to live for today not thinking about tomorrow... to live in debt because having what you want is the most important thing... to pursue worldly education and 6 figure jobs so you can buy manmade commodities... the world runs after that of which it (man) created... We though... as God's children... we run after God... we desire humble hearts... we put others needs above our own... we see ourselves as sinners in need of a Savior... we see worldly manmade treasure as counterfeit and worthless... we see worth in those the world rejects as unworthy and we tell them there is a God who loves them and created them in His image and deemed them worthy to be saved... it's not a road many choose to travel... but... ohhhhh.... what a beautiful road it is!!! How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? It is a reminder that, when others reject us and our beliefs, we are on the right path... we are not here to be accepted by our culture... God help us if that is our goal... we are here to lead those deceived by our culture to the One True God who can redeem their soul and give their spirit Eternal Life in His Kingdom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeraldG Posted September 12, 2023 Report Share Posted September 12, 2023 The wide gate is so wide and open and inviting, for it seems like everybody is going through the wide gate. But when we think about the narrow gate, its less traveled and most likely growed up with weeds, and with everyone going through the wide gate, we may just miss seeing the narrow gate, the truth. We need to search with our whole hearts, and cry out unto the Lord, and know that we are going through the right gate. Seek and ye shall find. Jeremiah said that if we search for him with our whole heart He will be found of us. Its really hard to convince people that they are going the wrong way when almost everyone is going that way and saying that we are wrong. The Lord tells us to come out from among them and be a separate people. This parable helps us to rethink our focus and pray, and seek the Lord in guiding us the right way. If we follow Jesus Christ we will be different from others, but we will know that we are on the right track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renita C Posted September 13, 2023 Report Share Posted September 13, 2023 Seeking takes determination and discipline. This is a life long journey and we are continually learning something new from the word of God. Seeking is necessary because that is how we are learning and growing in our walk. We are to seek like hunting for treasure and this is a treasure hunt. As I seek it brings me closer to the Lord. I want to know more, it makes me ponder, take a closer look at my walk. Many don’t want to do the work to find the narrow gate. It seems easier and a lot more fun on the the broad path. The broad path in most cases end in destruction here and eternally. Deut 30:19 I choose life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted September 13, 2023 Report Share Posted September 13, 2023 Q12. (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to "find" the narrow gate? Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, "and only a few find it"? How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? Compared to the wide gate the narrow gate, being much smaller, would require one to earnestly search for it. It is only by repenting, putting our faith in Jesus, and studying the Gospel that we will come to the realisation that no one comes to the Father except through Him, and that He is the way, and the truth, and the life (John 14:6). This would be a narrow and difficult way, since to follow our Lord would require faith, discipline, obedience, and endurance. Each day we must diligently follow the Word of God - in the steps of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. It will be worth living as it is the only way to eternal life. Jesus warns us that “only a few find it,” meaning that on our own strength it would be difficult. We will need the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit to help us find it. We will have to seek and keep on seeking, pray and keep on praying. Seek and you will find (Mat 7:7). Once we have found the narrow way, we will know that the crowd are on the wide way, living a life of self-indulgence and pleasure which can only lead to destruction. We must be careful not to follow the herd instinct and do it because other people are doing it. It is only natural to follow the crowd rather than the few. It is also natural to prefer the wide and broad, ease of access, to what is narrow and restricted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth Kuruvilla Posted September 13, 2023 Report Share Posted September 13, 2023 The act of "seeking" is necessary to "find" the narrow gate because it implies an intentional and purposeful effort. The wide gate represents the easy, popular path that many follow without much thought. In contrast, the narrow gate symbolizes the path of righteousness and a deeper relationship with God. It is a road less travelled. Reminds me of the series The Chosen , the fishes that swim against the current and choose to be different. "Few there be that find it" means only a minority will choose the narrow and challenging path that leads to life. This is a sobering reminder of the counter-cultural nature of true discipleship. But it is truly comforting to know in revelations 7:9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. In essence, this parable is a call to discipleship that requires dedication, discernment, and a willingness to be different from the mainstream culture. It challenges believers to make choices that lead to eternal life rather than following the easier path of conformity that ultimately leads to destruction. We are called to not conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-c Posted September 13, 2023 Report Share Posted September 13, 2023 Q12. (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to "find" the narrow gate? Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, "and only a few find it"? How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? Our faith and being a follower of Jesus Christ is not passive. To go from darkness into God’s glorious light is an amazing miracle of God. Who can truly understand it but God? But it requires from us generally, a lot of research, thought and soul searching to come to faith. All these are about seeking. Once again our faith is not passive. James 4:8, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” We need to be actively seeking God. Our relationship with Him is not static: we are either moving closer to Him or moving away. It is a relationship that we need to pursue and as we do, He pursues us. It’s calling all disciplines to build their house on the solid rock of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Matthew 16:16, “Simon Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” That testimony is the solid rock that the church sits on that our faith should be built on also. And if we follow Christ and not the ways of this world, we will be different than others in the culture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krissi Posted September 13, 2023 Report Share Posted September 13, 2023 Seeking rewires determination and effort on our part. We must choose to seek for it's not something that just happens to us. We must actively pursue something if we are seeking. We could, I suppose, accidentally stumble on something good, but that's not the same as seeking. Everyone can see the wide gate. It's gigantic and difficult to miss. But we have to walk past that wide gate to find the hidden and obscure narrow gate. I picture a huge gate, like that at Pastor Ralph's home, with a drive that can't be missed because the tires of cars have killed the grasses -- I also picture a small gate, overgrown with weeds, with no easily discernible path toward it. This is the gate we must seek and find. It's hidden from most eyes. Only a few find it ... because only a few have bothered to look for it. Most people take the easiest, most visible and available route through life. We're called to take the narrow, weed-obscured, hidden path to a small gate that opens for one person to enter at a time. I'm not sure this has to do with being counter cultural. It's true that a Christian who takes the narrow path will be an oddball in the culture, but that's an effect, not a cause. Oddballs do NOT find the narrow path, but those who find it also find themselves on the fringes of popular culture. We have to pursue Jesus ... not reject society. We have to doggedly look for that narrow path and small gate every day of our life. This is not a parable about salvation only, but about how we live our daily lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debra Grant Posted September 14, 2023 Report Share Posted September 14, 2023 Q12. (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to “find” the narrow gate? Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, “and only a few find it”? How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? 1. We should want to be where there is few people because it will lead us to the right place which is heaven with God. The wide gate is open all the time and leads to destruction. 2. There is only a few looking and that really care to find it. 3. Looking at Jesus and what he has done for us such as dying on the cross should encourage us to do the right thing which includes obeying to be with him for ever. It lets us know being in the few is a help to eternal life. It lets us know that following Jesus is the right way. We are also reminded that being different is necessary when we go through our trials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD35 Posted September 15, 2023 Report Share Posted September 15, 2023 Why is "seeking" necessary to "find" the narrow gate? Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, "and only a few find it"? How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? Seeking the narrow gate is necessary, because it will clearly show the choice we have made to follow Jesus. Once we seek the way will be clear to us, even though it may look rugged and untrodden. Seeking is necessary because this path is hard to find as we will see the majority going the other way. Jesus concludes and knows that few will find it because the narrow pathway is unpopular and will require disciples to leave many precious things before choosing to walk on it. To find the narrow path one has to turn away from the crowd sometimes leaving their friends and family. To walk through the narrow gate is also difficult, because here one will always have to fight the flesh and sin. there will be hate and persecution. Disciples who chose to enter the narrow gate and walk the narrow path can be strengthened to know that ultimately this path will lead to life, eternity in the heavenly kingdom with Jesus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zanele Tlhakanelo Posted September 15, 2023 Report Share Posted September 15, 2023 Seeking means you give your all and are determined to find that which will give you life. You do not go with the flow but you make the right choices that will lead you to eternal life. The narrow gate is less traveled and at times people do not believe that it will lead you to your place of safety. You seek by reading the Word of God, through prayer and fellowship with the saints. That phrase "only the few find it" means people do not trust and believe that the narrow gate will lead you to eternal life. It is not confusing because it is less traveled and only those who persevere and believe that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We can only know the way when we ask God to direct our path. Disciples are strengthened because they know Who the Shepherd is. There are so many things that the world does which can make people believe that those are the right things to be done. For example in South Africa, widows are to mourn for a year and at times a year and six months wearing black. When in that situation, you are not aloud to mingle with a lot of people and should be home before sunset. These are the things that confuse people because the widows need more support and need to be surrounded with love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menberu Adane Posted September 15, 2023 Report Share Posted September 15, 2023 Seeking is about heart, willingness, deligence and commitment to what we believed, Jesus. We seek something which we have earnest interest for and want it to the end. Especially, for what is precious and valuable which is mostly narrowly available requires persistence and perseverance to pass through all challenges and thus requires seeking to the end to find it. Thus the mighty will earnestly fight for it. So, many drop out on the way and few reach it. And to reach the end in such narrow gate you also have to do it differently and see it in a different perspective and contemplation which require to see it out of the pack, culture, routine, norm and what we are accustomed to do in our lives. That was the problem of the pharisees who expected Jesus to act in their box of thinking and usually accused him of doing outside their laws and traditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted September 15, 2023 Report Share Posted September 15, 2023 Q12. Without seeking we will not find the narrow gate. It takes time, effort and commitment to seek God and His ways. It is not for the half hearted people who are not really interested in God. When we are called by God we must play our part and seek Him with all our heart. Jeremiah 29v 13. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jesus warns us that only a few will find the narrow gate because most people are not interested and just follow the crowd, who take the broad easy way of life. It is a warning to us to make sure we are on the right road, or the narrow way. May we be among the few who find it and walk it with diligence and commitment. This parable explains to us the pitfalls and encourages us to be among the few who walk the narrow way. And warns us about how easy it is to find ourselves on the broad road and going with the flow, unless we make a conscious effort to seek out our Saviour and start our journey on the narrow road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Wolf Posted September 16, 2023 Report Share Posted September 16, 2023 Q12. (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to “find” the narrow gate? Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, “and only a few find it”? How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? God promises that we will find Him if we seek Him with all our heart. (Jeremiah 29:13) The gate is the same. We have to surrender our will to follow Jesus' commands--if He wants us to pursue the narrow gate, we have to let go of our selfishness and trust that the narrow gate is best. I think he concludes with "and only a few find it," because it is challenging. The majority-think culture is pervasive. 'Forewarned is fore-armed' - I believe this is the gift Jesus gave His disciples in cautioning us against traveling through a wide gate. In John 10 Jesus says, "Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep." If HE is the gate...the narrow gate, may we pursue Him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmela Posted September 18, 2023 Report Share Posted September 18, 2023 Q12. (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to "find" the narrow gate? Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, "and only a few find it"? How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? Seeking takes effort. Often when looking for something special, it takes long to eventually find just the right thing. In desperation, sometimes a substitute or inferior thing is eventually taken or done because of not finding what one is looking for. To "find" the narrow gate, we need to seek, for it certainly is worth finding. The end result is the narrow way, due to everything that needs to be put aside in the start of the pilgrimage. All the things which would hamper our journey. These cannot come along on that journey. We need to choose to follow that way. That is why it is a narrow gate. The end of it is a very wide scope, viz., life, and LIFE IN ALL ITS FULLNESS. So it's like a funnel. It starts off narrow and ends off encompassing life eternal. The wide gate is easier to see and is easier to follow in the beginning, because there is no restriction as to what comes along on that path. But here the end is so narrow that it is DEATH. Again like a funnel looking at it from the broad side , going ever narrower and darker or more ominous, because the end result is destruction and death. Only few pursue the looking process. Some just follow the masses. Looking for a gate to enter . . . Oh, here is one. Many are going in here. Let's follow this way. Surely it must be right. Instead of pursuing the search and then finding the entrance not well trodden, for not many seek long enough or not many are willing to lay aside the pleasures of this world. The end result makes it worth to enter the narrow gate and follow that path . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violette Posted September 20, 2023 Report Share Posted September 20, 2023 On 4/22/2023 at 2:11 AM, Pastor Ralph said: Q12. (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to “find” the narrow gate? Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, “and only a few find it”? How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? Seeking is necessary as you can only enter the kingdom of God through the narrow gate. Narrow gate to life. The broad road leads to hell. As people are human and their lives are not perfect and temptations come in, where people think they can do things of the world. They loose their footing and because only a few find it because it isn't an easy life to lead. This parable is a warning to disciples to strengthen them in their walk with Jesus to keep on the narrow path otherwise they will fall just like people of the world. It is therefore a warning to keep off the wide road as many choose this road, it is a road of destruction. Jesus is the narrow gate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niyonka16 Posted September 21, 2023 Report Share Posted September 21, 2023 Q12. Narrow and Wise Gates (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to "find" the narrow gate? ANSWER: Here the Lord is teaching us that there are two ways and two destinations. One is heaven and the other is hell. Entrance through the narrow gate is granted through believing in who Jesus is and what He came to earth to do for us. The wide gate of the world promises life and happiness but delivers destruction. The way of Christ requires that we lay our lives down, but in that sacrifice we find a reward of life. Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, "and only a few find it"? ANSWER: Jesus makes it clear that we all stand at a spiritual crossroads, and there are two paths in front of us. The wide path leads to hell. The second, narrow path leads to eternal life in heaven. How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? ANSWER: Jesus is saying that this narrow door is precisely how anyone must come to God. To walk through a narrow door, we must strip off every pretension we have. All the things that clutter our lives, all the things that we are often loath to lose—we must give up. Mainly, Jesus teaches that there are in fact two paths with two different destinations, one leading to eternal life and the other to eternal judgment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted September 26, 2023 Report Share Posted September 26, 2023 A12. The narrow gate leads to eternal life in heaven with the Lord. It requires the willingness and determination to get there. This is not easy and thus the need for us to diligently continue to seek for the grace to make it there. To achieve this, we as disciples have to avoid the path the crowd is following in terms of worldly pleasures that lead to hell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janzie Posted September 27, 2023 Report Share Posted September 27, 2023 On 4/21/2023 at 9:11 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q12. (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to “find” the narrow gate? Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, “and only a few find it”? How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? Seeking is necessary to find the narrow gate because in seeking we become closer to the Lord. We need to stay in His Word. We can't accept Christ and then do our own thing. I had a vision when I was first saved that I was going through a narrow door but I had this big ole hat on and I couldn't go through the door. I had to leave my hat. my sin, my worldliness at the door and then come in. Only a few find it because of our own stubborness and worldliness. We don't realize God's grace and mercy in that He wants to deliver us. But, when we cry out to the Lord - He is there for us. This parable is designed to strengthen us to be willing to go against the flow knowing we need to live for Jesus and not be involved with worldly things which tend to lead us astray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zibuyile Posted October 3, 2023 Report Share Posted October 3, 2023 Q.12 When you seek some thing you find it , cause you taking your time to look for it. Incase of narrow gate Bible says few will find it because to some searching is nice and rather focus on what is seen Only a few will find it Not everyone will find it because the focus is on what can be seen , yet the narrow gate which is not seen is the one the will lead to life This parable teaches disciples that things of God are searched and if you are ignorant you will miss the mark if your focus is on what easily seen or obtained Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen11 Posted October 4, 2023 Report Share Posted October 4, 2023 On 4/21/2023 at 9:11 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q12. (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to “find” the narrow gate? Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, “and only a few find it”? How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? Seeking leads you closer to Jesus, to know Jesus better, to know how to live and roads to choose. Most give up seeking when the road get's rough. Knowing that in the end Jesus is waiting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blezed Posted October 26, 2023 Report Share Posted October 26, 2023 Q12. (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to “find” the narrow gate? Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, “and only a few find it”? How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? "Seeking" is necessary to "find" the narrow gate because those who take the narrow gate will have to search to find. It will not be easy. It displays your willingness and determination to go thru some things. Not many will be willing to give up the things of the world. Disciples are strengthen knowing that the narrow path leads to eternal life with Jesus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George L Posted October 28, 2023 Report Share Posted October 28, 2023 Q12. (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to "find" the narrow gate? The hebrew understanding of wisdom is a wide view, not just a single fact without context. In life it is do easy to pick up sense of a problem. It is work in prayer to get hold on the full scene notvjust the watchmens first notice. There are so many things in our life to dead with. The holy spirit knows which is due up to work upon. Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, "and only a few find it"? Many are not patient with their own learning. They want to hear ‘your right’. Experience for me is I learn far more from my imperfections and corrections. Rather than patting myself on the back where a bit of success was no learning at all. You must find that next step not just any stell How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? The apostles had to learn to be lead by the spirit. That God has a way for things to be done. That provides God the perfect venue for demonstrating that the Kingdom of Heaven is indeed touching earth befor the great cloud of witnesses. We must eliminate ‘self’ motivation and walk the Christ life. Submitted to God. Not running amuck as children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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