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THE LAWS OF THE KINGDOM                         Lecture 16.

                         THE LAW OF PRESSURE
INTRODUCTION.

Matthew 7:13-14

THERE are only two ways of life in the world (1) that which has
emanated from the heart of man, and (2) that which has come out of
the heart of God.  The one is only an imagination, the other is a
revelation.  In these verses we notice two gates, two ways, two
companies, and two ends.  Specially observe two ways-

1.   The Way into Life.  What does this life mean? "The gate"
suggests the idea of a city, a place of safely, fellowship, and
plenty.  The life which is in Christ is a life of-(I) Safety from
sin and wrath; (2) of fellowship with God; (3) of satisfaction in
the fulness of God.  There must be passing from death into life.

     A.    IT IS A NARROW WAY.  "Strait is the gate, and narrow is
          the way."

     B.   IT IS AN OPEN WAY.  It may be strait, but, thank God, it
          is not shut.  "Behold, I have set before thee an open
          door" (Rev. 3. 8).

     C.    IT IS THE WAY OF THE Few.  "Few there be that find it,"
          because few there be that seek it.  "Seek, and ye shall
          find.  " There are few on it. "Ye shall find Me when ye
          shall seek Me with all your heart" (Matt. 6. 33).

2.    The Way of Destruction.  The word "destruction" here, means
"loss," and is awfully significant.  It is the loss of that which
alone can save and satisfy.  Like a watch losing its mainspring,
like a plant losing the earth from its roots, a man losing all his
privileges and hopes of eternal life.  This way is:

     A.    A BROAD WAY.  It suits the carnal mind.  There is
          plenty of room in -it for all the sinner's likes and
          pleasures.  The world, the flesh, and the devil have
          full scope here.

     B.    A CROWDED WAY.  "Many go in thereat." It is easy going
          downhill.  Generally man's first choice is the "broad
          way." The heart of man is deceitful and wicked, and
          naturally prefers the pleasures of sin to the fellowship
          of God.

     C.    A FATAL WAY. There is but one only possible end to
          this  way-"Destruction."  As sure as a stone sinks in
          the sea will the man perish who loves and follows sin.


LIFE AT THE CROSSROADS.

Life is full of choices.  In every action of life man is
confronted with a choice, and he can never evade the choice,
because He can never stand still.  He must always take one way or
the other.

Jesus gives alternatives in the considering of these laws of the
Kingdom.  We can either accept His way, or go our way.

     Two ways                 - Broad and narrow
     Two gates                - Wide and straight
     Two destinations         - Life and destruction
     Two classes of travellers - Many and few
     Two kinds of trees       - Good and bad (corrupt)
     Two sorts of fruit       - Good and bad
     Two builders             - Wise and foolish
     Two foundations          - Rock and sand
     Two Houses
     Two storms
     Two Results

I.   THE NARROW WAY.

1.   Here we find ourselves faced with a strait (or straight) gate
and a narrow way that is not particularly appealing.  We may be
inclined to shrink and turn back.  As always, personal choice is
the determining factor.

2.   If your interests have been reduced, you won't have as much
trouble getting in through the narrow gate.  You may be raising
your eyebrows over that statement.  The desire and purpose of God
in our lives was not so much in getting us to heaven as getting
heaven into us.  The spiritual Kingdom is here on earth for us -
right now.  True, we are moving toward life with Him in the
hereafter, but He doesn't want to wait that long to be with US.
His desire is to dwell with men of each generation.

3.   Here is a misconception we need to clear up.  Many have the
idea that the strait gate and the narrow way works like this: They
feel you become converted and enter into a strait and narrow way
that restricts and limits you all the rest of your life - until
you finally reach heaven.  Some pray for the day when they may be
released from the confines of the narrow way.  That is not what
God intended.

4.   Instead, here is a better picture of the "strait (or narrow)
and narrow gate." A gate is an entrance into something.  A way may
have two very differing meanings: one, a road or street; the
other, a condition or requirement.  I believe Jesus taught that
there is a narrow and "straightening" way into the freedom He was
teaching about the truth shall make you free bring you into
freedom.

5.   What is the narrow way that Jesus said few find? The Greek
language conveys the meaning that the way is made narrow by
pressure.  If you are interested and pray, "Lord, I know there is
something more to the Christian life than trying to keep on the
strait and narrow.  I want to find out what You really have in
mind for me," - then be prepared for the pressure.  For the narrow
gate is only wide enough for two - you and Jesus.  It comes right
down to that common denominator.  No wonder Jesus said so few find
it. It takes focus to see that pinpoint in our confusing and
cluttered field of vision.  There is a stripping process
necessary; both in seeing what He wants us to become and how He
want to get us through the gate.

II.  THE OPEN WAY.

1.   Gates played a very important role in the lives of those
listening.  The cities were walled and heavily guarded against
enemy attack, as well as wild animals.  As darkness fell, the
entire countryside was plunged into blackout.  No neon light
flashing signals to give away locations.

2.   Was any provision made for the ones who might have been
delayed or waylaid and arrived at the city after the large
entrance gates had swung closed and been bolted for protection?
Yes, there was.  Here is shown the narrow gate they provided for
such emergencies.  If the late-comer arrived by camel, you can see
what would have to take place before he could enter the city.  All
of the baggage or merchandise would have to be removed from the
back of the camel.  The animal would have to stoop and crawl
through on his knees.  Then the baggage would be pushed through,
and, finally, the traveller would "enter" by the narrow gate.

3.   This entryway, because of its small dimensions, was often
referred to as "the eye of the needle." Does this immediately
bring to your mind and incident when Jesus made use of this
descriptive term? He always used live issues and scenes of the day
to bring home a point.

4.   Matthew 19:16-25 records this story.  Out of the crowd that
was following Jesus, there came a young man of great wealth.  He
came with a question, "Master, what good thing shall I do, that I
may have eternal life?" (vl6).  Jesus laid down the requirement -
for him! Remember we said that Jesus personally chooses the
requirements for each questioner - in order to face the individual
with a choice.  The young man was told to "go and sell that thou
hast and give it to the poor ... and come and follow me" (v2l).

5.   The follow me is always the basis for decision,  we gather
from the command to "go and sell and give" that riches had this
young man, rather than his having riches.  Why do we say this?
Because of the ending of the interview. He went away sorrowful:
for he had great possessions" (v22).
He would never have made it through the narrow entrance with his
great possessions.

6.   Jesus uses the incident to bring home a point.  He commented
that it was a difficult decision the man had faced and that it was
hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom.  The disciples Were
amazed - for were not the rich of their day the privileged? They
asked for an explanation, to which Jesus replied, "It is easier
for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man
to enter into (through the same eye) the kingdom of God" (v24).
But note that He added,"...with God all things are possible"(v26)

7.   The narrow gate necessitates the stripping of everything:
baggage,riches,sometimes even dignity (for getting on one's knees
and crawling in behind one's camel isn't the world's conception of
a dignified entrance), but it is the only way!

8.   Do you see that the issues under consideration here are not
heaven or hell - but life and death? The life is the abundant life
Jesus said He came to afford (John 10:10).  The death is the
sterility and apathy that can creep over the believer who has not
been willing to go on to become a follower and come under the
discipline of the King.

III. THE WAY OF THE FEW.

1.   It was He who said, "Few there be that understand this." Have
you understood? Do you have life working in you; or is death
evident? When you touch somebody, is the touch of the divine life
flowing through you? It is soon evident to the one you touch; and
to You, if you will be honest with yourself.

2.   As you look at certain things that seem so important to you,
you may ask, "Lord, can't I be a Christian and still have these
ideas - habits - friends?"  That is not the issue.  If you want to
understand what life is all about and realise the true value of
your possessions, tell Him of your desire and then prepare for the
stripping process.  Once you are through the gate on the way into
the freedom of the city, He will restore everything that is to
your advantage.  And these will take on new meaning.  You will