Wesley's 11th Discourse

We are beginning a new sermon series based on the Sermon on the Mount. As part of this we will also be studying Wesley's original sermons. These sermons are a part of the rich history and doctrinal teachings of Methodism.

Below you will find a study guide our small groups and Bible study groups will be using during this series. Also there is an Ai translated version of Wesley's original sermon to aid in your reading (Wesley's Quotes and key ideas are in bold). Also there is a preached sermon video from youtube if you are like me and find listening as a better avenue for the content.

Keep growing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbJmD3W5_4A

Study Guide Questions

Sermon

Sermon 31

Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount

Discourse 11

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14

1. Our Lord, after warning us about the dangers that easily surround us when we first begin true religion—the obstacles that rise from within, from the wickedness of our own hearts—now goes on to warn us about dangers from outside of us, especially bad examples and bad advice. By one or the other, thousands who once started well have turned back toward destruction—even those who had made real progress in righteousness. Because of this, He presses His warning with great urgency and repeats it in different ways, so that we will not let it slip. To guard us from the first danger, He says, “Enter in at the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many go in that way. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life, and few find it.” To guard us from the second, He says, “Beware of false prophets.” For now, we will focus only on the first.

2. “Enter in,” says our blessed Lord, “at the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many go in that way. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life, and few find it.”

3. In these words, we can notice three things:First, the unchanging characteristics of the way to hell: “Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many go in that way.”Second, the unchanging characteristics of the way to heaven: “Narrow is the gate, and few find it.”Third, the serious command based on this truth: “Enter in at the narrow gate.”

I.

1. First, we look at the unchanging characteristics of the way to hell: “Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many go in that way.”

2. The gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction! Sin is the gate of hell, and wickedness is the road to destruction. And how wide is this gate of sin! How broad is this way of wickedness! God’s command reaches into everything—not just our actions, but every word we speak and every thought that rises in our hearts. And sin is just as wide, because any breaking of that command is sin. In fact, it is even wider: there is only one way to keep God’s command perfectly, because the action, the way it is done, and every detail must be right. But there are countless ways to break it. So this gate is truly wide.

3. Look at this more closely. How wide are those root sins from which all others grow—the carnal mind that is against God, pride of heart, self-will, and love of the world! Can we set any limits to them? Do they not spread into all our thoughts and mix with all our attitudes? Are they not like yeast that works through the whole batch of dough, shaping all our desires? If we examine ourselves honestly, do we not see these bitter roots constantly rising up, affecting our words and corrupting our actions? And how many sins grow from them in every place and every time—enough to cover the earth with darkness.

4. Who can count all their evil results? Who can list all the sins against God and neighbor—not imagined ones, but the ones we see every day? We don’t have to search the whole world to find them. Look at any nation, any city, any town—and how abundant they are! Even in places that call themselves Christian, where people claim to know the light of the gospel, sin still overflows. Look at our own land, even our own community. We call ourselves Christians, even reformed Christians—but who will bring that reformation from our opinions into our hearts and lives? Is there not a reason for concern? Our sins are countless and serious. Open wrongdoing of every kind fills the land. Sins cover it like water covers the sea. Who can count them? It would be easier to count the drops of rain or the grains of sand. So wide is the gate, so broad is the way that leads to destruction.

5. And many go through that gate—many walk in that way—almost as many as die and go to the grave. It cannot be denied, though we say it with sorrow, that even in a country called Christian, most people—of every age, class, and occupation—are walking in the way of destruction. Most live in some known, ongoing sin, openly breaking the law they claim to follow—whether in their duty to God or to others. These are clearly on the road to destruction. Add to them those who appear alive but have never truly been alive to God—those who look good outwardly but are inwardly full of pride, anger, selfishness, or love of pleasure more than love of God. These may be admired by people, but they are not pleasing to God. How greatly they increase the number of those headed for destruction! And add to all these those who try to make themselves right with God by their own goodness instead of trusting in His righteousness by faith. When all these are considered together, how true are our Lord’s words: “Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many go in that way.”

6. And this is not only true of the poor or uneducated. It includes people of influence and success—those with wealth, power, and opportunity. Many who are considered wise, strong, or important are called into the broad way by the world, the flesh, and the devil—and they follow that call. In fact, the higher they rise in position and power, the deeper they often fall into sin. The more blessings they receive from God, the more they misuse them—using their influence, knowledge, and resources not to grow in salvation, but to go further into wrongdoing, and so secure their own destruction.

II.

1. And the very reason many go on so securely in the broad way is because it is broad; not considering that this is the inseparable property of the way to destruction. “Many there be,” saith our Lord, “which go in thereat:” for the very reason why they should flee from it, even because “narrow is the gate, and strait the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

2. This is an inseparable property of the way to heaven. So narrow is the way which leadeth unto life everlasting, so strait the gate, that nothing unclean, nothing unholy, can enter. No sinner can pass through that gate until he is saved from all his sins; not only from outward sins, from evil actions, from an evil way of life; it will not be enough that he has ceased to do evil and learned to do well: he must be inwardly changed, thoroughly renewed in the spirit of his mind; otherwise he cannot pass through the gate of life, he cannot enter into glory.

3. For narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, the way of universal holiness. Narrow indeed is the way of poverty of spirit; the way of holy mourning; the way of meekness; and that of hungering and thirsting after righteousness. Narrow is the way of mercy; of sincere love; the way of purity of heart; of doing good unto all men; and of willingly suffering evil, all manner of evil, for righteousness’ sake.

4. And few there be that find it. Alas! how few find even the way of simple honesty! how few are there that do nothing to another which they would not another should do unto them! how few that are clear before God from acts either of injustice or unkindness! how few that do not offend with their tongue, that speak nothing untrue, nothing unkind! What a small part of mankind are innocent even of outward sin! and how much smaller a part have their hearts right before God, clean and holy in his sight!

Where are they whom his all-searching eye discerns to be truly humble; to abhor themselves in dust and ashes before God their Saviour; to be deeply and steadily serious, feeling their wants, and walking carefully before him? Where are those who are truly meek and gentle, not overcome by evil, but overcoming evil with good? Where are those who hunger after God, continually longing to be renewed in his likeness? How few are those whose souls are enlarged in love to all mankind; who love God with all their strength, who have given him their hearts, and desire nothing else in earth or heaven! How few are those who spend their whole strength in doing good unto all men, and are ready to suffer all things, yea, death itself, to save one soul from eternal death!

5. But while so few are found in the way of life, and so many in the way of destruction, there is great danger lest the torrent of example should carry us away with them. Even a single example, if it is always before our eyes, is likely to make a deep impression upon us; especially when it agrees with our own inclinations. How much greater then must be the force of so many examples, continually before us, all joining together with our own hearts to carry us down the stream of nature! How difficult must it be to resist the current, and to keep ourselves unspotted in the world!

6. What makes this still more difficult is, that it is not only the rude and thoughtless part of mankind who set us the example, who crowd the downward road, but the polite, the well-bred, the people of understanding, the people of knowledge, of learning, the reasonable, the eloquent. These are all, or nearly all, against us. And how shall we stand against them? Do not their words persuade? and have they not learned all the arts of soft reasoning?

They can easily make it appear that the way is right because it is broad; that he who follows the multitude cannot do evil, but only he who refuses to follow them; that your way must be wrong, because it is narrow, and because so few find it. They can make it seem clear that evil is good, and good is evil; that the way of holiness leads to destruction, and the way of the world is the only way to heaven.

7. How then shall those who are unlearned and simple maintain their cause against such opponents? And yet these are not all with whom they must contend. For there are many mighty and powerful, as well as wise, in the road that leads to destruction; and these have a shorter way of persuading than that of argument. They do not reason, but they appeal to fear; a method that seldom fails, even where argument has no effect, because all can fear, whether they can reason or not.

And all who do not have a firm trust in God, a sure dependence on his power and his love, will naturally be afraid to oppose those who hold power in the world. What wonder, then, if their example becomes a rule to all who do not know God?

8. Many rich also are in the broad way. And these appeal to the hopes of men, and to all their desires, as strongly and effectually as the powerful appeal to their fears. So that it is hardly possible to remain in the way of the kingdom unless you are dead to all below, unless you are crucified to the world, and the world to you, unless you desire nothing but God.

9. For how dark, how uncomfortable, how discouraging is the prospect on the other side! A strait gate! a narrow way! and few finding it! few walking in it! And even those few are not the wise, not the learned, not the eloquent. They are not able to reason strongly or clearly; they cannot set forth their arguments with advantage; they do not know how to prove what they believe, or even to explain fully what they experience. Surely such defenders will not recommend their cause, but rather bring it into contempt.

10. Add to this, that they are not noble, not honourable people. If they were, you might bear with their weakness. But they are of no rank, no authority, of no importance in the world. They are low in life, and have no power, even if they had the will, to harm you. So there is nothing to fear from them, and nothing to hope.

For most of them might say, “Silver and gold have I none;” at best they have very little. Some hardly have enough food or clothing. And for this reason, as well as because their ways are unlike those of other people, they are everywhere spoken against, despised, and treated as worthless. So that both your fears, your hopes, and all your natural desires (except those which come directly from God), yes, all your natural passions, continually incline you to return into the broad way.

III.

1. Therefore our Lord so earnestly exhorts, “Enter in at the narrow gate.” Or, as it is expressed elsewhere, “Strive to enter in”—strive as in an agony. For many, says our Lord, will seek to enter in, will strive carelessly, and will not be able.

2. It may seem from the words that follow that there is another reason why they are not able to enter. For after saying, “Many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able,” he adds, “When once the master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us,’ he will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’” (Luke 13:24)

3. At first glance, it may appear that the reason they were not able to enter was that they delayed seeking at all, rather than how they sought. But in the end, it comes to the same thing. They were commanded to depart because they had been workers of iniquity—because they had walked in the broad road. In other words, because they had not agonized to enter in at the narrow gate. It is likely they did seek before the door was shut, but that did not suffice; and they did strive after the door was shut, but then it was too late.

4. Therefore, strive now, in this present time, to “enter in at the narrow gate.” And in order to do so, settle it firmly in your heart, and keep it always before your mind: if you are in a broad way, you are in the way that leads to destruction. If many go with you, as surely as God is true, both they and you are going to hell. If you are walking as most people walk, you are walking toward ruin.

Are many wise, many rich, many powerful, or noble traveling with you in the same path? By that alone, without going any further, you may know it does not lead to life. Here is a short, plain, and certain rule: in whatever way you walk, if it is the way of the many, it is not the way of heaven. In whatever you do, you must be different, or be lost. The way to hell has nothing distinctive in it; the way to heaven is distinctive in everything. If you take even one step toward God, you are no longer as other people are.

But do not regard this. It is far better to stand alone than to fall into the pit. Run, then, with patience the race set before you, though your companions are few. They will not always be few. Soon you will come to an innumerable company—to the assembly of the firstborn, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.

5. Now then, “strive to enter in at the narrow gate,” with a deep sense of the great danger your soul is in so long as you remain in the broad way—so long as you are without poverty of spirit and that inward religion which many, the rich, and the wise consider foolishness.

Strive to enter in, being pierced with sorrow and shame for having so long followed the unthinking crowd, neglecting, if not despising, that holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Strive, as in an agony of holy fear, lest, though a promise remains of entering into His rest—that rest which remains for the people of God—you should still fall short of it.

Strive with the full intensity of desire, with groanings that cannot be expressed.

Strive by praying without ceasing—at all times, in all places—lifting up your heart to God, and giving Him no rest until you awake in His likeness and are satisfied with it.

6. To conclude: “Strive to enter in at the narrow gate,” not only by this deep exercise of soul—of conviction, sorrow, shame, desire, fear, and constant prayer—but also by ordering your life rightly, by walking with all your strength in all the ways of God: in the way of innocence, of devotion, and of mercy.

Abstain from all appearance of evil.Do all the good you can to all people.Deny yourself—your own will—in all things, and take up your cross daily.

Be ready to cut off your right hand, to pluck out your right eye and cast it from you—to suffer the loss of possessions, friends, health—everything on earth—so that you may enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Week 11 - The Narrow Way

Scripture: Matthew 7:13–14

Wesley, Sermon 31 – Sermon on the Mount, Discourse 11

Introduction

Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with a decision point. After teaching about prayer, holiness, love, trust, and obedience, He does not leave His listeners neutral. He says plainly: there are two gates, two roads, and two destinations. One is wide, familiar, and crowded. The other is narrow, demanding, and often lonely.

John Wesley presses this truth with urgency. He reminds us that the greatest danger to our souls is not open rebellion, but quiet conformity—drifting along with what feels normal, respectable, and acceptable. The narrow way, Wesley says, is not narrow because God is cruel, but because holiness requires transformation. This week, we listen again to Christ’s call: “Enter by the narrow gate.”

GATHER

Purpose

To recognize how easily faith can become shaped by the crowd instead of Christ—and to honestly reflect on the paths we are walking.

Personal Discovery

• When you hear Jesus describe a “wide road,” what images or experiences from everyday life come to mind?

• Where are you most tempted to go along with the crowd—relationships, habits, priorities, or values?

• Have you ever confused what is popular with what is faithful? What did that cost you?

Group Discussion

• Why do you think Jesus ends His sermon with such a strong warning instead of encouragement?

• Wesley says the broad way feels safe because “many walk in it.” Why is that still persuasive today?

• How can church culture itself sometimes drift toward the wide road without realizing it?

GROW

Purpose

To understand why the narrow way leads to life—and why holiness requires more than outward goodness.

Summary

Wesley explains that the broad road is wide because sin has countless forms. Pride, self-will, love of comfort, love of approval, and love of the world quietly shape hearts long before they shape behavior. The danger is not only obvious wrongdoing, but respectable religion without inward renewal.

The narrow way, by contrast, is the way of poverty of spirit, meekness, hungering for righteousness, purity of heart, and love that costs something. It requires more than avoiding sin—it requires a changed heart. Wesley is clear: no one stumbles accidentally into holiness. The narrow gate must be sought, chosen, and entered intentionally.

Personal Discovery

• Wesley says no one enters the narrow gate without inward change. What inner attitudes might God be pressing on in your life right now?

• Which Beatitude do you find most challenging to live consistently?

• What “respectable” habits or attitudes might still be shaping you more than Christ?

Group Discussion

• Why is inward holiness harder to measure than outward obedience?

• Wesley warns that educated, successful, and respected people can still walk the broad road. Why does success sometimes make faith harder?

• How do spiritual disciplines help us stay on the narrow way rather than drifting?

GO

Purpose

To respond to Jesus’ invitation with intentional obedience, courage, and perseverance.

Take It Home – Mark of Holiness

A growing willingness to be faithful rather than popular, even when obedience feels costly or lonely.

Scripture Readings for the Week

• Matthew 7:13–27

• Romans 12:1–2

• Hebrews 12:1–14

• Psalm 1

• Micah 6:6–8

Memory Verse

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” — Matthew 7:13

Prayer Prompt

Lord Jesus,Search my heart and show me where I have settled for what is easy instead of what is holy.Give me courage to walk the narrow way—even when it costs comfort, approval, or security.Teach me to desire You more than anything else,and lead me in the way that leads to life.Amen.