AROUND THE WICKET GATE

Text: Matthew 7:13-14

INTRODUCTION:

Read- (Pilgrims' Progress Chapter 4 "The Wicket Gate")

The word wicket is an old English expression used in the games of cricket and croquet. It literally means "a small opening in a doorway", much like the needle's eye gate in the wall of Jerusalem.

I wish to address myself to that large crowd of people, mostly religious who still linger about the door of salvation but have not as yet entered. To say the least, this is a most dangerous place to be in.

John said, 1 John 2:19 -

"They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us".

The writer of Hebrews said, Hebrews 10:38-39 -

"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul".

There are many who like Obstinate and Pliable, who may have an outward form of Christian expression but such is only a "form of godliness which denies the power thereof. There is a vast difference in mere head knowledge and salvation, which begins in the heart. Cf Romans 10:9.

Let us now proceed to look at a Christian and see who he is and how he becomes one.

1. THE CALLED ONES: Matthew 20:16; 22:14.

A. Sinners - Matthew 9:13

"I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance".

Matthew 22:14 - "For many are called but few are chosen".

2 Peter 3:19 - "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance".

1 John 2:2 - "And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world".

B. Saved -

2 Thess. 2:14 - "Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ".

1 Cor. 1:21 - "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe".

John 3:17 - "For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved".

C. Sanctified -

1 Cor. 1:2 - "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours".

1 Cor. 6:9-11 - "Know ye not the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God".

2. THE CHOSEN ONES: Ephesians 1:4

A. Saints - this refers to the "few" the "elect".

1 Peter 2:9 - "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light".

B. Pretense -

1. Obstinate - "Ye will not come to me that ye might have life" John 5:40.

2. Pliable -

2 Tim. 3:5 - "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof".

Matt. 21:30 - "And He came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, "I go sir", and went not".

Examples of Pliable's are seen in Simon the sorcerer, the sons of Sceva, Demas whose love of the world was more than of Christ. And alas, Judas Iscariot.

3. THE CONTINUING ONES:

A. Perseverance of the Saints -

John 8:31 - "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed".

The evidence of true discipleship is seen in the perseverance of those who claim to be Christ's sheep.

Sheep have the character of sheep but never become goats.

B. Powerful Savior -

Phil. 1:6 - "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ".

Conclusion:

Many have already passed through the wicket gate and are on the road to heaven. Some will still come but multitudes will linger and some even turn away.

Those at the wicket gate like -

1. The rich farmer

Luke 12:19 - "And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry".

2. The crowd of "good time Charley’s" around Noah's ark. Luke 17:26-29.

3. The self-righteous - Luke 18:9-14

4. The man with great possessions - Mark 10:17-22

5. Those deceived by riches or material things -

Matt. 13:22 -

"And he also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the CARE OF THIS WORLD, and THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES, choke the word and he becometh unfruitful".

Better to be a poor saved church member than a rich fool in hell.

Don't hang around the wicket gate but come on in through the gate of Christ and on to glory go.

(First preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr. at Mississauga Missionary Baptist Church, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada-1987.)

(Available on both audio and videocassette from Baptist Pulpit Ministries.)