No Middle Ground - Pastor Johnny Dyck
As we gather today, we come to the end of our journey through the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus lays out the blueprint for life in the kingdom of heaven. He begins with blessings for those the world often overlooks and then turns our expectations upside down, calling us to a radically different way of living—loving our enemies, giving in secret, praying with sincerity, and forgiving one another. But as Jesus closes, He doesn’t just leave us with lofty ideals; He brings us to a crossroads and demands a response. There is no middle ground. We must decide: will we obey His words or not?
Jesus presents four vivid contrasts to drive this home. First, there are two gates: one wide and easy, leading to destruction, and one narrow and difficult, leading to life. The narrow gate is Jesus Himself, and entering it means surrendering our comfort and preferences to follow Him, even when it’s hard. Many admire the narrow path but hesitate to let go of the wide road’s comforts. Yet, only the narrow path leads to true life.
Second, Jesus warns us about false prophets—those who look and sound spiritual but whose hearts are far from God. He uses the image of two trees: one bearing good fruit, the other bad. The fruit of our lives reveals the root of our hearts. Are we growing in love, joy, peace, patience, and the other fruits of the Spirit? This is not about perfection but about evidence of transformation and surrender to the Holy Spirit.
Third, Jesus addresses the difference between true and false disciples. Not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will enter the kingdom, but only those who do the will of the Father. It’s not enough to have the right words or even impressive spiritual acts; what matters is a genuine relationship with Jesus, marked by obedience and surrender. We must ask ourselves: are we after our own recognition, or are we truly seeking to lift up Jesus?
Finally, Jesus tells the story of two builders: one who builds on the rock by hearing and acting on His words, and one who builds on sand by hearing but not obeying. Storms will come to both, but only the house on the rock will stand. The foundation of our lives is revealed not in what we know, but in what we do with what we know.
Today, the choice is before us. Will we go all in, surrendering to Jesus and building our lives on His words? Or will we remain on the outside, admiring but never entering? There is no middle ground. The invitation is open—enter through the narrow gate, act on His words, and find life.