Pastor Jin-Tae Kim's Sermon Manuscript
Date: May 4, 2025
Title: Enter through the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14)
Introduction
Today, we reflect on Jesus’ words from Matthew 7:13-14:
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But narrow is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and few find it."
These words of Jesus may be among the hardest to accept. Living by them is even harder. You might wonder, “If the Lord truly wants to guide us, why doesn’t He make the path easier?”
But consider this: It is the only way to eternal life.
Many struggle in their faith and fail to experience God’s power because they instinctively seek the wide gate—the easy road—rather than choosing the narrow path. To silence doubts, Jesus led by example. He denied Himself, carried the cross, and paved the way for all believers to walk the path of life.
Blue Ocean Strategy
This principle applies not just to faith but to success in the world. Some of the most revolutionary business strategies mirror this exact lesson.
In 2004, W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne of INSEAD Business School introduced Blue Ocean Strategy, published by Harvard Press in 2005. The book became Harvard’s best-selling publication, selling over 3.5 million copies in 43 languages.
The idea is simple: instead of competing in crowded, oversaturated markets—called Red Oceans—companies should carve out new, uncontested markets—Blue Oceans. The lesson? Avoid the broad road that everyone follows; instead, take the narrow road that few dare to explore.
Examples of successful Blue Ocean strategies include Apple’s iPhone, Samsung’s digital TV, and Tesla’s electric car—each transformed its industry by choosing a path others ignored.
My Experience
As a professor in the U.S. for over 30 years, I’ve guided countless students through college admissions and academic counseling. Most of them dream of success but struggle with the pressure of hard work. Many seek shortcuts, hoping for easy ways to earn good grades.
Yet, the key to academic success remains unchanged:
1. Study ahead of time.
2. Focus in class.
3. Review diligently at home.
When students hear this, they often protest: “I don’t have the time or the intelligence—isn’t there an easier way?”
But the truth is, the difficult road is the one that leads to real success.
I once asked a relative kid what he majored in. His answer? “Business.” When I asked why, he said, “I just want to make a lot of money.” I resisted the urge to scold him, thinking, “Do you believe wealth comes effortlessly just because of a major?”
Conclusion
Life presents crossroads—whether in marriage, school, work, or family. If you find yourself facing a tough decision, remember two principles:
1. Take the road less traveled.
The broad path—the one that appears glamorous, easy, and desirable—often leads to destruction. When I accepted Jesus and received my calling, I wrestled with doubts: “Of all people, why did God choose me to be a pastor?”
After struggling with three key questions, I surrendered and enrolled in seminary. I made a vow: “Lord, I will pursue only the ministries that no one else will.” Since then, I have clung to that commitment, always choosing the narrow gate, even when it seemed daunting.
2. Choose what is right, even when it is difficult.
The same principle applies to preparing sermons. Shortcuts may seem appealing at first but often lead to failure later. Scammers always promise an easy way, and many have fallen for deceptive schemes—losing everything in the process.
Consider some common false promises:
· “You can get good grades without studying.”
· “Learn a foreign language in just an hour a day for a week.”
· “Invest in this business and effortlessly become rich within a year.”
· “Lose weight without exercising or watching what you eat.”
Shortcuts may seem tempting, but they are illusions. The true path to success—whether in faith or life—requires discipline, perseverance, and the willingness to walk the narrow road.