July 30, 2017
Sermon on the Mount
Gates / Prophets / Disciples
Matthew 7:13-23
This week we’re continuing our series on "The Sermon on the Mount."
A really incredible thing about the Sermon on the Mount is that Jesus didn't save his heavy hitting and culture shifting commands for a private setting, and he didn’t just save it for people whose hearts he had already won over…
Actually, The Sermon on the Mount wasn't even planned, when Jesus was surrounded by people who needed to hear the truth of who He was, He gathered them together on a hill and he shared the truth with them:
- loud and proud
- out in the open
- with nothing to hide
And that’s what we’re doing in this series… We’re meeting outside, in the open, unashamed of the truth of who God is - wanting desperately to soak up everything we can about who that man is: A God who isn't ashamed of the truth, who has nothing to hide, and who just wants to draw his people back to him.
The Narrow and Wide Gates
Matthew 7:13-14
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."
True and False Prophets
Matthew 7:15-20
15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."
True and False Disciples
Matthew 7:21-23
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
Narrow and Wide Gates
After the decision is made, we work out our salvation by learning and growing and changing to look more like Jesus.
Philippians 2:12
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,"
When we get saved, things should change. We shouldn't act the same, talk the same, or live the same.
Ephesians 4:29
29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen"
2 Corinthians 10:5
5 "and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
Isaiah 40:1, 4-5
1 "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God... 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."
Narrow is the gate and narrow is the path. We choose salvation, then we work that out by walking the narrow road.
Galatians 4:8-9
8 "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?"
True and False Prophets
Matthew 7:15-20
15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
ON that narrow road, we are to watch out for false prophets.
2 types of false prophets:
1. Intentional false prophets: try hard to lead people away from God or away from the Bible even though they know it's not right
2. Unintentional false prophets: use their own wisdom and try to make people think they know what they're talking about.
Evaluate their lives. Do they LIVE what they teach? Can you see fruit from their lives that they live what they teach? No one is perfect, but you can tell when someone is just talking big vs. when they believe and live what they say.
Philippians 1:9-11
9 "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."
Colossians 1:10
10 "so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God"
Fruit should be a part of our lives as we walk with Christ.
True and False Disciples
Matthew 7:21-23
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
In Jesus' day, the term "Lord" was a term of respect, a title used by people. Jesus is saying here "not everyone who respects me as a leader is a believer"
Jesus is making this distinction between those who call him "Lord" as a title and those who call him "lord" as a way to submit to his leadership in their lives.
Salvation is a difference between knowing ABOUT God and knowing GOD.
Communication Card
- I will evaluate my walk with God and choose to walk the narrow path.
- I will make a goal to read the whole Bible so I know when something is false.
- I will start spending time with Jesus regularly and develop a real relationship with Him.
