Matthew 7:13-23
A series of 10 messages, ending Sunday, Sept.4.
Matthew 5, 6 and 7
The manifesto of God s kingdom A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and/or policies.
So, the Sermon on the Mount is Jesus "Declaration of the Kingdom. In this sermon Jesus lays down the principles of the kingdom of God.
The Sermon on the Mount The Sermon on the Mount has long been hailed as the sum of Jesus' ethical teaching. It has been said that if you took all the good advice for how to live ever uttered by any philosopher, psychiatrist or counsellor, took out the foolishness and boiled it all down to the real essentials, you would be left with a poor imitation of this great message by Jesus.
The Sermon on the Mount Is the first and longest message of Jesus in the four gospels. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us how to behave as citizens of the kingdom of God. In other words, it expresses the spiritual implications of Jesus' rule in our lives. This great message tells us how we will, or how we ought to live when Jesus is our Lord.
Matt.7:12, The golden rule, based on Matt.22:37-40, Jesus said to him, You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. Matt.7:13, a total shift from how to live as kingdom citizens, to whether one truly is a citizen.
2Corinthiers 13:5, Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.
Matt.7:13-23 I. TWO WAYS, with 2 gates and 2 endings, vs.13-14 II. TWO KINDS OF PROPHETS, true and false, vs.15-20 III. TWO KINDS OF BELIEVERS, true and false, vs.21-23
TWO WORLD VIEWS 1.The naturalistic, atheistic: nature is all there is. 2. The theistic: nature, yes, but there is more. I. TWO WAYS, with 2 gates and 2 endings. II. TWO KINDS OF PROPHETS, true and false. III. TWO KINDS OF BELIEVERS, true and false.
Matt.7:13-23 I. TWO WAYS, with 2 gates and 2 endings, vs.13-14 II. TWO KINDS OF PROPHETS, true and false, vs.15-20 III. TWO KINDS OF BELIEVERS, true and false, vs.21-23
I. TWO WAYS, Jesus narrow minded? Not many ways. (Three reasons why Christianity is different) 1. Two gates, the broad and the narrow, leading to two ways 2. Two endings, life and destruction Pr.14:12, There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Which way are you on?
II. TWO KINDS OF PROPHETS - The true and the false, Matt.24:11,24. - They try to influence you to take one of the two ways! - So you are your own prophet? Where did you get all that wisdom?
TWO KINDS OF PROPHETS, two trees, vs.17-19 How do we recognize a false prophet? By his fruit, vs.20 1. He does not preach Christ as God, but another Jesus, 2Cor.11:4. 2. He does not preach the true gospel, but another gospel, Gal.1:6-9 3. He does not preach the whole Word of God, Acts 20:27. 4. He gets people to follow him, Acts 20:30.
III. TWO KINDS OF BELIEVERS 1. False ones, professing, Lord, Lord, empty words. 2. True ones, possessing, doing God s will, Matt.7:24. Which kind are you?
Lord, Lord, empty words: Jeff O Hara wrote these words, Why call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things I say? You call Me the Way and walk Me not. You call Me the Life and live Me not. You call Me Master and obey Me not. If I condemn you, blame Me not. You call Me Bread and eat Me not. You call Me Truth and believe Me not. You call Me Lord and serve Me not. If I condemn you, blame Me not. A true Christian: Father, not my will, but Yours be done.
Moses, a true prophet: I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live. (Deut.30:19) You need to make a decision, now!
- Are you a true citizen of the Kingdom of God? - Have you entered by the narrow gate, Jesus? - Are you on that narrow and difficult road? - Remember Jesus words in John 16:33, These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.