The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) …. The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27 The 2 Roads 7:13-14 The...

The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7)

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The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27 The 2 Roads 7:13-14

The first words = an “appeal” v. 13a The “narrow” (strait) gate is to be chosen That which is small, restrictive; compressed Agony is involved Lk 13:24 cp. Jude 3 Jesus recommends an “uninviting” way



The first way described v. 13b It is “broad” with a “wide” gate The opposite of the way He recommended It is “appealing” because it is easier to travel,

less restrictive; one will have lots of company



The second way described v. 14 It is “narrow” with a “small” gate It can be “discouraging” because it is harder

to travel, more restrictive & demanding; one will not have much company (maybe none)



The second way described v. 14 Those who dare to choose the “harder path”

will be glad they did…it ends in “life” To travel this way requires the “pure heart”

and “single eye” 5:8 6:19-24


The Wide Gate…The Broad Way Easy; unrestricted…room for every opinion Man does what comes “naturally” Superficial hypocrisy is the “norm” You’ll have lots of company…you’ll end up dead

The Strait Gate…The Narrow Way Difficult; restricted Boundaries marked by the revealed will of God You’ll have few companions…you’ll end up alive


The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27 The 2 Fruits 7:15-20

Jesus next warns of “false prophets” v. 15a Any teacher who misleads us off the correct

path would be “false” It can be very “tempting” to heed them and

get on the “easier” road to travel



The danger is that such teachers always hide their “true identity” v. 15b

This has always plagued God’s people Deut 13:1-3 18:20-22 2 Pet 2:1-2 Acts 20:28-30



These “wolves in sheep’s clothing” will ultimately show themselves…they always “bear fruit” (their doctrine) v. 16a

This is the “logical” test for us to determine their identity vv. 16b-18, 20



In the absence of Holy Spirit-led apostles to personally guide us, it is necessary to “try” or “test” the spirits to determine their truthfulness 1 Jn 4:1-3

We try them against the word of God



Any “tree” (teacher) not bearing the right “fruit” will eventually be cut down and thrown into the fire v. 19

He faces God’s certain & inevitable judgment


The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27 The 2 Attitudes Re: Authority 7:21-23

Many think a “verbal acknowledgement” of Jesus gains them access to heaven v. 21a

Jesus says otherwise…those who will enter heaven will have to “do the will of My Father” v. 21b



Even demons “acknowledge” & “believe” Jesus’ identity Lk 4:31-37 Jas 2:19

Yet, this “acknowledgement” & “belief” will not lead them to do the will of God

More is required than a “profession”



Professing Christ as “LORD” is a good thing Mt 10:32-33 Rom 10:9-10

The problem for many is they do not act in harmony with their “profession” (lips do not match their hearts Mt 15:8 Lk 6:46)



Many will be self-deceived v. 22 They will convince themselves they will be

pleasing to Jesus because of their many “wonderful works” done “in Thy name”



True…we are to be engaged in “good works” Eph 2:8-10 Titus 2:11-14

The problem is defining “good”…who gets to define it? cp. 2 Tim 3:16-17



“In the name of the Lord” = a Biblical phrase denoting the Lord’s authority Col. 3:17

Acts 2:21 8:16 10:48 19:5, 13 22:16 Rom 10:13 1 Cor 1:10 5:4 1 Thess

3:6 Those denied heaven will fail on this point



Jesus will respond to the unauthorized works “I never knew you” v. 23

Not Divinely approved, sanctioned, or recognized



Such works will be “lawlessness” v. 23

Anomos = “no law”

Doesn’t mean there is no law 1 Cor 9:21 Jas 1:25 4:12 Mt 28:18 Acts 17:31



Such works will be “lawlessness” v. 23

Anomos = “no law”

Refers to people who act is if there is no law; those who act without Divine approval



The “uninviting” part of this Invitation…


The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27 The 2 Foundations 7:24-27

Jesus prepares us for a certainty…storms vv. 25a, 27a Eccl 9:11-12

Jesus reminds us re: what all men do…build their house vv. 24b, 26b

“To live is to build”…one day (brick) at a time



1st Builder vv. 24-25 “Wise”…he hears Christ’s words, does them He builds his house on the rock He builds his house for the storms he knows

will eventually come



1st Builder vv. 24-25 Not just any spot will do…he resists the urge

to build on what “looks good” He “digs deep” until he knows he has hit

solid rock for a foundation Lk 6:47-48



1st Builder vv. 24-25 He will be proven or vindicated when his

house weathers the storms and does not fall because he built on the rock



2nd Builder vv. 26-27 “Foolish”…he hears Christ’s words, does not

do them He builds his house on the sand



2nd Builder vv. 26-27 He builds only for “Today” and hopes the

storms do not come He won’t waste his time “digging”…any spot

that looks good will do Lk 6:47-48



2nd Builder vv. 26-27 “Sand” an appropriate metaphor Shifts…here today, gone tomorrow (dunes) Many “build” (live) in popular ways today…

change to the popular way tomorrow



2nd Builder vv. 26-27 A sad ending for him…tragic, destructive The storms he hoped would not come do “Great was its fall” a soul is lost…can’t

“re-build”…a Divine fear 2 Pet 3:9



Both men heard vv. 24a, 26a One obeyed…the other did not vv. 24a, 26a Both faced the storms vv. 25a, 27a We must “do”…not just “hear” Jas 1:22-25


The Preacher Himself 7:28-29 Matthew does not record the response

Jesus got from His sermon Many think that is the “gauge” of effective

preaching (# of baptisms, restorations) All the Bible mentions is that the people

were “astonished” when they heard Jesus


The Preacher Himself 7:28-29 There is nothing “mysterious” about

faithful N.T. gospel preaching Faithful preaching will always sound like

the voice of God… false teaching will always sound like the voice of men


The Preacher Himself 7:28-29 The people were “astonished” v. 28

They could differentiate what they had just heard vs. what they were used to hearing

Jesus had already exposed the shallow self-righteous doctrine of the Jews 5:19-48


The Preacher Himself 7:28-29 The people saw Jesus’ “authority” v. 29

What they normally heard was scribal quotes from what rabbis said about the Law rather than what the Law actually said

They heard carefully-worded arguments from the scribes & their rabbis cp. 2 Tim 2:14, 16


The Preacher Himself 7:28-29 The people saw Jesus’ “authority” v. 29

Jesus’ voice & message was authoritative “I say to you…” (13 times in this sermon) “It is written…” (at other places & times)

He spoke like He knew what He was talking about…He said what man needs to hear


The Preacher Himself 7:28-29 Many are attracted to a religious teacher

because of his looks, charisma, style, etc. This was not so re: Jesus cp. Isa 53:2 With Jesus & His preaching, it was

substance…not style Jn 7:32, 45-46


The Preacher Himself 7:28-29 What makes for faithful & authoritative

gospel preaching? A reliance on the eternal word of God and

the inherent power behind itRom 1:16-17 Heb 4:12 1 Cor 2:1-5


The Preacher Himself 7:28-29 That is what this Gospel Preacher brought

with Him to earth He brought a message that reveals God

and His expectations for man Jn 1:17-18


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The Sermon On The Mount (Matt. 5-7) …. The Kingdom’s Invitation 7:13-27 The 2 Roads 7:13-14 The...

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