Welcome to “Learning and Living the God-centered life”

Carmel Baptist Church

www.learningandlivingtheword.com

January 11, 2009

Notice that Matthew 7:13-27 is divided into four paragraphs

Matthew 7:13-14

Matthew 7:15-20

Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 7:24-27

Assign a title to each of the paragraphs

Two roads

Two prophets

Two professions of faith

Two foundations

These are the concluding thoughts of Jesus in the longest sermon that we have recorded in the gospels called the “Sermon on the Mount.” And when He comes to this part of the message His emphasis is on application.

3 phases of the initial teaching in “Learning and Living”

1. Preparation

2. Explanation

3. Application

They are not separate items but one complete package

Two gates

Broad

Narrow

Two quantities of people

Many

Few

Two destinations

Destruction

Life

Two types of people

Traveling the broad road

Finding the narrow gate

Matthew 7:13-14

Check out the contrasts as given by the Lord Jesus

Understanding the words

Destruction - The Greek word for destruction is apoleia and it means the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell

Life - The Greek word for life is zoe and means life that is real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ

Narrow Matt. 7:14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. This is a verb in the perfect/passive which is translated in the Greek as “having been afflicted”

People can view affliction as the removal of God’s grace when many times it represents the arrival of God’s grace 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 - Paul’s thorn in the flesh 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 - People of Macedonia

Observation

The word “ENTER” is in the imperative. This command is given to us because Jesus knows that mankind comes into this world on the broad road.

Jesus presents an interesting method to persuade people to enter into the kingdom of God

The problem we must deal with and reconcile

We in the church agree that the narrow gate is Christ.

However many are saying that the have entered through this gate and yet are still traveling on the broad way.

Vance Havner used to say that people always want to know “how close to the world can I walk and still be sure that I am saved.”

James 4:4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

How did these people end up staying of the broad road?

Matthew 7:15-20

False prophets

Matthew 7:21-23

False professions

Check out the first word in Matthew 7:15 it is the word “Beware”

Verb in the Present/Active/Imperative

Beware which means to turn the mind to, attend to be attentive, to apply one's self to, attach one's self to, hold or cleave to a person or a thinga) to be given or addicted tob) to devote thought and effort to

Beware of false prophets

Scriptural support:

Acts 20:28-30

Galatians 1:6-9

2 Timothy 3:1-5

The epistles of 2 Peter and Jude

Matthew 24:4-13 - Jesus gives the Mount Olivet discourse Matt. 24:10 "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Matt. 24:11 "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Matt. 24:12 "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.

Beware of false professions

What are some key reasons for people not genuinely saved?

1. False assurance

2. Lack of self-examination1Cor. 15:1 ¶ Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which

I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,

1Cor. 15:2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

2Cor. 13:5 ¶ Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?

3. Works based righteousness

3. Works based righteousness

Romans 3:20 - because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

Romans 3:28

Romans 4:2-6

Galatians 2:16 - nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.

The fruit from false prophets will be many false professions of faith

The word “Depart” is in the imperative mood

Matthew 7:24-27 - Jesus gives us the a story of contrasts

Two people

wise

foolish

Two types of foundations

built on rock

built on sand

Type of storm

rain fell, floods came, wind blew and slammed against home

Results

One house left standing

One house totally demolished

What is the distinguishing difference that Jesus is emphasizing in this story between:

A wise person and a foolish person

A house that is built on rock and a house built on sand

A house that stands after a storm and a house that falls

The critical difference is simple this:

The one person sat and heard the word

The other person heard the word and acted on what they heard

So what is does the rock represent in this story that Jesus tells?

Matthew 16:13-18

Matthew 16:13-18He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

17 And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

18 "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

The rock is the word of God which declares that Jesus Christ is in fact the Son of the living God!

Scriptural support for the importance of standing on God’s word

John 5:24

John 6:63

John 8:30-31

James 1:22 - But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

1 John 2:3-4 - By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

In conclusion Jesus wants us to know this eternal truth:The validation of your salvation… or the validation you are on the road that leads to life and building a house that will always stand depends on your obedience to the word of God!