In Conclusion...

Matthew 7:12–29 (NIV)

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. 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.

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.

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!’

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Introduction

Matthew 7:12 NIV

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

The Law and Prophets summarized

The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus exposition of the Law and Prophets

He then sums up the Law and Prophets (and his sermon) with one simple sentence.

A question of law and grace

The sermon started with an acknowledgement of poverty of spirit as necessary for possession of the kingdom.

Entrance to the kingdom is not acquired by our good works

Citizenship in the kingdom will be marked by good works

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and His Confrontation with the World: An Exposition of Matthew 5–10 Christ

Nothing could be more calamitous than to meditate long and hard on Matthew 5:1–7:12 and then to resolve to improve a little.

To conclude his sermon, Jesus gives some warnings for those who would seek to apply it.

Beware of False Paths

Matthew 7:13–14 NIV

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.

A set of twos

Two paths

Broad

Narrow

Two gates

Wide

Small

Two destinations

Destruction

Life

Two groups

Many

Few

Implications

Nothing presented in the sermon on the mount is easy

Nothing presented in the sermon on the mount is popular

There is rich, eternal reward in kingdom citizenship, but the Jesus’ path is not an easy one.

Beware of False Prophets

Matthew 7:15–20 NIV

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.

False Prophets

Innocent appearance

Corrupt fruit

There is a difference between being wrong and being a false prophet.

Corrupt in their character

Corrupt in their teaching

Bad theology

Telling you what you want to hear

2 Timothy 4:3–4 “3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

Corrupt outcomes

Teachers who cause division and tear at the unity of the body of Christ are bearing the fruit of false prophets

The quest for doctrinal purity – which is good and essential (Gal 5:7-9) – must be balanced with the call to gospel unity (1 Cor 1:10)

Galatians 5:7–9 “7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.””

1 Corinthians 1:10 “10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

Thrown in the fire

Beware of False Peace of Mind

Matthew 7:21–29 (NIV)

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!’

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Confidence in Works without Obedience

Extraordinary works are not evidence of knowing Jesus

Prophesy

Exorcism

Miracles

Obedience leads to entrance into God’s kingdom

Our confession includes both lips and life

We are not saved by our works, but we are also not saved without our works

Responding to doubts about our salvation

Confidence in Knowledge without Obedience

Hearing without doing leads to failure and destruction

Conclusion

How will you respond to Jesus radical call to discipleship?

Turn from yourself to Jesus for entrance into his kingdom

Walk in submission to your king

It will be hard

There will be those who try to call you to something else

It will demand action from you

Seek eternal rewards