Sermon on the Mount - Heaven

The Narrow Path: Choosing Righteousness in a Confusing World

1. Navigate the Narrow

Matthew 7:13 ESV

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

Matthew 7:14 ESV

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

2. Identify the Impostors

Matthew 7:15 ESV

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Matthew 7:16 ESV

You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

3. Examined for Your Fruit

Matthew 7:17 ESV

So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.

Matthew 7:18 ESV

A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.

Matthew 7:19 ESV

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 7:20 ESV

Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

4. Not Everyone Who Thinks They Belong, Do Belong

Matthew 7:21 ESV

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 7:22 ESV

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

Matthew 7:23 ESV

And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

5. Test OF Learning (Did you truly pay attention?)

Matthew 7:24 ESV

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Matthew 7:25 ESV

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

Matthew 7:26 ESV

And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

Matthew 7:27 ESV

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Matthew 7:28 ESV

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,

Matthew 7:29 ESV

for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.