The Conclusion

Series History

1-2: Series Introduction

3-7: Christ Before Bethlehem - pt.1-6 (The Pre-Incarnate Christ)

9-10: The Incarnate Christ - pt.1-2 (The Birth of Christ)

11. Learning from a 12 Year Old

12. The Jesus We Know Not (Years of Silence)

13. The Baptism of Christ

14. Having Victory Over Temptation (The Temptation of Christ)

15. The Call to Follow (Calling the First Apostles)

16. A Disciples Progression (The Beatitudes - Sermon on the Mount - Mat. 5:1-11)

I. Their Inward Conflict (v3-6): They Recognize their Spiritual Void (v3); They Feel Remorse for their Sin (v4); They Demonstrate Reverence unto God (v5); Their Righteousness is Filled by Christ (v6)

II. Their Outward Charity (v7-9): They have Pity for Others (v7); They are Pure in their Actions (v8); They are Peacemakers between Man and God (v9)

III. The Inevitable Cost (v10-12): Righteousness Brings Persecution (v10a-11); Persecution Brings Rewards (v10b-12a); Persecution has Good Company (v12b)

17. The Salt of the Earth (Mat. 5:13)

I. The Preamble (Mat. 5:1-12): To the Saved, Sanctified Servants; A Singular Agent

II. Purposes for Salt: Makes things Palatable; Preserving Agent; Provides Nutrients and Nourishment to the Body; Protects Travelers

III. Pictures of Salt: Used in Judgment (Jg. 9:45; Gen. 19:26); Used as a Remedy (2Ki. 2:19-22)

IV. The Production of Salt: Hewn from the Dead Sea; Separated for Good

V. A Precaution Given: If it Loses Taste, it Loses Purpose

18. The Light of the World (Mat. 5:14-16)

I. The Facts of Light: It Requires a Source; It’s Supplied by the Saviour; There’s a Singular Reflection; It’s a Simple Premise

II. The Function of Light: Rebukes Darkness; Repels Darkness; Reveals Dangers

III. The Focus of the Light (v15-16): To Give Illumination; To Give Instruction; To Identify the Source

19. The Correct View of the Law by Christ (Mat. 5:17-48)

I. The Satisfaction of the Law: Is Fulfilled in Christ (v17-18); Is not to be Forsaken nor Forgotten by Christians (v19-20)

II. The Strengthening of the Law: In our Displeasure (5:21-26); In our Desires / Deviancy (5:27-32); In our Declarations (5:33-37); In our Distain (5:38-48)

III. A Summary of Christ’s Teachings on the Law: Christ Has Satisfied the Law for Us; We are Subject to a Higher Standard; We should Live More Righteous, not Less

20. Standards to Pursue - pt.1 (Mat. 6:1-18)

I. Secretive Philanthropy (v1-4); The Manner we Give Reveals Our Priorities: Secret = Pleasing God and Blessing Men; Openly = Gaining Admiration from Men; The Manner we Give Reveals our Rewards; Either the Blessings of God or Praise of Men

II. A Sincere and Submissive Prayer Life (v5-15): Hypocrites & Heathens Pray (v5;7) And We’re to be Different (v8); Principles Include: God First & Kingdom Focused (v9-10); Our Need, Our Debt & Dependence Remembered (v11-13)

III. Subdue the Flesh (v16-18); The Purpose of Fasting; The Expectation of Fasting (v16-17); The Power in Fasting (v18)

21. Standards to Pursue - pt.2 (Mat. 6:19-34)

I. Seek Heavenly Treasures (v19-24): The Fragility of Earthly Treasures (v19); The Finality of Heavenly Treasures (v20); Treasures Demand Focus (v21); You Must Choose Your Master (v24)

II. Submit Yourselves to God (v25-34): Important Observations (v25); See the Illustrations (v26; 28; 30); Understand your Limitations (v27); Trust God for your Provision (v30-32); The Key is Prioritization (v33)

22. Kingdom Mindedness - (Mat. 7:1-12)

I. Sound Judgments: Not a Prohibition of Judgment, but an Admonition for Righteous Judgement (v1-2); Must First be to Self, then Others (v3-5) Must Exercise Discernment of Delivery(v6)

II. Seeking God’s Guidance: Dependence & Effort is Required (v7); Success is Assured (v8); A Telling Comparison (v9-11)

III. A “Self” Centered Attitude: Consider Yourself; Apply it to Others; Thereby Fulfilling the Word of God

Introduction:

Today we are looking at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. This is the eighth and final message on the overview of this amazing sermon.

One thing to note is the contrast that Jesus brings up as he concludes this message.

The first one we examine is “Behold the choice”.

I. Behold the Choice (v13-14)

The first thing that we'll notice is a familiar passage of scripture and in it we see two separate destinations.

First thing that we'll notice is the explanation.

The Explanation

Strait (def) Narrow; close

Not that these need great explanation but I think there are some things that we can take away from this - to also clear up some misconceptions concerning this passage:

Narrow means slim; fine

Do you know what it doesn’t mean? Hard or difficult.

Many people, when they consider this passage, try to construe that getting to heaven is a hard thing. Having life is a hard thing but that's not what it means. It's not that it's hard. It's that it's slim, it's narrow.

The second worth noting is “close”

Salvation being close means that it's near. It's nigh. It's not far off and distant as many try to imply.

Romans 10:8–13 “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Jesus speaks of the narrow, close way.

But he also speaks of the broad way.

Broad (def) spacious; wide

The way that leads to destruction is broad and wide. More on this in a minute.

So we see two very different ways that Jesus is speaking about. The second thing that I want us to notice is the division.

The Division

Two words used to describe: “many” (v13) & “few” (v14)

Many will tread along one path, while few tread upon the other.

In other words there's not a 50/50 split. Everybody's not even Steven.

The division is that you have many on one side and few on the other.

With this in mind I want us to look at the application.

The Application

Now I believe there are two ways in which to apply this passage of Scripture.

The most obvious is to that of Salvation (Which we’ve already reference):

Typically when people consider this scripture they think of it in terms of salvation. And that is the obvious application.

Church the way to Salvation is a very narrow way:

And that Philippian jailer, not under death, asked Paul and Silas what that way was. They replied “Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ, and thou SHALT be saved.”

What they didn't say was, "Well you could do this or you could do that or maybe there's another way."

You see the way is narrow. It’s not hard by any means, but certainly narrow.

One thing we must note in addition to that is, unfortunately, comparatively speaking, very few will find it. The vast majority of people that are living now and have ever lived will lift up their eyes in hell.

Not because salvation is hard nor because it is far from them but because they refuse it. Romans 10:3 “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

The other way to apply is I believe is to look at it from a temporal life POV (Rather an eternal)

In other words true life is a narrow way to live. That narrow way again is not necessarily hard but it's God's way instead of your own.

Destruction is found in living according to your own wants and wishes.

We see the Application

Behold the Choice

II. Beware of False Guides (v15-20)

The Bible uses the words “False Prophets” which is an accurate title, but I chose to use the word ‘guide’ as it speaks more to their function.

Church, we need to be very careful who is guiding us, especially when it is pertaining to spiritual matters.

The first thing that we notice about them is their image.

Their Image

The Bible says they come in sheep's clothing.

Sheep are typically known as docile and unassuming creatures. Harmless, gentle, and kind.

Jesus is saying that this is the way false prophets present themselves.

I don't know about you but I can think of quite a few that would fit this description.

Of course this is what is acceptable and this is what sells. This is what people want their preachers to be like. The Bible warned us of these days. 2 Timothy 4:3–4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

Very few want their preachers turning the tables over! (But might I remind you that that is the way Jesus both began his ministry and the way he finished it.)

We see their image but Jesus also speaks of their insides.

Their Insides

Outwardly they are resembling sheep, but inwardly… that’s another story.

Inwardly they are vicious

Inwardly they are bloodthirsty

Inwardly they are looking for plunder

Ravening (def) rapacious; extortion

Rapacious (def) given to plunder

They speak as to gain. They are looking for a payday. They use their charisma to tell folks what they want to hear so that they can gain.

They are wearing the clothing of a sheep - but it’s not who they really are.

So how can you tell? Jesus told us how. He said there are ‘indicators’

The Indicators

He said, "Ye shall know them by their fruits."

Fruit (def) Something that grows from your nature; It’s something that’s produced by who you are.

A false prophet might:

Have a large following

Perform impressive deeds.

Speak eloquently.

But sooner or later his fruit will reveal him and his teachings:

Does his doctrine agree with the Bible?

Does his life display holiness?

Does he produce godly disciples?

Is there humility, truth and obedience?

Jesus doesn’t say “Know them by their gifts”, but “…ye shall know them by their fruit”.

Behold the Choice; Beware of False Guides

III. Beware of False Assurance (v21-23)

Here Jesus switches gears in the sense that it went from "beware of false prophets" to "beware of false assurance."

In other words, beware of those out there but you need to bke heed to yourself also.

In this portion of scripture he's speaking about those who are going to heaven.

In church just to make it easy, I want to ask you this question concerning salvation and going to heaven. That question is: in what are you trusting?

In What are You Trusting?

What are you trusting to get you there?

As I've said before when it comes to everlasting life, everyone is trusting in something. Even atheists are trusting that there is no afterlife.

Today we're going to focus on two different things that people are trusting in.

Some in Works

There's a multitude of people that will fall under this category.

Various religions will fall into this category. Such as Buddhists and Muslims. I want you to know that those that are trusting in their works are not relegated to foreign religions. There are many people that are outside of religion that are trusting in their works.

And unfortunately there are many within the Christian religion, denominations if you will, that are trusting in their works.

We see those represented in this passage of Scripture.

Matthew 7:22 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?”

Now I want to take a moment and draw the distinction between “fruit” which is what Jesus warned concerning the false prophets and “works” as He’s speaking of here.

Fruits is that which grows naturally from one’s designated nature

Works are those things that we do

(Ill.) It’s the difference between a tree growing fruit and hanging ornaments upon a tree. You can hang apples on a pine tree but it doesn’t make it an apple tree.

False prophets are known by the fruits they produce, but false Christians are masquerading what they are by what they do.

Some souls are trusting in their works

Some in “Doing the Father’s Will”

We see the latter part of V21 and it almost sounds like a work's Salvation. What what is the ‘work’ of the ‘Father’s Will’?

Jesus was talking to the multitude that he had fed the day before and he said this: John 6:27–29 “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”

What you need to “DO” to have eternal life is to BELIEVE IN JESUS!

Doing the Father’s Will is having Faith in Christ!

Which is Faith in Christ

The Bible tells us:

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Romans 3:28 “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

Galatians 2:16 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

Salvation is and always will be solely by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

And if you think you have salvation any other way, you're fooling yourself, and you better wake up!

Salvation not by Works, but by Faith in Christ

These Didn’t Lose Salvation, they Never Established It

I’ve had people ask about this passage concerning losing their salvation, but what does Jesus say here? Matthew 7:23 “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

These didn’t lose their salvation, they never had it to begin with!

We must Beware of False Assurance

Behold the Choice; Beware of False Guides; Beware of False Assurance

IV. Be Mindful of your Foundation (v24-27)

As Jesus closes this epic sermon, He caps it off by speaking of the foundation in which you build upon.

Any contractor will tell you that the foundation of a building is the most important aspect of it. If the foundation isn’t sound, the entire structure is in jeopardy.

And so Jesus contrasts two different foundations, one upon a rock and the other upon sand.

And of course the foundation that is solid, the one upon the rock, is the one He has just finished speaking of, the foundation of Christ.

The Foundation of Christ Includes:

So to summarize the entire message if we're looking at these words of Christ as foundation, how would we do that?

Faith in Him

This goes without saying the most important attribute. It’s the “foundation of the foundation”.

He speaks to the process of that in the Beatitudes

He alludes to it in the passage we spoke of today.

You must have Faith in Christ

Forsaking Self

Throughout the sermon, Jesus continually speaks of forsaking yourself.

Forsake Praise (6:1-4)

Forsake Self in Prayer (6:5-15)

Forsake feeding the flesh (6:16-18)

Forsake treasures on earth for treasures in heaven (6:19-24)

The foundation of Christ includes forsaking self.

Following His Teachings

Would include the proper view of the Law in the life of a Christia which He spends must of ch. 5 speaking of:

Christ has fulfilled the Law, but as Christians we should hold ourselves to a greater standard than the Law - not for Salvation but rather because we’re saved.

Christ in Ch. 7 teaches about proper Judgment and how we should Judge Righteously & “clean up our own backyard” before we go to help our brother clean up theirs.

This is what a life founded in Christ looks like.

Faith in Jesus

Forsaking Self

Following His Teachings

If we do that, church, this is the Foundation that Survives the Storms

This Foundation Survives the Storms

I don't care who you are, how much money you have, or what your status in life is. Everyone experiences storms in life.

And how well you handle those storms is determined by what your foundation is like.

If you find your stability in the things of this world then the things of this world will toss you to and fro. If you find your stability in Christ, this world has no power over you.

What does your foundation look like?

Conclusion

As we conclude this message today, I ask you - How is your foundation of life?

Are you sure of where you’re going when you die? You can have assurance today

Are you living for self or for Christ?

Are you following the teachings of Christ in your life?