26. Don’t Get Lost in the Woods

Introduction

I LOVE the mountains.

Series review — Climbing the mountain with Jesus

Beatitudes: Matt 5:3… Look at the mountain of God’s kingdom.

Climbing up: Matt 5:20… A change of heart is greater than a change of behavior.

Climbing up: Matt 6:1… Disciples of Jesus live for an Audience of One. You know that you’re experiencing a change of heart when you practice your righteousness for God alone.

The Summit: Matt 6:9… Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Coming down: Matt 6:24… You can only have one master, so choose to serve God.

Coming down: Matt 7:12… How you live will affect how you experience life, so be wise, trust God, and treat others how you want to be treated.

Finishing the hike: Don’t get lost in the woods. What path are you on? What guides are you following? What foundation are you building your life on? Looks can be deceiving, so before you take off, make sure you’re on the right way.

Read Matt 7:13-8:1 (ESV).

Body: Two Paths, Two Prophets, Two Foundations

There are two paths.

Exposition — Matt 7:13-14, Two common misunderstandings

We assume that “narrow” means “exclusive.” To be “exclusive,” someone must be excluded, but no one who comes to Jesus in faith is excluded. No one. See Rom 10:13.

We assume that “easy” means “loose living” and “hard” means “keeping all the rules.” But, it’s much easier to follow a list of rules than to surrender control of my life and give my heart to Christ.

Illustration: Two different paths leading to two different destinations.

Application: Which path are you on? The path you walk takes you somewhere. Where is your path taking you?

There are two prophets.

Exposition

Matt 7:15-20… “prophets” = religious people we follow, e.g., leaders in the church // spiritual influencers

“Don’t be impressed by charisma; look for character.” —Eugene Peterson

Bible knowledge, Christian service, even spiritual gifts are not guarantees of spiritual health, spiritual maturity, or even genuine faith.

How do you know? “You will recognize them by their fruits” (v. 20). Look at Gal 5:22-23.

Matt 7:21-23… Doing the will of the Father means (in this context) surrendering your life to Christ so that God changes your heart, which works itself out in changed behavior. It does not mean, as many assume, “religious activity.”

Dean Inserra, author of The Unsaved Christian, says if Jesus was giving the Sermon today, his list would have included: Didn’t we say grace before dinner? // Didn’t we vote our values? // Didn’t we go to church? // Didn’t we believe in God? // Didn’t we give money in the offering? // Didn’t we have a Bible app on our phone? // Didn’t we go to a Bible study? // Didn’t we post verses on our Instagram? // Didn’t we listen to Christian radio?

Inserra, “They said, ‘Didn’t we…’ but the gospel is, ‘Didn’t he…’”

Illustration: Two prophets, and you’ll know them by their fruit… “But, I watch preachers on YouTube. How am I supposed to know their fruits?”

Application: Which path are you on? Who are you following?

Not everyone who looks religious is actually following Jesus. Don’t be distracted by charisma; pay attention to character.

Parents — who are your kids following? // Are they following you?

There are two foundations.

Exposition — Matt 7:24-27

“These words are not incidental additions to your life, like a homeowner’s improvements to their house and standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on.” —Eugene Peterson

Illustration: A lot of people add on to their house…

Application: Jesus is not an addition to your life. He’s the foundation the rest of your life is built on.

Isaiah 28:16 CSB

16 Therefore the Lord God said: “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable.

Conclusion

Matt 7:28-8:1… “great crowds followed him.” Are you among them? Don’t get lost in the woods… Looks can be deceiving, so before you take off, make sure you’re with Jesus.

Two paths: Which path are you on?

Two prophets: Who are you following?

Two foundations: What are you building your life on?