On the Mount Christians Lesson 7
Final Commands for Kingdom Citizens
7:13-14 ENTER THE NARROW GATE
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and
broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth
unto life, and few there be that find it.
The Two Ways
What two kinds of lifestyle are described in this passage?
Those who have found the strait gate and narrow way which
leads to life is contrasted with those who are on the broad way that leads to
destruction.
This passage is often used when talking about how to be
saved, but does the context allow such an interpretation?
No, the context is commands for Kingdom citizens
(Christians) those who are already saved. The narrow gate is describing their
outlook, lifestyle and service it is not showing how to be saved, but the
contrast between those who are on the narrow way and those on the broad way.
What is a strait gate?
Is this different from a straight gate?
Strait is the same word used for the Straits of
Gibraltar. It does not mean running
parallel it means narrow, tight and constricted.
What kind of living, choices, goals, etc, should we then
prepare ourselves to follow or choose that our way will lead to life?
Our life and its choices will be constrained and defined by
the boundaries set forth in God’s Word. Our narrow way is the way of life.
Application: What are some examples of this kind of living?
What way am I walking in my walk with Christ, the church, my
family, my friends?
If I interpret this passage as how to be saved then it is
about legalism and not about grace, but if it is about our walk of life after
salvation then it is not about my efforts to be saved or stay saved, it is
about the life I lead which continually brings and leads to more life.
7:15-23 BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS
15 Beware of false
prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening
wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men
gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good
fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A
good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth
good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth
not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by
their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my
Father which is in heaven. 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? 23 And
then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity.
The Two Trees
What are the two trees?
The good tree which brings forth good fruit and the corrupt
which produces evil fruit.
How can we reconcile this passage with Jesus’ forbidding us
to judge?
The judgment Jesus talked about was warning against the negative
attitude and judgmental nature of the self-righteous. This passage is telling
us to discern between true and false prophets.
Who is Jesus warning us about?
False prophets, not fellow believers or Christians. These are leaders and as such must be open to
scrutiny.
What is the test of a prophet, teacher or leader?
Their fruit is the criteria for our judgment. That which is
the product of their ministry and life.
What kind of fruit does Jesus say is not valid for this
judging?
Prophecy, casting out of demons and miracles.
Ironically, what “fruit” do people today use for judging
someone to be a prophet?
The very things Jesus said not to use, telling the future
and so called miracles.
Can we use this passage to judge someone else’s salvation?
Are we commanded to judge whether a person is lost or saved according their
fruit?
No, in fact such action would violate Jesus first commands
in this section about having a judgmental attitude toward others. This command
is specifically about false prophets, it does not allow you to condemn a
brother or sister because they are not produce fruit as they should.
What is the only way we can judge another’s salvation?
We can only judge their testimony of accepting Christ. Even
if they are not living as they should or walking the narrow way we cannot know
their heart when they accept Christ nor can we see the future to see that they
may wall repent. We can and should warn them of their sin and even discipline
them in our local body if need be, but even then it is the sin we are judging
and not a person’s salvation.
Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant?
to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God
is able to make him stand…. 10 But why
dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we
shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I
live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall
confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to
God. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather,
that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
What is the final end of the corrupt tree and the false
prophet?
Every tree that does not produce good fruit is hewn down and
cast into the fire. False prophet and workers are told to depart from the
presence of Christ.
Based on this passage, what then is the final test of a
prophet or servant of God?
A true relationship with and true calling from Jesus Christ.
7:24-27 BUILD ON THE ROCK
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and
doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a
rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and
beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And
every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be
likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods
came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was
the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the
people were astonished at his doctrine:
The Two Houses
What are the two houses Jesus describes?
The house on the rock and the house on the sand.
What makes the difference between the two houses?
The house on the rock built by the wise man is founded upon
the teaching of Jesus Christ. The house on the sand, built by the foolish man,
ignores the teaching of Jesus and builds upon another foundation.
In this concluding illustration, what do the houses
represent?
They are lives, how we live them and the choices we make in
building them.
What is the rock?
The teachings of Jesus Christ as the foundation of our life.
Jesus Christ himself who is often called the Rock in scripture.
Matthew 16:18 … upon
this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it.
Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a
stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be
ashamed.
1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual
drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock
was Christ.
1 Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence,
even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they
were appointed.
What are the floods?
Trials, troubles, tribulation that come in every life.
What is the sand?
Any foundation or basis of life, other than Jesus teaching.
Application: How can we, in a practical way, build on the
rock? What actions must we take, what practices must we implement in order to
make sure the foundation of our lives?
Conclusion:
Matthew 5,6 and 7 rightly
are understood as the most important description of the Christian life
in the New Testament. Not only have they shaped Christians but even the world
that Christians live in, but they must always be kept in the context of
Christ’s coming Kingdom. It is not meant to be the marching orders for the
church, that is the great commission, but it is the description of a child of
God, a citizen of the future kingdom of Heaven and how they should live, act
and think until that kingdom and its King Jesus Christ is founded upon this
earth.
Until then we act as ambassador and representatives of the
kingdom, showing the world by our words and works, our life and lifestyle, the
nature and walk of a Christian. With the lives we lead we will prepare others
to enter the Kingdom and eagerly look for the returning King.
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