Make Up Your Minds - Matthew 7:13-29 - November 25, 2007

Sunday School Lesson – Make Up Your Minds – November 25, 2007

This is the final lesson in our series on the Sermon on the Mount.

Our scripture is Matthew 7:13-29.

JESUS began HIS sermon with the Beatitudes in Mathew Chapter 5 where HE gives the ideal qualities GOD desires for all believers. Then HE told believers that they are salt and light. Salt can become contaminated and lose its saltiness. Light can be blocked by barriers. Some contaminates or barriers can come from within by our attitude, deceitful hearts and impure hearts as we encounter circumstances and people in life situations. Equally important are the motives we harbor in our hearts when we worship and serve our LORD. Our flesh wants to be seen and recognized for the things we do. Our ego can get in our way when we worship and serve our LORD. GOD wants our hearts and motives to be pure.

GOD wants believers to be ideal disciples so they will store up treasure in heaven and not upon earth. HE wants believers to have the right attitudes. HE wants believers to cast their burdens and cares upon HIM. HE wants believers to see others as HE sees them. HE wants believers to know themselves and deal with the problems in their lives, so they can help others. Believers are to do unto others as they want others to do unto them. Most of all HE wants believers to seek HIM first.

JESUS completed HIS sermon by revealing to the crowds that HE is the final authority for determining who enters heaven.

Let’s read Matthew 7:13-14:
Entering the Kingdom
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. 14 How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.

JESUS transitions from do unto others as you want them to do unto you, to making it clear that works or doing unto others alone will not get you to heaven. Many people think by working very hard they can earn their way to heaven. It is vital that we have the relationship with our LORD and let HIM direct all of our efforts.

The gate is an opening that leads us to something. JESUS tells about two (2) gates. One (1) gate leads to destruction and the second (2nd) leads to eternal life. The gate to destruction is easy to go through but the gate to eternal life is narrow and the road is difficult.

What makes the gate so narrow? Many people like to think there are other ways to heaven. Many question how can a loving GOD not allow a person into heaven? How can it be that CHRIST is the only way? Simply, when a person does not have CHRIST in their life they will be judged. The absolute good news of the gospel of CHRIST is captured in John 5:24 (Printed later in this lesson.). When we accept CHRIST as our SAVIOR, we pass from death to life and will not come under judgment. We will receive our rewards or heavenly treasure based upon our obedience to GOD but we will not be judged.

Many people try to use logic or intellect to figure out their spiritual destiny. Once one finds the gate, why is it so hard to go down the road? One explanation is that the flesh wars with our spirit and does all it can to prevent us from accepting JESUS as our SAVIOR. Of course Satan is the one using every trick in the book to keep a person from accepting CHRIST as their SAVIOR. The flesh wants to rule the flesh kingdom, which is controlled by Satan.

Even when we accept JESUS as our SAVIOR the Christian journey is very difficult. JESUS tells us that the road through the narrow gate is difficult. It is impossible in our own strength. It is possible only by allowing the HOLY SPIRIT to lead and direct our lives. The HOLY SPIRIT empowers us to live for CHRIST each moment. Again, Satan does not want us to live the Christian life as GOD wants us to live it. We can only live the Christian life as GOD wants us to live it by yielding our will and control to HIM.

JESUS Himself tells us in John 14:6 that HE is the only way to the FATHER.
John 14:6:
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Let’s read Matthew 7:15-23:

15 “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. 16 You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit. 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but [only]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ 23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’[9] Lit you who work lawlessness [10] Ps 6:8

JESUS warns about false prophets and false disciples. Some false prophets disguise themselves as the real thing but inside they know what they are, deceivers. The Christian jargon can be learned and regurgitated. Young believers can be misled by such false prophets because most young Christians are seeking all that JESUS has in store for them. With our current mindset most people want to be spiritually mature instantly or the easy way. There are false prophets that have all sorts of methods that, they say, can make a believer into an instant powerhouse. JESUS tells us to look at their fruit. Do not be misled by the things some have accumulated such as their gold rings, big cars or big houses. JESUS tells us to look for their spiritual fruit. What do we look for in their lives as well as our lives? Fruit. What kind of fruit?

Galatians 5:22-26 gives us a list of the fruit of the spirit and some attributes of those who belong to CHRIST:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,[5] Or faithfulness 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. 26 We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Verses 15-20 focus on false prophets. Verses 21-23 focus on false disciples. Some Bible scholars think the false prophets and false disciples are one group. Others think they are two (2) groups. Either way both sets of people are acting like Christians and speaking the Christian language but they have never gone through the narrow gate themselves. Many have deceived others so long they have even deceived themselves. They have play acted so long their hearts are hard and they cannot even be saved by the message they speak. Keep in mind that GOD’S Word is powerful and impacts the lives of those who hear it and act upon it. So it appears that these people belong to GOD.

Hebrews 4:12-13:

12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart. 13 No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.

Isaiah 55:11: (GOD’S Word produces HIS desired results.)

11 so My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and will prosper in what I send it [to do]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. .”

When false prophets and false disciples read the Bible, spiritual results can be manifested in the lives of others, because it is the power of the Word. But then the false prophets or false disciples interpret the Bible to suit themselves which can deceive and confuse those seeking truth. Genuine believers need discernment in order to separate the truth from a variation of the truth.

Discernment is a gift from GOD. Ask GOD for it and then act upon it when the alarms go off. It may be as simple as an uneasy sense when you hear a certain person present spiritual things. It is important that every believer know the Word themselves. Test all spiritual matters against the Word. Test what I tell you against the Word. No one is exempt.

In verse 23, JESUS tells the false prophets and false disciples that they are lawbreakers. The only way for us not to be judged by the law is to ask JESUS to forgive us of our sins and to come into our lives. Otherwise all people are breakers of the law. JESUS knows our hearts and those who have not accepted HIM as their personal SAVIOR are still under the law. HE tells them they have missed the mark because they have broken the law. GOD expects “perfection.” Close does not cut it with GOD. That is why every human must have CHRIST. HE is perfect in all ways. HE has overcome the world.

We, as Christians, still break the law. Does that mean we bounce in and out of heaven? No! Once we were conceived, we can nothing to change the fact that we are and always will be the child of our parents. The same is true when we are born-again we are GOD’S child and nothing will ever change this fact. But GOD wants us to confess our sins on an ongoing basis. HE knows we will sin and HE wants us to recognize, acknowledge and confess that we sin to maintain a healthy relationship with HIM.

Christians have come through the narrow gate by accepting JESUS as their SAVIOR. The Christian road is difficult and Christians sin. This is why 1 John 1:9 is important for every Christian to know and practice as we journey down the road of life.

1 John 1:9-10:
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

When we accept JESUS as our SAVIOR several things happen:

CHRIST fulfills the law for all believers. It is impossible for any person to fulfill the law as GOD demands. Remember JESUS told us that GOD looks upon our hearts. To hate is the same as killing or to lust is the same as committing adultery. This is why we need JESUS. We cannot measure up to GOD’S requirements in our own strength. JESUS paid the price for the penalty for all sin by shedding HIS blood and giving HIS life that all who believes in HIM will be saved from eternal death. The believers reward is eternal life and much more:

Matthew 5:17: (JESUS is speaking)
17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

Pass from death to eternal life.

John 5:24: (JESUS is speaking)
24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

Made Righteous.

2 Corinthians 5:21:
21 He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Inherit eternal life.

John 3:16:
16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His • One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.[10] 1 Jn 4:9–10
Receive the HOLY SPIRIT.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20:
19 Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body.[9] Other mss add and in your spirit, which belong to God.

Sealed by the HOLY SPIRIT – A Holy Guarantee or Warranty.

Ephesians 1:13-14:
13 In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation—in Him when you believed—were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 He is the down payment[12] Gn 38:17–18,20; 2 Co 1:22; 5:5 of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession,[13] the possession could be either man’s or God’s to the praise of His glory.

Become GOD’S child.

Romans 8:16-17:
16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—seeing that[13] Or provided that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Grace – We are saved by grace and GOD’S grace sustains us as we journey down the narrow difficult road. Grace is unmerited favor. It is something we cannot earn or even deserve but GOD gives it to us freely when we accept JESUS as our SAVIOR.

Ephesians 2:8:
8 For by grace[5] Rm 3:24; 6:14; 11:6; Gl 2:21; 2 Tm 1:9 you are saved through faith,[6] Rm 3:28; 5:1 and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are His creation—created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

These are just a few assurances of the miracle of the rebirth in our spirit.

Once we become GOD’S children through the miracle of the rebirth nothing will ever change the fact we are GOD’S children. We can honor HIM by being obedient or we can follow our own desires and dishonor HIM. When we are obedient to HIM, we receive heavenly rewards. When we serve as we wish, then we do not earn heavenly rewards. Believers get to heaven but by the skin of our teeth.

Paul gives insight to heavenly rewards in 1 Corinthians 3:10-16:
10 According to God’s grace that was given to me, as a skilled master builder I have laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it, 11 because no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid—that is, Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious, for the day[4] The Day of Christ’s judgment of believers will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.[5] Lit yet so as through fire 16 Don’t you know that you are God’s sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 17 If anyone ruins God’s sanctuary, God will ruin him; for God’s sanctuary is holy, and that is what you are.

In verses 21, 22 and 23 JESUS is telling the crowds that HE is the final authority and judge for anyone to get into heaven. They may have understood this by the end of HIS sermon when the crowds stated in verse 28 and 29 that JESUS spoke with authority.

The Apostle John records the words of JESUS when HE speaks about believers producing good fruit. Simply, believers must be grafted into the vine. HE is the vine and we are the branches.

John 15:5-8:

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be[1] Or and become My disciples.

We must remain in HIM through an abiding relationship to continue to produce fruit. When we allow our flesh to lead us to do our own will, then we are of no value to HIM as fruit producers. True Christians maintain their status as GOD’S children but they are not obedient children. Disobedience costs them their heavenly treasure but not heaven.

In previous lessons, I have stated that those acknowledging JESUS or GOD as SAVIOR have done so with the expression, LORD. We see in this scripture that some call JESUS LORD but HE says depart from ME I never knew you. Again the LORD looks upon the heart. The expression of words does not save one but it is the attitude of the heart when those or many others words are spoken as a surrender of ones self to GOD. I have read of people simply saying “I give up.” Those simple words spoken resulted in their salvation. It is not the words. It is a matter of the heart and GOD knows our hearts.

If you have not made the decision to accept CHRIST, do so right now by asking HIM to come into your life. When you mean it, HE will.

Let’s read Matthew 7:24-29:
The Two Foundations
24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!” 28 When Jesus had finished this sermon,[11] Lit had ended these words the crowds were astonished at His teaching, 29 because He was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their • scribes.

JESUS finishes HIS sermon talking about two (2) buildings. The buildings are identical and both are built strong. One building is built on a solid, well established foundation of a rock. The other foundation is built upon sand. Both function as a house until they are tested. The house built upon a foundation other than CHRIST, as depicted by the sand, collapses when tested. Often in life GOD allows us to be tested to let us see what we have built our foundations upon. It is better to know if our foundation is rock solid while we are on earth than to find it out that we built upon sand when it is too late.

The vital part of the two (2) buildings is obedience. Notice in verse 24, JESUS begins with “Everyone” who “hears” and “does” what I have just told you about in the Sermon on the Mount is like the wise person. Many of us can hear the Word but we fail to act on what we hear. Belief is faith in action. GOD does not want secret believers.

Notice how JESUS is establishing HIS authority, when HE says “these words of Mine” in verses 24 and 26.

The rock foundation represents CHRIST. When believers come before HIM we will not come under judgment because we have been saved by the Blood of the Lamb. We enter into heaven on HIS credentials.

The crowds were amazed because they had never heard anyone teaching with such authority. When you are the source, you do not have to second guess your statements. JESUS spoke with authority and it showed.

JESUS was saying be careful when you choose the gate you will enter. Build your life on the rock of CHRIST and not upon the sands the world has to offer. Choosing to journey with CHRIST is not easy. In fact the road is very difficult but HE says HE will walk with you each step of the way. Seek first the Kingdom of GOD and all the things will be given to you.

The goal of our FATHER is for us to be made into the image of HIS ONLY SON. The obedience of JESUS resulted in HIM sitting at the right-hand of the FATHER. Our obedience results in heavenly treasure being stored for us in heaven.

The choice is left to each individual. If you have not chosen CHRIST as your SAVIOR, ask HIM to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life now.

The Christian journey is not easy but the rewards are heavenly and serving HIM is an absolute JOY. JESUS told us to stack up our treasure in heaven.