Reference

Matthew 7:13-27

Sermon Notes

I. The _______________ way (v. 13-14)

II. __________________ teachers (v. 15-20)

III. ________________ and faith in Jesus (v. 21-23)

IV. ________________ what God says (v. 24-27)

 

Going Deeper

  1. Read Deut. 30:19;  Deut. 11:26 ; and Josh. 24:15. What choices are the people
    of God given in these verses? What choice will you make? How is the right choice
    a challenge for you?
  2. Read Matt. 7:13-14. What make the narrow gate difficult to find? What makes
    the broad road to destruction easy? Dan Doriani says: “The gate is narrow because
    Jesus forbids certain acts. He commands ‘do not’ in 5:34; 36, 39, 42; 6:3, 7, 16,
    19, 25, 31, 34; 7:6. These prohibitions restrict or narrow options for behavior.”
  3. Read Matt. 7:15-20. What is Jesus’ warning? Who are the wolves? How will we
    know who the wolves are? Douglas O’Donnell says: “Do not underestimate the
    influence of bad theology and false teaching. So many people choose the wide
    way to destruction because of these clanging cymbals, these showy charlatans
    who teach “‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11), who
    deliver moving sermons and work wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:8, 9;
    Deuteronomy 13:1-3), yet who preach a “different gospel” that is no gospel at
    all (Galatians 1:6, 7)—the gospel of “a God without wrath [who] brought men
    without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a
    Christ without a cross.”
    Dietrich Bonhoeffer describes false teachers: “Knowing that Christians are credulous
    people, he conceals his dark purpose beneath the cloak of Christian piety, hoping
    that his innocuous disguise will avert detection.”
  4. Read Isaiah 30:10-11 and 2 Tim. 4:3. Instead of sound doctrine what do people
    desire? Why do they desire it? Dan Doriani says: “False teachers love money (1
    Tim. 6:3–10); elders should not (Titus 1:7; cf. Acts 20:33; Amos 7:12–13 [in
    full context]).”
  5. Dan Doriani says: “If Matthew 7:16–20 stressed the necessity of good
    fruit, 7:21–23 insists that good fruit be assessed correctly. For acts to be truly
    good, they must meet God’s standards (his laws and values), have the right
    motives (love for God and neighbor), and pursue the right goal (the glory of God
    and the good of his creation).The starting point is faith.”
  6. What does Jesus say in Luke 6:46? What is stressed here?
  7. Read Matt. 7:24-27. What is the difference between the two hearers? Is hearing
    enough? Why or why not? Read 1 John 1:6; 2:4.
  8. John Stott: “The world is a dark and dismal place, lacking sunshine, living in
    shadow; Jesus’ followers are to be its light, dispelling its darkness and its gloom.”
  9. How will you live differently this week in response to Matt. 7:13-27? What is one
    specific way you will choose to obey God’s Word?