A Sermon Series on Prayer Deeper Prayer Life A Sermon Series on Prayer

The Sermon on the Mount: Praying Through The Sermon on the Mount: Your Foundation Must Be Sure Matthew 7:13-27 2

Radical Nature of the Kingdom (5:3-12) Your Values Must Be Changed! Radical Calling of the Kingdom (5:13-16) Your Mission Must Be Clear! Radical Righteousness of the Kingdom (5:17-48) Your Standard Must Be Right! Radical Spirituality of the Kingdom (6:1-18) Your Motive Must Be Pure!

Radical Priority of the Kingdom (6:19-34) Your Allegiance Must Be True! Radical Community of the Kingdom (7:1-12) Your Relationships Must Be Sound! Radical Transformation of the Kingdom (7:13-27) Your Foundation Must Be Sure!

As Jesus concludes his sermon on the mount, he challenges his disciples and all who were listening to him to heed his words and do what is right.

The truth of the matter is… truth ALONE does NOT change lives. The right RESPONSE to the revealed truth changes lives.

In order for us to have a sure foundation, we must choose wisely between…

Two Paths (vv. 13-14) Direction Which way should I go?

Wide gate broad road leads to destruction. Two Paths (vv. 13-14). Wide gate broad road leads to destruction. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Mark 7:13)

Small gate narrow road leads to life. Two Paths (vv. 13-14). Small gate narrow road leads to life. “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Mark 7:14)

Gate = Initial Faith Road = Life of Faith Two Paths (vv. 13-14). Gate = Initial Faith Road = Life of Faith The small gate narrow road that leads to life has a price to pay – radical transformation!

Two Paths (vv. 13-14). “We come to God through Jesus as a free gift of God. But, once we know Him, it is the pearl of great price for which we sell all that we have to follow Him. Salvation is absolutely free but it costs everything that we are and have.” (R. J. D. Utley)

Direction Which way should I go? JESUS

What fruit should I bear? Two Trees (vv. 15-20) Description What fruit should I bear?

Bad tree bears bad fruit. Two Trees (vv. 15-20). Bad tree bears bad fruit. “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Mark 7:15-16a)

“Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Two Trees (vv. 15-20). Good tree bears good fruit. “Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” (Mark 7:16b-17)

Good tree bears good fruit. Two Trees (vv. 15-20). Good tree bears good fruit. “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Mark 7:18-20)

Fruit = Deeds Fruit = Doctrine Inspect the Fruit! Two Trees (vv. 15-20). Fruit = Deeds Fruit = Doctrine Inspect the Fruit!

Good tree bears good fruit. Two Trees (vv. 15-20). Good tree bears good fruit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

What fruit should I bear? Description What fruit should I bear? HOLINESS

Two Followers (vv. 21-23) Duty Whose will should I do?

False followers who “performed” ministry in Jesus’ name. Two Followers (vv. 21-23). False followers who “performed” ministry in Jesus’ name. “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Mark 7:22-23)

True followers who did the will of the Father. Two Followers (vv. 21-23). True followers who did the will of the Father. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Mark 7:21)

Professing Faith vs Practicing Faith Two Followers (vv. 21-23). Professing Faith vs Practicing Faith Inspect the Root!

Duty Whose will should I do? FATHER

What trait should I have? Two Builders (vv. 24-27) Demand What trait should I have?

Foolish man who builds his house on sand. Two Builders (vv. 24-27). Foolish man who builds his house on sand. “But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” (Mark 7:26)

Foolish man who builds his house on sand. Two Builders (vv. 24-27). Foolish man who builds his house on sand. “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Mark 7:27)

Wise man who builds his house on the rock. Two Builders (vv. 24-27). Wise man who builds his house on the rock. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Mark 7:24)

Wise man who builds his house on the rock. Two Builders (vv. 24-27). Wise man who builds his house on the rock. “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Mark 7:25)

True Faith will stand the tests of time and trials. Two Builders (vv. 24-27). Christianity involves knowledge, personal response and a lifelong of service to God! True Faith will stand the tests of time and trials.

“Hearing sermons is a dangerous business if one does not put them into practice.” (A.T. Robertson)

What trait should I have? Demand What trait should I have? DILIGENCE

What will God say about the choices we made and the life we lived? The Final Test What will God say about the choices we made and the life we lived?