Did Jesus Really Say That? Matthew 5–7

Responding to Jesus Matthew 7:13-29

Structure of Matthew 7:13-29 Four “Alternatives” that Demand Decision

Structure of Matthew 7:13-29 Four “Alternatives” that Demand Decision #1 Narrow and Wide Paths/Gates (7:13-14)

Structure of Matthew 7:13-29 Four “Alternatives” that Demand Decision #1 Narrow and Wide Paths/Gates (7:13-14) #2 Fruitful and Unfruitful Trees/Prophets (7:15- 20)

Structure of Matthew 7:13-29 Four “Alternatives” that Demand Decision #1 Narrow and Wide Paths/Gates (7:13-14) #2 Fruitful and Unfruitful Trees/Prophets (7:15- 20) #3 True and False Claims/Believers (7:21-23)

Structure of Matthew 7:13-29 Four “Alternatives” that Demand Decision #1 Narrow and Wide Paths/Gates (7:13-14) #2 Fruitful and Unfruitful Trees/Prophets (7:15- 20) #3 True and False Claims/Believers (7:21-23) #4 Wise and Foolish Builders/Foundations (7:24-27)

Structure of Matthew 7:13-29 Four “Alternatives” that Demand Decision #1 Narrow and Wide Paths/Gates (7:13-14) #2 Fruitful and Unfruitful Trees/Prophets (7:15- 20) #3 True and False Claims/Believers (7:21-23) #4 Wise and Foolish Builders/Foundations (7:24-27) Postscript to the Sermon on the Mount The Reaction of the Crowd to the Teaching of Jesus (7:28-29)

The Narrow and Wide Path/Gates (Matthew 7:13-14)  The proper choice is presented by Christ concerning the direction of life that a person should take

The Narrow and Wide Path/Gates (Matthew 7:13-14)  The proper choice is presented by Christ concerning the direction of life that a person should take  Christ indicates that not every decision will lead to “life,” in fact, the most obvious and perhaps easiest leads to “destruction”

The Narrow and Wide Path/Gates (Matthew 7:13-14)  The proper choice is presented by Christ concerning the direction of life that a person should take  Christ indicates that not every decision will lead to “life,” in fact, the most obvious and perhaps easiest leads to “destruction”  Life = kingdom in Matthew (cf. 7:21-22)

The Narrow and Wide Path/Gates (Matthew 7:13-14)  The proper choice is presented by Christ concerning the direction of life that a person should take  Christ indicates that not every decision will lead to “life,” in fact, the most obvious and perhaps easiest leads to “destruction”  Life = kingdom in Matthew (cf. 7:21-22)  You can choose your actions or your consequences, you can’t choose both

The Narrow and Wide Path/Gates (Matthew 7:13-14)  In Matthew, the “gate” would be repentance — a change from wrong thinking (later in John 10:7, Christ will say “I am the gate”)

The Narrow and Wide Path/Gates (Matthew 7:13-14)  In Matthew, the “gate” would be repentance — a change from wrong thinking (later in John 10:7, Christ will say “I am the gate”)  “small” in verse 14 is a Greek word related to persecution/restrictions

The Narrow and Wide Path/Gates (Matthew 7:13-14)  In Matthew, the “gate” would be repentance — a change from wrong thinking (later in John 10:7, Christ will say “I am the gate”)  “small” in verse 14 is a Greek word related to persecution/restrictions  Both the beginning and the process are not popular nor easy

The Narrow and Wide Path/Gates (Matthew 7:13-14)  In Matthew, the “gate” would be repentance — a change from wrong thinking (later in John 10:7, Christ will say “I am the gate”)  “small” in verse 14 is a Greek word related to persecution/restrictions  Both the beginning and the process are not popular nor easy  But the one who chooses the narrow gate and the restrictive path is making a vital choice now that will lead to “life” later

The Fruitful and Unfruitful Trees/Teachers (Matthew 7:15-20)

How can you tell who will teach/preach (prophesy in the NT primarily means to speak a message from God) correctly? Is the most restrictive teacher the best, the right way?How can you tell who will teach/preach (prophesy in the NT primarily means to speak a message from God) correctly? Is the most restrictive teacher the best, the right way?

The Fruitful and Unfruitful Trees/Teachers (Matthew 7:15-20) How can you tell who will teach/preach (prophesy in the NT primarily means to speak a message from God) correctly? Is the most restrictive teacher the best, the right way?How can you tell who will teach/preach (prophesy in the NT primarily means to speak a message from God) correctly? Is the most restrictive teacher the best, the right way? NO — you must observe, how the teacher lives, since not all teachers have a righteous motive or correct information — though it may appear that way at firstNO — you must observe, how the teacher lives, since not all teachers have a righteous motive or correct information — though it may appear that way at first

The Fruitful and Unfruitful Trees/Teachers (Matthew 7:15-20) How can you tell who will teach/preach (prophesy in the NT primarily means to speak a message from God) correctly? Is the most restrictive teacher the best, the right way?How can you tell who will teach/preach (prophesy in the NT primarily means to speak a message from God) correctly? Is the most restrictive teacher the best, the right way? NO — you must observe, how the teacher lives, since not all teachers have a righteous motive or correct information — though it may appear that way at firstNO — you must observe, how the teacher lives, since not all teachers have a righteous motive or correct information — though it may appear that way at first Does the teacher/teaching lead to what Christ has spoken of in the Sermon so far (here Christ does not explain what they would teach but certainly implies they would misrepresent divine revelation)?Does the teacher/teaching lead to what Christ has spoken of in the Sermon so far (here Christ does not explain what they would teach but certainly implies they would misrepresent divine revelation)?

The Fruitful and Unfruitful Trees/Teachers (Matthew 7:15-20) How can you tell who will teach/preach (prophesy in the NT primarily means to speak a message from God) correctly? Is the most restrictive teacher the best, the right way?How can you tell who will teach/preach (prophesy in the NT primarily means to speak a message from God) correctly? Is the most restrictive teacher the best, the right way? NO — you must observe, how the teacher lives, since not all teachers have a righteous motive or correct information — though it may appear that way at firstNO — you must observe, how the teacher lives, since not all teachers have a righteous motive or correct information — though it may appear that way at first Does the teacher/teaching lead to what Christ has spoken of in the Sermon so far (here Christ does not explain what they would teach but certainly implies they would misrepresent divine revelation)?Does the teacher/teaching lead to what Christ has spoken of in the Sermon so far (here Christ does not explain what they would teach but certainly implies they would misrepresent divine revelation)? “By their fruit you will recognize them.” (7:20)“By their fruit you will recognize them.” (7:20)

The Fruitful and Unfruitful Trees/Teachers (Matthew 7:15-20) Fruit is that which a plant or person produces. From fruit you can conclude a great deal about the nature and identity of what bears that fruitFruit is that which a plant or person produces. From fruit you can conclude a great deal about the nature and identity of what bears that fruit In false teachers, fruit are their deeds, that which is evident and comes from their teachingIn false teachers, fruit are their deeds, that which is evident and comes from their teaching Sometimes it takes time for the fruit to be recognized but eventually a false teacher can be identifiedSometimes it takes time for the fruit to be recognized but eventually a false teacher can be identified Be careful in your accusations, all fruit does not appear exactly the same but righteousness is the common and necessary featureBe careful in your accusations, all fruit does not appear exactly the same but righteousness is the common and necessary feature

True and False Claims/Believers (Matthew 7:21-23)

“Profession without obedience is a core inconsistency”

True and False Claims/Believers (Matthew 7:21-23) “Profession without obedience is a core inconsistency” “Not everyone who says to me [Jesus], ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” “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!’”

True and False Claims/Believers (Matthew 7:21-23) Professed admiration for Jesus does not determine entrance into the kingdom — only obedience to the Father’s will

True and False Claims/Believers (Matthew 7:21-23) Professed admiration for Jesus does not determine entrance into the kingdom — only obedience to the Father’s will The Father’s will is first to believe that Jesus is the Sent One/ the Messiah (John 7:29)

True and False Claims/Believers (Matthew 7:21-23) Professed admiration for Jesus does not determine entrance into the kingdom — only obedience to the Father’s will The Father’s will is first to believe that Jesus is the Sent One/ the Messiah (John 7:29) It is possible that a person could do something miraculous, appealing to the authority of Jesus, but not have a relationship to Him

True and False Claims/Believers (Matthew 7:21-23) Professed admiration for Jesus does not determine entrance into the kingdom — only obedience to the Father’s will The Father’s will is first to believe that Jesus is the Sent One/ the Messiah (John 7:29) It is possible that a person could do something miraculous, appealing to the authority of Jesus, but not have a relationship to Him Just like the false prophets/teachers, it is possible to hide your true identity but in the end it will be determined by Christ!

The Wise and Foolish Builders/Foundations (Matthew 7:24-27)

 The contrast now is between hearing and doing (previously it was between saying and doing)

The Wise and Foolish Builders/Foundations (Matthew 7:24-27)  The contrast now is between hearing and doing (previously it was between saying and doing)  Both houses look secure (both builders probably promised that) but severe testing reveals the true foundation

The Wise and Foolish Builders/Foundations (Matthew 7:24-27)  The contrast now is between hearing and doing (previously it was between saying and doing)  Both houses look secure (both builders probably promised that) but severe testing reveals the true foundation  If a person wanted to be sure that his/her life could stand the storms/testing that come to all, they must not only hear what Jesus had to say but put it into practice

1.Will you choose to walk through the narrow gate and follow the narrow path?

2.Will you exercise biblical discernment before listening to teachers who claim to know the truth?

1.Will you choose to walk through the narrow gate and follow the narrow path? 2.Will you exercise biblical discernment before listening to teachers who claim to know the truth? 3.Are you counting on “words” and “works” to prove you are a true Christian or does Christ “know” you?

1.Will you choose to walk through the narrow gate and follow the narrow path? 2.Will you exercise biblical discernment before listening to teachers who claim to know the truth? 3.Are you counting on “words” and “works” to prove you are a true Christian or does Christ “know” you? 4.Are you consciously and consistently practicing the teachings of Jesus and have you proven this in the crisis of life?