Sermon-"Known" based on Matthew 7:13-23
Introduction: Known is defined by The American Heritage Dictionary as, “Proved or understood.” What are the following pictures on the screen known for: Kansas, Hesston, HMBC, You? Often our answers for what we are known for are based on what we do. In today’s passage, we see what matters is WHO we know.
Follow vs. 13-14
·
Gates-There are
only two choices. Can also be translated as door. In Jesus’ day, shepherds often would serve as
the gate to a fenced area during the night.
They would lay down in the opening to keep the sheep safe inside while
keeping the wolves out.
·
Vs. 13-Wide-It’s
easy, leads to destruction, many enter it
o
Way is Easy
& Many Enter It-Some translations use path. Self focused, self
righteousness, many options. “Do whatever you want, whatever makes you happy, whatever
is true for you”
§ (John 14:6) Jesus said to him, “I am the
way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me. 7 If you had known me, you would
have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have
seen him.”
o
Destruction-John
10:10- The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
·
Vs. 14-Narrow-It’s
hard, leads to life, few find it
o
Way is Hard-Requires
commitment, sacrifice, humility. Requires choosing Way, Truth, Life
o
Life-John 10:10-I
came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
o
Few-Not that
only a few follow Jesus, but that in comparison to other choice, it is less
Fruit
vs. 15-20
·
Vs. 15-Focus is
on those who might attempt to distract the sheep. Beware of false prophets
o
Claim to speak
on behalf of God but their actions don’t match up or their words are not in
line with God’s Word.
o
A quick word of
clarification. It does not say beware of
prophecy, but false prophets. Remember
passage I preached on from 1 Corinthians 14 and how prophecy is for the strengthening,
encouraging and comfort to build up the church.
And also 1 Thessalonians 5:20-“Do not despise prophecies”
o
In Sheep’s
clothing but ravenous wolves (why-they want to hurt the sheep)
§ they appear as harmless as the most harmless of
animals[1]
§ Teachers/leaders who appear good but inwardly have
evil or impure motives-individual profit, individual interests
o
It’s why is so
important for us to know the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. John 10:4-5- “the sheep follow him, for they know his
voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for
they do not know the voice of strangers.”
o
How can we
discern a false prophet? Some helpful
questions from class I taught at Midweek Equip last semester.
§ Is it Scriptural?
§ Does it display the character of Christ?
§ Are the fruit of the Spirit evident?
§ Is it tainted by something? (flesh, Satan, world)
§ How is their walk with the Lord?
§ What does the Holy Spirit seem to be saying?
·
Vs. 16-Recognize
by their fruits-Jesus uses examples they understand
o
Grapes from
thornbushes & Figs from thistles
·
Vs. 17-Healthy
tree bears good fruit/ Diseased tree bears bad fruit
o Just as fruit is determined by the seed on the inside.
Our fruit comes from us inwardly, from the Holy Spirit
o
Don’t just
listen to their words, watch their actions
o
Galatians 5:22-23- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against
such things there is no law.
·
Vs. 18-Healthy cannot
bear bad fruit nor can diseased tree bear good fruit
·
Vs. 19-Bad trees
are cut down and thrown into the fire (quote from John the Baptist in Matt.
3:10)
o
Burned to
protect the good trees & Reference to judgment day
·
Vs. 20-You will
recognize them by their fruits
o If there is no good fruit there is no good reason
for the person to be treated as a prophet.[2]
Future
vs. 21-23
·
Just as two
choices in our earlier verses. Only two
destinations. A reference to Judgment Day
·
Vs. 21-Not
everyone who says, but who does the will of Father will enter kingdom
o Jesus is not saying that those saved will have
earned their salvation, but that the reality of their faith will be made clear
by their fruitful lives.[3]
·
Vs. 22-That day-didn’t
we prophesy, cast out demons and do mighty works?
o
Religious actions
do not save us. There can be imitations.
o We are reminded that signs and wonders can come from
sources other than God, including both the demonic world and human manufacture[4]
·
Vs. 23-I never
knew you-workers of lawlessness
o
Lawless-rejection
of the law of God
o
They were never
followers of Jesus.
Closing:
Who do you follow? Who do they follow?
[1]
Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel
according to Matthew (p. 176). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester,
England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
[2]
Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel
according to Matthew (p. 178). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester,
England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
[3]
Morris, L. (1992). The Gospel
according to Matthew (p. 179). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester,
England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
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