Class Lesson September 30, 2012

Hey Gang,


We come to a close this week in our series on "What it Means to Follow Jesus." Jesus has been saying that there are people who profess to follow Him but live their lives no different from the unbeliever. He says that others follow Him just for comfort and satisfaction, but not to be transformed and obedient. He says you can't follow Me on the outside without following Me on the inside. This week Jesus says that you must decide what you are going to do - you do have a choice - what road will you take, what tree will you become, what house will you build?

Is this what you thought it was going to be? 

 

 Choose to build your life on Jesus and His teachings.

Billy Graham - Choices 1981 

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I. LIFE OR DESTRUCTION? – MATTHEW 7:13-14

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.  

1. Jesus begins with two gates: One is narrow and easily overlooked; one is wide and easy to find.

2. These gates lead to two roads: One is difficult and one is easy.

3. There are two destinations: One is life and the other is destruction.

4. There are two groups of travelers: One group that heeds Jesus’ call to follow and another that chooses their own way.



In what ways do “narrow” and “difficult” describe what it’s like to follow Jesus? Why, when many say they want life, do only a few find it?

• How have previous lessons in the Sermon on the Mount described why following Jesus is “difficult?”
• Many religions preach self-sacrifice. How is following Jesus different than religion?
• Contrast difficulties with blessing that come. Cite difficulties that are even worse for those who don’t follow Jesus.

On a daily basis, what does the narrow road look like? What do we see daily on the road to “destruction?” why is it deceivingly comforting to be on the road traveled by many others?

• Insist on many different pictures of the choices people make each day on the narrow road. Think about how we respond to our kids when they say, “everybody else is doing it.” When does this still tempt us as adults?
• Following many on the easy road may not head us in the right direction. We will find suffering that we alone bear.
• Why is narrow-minded seen as restricted or wrong?
• How have you experienced obedience to be freeing, and sin to be limiting?
• We are all travelers through life. Where shall we go? With whom shall we travel? Which way shall we take? What can we expect along the way? Like a reliable travel agent, Jesus was completely candid as He gave both information and counsel. We can choose what seems a better way, but those ways are counterfeits.

Can a person be on both of these roads at the same time?



What choice does Jesus offer, and what results from the decision one makes?

• All people have an opportunity to decide how they will respond to Jesus, to His invitation to enter the kingdom, and to the demands of discipleship.
• Although the demands of discipleship might appear to be constricting, in truth they set us free and lead to life.
• The journey with Jesus may be rigorous, but it is worth the cost.
• One must choose to follow the commandments of God or the commandments of men. One way is easy, the other way is hard. The boundaries are clearly distinguished. One gate leads to destruction, the other gate lead to eternal life. Revealed truths compel obedience to God’s way. To enter the "narrow gate," one must leave "self" behind; on the other hand, to enter the "roomy way," there is no limit to the baggage—self-righteousness, pride, hatred, envy, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, discord, and so on. The "narrow gate" is the very opposite of these works of the flesh.
• The objective of our Lord in this "Sermon on the Mount" is to bring people to an understanding of their nature, their character, and their practice of the two great commandments—love God and love one another. One must realize that kingdom behavior is set forth in the beatitudes. This kind of conduct is the narrow road and the narrow gate that Jesus addresses in His Sermon. The realm of the New Jerusalem is a dominion of light. This kingdom consists of those who allow their good works to be seen by men in order that God may be praised.

Jesus speaks of ethical behavior that is in harmony with the will of God as that which God desires in His children. It is an inward righteousness that God is delighted in, not external righteousness. Following the beatitudes, Jesus addresses the praiseworthy performance that is pleasing to the Father and the unworthy conduct that is not acceptable to the Father. He explains that the quality of one’s actions that pleases God is practice that is in harmony with the intent of God’s law. 

 

 

 

 

 

II. GENUINE OR COUNTERFEIT? – MATTHEW 7:15-23

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

Why is it difficult to recognize someone who teaches or preaches what is false, or leads in destructive ways? What are tale-tell signs of a false prophet? What makes them hard to spot? Do false prophets have insidious goals or are they simply misguided? What makes them look like believers?

• Discipleship is not to be equated with saying religious words or doing religious things. Discipleship is being in right relationship with Jesus and doing the will of the Father.
• Refer to Galatians 5:19-23 to compare works of the flesh with fruit of the Spirit.
• Jesus showed what followers look like and how righteousness extends beyond mere actions.
• “What you see is what you get.” Don’t we wish that were true of everyone we meet? Actually, what we see is often what people project for us to see. Religious fakery is not new. Both the Old and New Testaments speak of false prophets, and Jesus warned us to beware of them. How can we tell whether a preacher, teacher, or layperson is genuine or counterfeit?
• The pretend to be part of God’s flock. They use all the right words. They might be influential leaders or even perform miracles that amaze. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they have God’s approval. God’s punishment for these people is severe: He throws them out of His presence eternally.
• Jesus said to look at their fruit. Do you see strife, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy? Or do you see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control?
• Is their teaching in line with Jesus Christ?

What does Jesus mean by fruit in these verses? What fruit shows one to be a follower of Jesus? What bad fruit would indicate danger? In what ways do the lessons of the Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:12) help us recognize phoniness in others and ourselves?

• Jesus says we can recognize them by their fruit. What fruit are we to examine? Their false teachings, their actions and attitudes. Anyone can talk a religious game.
• Do you see loving actions even when they are weary or offended?
• Do you notice patience in their life even during tense times?
• Do they treat every person with kindness and respect?
• Do they sow peace or cultivate conflict?
• Does the leader answer questions truthfully or become defensive or evasive?
• Are they more concerned with status or with serving the Lord?
• How do they make and use their money?
• When they are out of the spotlight, are they kind and considerate or irritable and rude?
• What do people who have known these people for a long time say about their moral and ethical practices?
• Do they match Christ?
• Do people that are influenced by this person become more godlier or more worldly?
• Do they seek to do God’s will or their own?
• A day of judgment is coming in which counterfeit disciples will be held accountable and denied the opportunity to be in Jesus’ presence.
• Disciples need to be on guard against those who would deceive them in an effort to destroy them.
• Authentic teachers and true disciples can be recognized by the fruit of their lives.

III. ROCK OR SAND? – MATTHEW 7:24-29

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 

So Jesus is asking you and me – what are we building our life on – rock or sand?



What collapses have you see or experienced in your lifetime? What do these collapses reveal?

• Samples: Stock market crashes; collapse of levies in New Orleans; collapse of the Berlin Wall; collapse of major companies. In many cases, crashes and collapses reveal weaknesses that were there all along but were overlooked or ignored. Other times neglect causes collapse to build over time. Collapses can come from pressures bigger than the structure was built to withstand. There are many who attend and even serve in church, but ignore Jesus’ warnings about building their lives on the rock.

Jesus describes two men:

1. A wise man. Builds a foundation or a life in obedience to God’s Word.

2. A foolish man. Builds a foundation that leads to collapse. He spent all that time building, engineering, and adding to his home. He had good intentions. He may have had a good reputation. Things looked good on the outside, maybe as good as his neighbors. But listen to the crescendo of Jesus’ words and imagine the silence that followed: “The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed.



What was the difference between the wise and foolish men in the story Jesus told?

• Those who hear and obey Jesus’ words build their lives on a solid foundation.

What do Jesus’ words make you wonder about your own life? How well do you like what you see?



What made Jesus’ teaching distinctive from all other teachers?

• Jesus speaks with true authority – His authority.

Prayer of Commitment

Father, I have a decision to make. Without hesitancy, I choose You. Amen 

Be in prayer this week as we draw this series to a close - what will your decision be? 

See you on Sunday! 

In His Love, 

David & Susan