Matthew 7:13-23
1. What is the Narrow Gate? (door to salvation)
2. Why is the narrow gate narrow? (People cringe at repentance and commitment to Christ. Only with the power and grace of God does anyone find what it takes to deny self, take up one's cross and follow Christ.)
Following Christ demands a conscious decision and a continuous commitment. Few enter the narrow gate and follow the narrow way, but those who do find life. Those who choose to be Jesus' disciples must be prepared to go against the crowd, not follow it.
The wide gate is so wide those entering it don't even know it is a gate. What are some examples of wide gates people walk through without realizing the danger?
Imagine trying to walk through a large crowd exiting a stadium. How does such an illustration relate to these verses?
Matthew 7:15-20
3. What is the significance of the deceivers coming in sheep's clothing?
Verses 15-20 describe persons who know they are not true followers of Christ but try to disguise themselves.
4. How can we distinguish between real followers and fake ones according to these verses? (Buy their fruit, teachings, buy the results of their teachings or ministry.)
Jesus warned His disciples about deceptive false prophets who ignore, trivialize, or twist His teachings. He told them how to recognize advocates of false ways. False prophets are not recognized by how they appear but what they produce. You can discern false teachers by their character, conduct, teachings, and what they produce.
In verses 15-20 Jesus described false prophets who disguised themselves. In verses 21-23, He described people who thought they were true followers but really did not know the Lord.
Matthew 7:12-23
These verses stress that a profession of faith alone, even when accompanied by ministries pre-formed in Jesus name do not necessarily mean a person is truly saved.
Romans 10:9
John 10:27-29
How do these verses relate to the warning in Matthew? (The bible teaches that real faith will persevere. Faithfulness is the fruit or results of salvation.)
Is it possible to appear to serve and glorify Christ and be involved in Christ-centered ministries and yet be indifferent to His commands, disown His teachings, and be disobedient to Him? Why or why not? Real disciples are those who are in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Summing up Matthew 7:13-23
1. Jesus called for a steadfast commitment to Him and His way. We enter this life through a narrow gate, and it leads to a hard way of discipleship.
2. The road of steadfast commitment leads to life. By contrast, the wide gate and broad way lead to destruction, Many follow the road to destruction, but few find the gate to the road that leads to life.
3. Jesus warned his followers against false prophets. They are deceptive because they appear in sheeps clothing, but they are deadly because they are actually ferocious wolves.
4. False prophets can be recognized by their fruit. Their fruit include their character, their teachings, and the long range results of their ministries.
5. The genuineness of professing Christ as Lord is called in question if the person fails to do the will of the Heavenly Father. Doing the Lord's will goes with knowing Him as Lord.
6. Impressive prophecies and miracles in the name of Christ do not guarantee that one truly knows the Lord. People who don't know Christ and who do evil will be excluded from God's kingdom.
Do your fruits reflect a disciple of Christ who is trying to do the Father's will, or do they reflect a person trying to appear to be a disciple of Christ?
1. What is the Narrow Gate? (door to salvation)
2. Why is the narrow gate narrow? (People cringe at repentance and commitment to Christ. Only with the power and grace of God does anyone find what it takes to deny self, take up one's cross and follow Christ.)
Following Christ demands a conscious decision and a continuous commitment. Few enter the narrow gate and follow the narrow way, but those who do find life. Those who choose to be Jesus' disciples must be prepared to go against the crowd, not follow it.
The wide gate is so wide those entering it don't even know it is a gate. What are some examples of wide gates people walk through without realizing the danger?
Imagine trying to walk through a large crowd exiting a stadium. How does such an illustration relate to these verses?
Matthew 7:15-20
3. What is the significance of the deceivers coming in sheep's clothing?
Verses 15-20 describe persons who know they are not true followers of Christ but try to disguise themselves.
4. How can we distinguish between real followers and fake ones according to these verses? (Buy their fruit, teachings, buy the results of their teachings or ministry.)
Jesus warned His disciples about deceptive false prophets who ignore, trivialize, or twist His teachings. He told them how to recognize advocates of false ways. False prophets are not recognized by how they appear but what they produce. You can discern false teachers by their character, conduct, teachings, and what they produce.
In verses 15-20 Jesus described false prophets who disguised themselves. In verses 21-23, He described people who thought they were true followers but really did not know the Lord.
Matthew 7:12-23
These verses stress that a profession of faith alone, even when accompanied by ministries pre-formed in Jesus name do not necessarily mean a person is truly saved.
Romans 10:9
John 10:27-29
How do these verses relate to the warning in Matthew? (The bible teaches that real faith will persevere. Faithfulness is the fruit or results of salvation.)
Is it possible to appear to serve and glorify Christ and be involved in Christ-centered ministries and yet be indifferent to His commands, disown His teachings, and be disobedient to Him? Why or why not? Real disciples are those who are in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Summing up Matthew 7:13-23
1. Jesus called for a steadfast commitment to Him and His way. We enter this life through a narrow gate, and it leads to a hard way of discipleship.
2. The road of steadfast commitment leads to life. By contrast, the wide gate and broad way lead to destruction, Many follow the road to destruction, but few find the gate to the road that leads to life.
3. Jesus warned his followers against false prophets. They are deceptive because they appear in sheeps clothing, but they are deadly because they are actually ferocious wolves.
4. False prophets can be recognized by their fruit. Their fruit include their character, their teachings, and the long range results of their ministries.
5. The genuineness of professing Christ as Lord is called in question if the person fails to do the will of the Heavenly Father. Doing the Lord's will goes with knowing Him as Lord.
6. Impressive prophecies and miracles in the name of Christ do not guarantee that one truly knows the Lord. People who don't know Christ and who do evil will be excluded from God's kingdom.
Do your fruits reflect a disciple of Christ who is trying to do the Father's will, or do they reflect a person trying to appear to be a disciple of Christ?
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