Is Kingdom Living Revelant in a Fallen World

Sunday, May 22, 2022

Matthew 7:13-27

Introduction

“It is not praise He desires; it is practice. The Sermon on the Mount is not to be commended; it is to be carried out.” ML Jones

Kingdom Living is about One Way Amidst Two Choices

I. Choices

“Jesus therefore concludes the Sermon on the Mount with a number of paired alternatives. He speaks of two paths (7:13), two trees (7:15-20), two claims (7:21-23), two houses (7:24-27). By these pairs he insists that there are two ways, and only two…The one ends in life, good fruit, entrance into the kingdom of heaven, stability; the other ends in destruction, bad fruit and fire, exclusion from the kingdom along with other evildoers, and ruination.” DA Carson

1. Two Paths (v.13,14)

There are two paths, one wide and easy, the other narrow and difficult. Jesus is telling his followers that just because the crowd is going that direction doesn’t mean that is the way to go.

“I am the door (gate). If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

2. Two Trees (v.15-20)

Jesus is saying don’t worry about what a person says it is what he produces that counts.

Remember a few weeks ago we talked about ‘judging others’ and we saw the difference between judging motives (don’t do it) and judging behavior (do it). This is what this passage is about. Does their fruit match their teaching!

3. Two Claims (v.21-23)

“What, then, is the essential characteristic of the true believer, the genuine disciple of Jesus Christ? It is not loud profession, nor spectacular spiritual triumphs, nor protestations of great spiritual experience. Rather, his chief characteristic is obedience.” DA Carson

4. Two Houses (v.24-27)

Jesus ends with a classic metaphor on how to respond to his message. You can either put his message into practice or you can ignore it.

Obedience to the words of Jesus is the difference between the false and true Christian. Jesus Christ is the solid foundation, Jesus is the Rock!

“On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

Your response shows if you are a wise man or a foolish man.

II. Conclusion

Jesus finishes and the people are amazed. But remember Jesus is not preaching this so that people are amazed, he is preaching this to bring about obedience to those who have been chosen to live Kingdom Life in the midst of a fallen world.