Matthew - Week 19

The Narrow Gate 

READ 

Matthew 7:13-14 

13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” 

Think of a funnel: wide at the top with a narrow tube at the end. Consider that those who enter God’s kingdom enter the narrow end with all kinds of blessings and liberties that follow. Relatively few enter this “gateway to life.” The road to destruction is wide so many can enter, but their targeted destiny is the lake of fire (see Revelation 20:11-15).  

REFLECT 

The way of salvation is limited to those who trust in Jesus as Savior. Have you entered by that narrow way? 

RESPOND 

Discuss this matter with a Christian friend. Be aware that Christianity is inclusive in that all are included in what God did for everyone in sending His only Son to die on the cross. It is exclusive, however, in that the benefits of Jesus’ death are only for those who believe in Jesus for salvation. All others are excluded. See John 3:16-18; 14:6 and Acts 4:11-12. 

Fruit of the False Prophets 

READ 

Matthew 7:15-16 

15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” 

Matthew 7 began by recording Jesus’ words not to judge others. Verses 15-16 tell how to judge false prophets. The distinction is that motives cannot be judged but actions can be. You can tell who the false prophets are by their actions. Jesus said these counterfeit prophets “come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.” Watch their actions that will tell you they are not the true prophets of God. 

REFLECT 

Does it help knowing that while motives are not to be judged, actions can be? 

RESPOND 

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:2-4 to see what Paul told the Thessalonian believers about evaluating his motives. For the background of what happened at Philippi, read Acts 16:16-34. 

Producing Fruit 

READ 

Matthew 7:17-20 

17 “A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” 

Jesus told how one could accurately identify people—by their actions. Church leaders who must evaluate those who may need to be disciplined must judge based on actions, not motives. Jesus made the analogy of evaluating people as one would a tree—by the fruit produced. This alerted His followers to carefully watch those who claimed to be speaking for God but living in a way and teaching things that were dishonoring Him. 

REFLECT 

Are you encouraged to think less about a person’s motives and more about his or her actions? 

RESPOND 

Read James 2:14 to see that the kind of faith that only talks but does not act is not the kind of faith that saves anyone. Listen to what a person says, but then watch the actions of that individual to see if actions match the words. 

The Will of the Father 

READ 

Matthew 7:21-23 

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” 

Judas Iscariot is the personification of the kind of person Jesus spoke of. Judas had to be doing everything the other 11 disciples were doing or they would have been suspicious of him. Yet, when Jesus announced at the Last Supper that someone would betray Him, Mark 14:19 records that each one asked, “Am I the one?” Judas is what today would be called a “Cultural Christian”—going along with the culture but not trusting in Jesus for salvation. 

REFLECT 

Are there some you know who may be going along with what Christians are doing but have not personally trusted in Jesus as Savior? Remember, go by their actions, not their words. 

RESPOND 

Discuss with a fellow believer about the need to be alert to this issue. Do those who claim to be believers in Jesus express their love for Him in their actions? Do they live like they talk? Read Ephesians 4:25-32 to see the way believers should express their faith by their actions. 

Built on Bedrock 

READ 

Matthew 7:24-25 

24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” 

A foundation determines the stability of a building. One builds a strong spiritual foundation by being engaged in the Bible at least four times a week and applying its truths to daily living. This will establish stability in the believer’s life when trials come. Life is not necessarily easier after trusting in Jesus; it can become more difficult. Jesus predicted believers would have “trials and sorrows” on this earth, but they should take heart because He had overcome the world (see John 16:32-33). 

REFLECT 

Are you engaged in the Bible at least four times a week so you are building your faith on a solid foundation? 

RESPOND 

Read Colossians 1:9-14 to see what Paul prayed for believers. Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19 to see what Paul told Timothy about helping people build a good foundation for the future.