Matthew 7:24-29

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE.

2 GATES, 2 GUIDES, Now, 2 foundations. 24 ``Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 ``And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 ``Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 ``The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell-and great was its fall.''

NOTE similar things about each one: 1. Each person hears the words of Jesus. 2. Each person faces the same rain, floods, and blowing winds slamming against them.

NOTE the differences between the two: 1. Each person responds differently to the words he has heard-one by acting upon the words of Jesus & the other by not acting upon them. 2. Each person experiences a different result-one does not fall down and the other falls flat!

I am now convinced that most of us most of our lives have lived our lives founded upon the sand. It's what I call the "sandcastle lifestyle". What Jesus is saying is so simple and so profound. Jesus wants only two things from us:

1. He wants each of us to listen to His words. Instead of talking all of the time when you pray, try sitting still and waiting for Jesus to speak to you. You'll know what He wants from you. You'll know what His will is for you.

I regret to say that I have spent most of my life talking and not listening. Therefore, I have missed out on what Jesus is attempting to say to me. It's as simple and as tragic as that!

2, He wants each of us to act upon what He says to do. Listen to Jesus and do what He says to do, no more and no less. This is why we have included the 3rd habit for our lives-waiting on Jesus to lead out.

NOTE THE RESULTS: 1. If you hear His words and are careful to do them, no matter what comes in against you, your house will not collapse!

2. If you hear His words and don't do them (the very same rain, floods, and winds), then your house will fall flat, dramatically!

HOW'S YOUR HOUSE STANDING???

28 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29 for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

Jesus spoke so powerfully that it amazed all those who heard Him. This Jesus is for real! Jesus is so attractive! Jesus is the most irresistible One ever!

Matthew 7:15-23

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE.

In the last paragraph Jesus spoke about 2 gates and now He opens up 2 different kinds of guides. 15 ``Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 ``You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 ``So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 ``A good tree cannot produce bad fruit nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 ``Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 ``So then, you will know them by their fruits.

Unfortunately, false prophets don't wear an FP on their sleeve or on their forehead. Jesus warns that there will be false prophets who seem harmless, but are out to destroy. He says that you can decipher them by their fruits. But even this may be difficult to judge (conclusively judge) whether or not a prophet is false or genuine, because many false prophets show a certain kind of fruitfulness in what they do. That's what makes them so attractive!

But NOTE what the test here really is. The term fruit is the operative word here. In order to check out a prophet's fruit (not their show or outward demonstration), you need to observe the person and ministry over a prolonged period of time. It takes time to produce fruit. There is no instant fruit. So watch for the fruit over a long period of time and you'll know.

Now NOTE what these false prophets actually do. This is amazing! 21 ``Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 ``Many will say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23 ``And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

Jesus says that there will be people who come before Him in the last days, calling Him Lord, but will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Just using the right language will not get a person into the kingdom of heaven. HOWEVER, the one who does the will of the Father will enter-the person who not only talks a good game, but walks it and proves it out by his actions.

These people, Jesus says, will do 3 things that will make it all the more difficult to discern whether or not a person is a false prophet. They speak in the name of Jesus-- "did we not prophesy in your name?" They cast out demons in the name of Jesus. They perform many miracles in the name of Jesus.

WOW! These are some powerful things that the false prophets do. So how can you tell the difference between the false and the genuine. The only answer Jesus gives here is that you will know them by their fruits, so watch what they do.

The deceptiveness of these false prophets is another good reason why it's necessary to keep: 1-Walking with Jesus 2-Walking with others

THE BEST DEFENCE AGAINST THE COUNTERFEIT IS TO KNOW THE GENUINE VERY WELL. HIS NAME IS JESUS AND ALL HE REQUIRES OF YOU IS TO FOLLOW HIM!

Matthew 7:13-14

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE.

13 Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 ``For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

2 GATES: 1. Narrow gate 2. Wide gate

2 RESULTS: 1. Narrow gate leads to life! 2. Wide gate leads to destruction!

2 CHOICES 1. Narrow gate that leads to life will be found by a few! 2. Wide gate that leads to destruction will be entered by many!

NOTE the narrow gate is small and therefore difficult to go through. NOTE the wide gate is wide and therefore easy to go through.

NOTE also that Jesus begins with the command urging us to enter in through the narrow gate. Remember, the entire Sermon on the Mount is answering the question, "How does your teaching differ from what we've been taught, Jesus?" His answer here is that to follow Him and His teaching will be difficult, but will lead to life. To choose not to follow Him and His teaching will be the easiest thing to do, because the masses are going in that direction. Don't follow the crowd. Follow Jesus!

This passage reminds me of living JUST FOR TODAY:

Just for today I will live through the next 12 hours and not tackle my whole life problem at once.

Just for today I will improve my mind. I will learn something useful. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look my best, speak in a well-modulated voice, be courteous and considerate.

Just for today I will not find fault with anyone. I will not try to change or improve anyone but myself.

Just for today I will have a program. I might not follow it exactly, but I will have it. It will save me from two enemies-hurry and indecision.

Just for today I will exercise my character in two ways. I will do a good deed and will keep it a secret. If anyone finds out, it won't count.

Just for today I will do two things I don't want to do, just for exercise.

Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially will I be unafraid to enjoy what is beautiful, to love and to believe that those I love, love me. I will remember that as I give my best to the world, the world will give back to me.

JUST FOR TODAY CHOOSE TO ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW GATE TO JESUS THAT LEADS TO LIFE!

Matthew 7:1-12

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE.

This passage seems to say "No judging!" and is commonly quoted in this way. However, there are so many other passages in the Scripture that imply the necessity for making judgment calls in a variety of ways. There has to be sound judgment in our world, otherwise there would be chaos, confusion, attractive cults and cultishness, rampant lying throughout our society and immorality reigning on every hand. But wait a minute! That's exactly what we have now! It's because of the misunderstanding of what this passage really means.

There are two types of judgment: 1-Condemnation judgment-a pronouncement of condemnation, reserved for God only. 2-Conclusion judgment-making a judgment call after examining the evidence, a personal responsibility for us.

This passage isn't saying not to judge, but when you judge (make conclusions about things and people) conduct your judgment in the proper way. Here are 4 steps for doing this:

#1-JUDGE WITH THE PROPER SPIRIT 1 ``Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 ``For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

When you judge (conclusion judgment), understand that you will be judged by others in precisely the same area. If you are critical of another's parenting style, you will be critically analyzed for your parenting prowess.

#2-JUDGE WITH THE PROPER STARTING POINT 3 ``Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 ``Or how can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 ``You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

When you judge (conclusion judgment), look at yourself first. Don't go after the speck in your brother's eyes, until you have taken the log out of your own eye. It's all a matter of perspective. Once you remove the log out of your eye, then you will be able to see clearly how to take the speck out of your brother's eye. What's interesting is that when you haven't dealt with your own "stuff", you tend to pick away and condemn others for whatever their "stuff" happens to be. The favorite indoor sport for most churches is to confess the sins of the world!

#3-JUDGE WITH PROPER SCREENING 6 ``Do not give what is holy to dogs and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

When you judge (conclusion judgment), don't just randomly make your judgment calls wherever you might be. For instance, don't walk into a bar and start making pronouncements against drunkenness and alcoholism. This will be throwing your pearls before swine. They not only will not appreciate your words, but they will not be able to hear them at all. In turn, having grounds to criticize you.

#4-JUDGE WITH THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE 7 ``Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 ``For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 ``Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 ``Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 ``If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

When you judge (conclusion judgment), don't rely only on your insights and wisdom. Be sure to seek God's perspective on the matter. Ask for wisdom on the matter!

Ask and keep on asking. Seek and keep on seeking. Knock and keep on knocking. and your heavenly Father will give you what you need!

12 ``In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Jesus ends this teaching segment with what we know as the "golden rule."

I call this teaching of Jesus THE PERSPECTIVE PRINCIPLE. This principle requires that you be a judge-bringing discernment into our world!

Matthew 6:34

FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK HERE.

34 So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I've said it many times. YESTERDAY is a canceled check! TOMORROW is a promissory note! TODAY is the only cash you have!

Alcoholics Anonymous and all of the other Anon groups operate upon the theme of "ONE DAY AT A TIME." This is exactly what Jesus is saying here-one day at a time. Worry has little to do with the past, but mostly has to do with the future. We worry over what might happen or what might not happen. It's not in our control, but we spend lots of energy as if our worry could make a difference in the outcome. Jesus says "Don't bother!" Each day has plenty of trouble of its own without worrying about tomorrow's.

Jesus is teaching that if you are seeking His kingdom and His righteousness, He will take care of everything else you need. He will do this ONE DAY AT A TIME. This is what He did with the children of Israel about one month into their 40 years of wandering. He rained down bread from heaven-manna-each day, except on Sabbath. Each day the manna came down from heaven. Each day they were to gather enough for the day, never thinking of storing up some for tomorrow. Each day there was enough. Jesus is the "new manna in town." Jesus is our daily bread. The word "manna" means a surprise like "What is it?" I see Jesus giving each of us a surprise of His manna, His leadership, His sustenance each and every day for those who seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.

This is again why we practice the 3 habits: Walking with Jesus Walking with others Waiting on Jesus to lead out.

We practice these habits in order to gather the manna for today, which helps in minimizing our worry factor.

Have you noticed that when you think about tomorrow or next week, then the worries become overwhelming? I have to constantly focus my thinking and reflection upon today. This goes along with the message of the book of Ecclesiastes. King Solomon had tried everything to full his life with satisfaction and all was found to be empty-luxury, liquor, lust, etc.

He sums up his life's search with two summary truths: Fear God and keep His commandments. Enjoy your blessings every day!

That's living life ONE DAY AT A TIME.