Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5-7 Today we continue studying the greatest sermon by the greatest preacher… Matthew 5-7 Sermon on the Mount

Threats to kingdom righteousness: Introduction Kingdom Righteousness Threats to kingdom righteousness: Materialism Trust Matt. 5:20: For I say to you, that unless your righteous-ness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus gives us several examples of the superior righteousness required in His kingdom. Jesus helps those with good and honest hearts (i.e., Matt. 5:3-6) to see themselves as God sees them. Jesus gets to the “heart” of true righteousness for that is where it begins…the heart! Matt. 15:17-20 The Sermon on the Mount

“DecisionTime” Kingdom Righteousness “poor in spirit” (5:3) Introduction Kingdom Righteousness “DecisionTime” “poor in spirit” (5:3) “mourn” (5:4) “meek” (5:5) “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (5:6) “merciful” (5:7) “pure in heart” (5:8) “peacemakers” (5:9) “persecuted for righteousness sake” (5:10) The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 7:13-14 1. Two Roads of Life Jews thought their physical connection to Abraham was all that was essential to be a child of God: Jn. 5:39 As Jesus closes the sermon He dramatically describes only two possible roads man travels from time to eternity. Matt. 7:13-14: ”Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” The Sermon on the Mount

Broad Way Gate Width of Road Way of Travel Nature of Travelers Destination Each road… Broad Way Is a choice to be made, Describes a journey in life, Has a gate to enter, Has different travelers, Has a destination at the end. Narrow Way agonizomai

Matthew 7:13-14 1. Two Roads of Life We need to appreciate just how jarring and dramatic these statements were then and now: Jn. 8:33, 39 Many church members are like the Jews: “We’re in the right church, so we’re OK!” 2 Cor. 13:5 Remember Israel in the wilderness? Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11 “Ma’am, I don’t even believe all of my brethren will make it to heaven.” The Sermon on the Mount

“…who is sufficient for these things.” 1. Two Roads of Life Matthew 7:13-14 “…who is sufficient for these things.” 2 Corinthians 2:16 This may be Jesus’ most stark, shocking, grim and thought provoking statements in the New Testament! Have you ever been to a funeral where it was NOT said of the deceased: “They are in a better place.” ? Think! Jesus turns that notion onto its head! Dramatically! Permanently! Matt. 11:15: ”He that hath ears to hear, let them hear.” The Sermon on the Mount

Which road are you on?

Matthew 7:15-20 2. False Teachers Matt. 7:15-20: ”Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 7:15-20 2. False Teachers We are not only faced with two roads, but also faced with two choices concerning religious teachers. People have a very difficult time believing there are only two roads in life; or that there are only two types of religious teachers. There are many reasons, but two are key: Postmodernism: not really a new concept: Judg. 21:25 Ego: nobody likes to think they’re gullible enough to be led astray by error of any kind, religious or secular. The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 7:15-20 2. False Teachers There have been false teachers from the beginning of time: Gen. 3:4-5 False teachers and false teaching are taboo in most circles; but are a very prominent topic in Scripture: Time of Noah: Gen. 6:3; 1 Pet. 3:19-21 Time of Moses: Deut. 18:20-22 Time of the prophets: Jer. 5:30-31; 14:14; 23:14, 16; Ezek. 22:25 Jesus warns: Matt. 7:15 Peter warns: 2 Pet. 2:1-2 John warns: 1 Jn. 4:1 Jude warns: Jude 4 Paul warns: Acts 20:28-31; Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Tim. 3:8 The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 7:15-20 2. False Teachers Why are they so common and so popular? Satan uses any tactic that gives him an advantage. False teachers are self-deceived: 2 Thess. 2:10-12 Important for us to “Beware of false prophets…” : Matt. 7:15 Wolves in sheep’s clothing: Matt. 7:15 They use “unrighteous deception”: 2 Thess. 2:10 “show great signs and wonders to deceive…”: Matt. 24:24 “secretly bring in destructive heresies…”: 2 Pet. 2:1 Even arise from within the church: Acts 20:30 The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 7:15-20 2. False Teachers Why are they so common and so popular? Satan uses any tactic that gives him an advantage. False teachers are self-deceived: 2 Thess. 2:10-12 Important for us to “Beware of false prophets…” : Matt. 7:15 They are downright sneaky: Jude 4 Use “smooth words and flattering speech” : Rom. 16:18 They are “deceitful workers”: 2 Cor. 11:13 “transform themselves into ministers of righteousness”: 2 Cor. 11:15 They are slick and polished! They are like rat poison! The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 7:15-20 2. False Teachers That’s why Bible study and Bible knowledge are key: Eph. 4:11-15 We are commanded to test false teachers: 1 Jn. 4:1 John also gives us the “acid test” of false teachers and false teaching: 1 Jn. 4:6 Guarding against false teachers and combating their false teaching: Matt. 7:16-20 Examine their teaching: 1 Jn. 4:1, 6 Examine their manner of life: good or bad fruit? Examine nature of their disciples: good or bad fruit? Examine reaction when teaching challenged: Matt. 7:15 The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 7:15-20 2. False Teachers Guarding against false teachers and combating their false teaching: Matt. 7:16-20 Be watchful, prayerful, alert: Matt. 7:1-15; 24:4-5 Increasing knowledge of God’s Word: Matt. 4:1-11; Psa. 19:11 Good elders: Jn. 10:12-13; Titus 1:9 Insist on sound preaching: 2 Tim. 4:2-5; Titus 2:1; Acts 20:20, 27 Be proactive: Actively examine their teaching: 1 Jn. 4:1, 6 Limited patience: Titus 3:10; Matt. 16:6 Rebuke them sharply: Titus 1:10-13 Mark them: Rom. 16:17-18 The Sermon on the Mount

“…who is sufficient for these things.” Conclusion Matthew 7:13-20 We must appreciate the seriousness of these matters. “…who is sufficient for these things.” 2 Corinthians 2:16 Most people will be lost! Even most who believe they are Christians! Even many who are members of the Lord’s church! Think about Israel in the wilderness! There are many false teachers! And their teaching will cause many to be lost! We cannot hide our heads in the sand! False teachers are real, numerous and here to stay! We cannot stand idly by and do nothing, we must take action! We must expose, rebuke and mark them! The Sermon on the Mount