God in the Flesh – Power and Authority Matthew 5-7 “The Greatest Sermon By The Greatest Person Whoever Lived!”

The Sermon In Two Parts Matthew 5:3-16 Teaches what the believer is suppose to be! Matthew 5:17 - 7:27 - Teaches what the believer is suppose to do!

A Christian’s Character: (5:3-12) A Christian’s Influence: (5:13-16) A Christian’s Righteousness: (5:17-48) A Christian’s Religion: (6:1-6, 16-18) A Christian’s Prayer: (6:7-15) A Christian’s Ambition: (6:19-34) A Christian’s Relationships: (7:1-20) A Christian’s Commitment: (7:21-27)

Remember! The Ethical teachings of Jesus do not represent a radical departure from the law, but are a natural extension of the two greatest commandments which are first found in the law: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Deut. 6:5) “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18) See Matthew 22:37-40

The Invitation: Matthew 7:13-27 THE "EXHORTATION TO ENTER" THE KINGDOM... The "beginning" of the way - Mt 7:13-14 The "progress" along the way - Mt 7:15-20 The "end" of the way - Mt 7:21-27 Contrasting "sayers" with "doers" 21-23 Contrasting "hearers" with "doers" 24-27

The Challenge To Choose 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. (Matthew 7:13,14, ESV)

Jesus’ Sermon: Broad Way Narrow Way Hatred (Anger) Lust Corrupt Heart Lies Revenge Hate Your Enemy Pride Earthly Treasures Hypocrisy This World Self Will Hearer Foolish Man Narrow Way Love Control Guarded Heart Truth Turn The Other Cheek Love Your Enemy Sincere Devotion Heavenly Treasures Simplicity The Next World God’s Will Doer Wise Man

Beware Along The Way! 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. (Matthew 7:15-20, ESV) “People who run orchards do not put up with rotten trees.” (Morris, 178)

The Danger of Self-Deception… 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.‘(Matthew 7:21-23, ESV) We must use the proper standard! (John 12:48) “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ… “ (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Building A Life That Will Last…

15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. (John 14:15, ESV) Two Builders! 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." Rock or Sand? 15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. (John 14:15, ESV)

Luke 6:46-49 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? 47. Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48. He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."

Similarities Between Builders … WISE and FOOLISH BUILDERS Similarities Between Builders … Both heard the words of Jesus Both had the same desire Both built a house (All) Same Kind of house Each house faced the same tests For a time the builders will look the same.

Differences Between Builders … WISE and FOOLISH BUILDERS Differences Between Builders … Foolish Man Wise Man Laid No Foundation Built On The Rock Took The Easy Way Dug Deep Ignored The Rules Followed The Rules Did Not Think Of The Thought And Built For Future Storms Future Storms His House Fell! His House Stood!

  WISE and FOOLISH BUILDERS Storms Are Coming! Storms Are Coming In This Life! YOUTH: Peer Pressure, Leaving Home, College, Job, Marriage MIDDLE AGE: Business, Job Loss, Market Losses, Death Of Loved Ones, Divorce OLD AGE: Sickness, Disappointment, Loneliness  The Greatest Test Of All Is The JUDGMENT!

Jesus warns us because He knows everything and He Loves us! We All Must Choose! Two Gates Two Roads Two Destinations Two Trees Two Fruits Two Claims Two Houses We either love and obey God or we do not! We are either saved or lost! Jesus warns us because He knows everything and He Loves us!

The Invitation Of Jesus! 28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy- laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.“ (Matthew 11:28-30, ESV) If You Want To Go To Heaven Bad Enough, God Will See To It That You Do!

Invitation To A Spiritual Revolution by Paul Earnhart How To Deal With Lust By Brian Anderson Sermon Outlines on Matthew By Mark Copeland Outline By Johnny Felker Outline By Jim Deason Prayer Outline by Steve Higginbotham The Gospel of Matthew by Kenneth L. Chumbley