1. “Choices, Contrasts & Warnings” Religion vs. Spirituality” – p.9 Matthew 7:13-29

2. A choice between the narrow and broad “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 NIV) (Matthew 7:13-14 NIV)

3. A choice between the narrow and broad For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm 1:6 (NIV)

4. A choice between the narrow and broad …they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. John 17:14b-15 (NIV)

5. A choice between the narrow and broad Their characterTheir character For wide is the gate and broad is the road …But small is the gate and narrow the road.

6. A choice between the narrow and broad The broad way describes a life unrestrained; without boundaries.The broad way describes a life unrestrained; without boundaries. The narrow way describes a life of discipline and willful restraint.The narrow way describes a life of discipline and willful restraint.

7. A choice between the narrow and broad Their popularityTheir popularity Jesus said that many enter through the wide gate and travel the broad road.Jesus said that many enter through the wide gate and travel the broad road. “The terms “wide” and “broad” are spatial, but they also evoke a sense of ease and comfort”“The terms “wide” and “broad” are spatial, but they also evoke a sense of ease and comfort”

8. A choice between the narrow and broad Their destinationTheir destination The broad road “leads to destruction”.The broad road “leads to destruction”. The narrow road “leads to life,”The narrow road “leads to life,”

9. A dangerous threat to those who travel the narrow road… “Watch out for false prophets. (v.15)“Watch out for false prophets. (v.15) By their fruit you will recognize them.(v.16)By their fruit you will recognize them.(v.16)

10. A dangerous threat to those who travel the narrow road… They are members of the “flock” but they are intentionally destructive.They are members of the “flock” but they are intentionally destructive. Jesus said “they come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves…”(15b)Jesus said “they come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves…”(15b)

11. A dangerous threat to those who travel the narrow road… They do spectacular things to impress people.They do spectacular things to impress people.

12. A dangerous threat to those who travel the narrow road… The test of subsequent events (Deuteronomy 18:21-22)The test of subsequent events (Deuteronomy 18:21-22) The theological test (Deuteronomy 13:1-6)The theological test (Deuteronomy 13:1-6) The ethical test (Jeremiah 23:9-15)The ethical test (Jeremiah 23:9-15)

13. A dangerous threat to those who travel the narrow road… How do we keep from being deceived? We examine the life not just the works of the prophet.How do we keep from being deceived? We examine the life not just the works of the prophet. Jesus said it is “by their fruit you will recognize them”.Jesus said it is “by their fruit you will recognize them”.

14. A dangerous threat to those who travel the narrow road… Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. - Matthew 7:16-18 (NIV) - Matthew 7:16-18 (NIV)

15. A dangerous threat to those who travel the narrow road…

16. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. – Matthew 7:19-20 (NIV)

17. A delusional group of travelers “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day,

18. A delusional group of travelers ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ – Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV) – Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV)

19. A delusional group of travelers Jesus introduces us to a new group of people; false disciples.Jesus introduces us to a new group of people; false disciples. only the one who does the will of my Father.

20. A delusional group of travelers Notice the phrase ‘I never knew you… (v.23)Notice the phrase ‘I never knew you… (v.23) When Jesus said “I never knew you…” “he used a verb meaning to “know by experience”When Jesus said “I never knew you…” “he used a verb meaning to “know by experience”

21. A delusional group of travelers Here is righteousness that exceeds religion – embracing Jesus as our Savior.Here is righteousness that exceeds religion – embracing Jesus as our Savior.

22. Our Bottom Line: Life transformation requires application of Biblical truth.Life transformation requires application of Biblical truth.

23. Two builders; one builds on rock and one builds on sand.

25. Both builders “keep on hearing” “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine … is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (v.24)“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine … is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (v.24) But everyone who hears these words of mine … is like a foolish man who built his house on sand (v.26)But everyone who hears these words of mine … is like a foolish man who built his house on sand (v.26)

26. Both builders have different responses “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (v.24)“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (v.24)

27. Both builders have different responses But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand (V.26)But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand (V.26)

28. Both builders faced the consequences The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. (v.25)

29. Both builders faced the consequences The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (v.27)

30. Jesus is telling us to put into practice what He said. When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. (vv.28,29)

31. Application Healthy choices require respecting Christ honoring disciplines.Healthy choices require respecting Christ honoring disciplines. Healthy choices sometimes make you look crazy to other people.Healthy choices sometimes make you look crazy to other people. Healthy choices focus on eternal consequences.Healthy choices focus on eternal consequences.

32. Application Healthy choices are based on good advise from trustworthy counselorsHealthy choices are based on good advise from trustworthy counselors Healthy choices come out of a desire for good character not good works.Healthy choices come out of a desire for good character not good works. Healthy choices reflect a desire to do God’s will.Healthy choices reflect a desire to do God’s will.