1. Matthew 7:13-29 How Jesus Motivated Men

2. Men Need Motivation Some sinners need motivation to obey the gospel (Acts 2:37,41; 26:29) Some erring saints need motivation to return (Lk. 15:17; Acts 8:20-23; 2 Cor. 2:4; 7:8) Some weak Christians need motivation to grow (1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; 1 Thess. 5:17; Heb. 10:25; 2 Pet. 1:5; 3:18) Some strong Christians need motivation to remain strong (2 Pet. 1:12-15)

3. Jesus Motivates Jesus not only offered information in the Sermon on the Mount, he also offered motivation (Mt. 5-7) Motivation is arousing or initiating behavior One can be motivated to do evil (Mk. 15:11; Acts 6:12; 13:50; 14:2; 21:27,38), or good (2 Cor. 9:2)

4. Jesus Motivates They were motivated to live better than their peers (Mt. 5:20) They were motivated to put truth over tradition (Mt. 5:21ff) They were motivated to be genuine (Mt. 6:1-18; 7:1-5) They were motivated to set priorities (Mt. 6:19ff) Let us examine the four motivation methods Jesus in Matthew 7:13-29: what he appealed to and what he did not appeal to (entertainment, personal feelings, etc.)

5. How Jesus Motivated Men Jesus appealed to their eternal destiny (7:13-14) There is no greater motivation than the two destinies of heaven and hell (Mt. 25:46) Hope of the beauty of heaven motivates (Rev. 21-22) Fear of the horror of hell motivates (Mk. 9:43-48; Rev. 20:10; 21:8) How badly do you want to go to heaven? Are you travelling the road to hell?

6. How Jesus Motivated Men Jesus appealed to pleasing the Father (7:15-23) We are known by our fruits and fruit-bearing pleases the Father (Jn. 15:8) We must do the will of the Father to please the Father (Jn. 8:29) We obey because we want to please the Father (1 Thess. 4:1)

7. How Jesus Motivated Men Jesus appealed to self-respect and security (7:24-27) One who obeys the Lord is “wise,” not “foolish” One who obeys the Lord will be safe and secure like a house built upon the rock, not tossed about Appealing to self-respect and security will motivate today (Eph. 4:14; 5:15; Jas. 3:13)

8. How Jesus Motivated Men Jesus appealed to his own authority (7:28-29) People are motivated by one in authority (Jn. 7:32,45-46; 1 Cor. 14:37-38) Appealing to Bible authority will motivate today (Tit. 2:15)

9. Are You More Motivated to Obey God After Hearing This Lesson?