Christian’s Radical Commitment: Matthew 7:13-29

Jesus declares “blessed” those who live by the beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12
We are called to be on a path of choosing obedience. The commitment to being different is
radically different they what many people in the religious world are choosing.

Two Paths Matthew 7:13-14

 What two paths lay in front of us?
 What are the characteristics of each choice?
 Where does each path lead?

Matthew 7:14
The recommendation of the broad way is the ease with which it is trodden and the abundance
of company to be found in it. It is sailing with a fair wind and a favorable tide. The natural
inclinations are not crossed, and fears of the issue, if not easily hushed, are in the long run
effectually subdued. The one disadvantage of this course is its end-it "leads to destruction." The
Great Teacher says it, and says it as "One having authority." To the supposed injustice or
harshness of this He never once adverts. He leaves it to be inferred that such a course
righteously, naturally, necessarily so ends. But whether men see this or no, here He lays down
the law of the kingdom, and leaves it with us. As to the other way, the disadvantage of it lies in
its narrowness and solitude. Its very first step involves a revolution in our whole purposes and
plans for life, and a surrender of all that is dear to natural inclination, while all that follows is but
a repetition of the first great act of self-sacrifice. No wonder, then, that few find and few are
found in it. But it has one advantage-it "leadeth unto life." Some critics take "the gate" here, not
for the first, but the last step in religion; since gates seldom open into roads, but roads usually
terminate in a gate, leading straight to a mansion. But as this would make our Lord's words to
have a very inverted and unnatural form as they stand, it is better, with the majority of critics, to
view them as we have done.
(from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1997,
2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Beware of Being Deceived, Matthew 7:15-23

 What type of deception does Jesus tell us about here?

 How will we know them?
 How does this translate into today’s world?
 What do we need to be looking for?
 What declaration does Jesus make about these individuals?

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord. Christ extends his discourse farther
:for he speaks not only of false prophets, who rush upon the flock to tear and devour, but of
hirelings, who insinuate themselves, under fair appearances, as pastors, though they have no
feeling of piety. This doctrine embraces all hypocrites, whatever may be their rank or station,
but at present he refers particularly to pretended teachers, who seem to excel others. He not
only directs his discourse to them, to rouse them from the indifference, in which they lie asleep
like drunk people, but also warns believers, not to estimate such masks beyond their proper
value. In a word, he declares that, so soon as the doctrine of the Gospel shall have begun to
bear fruit by obtaining many disciples, there will not only be very many of the common people
who falsely and hypocritically submit to it, but even in the rank of pastors there will be the same
treachery, so that they will deny by their actions and life what they profess with the mouth.

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Whoever then desires to be reckoned among the disciples, must labor to devote himself,
sincerely and honestly, to the exercises of a new life.
(from Calvin's Commentaries, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2005-2006 by Biblesoft,
Inc. All rights reserved.)

 Read Luke 6:46-49; How does this help us understand the warnings here?

The two foundations, Matthew 7:24- 27

 What choices is Jesus presenting here?

 How does this infect our lives today?
 John Stott says, “The Bible is a dangerous book to read, and that the church is a
dangerous society to join.” (pg-210)
 Why would he make this statement?

 Jesus is calling us to make radical choices! How can we reflect this radical choice?

Who is this preacher? Matthew 28-29

 Why would the writer of Matthew include these final two verses?
 Why must we pay attention to what has been written for us?

Reviewing

 Let’s consider some thing that we can take from these lessons.
 We have learned a great deal, what risk have we exposed ourselves to by being part of
this study?

Josh 24:14-15 "Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away
the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 "If it
is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will
serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of
the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

www.churchplantingbfc.org
Handouts available on Facebook, Milford Community Church
Ron Smith, 302-545-9049
Ray Bertolet, 302-245-0148

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Cited Source: John R. W. Stott, “The Message of the Sermon on the Mount” Inter-Varsity
Press, 1978