Two Paths 3/19/23

Matthew 7:13-23, NLT

You can enter God’s kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell (the road that leads to destruction) is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

Not everyone who calls out to me will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in Heaven will enter. On judgement day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name, and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

TWO WAYS

Deuteronomy 30:15-17, NLT
Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the LORD your God and keep his commands, decrees and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.

But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are about to occupy.

A. NARROW AND WIDE

You can enter God’s kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell (the road that leads to destruction) is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Vs 13-14

Proverbs 14:12, NLT There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

Look for the narrow gate and the difficult road. That will be the path to take.

B. SHEEPandWOLVES

Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. Vs 15

1. False Prophets: What do you look for?
   1. They approach the people of God. You don’t have to seek them out (they show up).
   2. They are different on the inside than on the outside. They look like harmless sheep

      that are serving the sheep, but they’re hungry wolves wanting things for themselves.

2. How can you tell? By their fruit.

C. GOOD FRUIT and BAD FRUIT

You can identify them by their fruit, that is by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Vs.16-20

1. Thornbushes don’t provide grapes. Thistles don’t provide figs.

Psalm 1, NLT Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank bearing fruit in each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

But not the wicked! They are worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgement. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the LORD watches over the way of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

2. Don’t just listen to what people say.

3. Pay attention to what they do.

D. FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST / THOSE CHRIST DOES NOT KNOW.

Not everyone who calls out to me will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in Heaven will enter. On judgement day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name, and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Vs 21-23

What can fakers do? Affirm Jesus as Master, maybe even with joy and enthusiasm. Preach. Perform exorcisms. Do miracles. Signs and wonders can come from sources other than God. See Acts 19:13–16; Rev 13:13–14

A true disciple may have all the above characteristics AND . . .

• Personal virtue
• Private devotion
• Unselfish behavior

What sums up the entire Law?

• You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your

  mind.

• Love your neighbor as yourself.
• Do to others what you would have them do to you.
• No selfishness. No pride. No “look at me” or “what can I gain?”
• Love, service, God first.

  What does this mean for us?

• Where in your life do you need to work on growing good fruit?
• Where in your life do you need to inspect some fruit and see what kind it is?
• And where in your life do you need more of God?