Monday, December 1, 2014

Mathew 7:13-29

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Mathew chapters 5, 6, 7

Matthew 7:13-29

Matthew 7:13-14 are giving the definition of how to be saved. Actually, when referring to the gate and how small it is, these verses are showing that there is only one path way John 10:7-9 New International Version (NIV) Therefore Jesus said again, Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
Jesus is the gateway. Only by accepting Jesus as you Lord and savior can you enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 7: 15-20 The first verse, 15, talks about false prophets. In the time of Jesus 2000 years ago false prophets were plentiful what about today? James Jones who poisoned all of his followers in order to go to heaven is one. There was Heaven’s Gate. They were going to enter a comets tail an travel to heaven I guess. These false prophets have happened in my life time and were considered tragedies. Could this happen today? Isis thinks they have the way to heaven and talk people into blowing themselves up for Allah could this be considered a false prophet? Or in this case a false religion that is preaching terrible things?

Matthew 7:15-20 explains how to discern false prophets. You can tell them by their actions. Our pastor talked about another pastor that is in ministry for the money only. Peter Popoff, in the video clip from out church www.hiddenv.com (select “watch” in the upper right and the sermon, “It’s Going to Cost You”), indicates that he has found how to make manna and will sell it to you. If you eat his manna you will be blessed and maybe healed just by eating it. As my daughter in law would say “Really?” We should all know better that to believe the false prophet  and keep our money for more worthwhile adventures. So how do you know if the fruits are real or not? Our pastor has said many times that the town our church resides in would really miss us if we were not there anymore. I cannot even begin to tell you the ways that we help our town. Fruits are what is given to others in the name of God.  

The last 9 verses Matthew 7:21-29 talk about who may get into heaven and those who may not. I fear for people like pastor Popoff, (that last name really says it all). What God will do with him I am not sure? I am more concerned by his followers. If they have not asked Jesus into their hearts and repented of their sins Jesus will say I do not know you. Can the still be saved, yes, but they need to follow the words Jesus has put forth in The Sermon On The Mount.

The Life Application Study bible puts the last few versus into perspective:

Matthew 7:24-27 The two lives Jesus compares at the end of the Sermon on the Mount have several points in common: they both build, they both hear Jesus' teaching, and they both experience the same set of circumstances in life. The difference between them isn't caused by ignorance but by one ignoring what Jesus said. Externally, their lives may look similar; but the lasting, structural differences will be revealed by the storms of life. The immediate differences in your life when you follow Jesus may not be obvious, but eventually they will turn out to affect even your eternal destiny. To what degree does your life reflect the directions Jesus gave in this sermon?


Like a house of cards, the fool's life crumbles. Most people do not deliberately seek to build on a false or inferior foundation; instead, they just don't think about their life's purpose. Many people are headed for destruction, not out of stubbornness but out of thoughtlessness. Part of our responsibility as believers is to help others stop and think about where their lives are headed and to point out the consequences of ignoring Christ's message.

Agape

Dave

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