NOTES ON THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
MATTHEW 7
Misuse of the Law
Mt. 7:1-5. Judge (Rom. 2:1, 14:3-4-22; 1 Cor. 4:5; Col. 2:16; Jas. 4:11) not, that ye be not judged.
2. For with what judgment (Rom. 2:3; Jas. 3:1) ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure (Mk. 4:24) ye mete, it shall be measured to you again (Lk. 6:38).
3. And why beholdest thou the mote (Lk. 6:41-42) that is in thy brother’s (Rom. 14:10-21) eye, but considerest (Lk. 12:27; Rom. 4:19; Heb. 10:24) not the beam (Lk. 6:41-42) that is in thine own eye?
4. Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out (Mk. 9:47) the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam [is] in thine own eye?
5. Thou hypocrite (Mt. 6:2-5-16, 23:14), first (Mt. 5:24, 6:33, 8:21) cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly (Lk. 6:42) to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
This passage does not prohibit doctrinal convictions or spiritual discernment (Jesus required discrimination–Mt. 7:6, 15). In these verses Jesus warned against the legalism of the scribes and Pharisees. The Pharisees went about performing surgery on the sins of all others. True disciples should not fear the judgment of men but only the final judgment of God.
1 Cor. 4:5 [GNB]. So you should not pass judgment on anyone before the right time comes. Final judgment must wait until the Lord comes; he will bring to light the dark secrets and expose the hidden purposes of people’s minds. And then all will receive from God the praise they deserve.
Cycle of censure (7:1-2). A fault finding spirit creates a climate of negativity toward others. Legalism dominated the attitude of the Pharisees and scribes who took every opportunity to rebuke others (Jn. 8:5).
Mk. 4:24 [GNB]. He also said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear! The same rules you use to judge others will be used by God to judge you–but with even greater severity.
Jas. 4:11 (CEV). My friends, don’t say cruel things about others! If you do, or if you condemn others, you are condemning God’s Law. And if you condemn the Law, you put yourself above the Law and refuse to obey either it.
A person who fosters an atmosphere of legalism toward others only invites a censorious attitude toward himself.
Rom. 2:1 [ESV]. Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
Rom. 2:3 [MSG]. You didn’t think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard?
Cloud of condemnation (7:3-4). Legalism blinds one to sin (Lk. 18:9-14) and finds in others one’s own sin. Legalism becomes its own self-righteous standard and acts harsher on others (2 Sam. 12:5). Legalism lacks mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
Rom. 14:10 [ESV]. Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;
Confession of criticism (7:5). Hypocrisy in religion blinds one from reality. Without reality before God, discipleship loses its power. Jesus taught the disciples to first draw a circle around themselves and confess the sins of those inside that circle.
Mk. 9:47. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
Abuse of Grace
Mt. 7:6. Give not that which is holy (Prov. 20:25; 1 Cor. 3:17) unto the dogs (Lk. 16:21; Phil. 3:2; 2 Pet. 2:22; Rev. 22:15), neither cast ye your pearls (Mt. 13:45-46) before swine (Mt. 8:30-32; Lk. 15:15-16), lest they trample (Mt. 5:13; Lk. 8:5, 12:1; Heb. 10:29) them under their feet (Mk. 6:11), and turn again (Acts 7:39) and rend (Mk. 2:22, 9:18) you.
Gospel truth is precious. Witnesses do sinners a disfavor by presenting the gospel as a sentimental offer from God begging for acceptance. Witnesses should present the gospel as a merciful offer from a holy, self-existent God who does not depend upon man.
Truth before dogs. Vincent said that this was a picture of a priest throwing the burnt offering to one of the wild dogs in the street.
Mk. 6:11 [CEV]. If any place won’t welcome you or listen to your message, leave and shake the dust from your feet as a warning to them.
Treasures before swine. Seed pearls resembled the feed thrown to the hogs. Pearls thrown to swine would cause them to rush upon the pearls, trample them, and turn on the one who deceived them.
Mt. 13:45. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Trampled. Jesus instructed the disciples not to set the holy ordinances before the unconverted who chose only to trample them.
Lk. 8:5 [NIV]. A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up.
Heb. 10:29. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Turned (Jas. 5:20). The spirit of Jesus’ disciples must be to lovingly seek the lost for Christ and grieve if they turn away. The preaching of the truth will harden further those who continue to turn away (2 Cor. 2:16).
Answered Prayer
7. Ask (Mt. 6:8, 18:19, 21:22; Jn. 14:13-14, 15:7-16, 16:23-24-26; Phil. 4:6), and it shall be given (Jas. 1:5-6, 4:2-3) you; seek (Ps. 63:1; Prov. 8:17; Mt. 6:33, 13:45, 18:12), and ye shall find (Mt. 10:39, 11:29, 13:44, 16:25; Lk. 15:6; Jn. 1:41); knock (Acts 12:13; Rev. 3:20), and it shall be opened (Lk. 3:21; Acts 5:19, 7:56, 12:10, 16:26; 1 Cor. 16:9) unto you:
8. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10. Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
In the Sermon on the Mount this is the second series of instructions about prayer (Mt. 6:5-15). A. C. Dixon wrote, “When we rely upon organization, we get what organization can do; when we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon eloquence, we get what eloquence can do. . . . but when we rely upon prayer, we get what God can do.”
God delays to answer prayer (7:7). In verse seven Jesus gave three present commands to pray and three future promises–two future passive, one future active. R. C. Trench wrote, “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, it is laying hold of God’s willingness.”
Until prayer is prayed (Jas. 4:2; ask). Prayer consists of definite requests. Charles G. Finney explained “He must pray for a definite object.”
Until prayer is persistent (Lk. 18:1; seek). Persistence is praying boldly in the will of God. Abraham prayed persistently (Gen. 18:32), Jacob prayed persistently (Gen. 32:26), Hannah prayed persistently (1 Sam. 1:10), and Elijah prayed persistently (Jas. 5:17). The Lord told Jeremiah, “Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13).
Until prayer is perfected (2 Cor. 12:8-9; knock). Jesus indicated three levels of prayer (Mt. 26:44; 2 Cor. 12:8). Asking is the level of learning to pray, seeking is the level of laboring (Col. 4:12) in prayer, and knocking is the level of liberation in prayer. The first level of prayer is desire (ask), the second level of prayer is determination (seek), and the third level of prayer is desperation (knock).
J. Oswald Sanders said, “It is easier to regard unanswered prayer as the will of God than to deliberately reason out the causes of defeat.” Andrew Murray said, “There may be cases in which the answer is a refusal, because the request is not according to God’s Word, as when Moses asked to enter Canaan. But still, there was an answer: God did not leave His servant in uncertainty as to His will.”
David Jeremiah noted:
♦ If the request is wrong, God says no.
♦ If the timing is wrong, God says slow.
♦ If the person is wrong, God says grow.
♦ If the request, timing and person is right, God says go.
God desires to answer prayer (7:8 ; three present participles and three present active verbs).
To authenticate promises (Jos. 21:45; given). Believers can pray claiming the promises (2 Pet. 1:4). E. M. Bounds wrote, “Yet these promises never brought hope to bloom or fruit to a prayerless heart. . . . Prayer makes the promise rich, fruitful and a conscious reality.” The promises give disciples confidence when praying (1 Jn. 5:14-15).
To attain possibilities (Eph. 3:20; find). The believer possesses unfathomable possibilities of asking and receiving from God (Jos. 10:14). E. M. Bounds said, “How vast are the possibilities of prayer! How wide is its reach! What great things are accomplished by this divinely appointed means of grace! It lays its hand on Almighty God and moves Him to do what He would not otherwise do if prayer was not offered. It brings things to pass which would never otherwise occur.”
To avail power (Acts 12:5; open). The author of the Kneeling Christian said, “‘When we stand with Christ in glory, looking o’er life’s finished story,’ the most amazing feature of that life as it is looked back upon will be its prayerlessness.” He wrote, “If no one on earth prayed for the salvation of sinners more fervently or more frequently than I do, how many of them would be converted to God through prayer?”
God delights to answer prayer (7:9-11).
Because of His glory (Neh. 1:5). Answers come to prayer because of the nature of God to answer.
Because of His goodness (Ps. 34:8). Because of His merciful nature, God answers prayer (“how much more;” Ps. 84:11). Believers should never listen to the voices of doubt about the goodness of God.
The greatest gift a person can receive is not bread but the good gifts of the Holy Spirit. Mt. 7:7 is a salvation prayer! The first prayer of any person is to ask the loving, heavenly Father for salvation.
The Golden Rule
12. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
The principle called The Golden Rule followed the prayer emphasis on the goodness of God. Like Jesus, disciples should go about doing good.
Circumference of the Golden Rule (all things whatsoever). Jesus applied the rule to all of life.
Mt. 21:22. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Col. 3:17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
All things in the kingdom (Gal. 6:10).
[MSG]. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.
All things in the world (Prov. 16:7).
[ESV]. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Circle of the Golden Rule (do to you, do to them). The principle in the golden rule works in a circular or reciprocal manner.
Mt. 5:44. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Self will (receive). The basic principle of discipleship according to Jesus is to give away or lay down one’s life.
Jesus did not state the rule to govern responses. Jesus did not give the rule as a method to gain advantage over or manipulate others.
Jesus did not state the rule to guarantee responses. A disciple might lay down self-will and still be mistreated.
Surrendered will (give). Jesus taught that the secret of receiving in the kingdom depended on giving away not taking. Disciple should not give away in proportion to another’s treatment or with an expectation of reward. Rather, a disciple should respond to others in the self-sacrificing spirit of Christ.
Lk. 6:27-36. But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28. Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29. And unto him that smiteth thee on the [one] cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not [to take thy] coat also.
30. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask [them] not again.
31. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34. And if ye lend [to them] of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.
36. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Completion of the Golden Rule (great commandment)
Right with God. The Golden Rule is not a substitute for righteousness by faith in Christ.
Rom. 3:21. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Right with one another. The Golden Rule parallels the Great Commandment.
Mt. 22:39-40. And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Two Roads
Mt. 7:13-14. Enter ye in at the strait (stenoV– Lk. 13:24; narrow, strait; stenocwrew–2 Cor. 4:8; stenocwria– Rom. 8:35; 2 Cor. 6:4, 12:10) gate (Mt. 16:18; Acts 9:24; Heb. 13:12): for wide (plateia–Mt. 6:5; Lk. 14:21; Acts 5:15; Rev. 21:21, 22:2; broad; platunw–Mt. 23:5; platoV–Rev. 21:16) [is] the gate, and broad (spacious, wide-region) [is] the way (Mt. 13:4-19, 22:9; Mk.10:17-46; Lk. 9:57, 10:31, 14:23; Jn.14:6; Acts 8:26, 9:2, 18:25-26, 22:4; Jas. 5:20; 2 Pet. 2:2-15), that leadeth (Mt. 27:31; 1 Cor. 12:2) to destruction (apwleia–Jn. 17:12; Acts 8:20; 1 Tim. 6:9; 2 Pet. 2:1, 3:7; apollumi–Lk. 15:24, 19:10; Jn. 3:16; 1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Cor. 4:3; 2 Pet. 3:9; Thayer-perish, ruined; destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell), and many there be which go in (Mt. 5:20,18:3,19:23, 25:21; Jn. 3:5; Heb. 4:1) thereat:
14. Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow (qlibw–2 Cor. 4:8; Heb.11:37; qliyiV–Jn.16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom. 5:3, 8:35, 12:12; 2 Cor. 4:17; press as grapes, press hard upon) [is] the way, which leadeth unto life (Mt. 25:46; Jn. 5:24, 10:10, 17:3; Col. 3:4; 1 Tim. 6:12; 1 Jn. 5:12), and few (oligoi-Mt. 9:37, 20:16, 22:14, 25:21-23; Lk. 12:48, 13:23; Acts 17:12, 26:29; 1 Pet. 3:20; Rev. 2:4) there be that find (Mt. 10:39,13:44-46; Jn. 1:41; Rom. 4:1) it.
13 [GNB]. Go in through the narrow gate, because the gate to hell is wide and the road that leads to it is easy, and there are many who travel it.
14 [CEV]. But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow that only a few people find it.
In the closing sections of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus demonstrated the difference between a false and true disciple.
♦ Two gates–false and true paths (7:13-14)
♦ Two fruits–false and true prophets (7:15-20)
♦ Two destinies–false and true professions (7:21-23)
♦ Two foundations–false and true plans (7:24-27)
Jesus likened salvation to a journey of three parts. Salvation begins at regeneration, continues in sanctification, and concludes with glorification.
Entrance to salvation (gate; Jn. 3:3–beginning). The gate to salvation is singular–only through Christ. As in Pilgrim’s Progress, a Christian must enter a “wicket gate” to salvation. The term pictures one squeezing through a narrow door. Like the security gate to an airport, God requires entrance through only one narrow way to salvation.
Endurance in salvation (way; Jn. 14:6; Acts 9:2, 19:9). After entrance into salvation, disciples must journey the way of the cross. The term strait meaning “compressed” and the term narrow referring to difficulties indicated the tests of discipleship (Acts 14:22).
End of salvation (life). The broad way leads to death and must be avoided (Prov. 14:12; Ps. 1:6). The crowded road will not lead to life. John Calvin wrote, “Many run along the broad road: because men ruin each other by wicked examples.”
In this teaching Jesus gave an invitation to salvation. Salvation is a choice.
♦ Tough path or the easy road
♦ Future joy or present happiness
♦ Lonely walk or crowded rush
♦ Deliberate journey or thoughtless trip
♦ End in mind or moments of pleasure
♦ True salvation or false experience
♦ One way or many views
♦ Heaven or hell
Spurgeon said, “Oh! ye who love the souls of men, it is to you an awful thought that hell’s caverns are filling; it is a dreary thing to you to see the broad road so crowded with its many travelers?”
Prov. 14:12. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
David Smith said, “The question is not whether the saved be few or many, but whether you be of the number.”
The False and the True
15. Beware (Mt. 6:1, 10:17, 16:6; 1 Tim. 1:4, 4:1) of false prophets (Mt. 24:11-24; Acts 13:6; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 Jn. 4:1; Rev. 20:10), which come to you in sheep’s clothing (Mt. 22:11), but inwardly (Mt. 23:25-27; Mk. 7:21) they are ravening (Lk. 18:11; 1 Cor. 5:10, 6:10) wolves (Mt. 10:16; Jn. 10:12; Acts 20:29).
16. Ye shall know them by their fruits (Mt. 3:8-10, 7:16-17-18-19-20, 12:33, 13:8, 21:19; Jn. 12:24, 15:2-4-8-16; Rom. 1:13, 6:22; Gal. 5:22; Eph. 5:9; Phil. 1:11; Heb. 12:11; Jas. 3:17). Do men gather (Mt. 13:40-48; Lk. 6:44; Rev. 14:18) grapes of thorns (Mt. 13:7; Heb. 6:8), or figs (Mk. 11:13; Jas. 3:12) of thistles (Heb. 6:8)?
17. Even so every good tree (Mt. 3:10, 7:17-18-19, 12:33; Jude 12) bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt (Mt. 7:17-18, 12:33, 13:48; Eph. 4:29) tree bringeth forth evil (Mt. 6:13-23, 7:17-18, 12:35, 15:19; Mk. 7:23; Rom. 12:9) fruit.
18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down (Mt. 3:10; Lk. 13:7-9; Rom. 11:22-24), and cast into the fire (Mt. 3:10, 13:42-50; Jn. 15:6).
20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know (Acts 4:13; 2 Cor. 13:5; Col. 1:6) them.
Jer. 23:16 [GNB]. The LORD Almighty said to the people of Jerusalem, “Do not listen to what the prophets say; they are filling you with false hopes. They tell you what they have imagined and not what I have said.
False prophets imitate the language, look, and leaders of God’s flock but infiltrate the flock to deceive, distract, and devour like wolves. Jesus warned the disciples about those who only appeared saved. Jesus admitted the presence of unconverted ministers and unconverted members within the membership of the disciples.
1 Jn. 4:1 [GNB]. My dear friends, do not believe all who claim to have the Spirit, but test them to find out if the spirit they have comes from God. For many false prophets have gone out everywhere.
Judas looked just like a true disciple. Paul said satan can appear as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14).
Rather than attack the flock, wolves infiltrate the flock. Satan works a strategy to bring the unconverted inside the church. Satan plants tares among wheat (Mt. 13:39).
Martin Luther entered the priesthood, John Wesley went to the mission field, and Billy Graham presided over a youth group–all before conversion.
Mt. 23:25 [GNB]. “How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You clean the outside of your cup and plate, while the inside is full of what you have gotten by violence and selfishness.
Jude 12 [ISV]. These people are stains on your love feasts. They feast with you without any sense of awe. They are shepherds who care only for themselves. They are waterless clouds blown about by the winds. They are autumn trees that are fruitless, twice dead, and uprooted.
False prophets cannot hide the products of an unholy life since all reproduce outwardly the fruits of their life inwardly. The test of Christianity is fruit. Spiritual life flows through a true Christian and reproduces itself in others.
Mt. 12:33 MSG]. “If you grow a healthy tree, you’ll pick healthy fruit. If you grow a diseased tree, you’ll pick worm-eaten fruit. The fruit tells you about the tree.
Mt. 12:35 [GNB]. A good person brings good things out of a treasure of good things; a bad person brings bad things out of a treasure of bad things.
Mt. 15:19 [CEV]. Out of your heart come evil thoughts, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, vulgar deeds, stealing, telling lies, and insulting others.
True disciples know to sink deep their spiritual roots in order to bear fruit. Jesus rejected an appearance of godliness without the genuine power. The Christ-life inside produces spiritual fruit. The carnal person cannot produce Christ-like fruit.
Jas. 3:12 [CEV]. Can a fig tree produce olives or a grapevine produce figs? Does fresh water come from a well full of salt water?
Jas. 3:17 [HCSB]. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.
True disciples become channels for the fruit of the Spirit, but false prophets practice the works of the flesh.
Gal. 5:22 [KJV]. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Phil. 1:11. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Heb. 6:8 [GNB]. But if it grows thorns and weeds, it is worth nothing; it is in danger of being cursed by God and will be destroyed by fire.
True disciples submit to the pruner’s knife to crucify the flesh and the refiner’s fire to burn away and cleanse the unholy from the holy. Lasting spiritual fruit gives evidence of the life of Christ within not profession or even preaching.
Mt. 3:10 [HCSB]. Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees! Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Jn. 15:2 [GNB]. He breaks off every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, so that it will be clean and bear more fruit.
John 15:6 [ISV]. Unless a person abides in me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up. People gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
2 Cor. 13:5 [ESV]. Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
False Profession of Faith
21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord (Mt. 7:21-22, 25:11; Lk. 6:46, 13:25), shall enter into the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 5:20, 18:3, 19:23; Jn. 3:5; Acts 14:22); but he that doeth the will of my Father (Mt. 12:50; Jn. 6:38; Heb. 10:7; Jas. 1:22; 1 Jn. 2:17) which is in heaven.
22. Many will say to me in that day (Lk. 10:12; 1 Th. 5:4; 2 Tim. 1:12, 4:8), Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied (Jer. 23:32) in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils (Lk. 9:49)? and in thy name done many wonderful works (Mk. 6:5; Acts 2:22, 3:12, 4:7, 19:11)?
23. And then will I profess (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Tim. 6:12; 1 Jn. 4:15) unto them, I never knew you: depart (Mt. 25:41; Lk. 13:27) from me, ye that work iniquity (Mt. 13:41; 2 Cor. 6:14).
A profession of faith in words without a practice of the Father’s will (7:21).
False profession. Jesus warned that not everyone who claimed to know the Lord will enter heaven. Not everyone who professes the faith truly possesses the faith.
Lk. 6:46. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Faith practice. Those who truly repent and receive Christ will obey the words of Christ.
Jas. 1:22. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
A protest of righteous works for Jesus without a possession of righteousness by faith in Jesus (7:22).
Examination. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus warned the religious hypocrite of destruction (Mt. 7:13) and departure (Mt. 7:23) from Him on the judgment day.
Excuses. A child of the devil can counterfeit the works of a child of God (Ex. 7:11; Dt. 13:1). A false disciple can counterfeit evangelism, exorcism, and experiences.
Jer. 23:32. Behold, I [am] against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
Jesus revealed to the disciples that some wolves would enter the flock deliberately and some would enter deceptively. Many only imitate the works of true disciples to impress others or improve themselves (Acts 8:21).
Apart from the righteousness of Jesus Christ, God judges a person’s good works as nothing more than filthy rags (Is. 64:6).
Mt. 5:20. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
A possibility of knowledge about the Lord without a personal relationship with the Lord (7:23).
Lk. 13:25. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
Lk. 13:27. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all [ye] workers of iniquity.
Sentence. When Christ sits in judgment of the lost (Jn. 5:22), many will think that they were saved. Jesus will expose the unrighteousness of the heart and stop any argument with a sentence of judgment (Rom. 3:19).
Jesus knows those who belong to Him (2 Tim. 2:19). Christ does not profess to know everyone who professes to know Him (Jn. 2:23-24).
Separation. Jesus will separate the lost in hell from the saved in heaven with a great gulf (Lk. 16:26).
Mt. 25:41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Many seek a way of salvation without entering through Christ (Jn. 10:1). A person cannot enter the kingdom of heaven without the new birth (Jn. 3:3-5).
Jn. 3:5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
False Plans
24. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth (Dt. 30:14; Ps. 103:20; Lk. 8:21; Jas. 1:22) them, I will liken him unto a wise (Mt. 24:45, 25:2) man, which built (Mt. 21:42; Lk. 14:28-30, 17:28; Lk. 6:48–digged [Lk. 13:8, 16:3] deep [Mt. 13:5; 1 Cor. 2:10]; Lk. 6:48–set foundation) his house upon a rock (Mt. 16:18; Rom. 9:33; 1 Cor. 10:4):
25. And the rain descended, and the floods (Jn. 7:38; 2 Cor. 11:26; Rev. 22:1) came (Lk. 6:48–stream beat vehemently; broke against--dashed against), and the winds (Mt. 8:26, 14:24; Acts 27:4) blew (Jn. 3:8, 6:18; Acts 27:40), and beat upon (Acts 16:29) that house; and it fell (piptw–Mt. 15:14, 21:44; Lk. 11:17, 16:17; Rom. 11:11; 1 Cor. 10:12; Heb. 3:17, 4:11, 11:30; apopiptw–Acts 9:18; ekpiptw–Acts 17:17-29; 1 Cor. 13:8; empiptw–Mt. 12:11; Lk. 10:36; 1 Tim. 3:6-7; Heb. 10:31; epipiptw–Lk. 15:20; katapiptw– Acts 26:14, 28:6; parapiptw–Heb. 6:6; peripiptw–Acts 27:41; Jas. 1:2; Lk. 10:30; prospiptw–Mt. 7:25; sumpiptw–Lk. 6:49–fell together, collapsed) not (Lk. 6:48–could not shake it; overthrow– Lk. 6:48, 21:26; Acts 2:25; 2 Th. 2:2; Heb. 12:27): for it was founded (Eph. 3:17; Col. 1:23; 1 Pet. 5:10; cf. 1 Cor. 3:10; Eph. 2:20; 1 Tim. 6:19; 2 Tim. 2:19; Heb. 6:1, 11:10; Rev. 21:14-19) upon a rock.
26. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish (Mt. 25:2) man, which built his house upon the sand (Rev. 13:1):
27. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon (Rom. 9:32, 14:21) that house; and it fell: and great was the fall (Lk. 2:34; Rom. 11:11) of it (Lk. 6:49--rent; Mt. 9:17).
28. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished (Mt. 13:54, 19:25, 22:33; Acts 13:12) at his doctrine:
29. For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes.
This parable summarized the whole Sermon on the Mount.
• Jesus taught the Word for His disciples to obey not just believe (Jas. 1:22).
• Jesus spoke the Word with authority because He lived the Word with authenticity (Mt. 7:29).
In this closing invitation, Jesus warned against false appearances.
Wise builders take a long look at the consequences of obeying or disobeying Jesus.
Jesus, the carpenter, knew all about building houses. The wise builder dug down to the solid foundation. Christ is the Rock (1 Cor. 10:4).
Mt. 16:18 [NIV]. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Eph. 2:20 [NIV]. Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
Homes built on the foundation of Christ Jesus face the same tests as others but stand at the end.
God sends tests to build. Spurgeon said, “Whether your religion be true or false, it will be tried. . . .”
Mt. 14:24 [NIV]. But the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Satan sends temptations to break. The builder who did not obey the Word fell in the day of trouble.
Lk. 11:17 [NIV]. Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.
Foolish builders hear the same gospel but choose the easy way instead of the way of the cross.
Mt. 21:42 [NIV]. Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: " ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes' ?
The foolish man did not listen to instruction. He did not consider the consequences.
Lk. 17:28 [NIV]. It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building.
What made the foolish builder choose so unwisely? Barclay said,
• He wanted to avoid toil.
• He was short-sighted.
Lk. 14:28 [NIV]. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?
Homes built on the brevity of this life will end in certain destruction.
Why do people build on the canyons and mountain fronts in Southern California despite either fires or floods? Each time a disaster strikes, people soon forget and line up to move back.
1 Cor. 10:12 [NIV]. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
Jesus called the Twelve to true discipleship. Jesus prepared the disciples to discern the difference between false religion and true righteousness.
1. Few find salvation (Mt. 7:13-14).
2. Fruit reveals salvation (Mt. 7:15-20).
3. False profess salvation (Mt. 7:21-23).
4. Fools avoid salvation (Mt. 7:24-27).