Practice? We're Talking About Practice?
Matthew 7:13-27
Chris Seidman
Part of Kingdom: The Gospel of Matthew—The Sermon on the Mount
June 26, 2022

Kingdom: The Gospel of Matthew

Practice? We’re Talking About Practice?
June 26, 2022
Chris Seidman, Lead Minister, The Branch Church


Matthew 7:13-27 (NIV)
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

“Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

“But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Four Pictures But One Message

  • Narrow and Wide Gates (Matthew 7:13-14)

  • True and False Prophets (Matthew 7:15-20)

  • True and False Disciples (Matthew 7:21-23)

  • Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24-27)


Matthew 7:24 (NIV)

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Four Pictures But One Message

  • Narrow and Wide Gates (Matthew 7:13-14)

  • True and False Prophets (Matthew 7:15-20)

Matthew 7:16 (NIV)
“By their fruit you will recognize them.”

  • True and False Disciples (Matthew 7:21-23)


Matthew 7:21 (NIV)
“Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”


Matthew 7:22-23 (NIV)
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.’”

  • Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24-27)

What The Storms Represent …

  • Divine judgment

  • Life’s trials

Hearing And Doing What Jesus Says …

  • Tells us Jesus is looking for followers and not admirers

  • Involves practice

  • Is a group effort

  • Takes grace


Communion
What in this message intersects with your life this week?