November 17-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 7:13, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
Observe what it is saying.
The Sermon on the Mount ends with four warnings, each offering paired contrasts: two ways (vv.13-14), two trees (vv.15-20), two claims (vv.21-23), and two builders (vv.24-27). They focus on the final judgment and make it plain that the theme is still the kingdom of heaven. As we find in each of these warnings, the sole basis for humanity’s future is dependent how they respond to Jesus’ message. In this first warning, there are two gates, two roads, two crowds, two destinations. The "narrow" gate is clearly restrictive and does not permit entrance to what Jesus prohibits. The "wide" gate seems far more inviting. The "broad" road is spacious and accommodates the crowd and their baggage. It is the easy way. It is the common way. It goes with the flow of changing cultural norms and does not hold to the core message of Christ. In fact, it disregards Jesus as Lord and Savior and distrusts Scripture as God’s holy and revealed word. Instead, this way creates its own version of truth through syncretistical means. Whatever their ears want to hear, whatever their eyes want to see, they collate it together to create their own religion of choice. In effect, they become their own gods as they formulate their own doctrine.
Relate it to your life.
If I find myself going with the flow and easily adjusting to the changing cultural norms, then I need to understand I am on the wide highway with the big doorway that leads to death.
Do something.
Jesus, this is not an easy word to hear, but it is a necessary word to take to heart. You have spoken this eternal truth because You love us and want us to be on the right road to the right destination. Give me the courage to pay attention, to make the needed changes, and to join You on the way of life. Amen.
November 18-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 7:14, But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Observe what it is saying.
Yesterday, we spoke of the wide gate and broad road that most people find themselves on. It is the common way because people follow the masses and accommodate themselves to changing cultural norms. Today, we find the second option. Please be clear, there are only two. Either we deliberately choose the narrow way or we find by default are already on the broad path. This way is narrow because it is challenging. It is the way that Jesus has defined clearly in His sermon. It requires such things as loving our enemies, going the second mile in our service, not lusting in our hearts, and not critically judging others. It, also, is a way where you can expect opposition and persecution. Is it any wonder that it is the narrow way? However, the destination is worth it for it leads to life in the eternal kingdom of God, whereas, the common road leads to eternal death where adherents are separated from God’s glorious presence. The small gate is the entry way into the path of Jesus’ discipleship. We choose this less traveled path by denying ourselves, picking up our cross, and following in Jesus’ steps each and every day.
Relate it to your life.
When I accept Christ’s gift of salvation and obediently choose to walk His path of discipleship, I have chosen the narrow way.
Do something.
Jesus, I receive Your incredible gift of salvation and choose to follow Your well-defined path. Amen.
November 19-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 7:15, “Watch out for false prophets…”
Observe what it is saying.
The second warning involves the fact there are false prophets. There always have been and always will be such prophets. The classic story in the Old Testament stands out of King Ahab and King Jehoshaphat who were deciding whether they should partner together and go to war against a neighboring country. 1 Kings 13:13-14, [Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him, “Look, all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree with them and promise success.” But Micaiah replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say.”] All the false prophets were in agreement that they should go to war, but Micaiah refused to go along with the crowd and please the king. In the next generation after Jesus, the Apostle Peter alerted the church to this reality. 2 Peter 2:1-2, “But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.” Peter spoke the same truth that there will always be false prophets in every generation so we should be alert and careful who we listen to because many will be deceived by them. We must be radically different and discerning.
Relate it to your life.
I must be very discerning of what messages, songs, and voices in which I choose to pay attention.
Do something.
Father, give me Your wisdom and sensitivity of the Holy Spirit to spot and listen for false messengers who are sent from the evil one to do slander Your holy word. Amen.
November 20-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 7:15, “…They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
Observe what it is saying.
In speaking about false prophets, Jesus gives us a vivid image of who they are. They appear to be innocent, mild-mannered sheep, but, in reality, they are dangerous wolves which kill their prey. There are many false preachers in the pulpits across the world today where we must discern the authenticity of their message. In addition, with the explosion of social media and podcasting, anyone has the opportunity to have a voice and a platform from which to make their viewpoint known. Many delightful but false messages are being given by popular influencers who appear so harmless but are wolves teaching destructive heresies and ruining lives. Just because someone has a large following does not mean they are of God. Unfortunately, we have seen many megachurch pastors over the past decade or so, who have fallen because of their lack of integrity. (There are many preachers and podcasters who provide solid teaching as well.) Paul told the elders at Ephesus, “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. (Acts 20:28-30) The enemy’s tactic is to copy, corrupt, and distort the truth of God in any and every manner to draw as many away from the faith as possible.
Relate it to your life.
I can never let my guard down but must weigh every message I hear according to God’s holy word.
Do something.
Father, make me wise and discerning when it comes to the voluminous messages of this world. Amen.
November 21-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 7:16-18, By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Observe what it is saying.
These verses speak of fruit inspections. From a distance the little black berries on the buckthorn could be mistaken for grapes, and the flowers on certain thistles might deceive one into thinking figs were growing. But upon closer investigation, you would no longer be fooled. In the same way, healthy trees will produce good fruit, and unhealthy trees will bear fruit that is not pleasing to the eye or the taste. It is impossible to make an unhealthy tree bear good fruit and vice versa. They bear according to their core health. So do we. So do false prophets, preachers, and podcasters. Spiritually healthy people produce spiritual fruit that resembles the Lord Jesus. The Apostle Paul gave us two lists to help us in our fruit inspection for ourselves and others. Bad fruit = Galatians 5:19-21a, “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” Good fruit = Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Relate it to your life.
I must be careful not to critically judge one another, yet I am to wisely inspect fruit, especially of those, who speak on behalf of God so that I will not be led astray.
Do something.
Father, give me wise discernment between harshly judging someone and correctly inspecting the fruit of those who claim to be Christian and speak on Your behalf. Amen.
November 22-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 7:19-20, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
Observe what it is saying.
In the immediate context of this passage the trees are the prophets, that is, anyone who speaks on behalf of God or who creates their own religion. God’s word always bears good fruit. Isaiah gives us a beautiful picture of God’s fruitful word. In Isaiah 55:10-11, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” When God’s word is appropriately communicated, it will return a bountiful harvest of transformation in hearts and homes. However, if the prophet, preacher, or teller is offering a different gospel than the one originally given in Scripture, judgment will come to him or her. Failing to being a good steward of God’s word is not a small thing. Peter also said about such false teachers, 2 Peter 2:3, “In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.” Scripture is clear that God does not take false teaching lightly. Being thrown into the eternal fire should be a stark warning for all who do so.
Relate it to your life.
Whether I teach or tell others about God’s word, I need to do so humbly under the Holy Spirit’s power.
Do something.
Father, make me a good steward of Your holy word who does not need to be ashamed. Amen.
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 7:13, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
Observe what it is saying.
The Sermon on the Mount ends with four warnings, each offering paired contrasts: two ways (vv.13-14), two trees (vv.15-20), two claims (vv.21-23), and two builders (vv.24-27). They focus on the final judgment and make it plain that the theme is still the kingdom of heaven. As we find in each of these warnings, the sole basis for humanity’s future is dependent how they respond to Jesus’ message. In this first warning, there are two gates, two roads, two crowds, two destinations. The "narrow" gate is clearly restrictive and does not permit entrance to what Jesus prohibits. The "wide" gate seems far more inviting. The "broad" road is spacious and accommodates the crowd and their baggage. It is the easy way. It is the common way. It goes with the flow of changing cultural norms and does not hold to the core message of Christ. In fact, it disregards Jesus as Lord and Savior and distrusts Scripture as God’s holy and revealed word. Instead, this way creates its own version of truth through syncretistical means. Whatever their ears want to hear, whatever their eyes want to see, they collate it together to create their own religion of choice. In effect, they become their own gods as they formulate their own doctrine.
Relate it to your life.
If I find myself going with the flow and easily adjusting to the changing cultural norms, then I need to understand I am on the wide highway with the big doorway that leads to death.
Do something.
Jesus, this is not an easy word to hear, but it is a necessary word to take to heart. You have spoken this eternal truth because You love us and want us to be on the right road to the right destination. Give me the courage to pay attention, to make the needed changes, and to join You on the way of life. Amen.
November 18-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 7:14, But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Observe what it is saying.
Yesterday, we spoke of the wide gate and broad road that most people find themselves on. It is the common way because people follow the masses and accommodate themselves to changing cultural norms. Today, we find the second option. Please be clear, there are only two. Either we deliberately choose the narrow way or we find by default are already on the broad path. This way is narrow because it is challenging. It is the way that Jesus has defined clearly in His sermon. It requires such things as loving our enemies, going the second mile in our service, not lusting in our hearts, and not critically judging others. It, also, is a way where you can expect opposition and persecution. Is it any wonder that it is the narrow way? However, the destination is worth it for it leads to life in the eternal kingdom of God, whereas, the common road leads to eternal death where adherents are separated from God’s glorious presence. The small gate is the entry way into the path of Jesus’ discipleship. We choose this less traveled path by denying ourselves, picking up our cross, and following in Jesus’ steps each and every day.
Relate it to your life.
When I accept Christ’s gift of salvation and obediently choose to walk His path of discipleship, I have chosen the narrow way.
Do something.
Jesus, I receive Your incredible gift of salvation and choose to follow Your well-defined path. Amen.
November 19-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 7:15, “Watch out for false prophets…”
Observe what it is saying.
The second warning involves the fact there are false prophets. There always have been and always will be such prophets. The classic story in the Old Testament stands out of King Ahab and King Jehoshaphat who were deciding whether they should partner together and go to war against a neighboring country. 1 Kings 13:13-14, [Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him, “Look, all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree with them and promise success.” But Micaiah replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say.”] All the false prophets were in agreement that they should go to war, but Micaiah refused to go along with the crowd and please the king. In the next generation after Jesus, the Apostle Peter alerted the church to this reality. 2 Peter 2:1-2, “But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.” Peter spoke the same truth that there will always be false prophets in every generation so we should be alert and careful who we listen to because many will be deceived by them. We must be radically different and discerning.
Relate it to your life.
I must be very discerning of what messages, songs, and voices in which I choose to pay attention.
Do something.
Father, give me Your wisdom and sensitivity of the Holy Spirit to spot and listen for false messengers who are sent from the evil one to do slander Your holy word. Amen.
November 20-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 7:15, “…They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
Observe what it is saying.
In speaking about false prophets, Jesus gives us a vivid image of who they are. They appear to be innocent, mild-mannered sheep, but, in reality, they are dangerous wolves which kill their prey. There are many false preachers in the pulpits across the world today where we must discern the authenticity of their message. In addition, with the explosion of social media and podcasting, anyone has the opportunity to have a voice and a platform from which to make their viewpoint known. Many delightful but false messages are being given by popular influencers who appear so harmless but are wolves teaching destructive heresies and ruining lives. Just because someone has a large following does not mean they are of God. Unfortunately, we have seen many megachurch pastors over the past decade or so, who have fallen because of their lack of integrity. (There are many preachers and podcasters who provide solid teaching as well.) Paul told the elders at Ephesus, “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. (Acts 20:28-30) The enemy’s tactic is to copy, corrupt, and distort the truth of God in any and every manner to draw as many away from the faith as possible.
Relate it to your life.
I can never let my guard down but must weigh every message I hear according to God’s holy word.
Do something.
Father, make me wise and discerning when it comes to the voluminous messages of this world. Amen.
November 21-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 7:16-18, By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Observe what it is saying.
These verses speak of fruit inspections. From a distance the little black berries on the buckthorn could be mistaken for grapes, and the flowers on certain thistles might deceive one into thinking figs were growing. But upon closer investigation, you would no longer be fooled. In the same way, healthy trees will produce good fruit, and unhealthy trees will bear fruit that is not pleasing to the eye or the taste. It is impossible to make an unhealthy tree bear good fruit and vice versa. They bear according to their core health. So do we. So do false prophets, preachers, and podcasters. Spiritually healthy people produce spiritual fruit that resembles the Lord Jesus. The Apostle Paul gave us two lists to help us in our fruit inspection for ourselves and others. Bad fruit = Galatians 5:19-21a, “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” Good fruit = Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Relate it to your life.
I must be careful not to critically judge one another, yet I am to wisely inspect fruit, especially of those, who speak on behalf of God so that I will not be led astray.
Do something.
Father, give me wise discernment between harshly judging someone and correctly inspecting the fruit of those who claim to be Christian and speak on Your behalf. Amen.
November 22-Sermon on the Mount
Write out the Scripture.
Matthew 7:19-20, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
Observe what it is saying.
In the immediate context of this passage the trees are the prophets, that is, anyone who speaks on behalf of God or who creates their own religion. God’s word always bears good fruit. Isaiah gives us a beautiful picture of God’s fruitful word. In Isaiah 55:10-11, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” When God’s word is appropriately communicated, it will return a bountiful harvest of transformation in hearts and homes. However, if the prophet, preacher, or teller is offering a different gospel than the one originally given in Scripture, judgment will come to him or her. Failing to being a good steward of God’s word is not a small thing. Peter also said about such false teachers, 2 Peter 2:3, “In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.” Scripture is clear that God does not take false teaching lightly. Being thrown into the eternal fire should be a stark warning for all who do so.
Relate it to your life.
Whether I teach or tell others about God’s word, I need to do so humbly under the Holy Spirit’s power.
Do something.
Father, make me a good steward of Your holy word who does not need to be ashamed. Amen.
Posted in Daily Devotionals