NOTES: God is Near, Part 11
Sermon: God is Near 11— Invitation
Date: Sunday, November 10, 2024
Text: Matthew 7:13–20 (ESV) 13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”
Let’s Connect:
How do you explore something new?
Text Explained:
The narrow gate (invitation):
What is the way of life that is easy?
What is hard about following Jesus?
Though this truth guides everyday choices— the good life, ultimately it’s for our salvation!
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 ESV
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 ESV
Caution (not fear):
Who are the “wolves” and how do we know?
Acts 20:28–30, “28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”
Choice of life or destruction:
Because God is near, we have the ability in Christ through the Spirit to recognize the truth from the false.
The Take Out:
How do practice good judgement?
John 16:13–14, “13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
1 Corinthians 2:14–16, “14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ."
2 Timothy 3:16–17, “16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man (or woman) of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 2:1–2, “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men (or women), who will be able to teach others also.
Transformed-Life, Spirit-Led, Critical-Thinking:
Our Challenge:
Let’s respond to the invitation of Jesus: Enter His Kingdom!