Your Decision
September 30
Think About It …
• When you go on a trip, what are some of the
choices you have to make as you plan and
prepare?
• Jesus talked about the journey of life … He
spoke of choices we must make.
– Today we look at what road to take, whom to
listen to, and whom we will obey.
Listen for the description of two
different routes.
Matthew 7:13-14 (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. [14] But small is the
gate and narrow the road that leads to life,
and only a few find it.
Life or Destruction?
• How did Jesus describe the gate to the
kingdom of God? Why?
• In what ways to “narrow” and “difficult”
describe what it’s like to follow Jesus?
• Many religions teach self-sacrifice. How is this
different from being a follower of Jesus?
• In what way did Jesus describe the gate that
leads to destruction?
Life or Destruction?
• What broad roads did you (or people you
know) travel before meeting Christ?
• How should we fit or not fit into the world?
• What was your entry through the narrow gate
like?
• In what sense is it narrow-minded to believe
in Christ?
Listen for ways to detect false
prophets.
Matthew 7:15-23 (NIV) "Watch out for false
prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. [16] 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.
Listen for ways to detect false
prophets.
[18] A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a
bad tree cannot bear good fruit. [19] 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. [21] "Not everyone who
says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom
of heaven, but only he who does the will of my
Father who is in heaven.
Listen for ways to detect false
prophets.
[22] 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 perform many
miracles?' [23] Then I will tell them plainly, 'I
never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Genuine or Counterfeit?
• According to this passage, what are some
characteristics of false prophets?
• What would be some examples of false
prophets in our world?
• How do you carefully evaluate “fruit” without
judging (which Jesus warned against)?
Genuine
or Fruit
Counterfeit?
Remember
that these
of the Spirit
qualities
are the
result of kinds
beingof fruit:
•are
Consider
thethat
contrasts
of different
under
the Kingdom/Rule
God
Galatians
5:22-23
But the fruit ofofthe
Spirit is love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness,
self-control.
 When[23]
Godgentleness
is ruling inand
your
life,
Galatians
Thefruit
actsare
of the
sinful
these5:19-21
beautiful
what
willnature are
obvious: sexual
immorality,
impurity and
naturally
be seen
debauchery; [20] idolatry and witchcraft; hatred,
discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,
dissensions, factions [21] and envy; drunkenness,
orgies, and the like
Genuine or Counterfeit?
• What kinds of things will people claim before God
who want to enter heaven?
• According to this passage, why will they be
denied?
• Consider what steps you should take if you know
that obedience of God is not present in your life
… confession, repentance, by faith receiving
forgiveness, declaring your submission to God,
making Jesus Lord of your life
Listen for the meaning of “the rock” in
this passage.
Matthew 7:24-29 (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. [25] The rain came down, the
streams rose, and the winds blew and beat
against that house; yet it did not fall, because it
had its foundation on the rock. [26] But
everyone who hears these words of mine and
does not put them into
Listen for the meaning of “the rock” in
this passage.
practice is like a foolish man who built his house
on sand. [27] The rain came down, the streams
rose, and the winds blew and beat against that
house, and it fell with a great crash." [28] When
Jesus had finished saying these things, the
crowds were amazed at his teaching, [29]
because he taught as one who had authority,
and not as their teachers of the law.
Rock or Sand?
• What happens to a house that is not built on
solid ground?
• How would this apply to your spiritual life?
• What kind of storms attack our lives and
threaten to destroy them?
Rock or Sand?
• The children’s song, “The Wise Man Built His
House Upon the Rock” has a verse that says,
“So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
What does this passage actually say?
• Why will our lives not be destroyed when we
build them on the rock of God’s words to us?
Application
• All people have the opportunity to decide how
they will respond to God
– Believers are confronted with the demands of
discipleship
– These demands may appear to be constricting
but, in truth they set us free and lead to life
– This week choose to follow Jesus direction in your
life – it may be rigorous, but it is worth the cost.
Application
• Disciples need to be on guard against those
who would deceive them in an effort to
destroy them
– Authentic teachers and true disciples can be
recognized by the fruit of their lives
– Make sure that your life is more than just saying
religious words or doing religious acts.
– Cultivate a right relationship with Jesus and allow
Him to demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit through
you
Application
• Those who hear and obey Jesus’ words build
their lives on a solid foundation
– This solid foundation prepares a believer for the
storms of life and for the Day of Judgment
– Jesus’ words are God’s Truth – believe them …
base your life on them
Your Decision
September 30