The Two-fold Purpose of the Scriptures (How to Build Your Life on the Rock, Part 5)
How to Build Your Life on the Rock: Sermon on the Mount Series • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Intro
Intro
Series - How to Build Your Life on the Rock
Part 5 - The Two-fold Purpose of the Scriptures
Text - Matthew 7.12-14
12 “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
14 For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Summary
Summary
The sermon on the mount is truly one of the most comprehensive sermon we will hear. It covers all the important areas of life -
the secret to true blessedness - the approval of the Heavenly Father
the foundation of true righteousness
the practice of righteousness through giving, pray ing and fasting
the proper way of serving God
Main Idea
Main Idea
In this part of the sermon on the mount, Jesus is teaching His disciples two important things:
the proper treatment of other people, and
aiming for eternity
These two life principles hinges on only one thing - the Word of God - and they are inter-related.
pursuing good human relationship is worthless, if not impossible, without the pursuit of eternal life with God.
on the other hand, pursuing eternity with God can only be manifested through godly interpersonal relationships.
IF YOU WANT TO LIVE FOREVER WITH GOD, YOU WILL NEED TO LEARN HOW GET ALONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE, BECAUSE HAS MANY CHILDREN IN ETERNITY.
How do you treat other people properly
How do you treat other people properly
The first part of Jesus’ statement says - Matthew 7.12
12 “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
The principle: treat people the same way you want them to treat you
The principle: treat people the same way you want them to treat you
It means -
respect - to place other people on the same level with you - do not look down on them
to love them as yourself
The practice
The practice
Do not judge others - Matthew 7.1
Do not judge others - Matthew 7.1
1 “Do not judge, so that you will not be judged.
judge - can mean (1) to condemn; (2) to analyze or evaluate
It means - do not make a habit of judging others, or be judgmental
judging is not entirely prohibited
there are proper ways of judging others - John 7.24
24 Do not judge by the outward appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
Why?
You will be judged in the same you judge others. - Matthew 7.2
2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
A judgmental attitude means you do not see your own mistakes and failures - Matthew 7.3-5
3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, the log is in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye!
When we see our own mistakes and judge ourselves, -
we learn to judge properly, and
we become more gracious to others’ mistakes.
The first command applies to judging fellow believers.
This command applies to non-believers.
Do not give what is holy to the dogs… - Matthew 7.6
Do not give what is holy to the dogs… - Matthew 7.6
6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
dogs and pigs - evil men
what is holy - God’s word
your pearls - your wisdom or sound advice
There are evil men who may attack when judged by the word of God or rebuked by sound judgment.
in such cases, the word of God are not respected for its value.
it is a waste of time and effort
Learn God’s generosity - Matthew 7.7-11
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
9 Or what person is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
11 So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
God knows how to give “good gifts” to those who as from Him.
He does not give things that can do harm
We can only learn God’s generosity by asking, seeking and knocking -
so Jesus invites us to try it!
9 Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary.
10 So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
How do you enter the narrow gate
How do you enter the narrow gate
The second part of Jesus sermon says - Matthew 7.13-14
13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
14 For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
The narrow gate is none other than the very Word of God!
The narrow gate is none other than the very Word of God!
The Law and the Prophets mentioned in the previous verse
Only the word of God leads to eternal life!
Only the word of God leads to eternal life!
The Scripture - John 5.39
39 “You examine the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is those very Scriptures that testify about Me;
Jesus Christ is the Life - John 14.6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.
The word of God opens up to a narrow path that few people find
The word of God opens up to a narrow path that few people find
The Word of God surely limits our activities
it teaches us to refrain from activities that are against the righteousness of God
it teaches us to avoid worthless conversations and evil company
Very few people are interested in restricted living
most people are discouraged with God’s commands to holy living
How do you enter through the narrow gate
How do you enter through the narrow gate
Beware of false prophets! - Matthew 7.15
Beware of false prophets! - Matthew 7.15
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
False prophets are teachers who claim to have the word of God
but they cannot produce the fruit of righteousness!
False prophets teach one thing but live another thing.
the Pharisees - Matthew 23.1-4
1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples,
2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses.
3 Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them.
4 And they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as their finger.
False prophets actually offer the wide gate and broad way -
through Scripture twisting and misinterpretation
by presenting the tradition of the fathers instead of the actual word of God
False prophets lead people to destruction!
The solution - seek preachers who truly teach and preach the Scriptures!
Beware of superficial service! - Matthew 7.21
Beware of superficial service! - Matthew 7.21
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
The false prophets are the first examples superficial service.
Superficial service is fake Christianity.
Superficial Christianity is when we join the faith for the benefits but not for the will of God. Matthew 7.22-23
22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’
23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
The solution - seek the will of God more than the benefits of Christian life. Ephesians 5.15-17
15 So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise,
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Scripture is summed up in these words - Matthew 22.38-40
38 This is the great and foremost commandment.
39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Song -
You shall love the Lord with all your heart
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