Pastor Alex Sands

Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) / Matthew 9:27–34

August 15, 2021

27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. 32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”

Notes:

1. Blindness meant that the two men were (among other things):

•       Barred from the                               .

•       Assumed to be                             God’s                         .

•       Dependent on the                                of others.

2. Restoring sight to the blind was a                       that only           could do, and was a sign that the kingdom had come.

Jesus is the only person in the Bible that                                               .

8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.

32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

3. The two may have been                                blind, but their                             eyesight was 20/20.

Jesus wants to open your eyes:

1.                 that without Jesus you’re blind.

17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

2.                                   that only Jesus can cure your blindness.

3. Go to Jesus                   , honestly, and without                               .

4.                 him.

Be mindful that even when you’re able to          , you can                    not to          .

34 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness. 35 Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.

Pastor Alex Sands / General

Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) / Matthew 9:18–26

August 8, 2021

18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district.

24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” 35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” 49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” 50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat.

Breakthrough - an act or instance of moving through or beyond an  obstacle .

‘Breakthrough’ faith - faith that, in spite of obstacles and overwhelming odds, continues to  seek  the  Lord  and believe until  He  answers. 

One attribute that elevates faith to breakthrough faith is  desperation .

The woman’s source of desperation: “I don’t want to  live   life  like this anymore.”

Jairus’ source of desperation: “I don’t want to  lose  the  life  I have.”

What keeps us from desperately seeking the Lord?

1. Fear of  failure  that leads to  resignation . “Life will never be  better  than this.”

2. Fear of  shame  that leads to  paralysis . “I don’t want to  lose  what I have.”

Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church

Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew)

Text: Matthew 9:9–17

August 1, 2021

9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” 14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”

Why is Matthew’s conversion so significant?

1. It’s arguably the most  dramatic   and  unexpected  conversion in all the gospels.

A. As a tax collector, Matthew was  despised  by everyone and considered  irredeemable .

B. He totally  abandoned  his old life in order to follow Jesus.

C. Takeaway: Following Jesus means  surrendering  everything to Him and accepting the fact it may  cost  you more than others.

27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

2. It’s arguably the most  controversial  conversion in all the gospels.

A. Matthew and his house guests caused the Pharisees to question Jesus’  morality  and his  authority  to call disciples.

B. The feast led John’s disciples to question Jesus and his disciple's level of  commitment .

C. Takeaway: Following Jesus means tuning out  distractions  like self-righteous critics and empty traditionalism,  and accepting his call to share the life giving gospel with all.

33 And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.”

3. It marks the first of many battles over  righteousness  based on  works  (old wineskin) vs  faith  (new wineskin). They are totally  incompatible .

39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’ ”

Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church

Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) / Matthew 8:28–34

July 18, 2021

28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” 29 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) 30 Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. 32 Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned. 34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 36 And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.

What are demons?

•       Demons (a.k.a., unclean spirits) are fallen angels. They are spiritual beings created by God to worship and serve Him but gave their allegiance to Lucifer in his failed rebellion against God.

•       Demons can be the cause of illness, madness, and self mutilation. They also have the ability to inhabit and totally control people, which is called demonic possession.

2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 3 He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.

11 whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord.

Notes:

1. Demons are             , powerful, and have                            .                       them.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

2. Jesus has                             and                          authority in heaven and on earth. _______ him.

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

3. Man has                                         authority to accept or reject Jesus, so ______ ______  about Him.

Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church

Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew)

July 4, 2021

14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” 18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

Peter’s mother-in-law’s healing coincides with the theme of Matthew 8:1-15: The Kingdom of God is accessible to society’s  outsiders  and  outcasts .

33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door.

40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.

Don’t fear going to Him, because:

1. No  problem  is too hard for the Lord to solve.

2. No  individual  is too broken for the Lord to heal.

16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The scribe’s intent to follow Jesus meant he decided to become His disciple: someone committed to  being  with Jesus,  learning  from Him, and  doing  the things He did.

Jesus says His disciples must come with:

1. No  preconditions .

2. No  rivals .

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church

Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) / Matthew 8:5–13

June 27, 2021

5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

1 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

The centurion’s faith amazes us and it even amazed Jesus. But his faith is not the only amazing aspect of the story.

What else is amazing?

1. The centurion’s amazing  character .

Takeaway #1 - Stop  profiling  people. We’re terrible at it!

Profiling - is the act or process of extrapolating information about a person based on known traits or tendencies.

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

2. The centurion’s amazing  insight  into Jesus’  authority .

Takeaway #2 - Our faith and prayers are hindered when we call on the Lord’s  power  but have not  submitted  to His  authority .

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

3. The Lord’s amazing  grace  that all who call on Him have  access  into the kingdom of God.

Takeaway #3 - Tell somebody there’s still room at the  table !

23 And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.

Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church

Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew)

June 6, 2021

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. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

The declaration that He has the  exclusive   authority  to determine who enters heaven and who is banished is the most extraordinary claim Jesus has made so far.

Jesus rejects this group even though:

1. They  profess   faith  that Jesus is Lord.

2. They performed  miraculous  good deeds in His name.

38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us.

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

When Jesus said, “I never knew you,” He meant, “I never knew you as a  disciple  because you never knew me as your  Lord .”

4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,

In spite of their profession of faith and miraculous works, these were not true disciples of Christ because they never  repented  of their  sins .

4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.

Tragically many people point to their confession of faith or good works as evidence that they know Christ but will not enter the kingdom.

The dead giveaway of a false follower: a spirit of  entitlement .

28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.

There is no substitute for  personal   discipleship .

If you never want to hear Jesus say ‘I never knew you’:

1.  Slow  down.

2. Get to  know  God.

3.  Examine  yourself.

5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church

Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew)

June 6, 2021

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. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

The declaration that He has the  exclusive   authority  to determine who enters heaven and who is banished is the most extraordinary claim Jesus has made so far.

Jesus rejects this group even though:

1. They  profess   faith  that Jesus is Lord.

2. They performed  miraculous  good deeds in His name.

38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us.

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

When Jesus said, “I never knew you,” He meant, “I never knew you as a  disciple  because you never knew me as your  Lord .”

4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,

In spite of their profession of faith and miraculous works, these were not true disciples of Christ because they never  repented  of their  sins .

4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.

Tragically many people point to their confession of faith or good works as evidence that they know Christ but will not enter the kingdom.

The dead giveaway of a false follower: a spirit of  entitlement .

28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.

There is no substitute for  personal   discipleship .

If you never want to hear Jesus say ‘I never knew you’:

1.  Slow  down.

2. Get to  know  God.

3.  Examine  yourself.

5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church

Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) / Matthew 7:15–20

May 30, 2021

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 thornbushes, 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.

Beware -  to fix the mind or the ear towards something or someone.

                            is necessary because false prophets will always be among us, using                             means to infiltrate the church and do  damage from within.

11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

29 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.

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Jesus                                we will be able to recognize false prophets “by their fruit,” meaning by their                       .

Fruit is evidence of:

1.                          (7:16) – Just as a tree can be identified by its fruit, false prophets can be identified by their actions.

12 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted;

2.                    (7:17-18) – just as a tree can be the right type but unhealthy and bear bad fruit, false prophets can have correct                          but still be spiritually unhealthy and dangerous.

•       Evaluate what’s being said, but more importantly what’s not                             .

The “heart” of the matter: false prophets are motivated by                         , and an                                heart will always manifest itself in ungodly behavior.

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

One important caveat: although the fruit test is always reliable,  it’s not always                 or             . Don’t make                 judgments.

A special warning for spiritually mature, theologically sound Christians: false prophets are coming for your                , not your             . So guard your                !

Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church / General

Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) / Matthew 7:13–20

May 21, 2021

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.

Two Gates:

•     The wide gate opens to an easy path which leads to destruction. It symbolizes the way of the world:  popular ,  unrestricted , and doomed.

•     The narrow gate opens to a tight path which leads to life. It symbolizes the way of the kingdom:  less-traveled ,  restricted , and life-giving.

Observations:

1. There are so many people at the wide gate it’s easy to believe there is no  other   gate .

2. There’s no need to  choose  the wide gate (i.e., the world) because we’re  already  there.

3. The narrow gate and the hard path have to be found and are difficult to travel, but  exclusively  leads to the kingdom of God. 

23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

The gate and the way to eternal life have a  name , and it’s  Jesus !!

9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

It’s Decision Time:

1. If you are not a Christian, it’s time to  abandon  the wide path and  choose  Jesus. 

2. If you are a Christian, it’s time to stop  complaining  about how hard life is and give  thanks  that you’re on the right path.