The Choice Is Yours
Matthew 7:13-23
I. Which road have we chosen?
a. “The gate that leads to destruction is large, attractive, and well-traveled. There are a lot of people that walk down it. It is open minded in its thinking. Morally it Is not restrictive in its behavior. It has few rules. Virtually anything goes. Spiritually it is inclusive. Those on this road argue that there is a wide highway to heaven. Take right, take left, or stay in the middle, they say. We are all headed to the same place, its sign tells us.”
b. John 14:6
c. Acts 4:12
d. 1 Timothy 2:5
II. Which fruit have we chosen? (15-20)
a. “Sheep’s clothing is all very fine, but we must look beneath it and spy out the wolves.” - Spurgeon
III. Is Your Confession Genuine? (21-23)
a. “A troubling reality in much of evangelical life is that convincing someone they are saved seems to take precedence over making sure someone actually is saved. This must change. Somehow questioning another person’s salvation became taboo in evangelical culture, when it could possibly be one of the most loving things you can do for another; it could mean the difference between seeds that sprout and bloom and seeds that are snatched away.” – Dean Inserra
b. “It is true, of course, that no man enters the kingdom because of his obedience; but it is equally true that no man enters the kingdom who is not obedient. It is true that men are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ; but it is equally true that God’s grace in a man’s life inevitably results in obedience. Any other view of grace cheapens grace and turns it into something unrecognizable. Cheap grace preaches forgiveness without repentance, church membership without discipline, discipleship without obedience, blessing without persecution, joy without righteousness, results without obedience. In the entire history of the church, has there ever been another generation with so many nominal Christians and so few real ones? And where nominal Christianity is compounded by spectacular profession, it is especially likely to manufacture its own false assurance.” – D.A. Carson.
Application:
· Trust in the sufficiency of Jesus
· Avoid bad teaching
· Examine your own heart