Jesus closes the Sermon on the Mount with a series of choices. Two gates and two roads. Two kinds of trees and fruit. Two builders and two foundations. There is no middle ground in these pictures. Everything Jesus has taught since the Beatitudes now calls for a response. When He finished, the crowds were astonished, because He taught with authority and not like the scribes. Today many people admire Jesus’ teaching without obeying it. These verses ask us to move from listening to living, before the storms come.
The Narrow Gate
Jesus says to enter in at the strait, or narrow, gate (Matthew 7:13-14). The wide gate and broad road are easy to find and crowded with people, but they lead to destruction. The narrow gate and hard road lead to life, and few find it. The gate is narrow not because God is unwilling to save, but because there is only one way. Jesus said He is the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). He also said He is the door, and anyone who enters by Him will be saved (John 10:9). The narrow road means turning from sin, trusting Christ alone and following Him even when it is unpopular. The crowd is not a safe guide. Jesus is.
Where in your life are you tempted to follow the crowd instead of Jesus, and what one choice this week will show you are on the narrow road?
Known by Their Fruit
Next Jesus warns about false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves (Matthew 7:15-23). How can we tell? By their fruit. A good tree bears good fruit, and a corrupt tree bears evil fruit. Gifts, crowds and miracles are not enough. Jesus says some will claim they prophesied and cast out devils in His name, yet He will say, I never knew you. What matters is knowing Him and doing the will of the Father. The fruit Jesus looks for includes the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). John tells us to try the spirits, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1). Test every teacher by God’s Word, and test your own heart too.
Which fruit of the Spirit is weakest in your life right now, and what one step will you take this week to grow in it?
Rock or Sand
Jesus ends with two builders (Matthew 7:24-29). Both heard His words. Both built houses. Both faced the same rain, floods and winds. The difference was the foundation. The wise man built on the rock by hearing and doing Jesus’ sayings. The foolish man heard but did not obey, and great was the fall of his house. Storms come to everyone, believers included. Sickness, job loss, grief and disappointment test what we are built on. James urges us to be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves (James 1:22). Paul reminds us that no other foundation can be laid than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). The crowds were amazed at His authority. The wise do more than admire Him. They obey.
Which teaching from this Sermon on the Mount series will you put into practice this week, and what exactly will you do?
Conclusion
Jesus closes His sermon with a call to choose. Enter by the narrow gate, which is Christ Himself. Bear good fruit that shows you truly know Him. Build on the rock by hearing and doing His words. Over these thirteen weeks we have seen what kingdom living looks like. It is impossible in our own strength, but Jesus is both the teacher and the foundation. Build your life on Him, and when the storms come, you will stand.
Share this study
Send it to a friend, your family group or your cell group. The link opens this week’s study on any phone.