Warnings for those on the Way

Matthew 7:15-23

Jesus warns us about what we’re to look out for while walking the narrow way.

“What a monstrous sight he makes,
Mocking man’s best friend,
When both the lion and the wolf
Crave the same thing in the end.” ~ Dustin Kensrue

RESOURCES: ESV Study Bible; The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary by Jonathan Pennington; The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World by Sinclair Ferguson; The Message of the Sermon on the Mount by John Stott; Expressive Individualism: What Is It? by Trevin Wax

Two Ways To Live

Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus lays before us two choices: Follow him on the narrow way and have life, or walk on the broad way and meet destruction.

"The hard way, entered by the narrow gate, leads to life, even to that 'eternal life' which Jesus explained in terms of fellowship with God, beginning here but perfected hereafter, in which we see and share his glory, and find perfect fulfillment as human beings in the selfless service of him and our fellows." ~ John Stott

RESOURCES: ESV Study Bible; The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary by Jonathan Pennington; The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World by Sinclair Ferguson; The Message of the Sermon on the Mount by John Stott; Expressive Individualism: What Is It? by Trevin Wax

The Golden Rule

Matthew 7:12

Children of God the Father are to treat others as they want to be treated.

"Treat other drivers as you would want to be treated." - The State of Kentucky Department of Motor Vehicles

RESOURCES: ESV Study Bible; The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary by Jonathan Pennington; The Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Life in a Fallen World by Sinclair Ferguson; The Sermon on the Mount: Restoring Christ’s Message to the Church by Charles Quarles; Nothing Is Impossible with God by Rose Marie Miller

Praying That Moves Mountains

Matthew 7:7-11

For the believer, persistent expectant prayer is the prerequisite in God’s class on having faith in Him.

RESOURCES: Prayer by Tim Keller; It Happens After Prayer - HB Charles Jr; A praying Life - Paul Miller; Africa Bible Commentary; NAC commentary; Christian Beliefs: 20 Basics Every Christian Should Know - Grudem

Judging People Rightly

Matthew 7:1-6

Judging people rightly requires us to be repentant and to be careful.

“Righteous men are men of unfailing love. Just as righteous means “those right with God” (and therefore committed to righteousness of life) so “men of unfailing love” means those on whom the steadfast love of God has been poured out (and therefore seek to reflect that love in their lives).” ~ J. Alec Motyer commenting on Isaiah 57:1-2

Which Kingdom?

Matthew 6.19-24

RESOURCES: Matthew Commentaries: Carson, Bruner, Morris; Sermon on the Mount: John Stott, Sinclair Ferguson, Martyn Lloyd Jones; A Treasured Principle by Randy Alcorn; God and Money by Cortines and Baumer

The Psyche of Possessions

Matthew 6.19-24

Possessions have an enticing power on the inner person.

RESOURCES USED: "The Pastor" by Eugene Peterson; Proverbs 28.22; 23.6; Deuteronomy 15.9; "The Sermon on the Mount & Human Flourishing" (Pennington); "Jesus's Sermon on the Mount & His Confrontation With the World" (Carson)

The Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 6:9-13

Jesus teaches us to pray for God’s glory and our good.

"The first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day is to have my soul happy in the Lord.” ~ George Müller

RESOURCES: ESV Study Bible

Our Bread, Forgiveness, & Deliverance

Matthew 6:9-15

Jesus invites us to bring our needs to God in prayer.

"A King sits on a throne, inhabits a palace, wears a crown and a robe, and they call him ‘your majesty.’ But when his little children see him, they run to him and yell, 'Daddy!'" ~ A.W. Tozer

RESOURCES: ESV Study Bible; The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing: A Theological Commentary by Jonathan Pennington; The Sermon on the Mount: Restoring Christ’s Message to the Modern Church by Charles Quarrels

Whole Person Righteousness: Prayer

Matthew 6:7-10

Jesus models prayer. Expressing in prayer the supremacy of God’s name, kingdom, and will rightly reorients our affections Godward. Jesus’ model prayer leads us to fight false pride by honoring, worshipping, and obeying our heavenly Father. This is true human flourishing.

RESOURCES USED: ESV Study Bible; The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing, by Jonathan Pennington; The New American Commentary: Matthew by C. Blomberg (1992).