The Narrow Path & The Broad Path

Sermon on the Mount:The Narrow Path & The Broad Path:The 2 waysSpeaker: Pastor Stephen HsuScripture: Matthew 7:13-20, 24-29[13] “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. [14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. [15] “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. [16] By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.[24] “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. [26] But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. [27] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” [28] When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, [29] because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.—Matthew 7:13-20, 24-29BIG IDEA: You must choose to obey Jesus’ words to find life, escape destruction & to bear good fruit.Introduction:Do not think that I have come to abolish the LAW or the PROPHETS; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the LAW until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these COMMANDS and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these COMMANDS will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the LAW, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.—Matthew 5:17-20So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the LAW and the PROPHETS.—Matthew 7:12You must choose between:2 Ways: The Difference is Finding Life (13-14)Blessed is the onewho does not walk in step with the wickedor stand in the way that sinners takeor sit in the company of mockers,—Psalm 1:1But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.—Psalm 1:2 (NLT)Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day & night—Psalm 1:2 (Message Paraphrase)Test #1: Did I give up anything to follow Jesus?2 Trees: The Difference is their Fruit(15-20)That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in seasonand whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.—Psalm 1:3Test #2: Did my decision to follow Jesus change my life?2 House Builders: The Difference is Obeying His Word (24-27)Not so the wicked!They are like chaffthat the wind blows away.Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.—Psalm 1:4-6Test #3: What will God say?Conclusion: Choose LIFE in Christ (28-29)28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.—Matthew 7:28-29