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Matthew 7:13-23 NIV

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. 16By 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. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 7:13-23 NIV

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. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

MAIN IDEA

 Life in the Kingdom is a life of relationship and obedience. 

GOING DEEPER
Questions from this weeks message.

1.  What insight, principle or observation from this week’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye opening or troubling?  Please explain.  

2. We have all chosen a particular pathway that we hoped would lead somewhere but it never did. Why are the pathways we choose just as important as the outcomes we desire? Share some experiences in this.  

3.  Read Matthew 7:13-14. Few of us would choose destruction as our desired outcome, yet why do you think this is the pathway so many choose according to Jesus?   4. If the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to life, what does that say about the Christian life?  

5.  In what ways have you experienced the pressure to take the wide road over the narrow?  

6. Read Matthew 7: 15-20. Have you had experience with Christian leaders that were fakes or false? How is the fruit test (their message and posture of selfishness/self-centeredness, and their moral life) a good test to discern the fakes from those who are true?    

7. Read Matthew 7:21-23. What does Jesus say is the difference between empty words and words that are authentic and full?    

8. Relationship with Jesus and obedience to Jesus are the foundation of the Christian life. Why are these two so important and important to keep together? What happens when you separate one from the other?  

9. Pray Together 

SUMMARY POINTS

Outcomes matter.  Pathways matter. Pathways always lead somewhere.

 Don’t confuse the pathway and the destination. 

Matthew 7:13  “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. 

Observations
 1st: Only 2 pathways,  2nd: The outcome is life or destruction, 3rd: Only a few find life, 4th: The narrow and wide pathways. 

 Life in the Kingdom is a life of relationship and obedience.