IT ALL FITS TOGETHER! – MATTHEW 7:1-14
AT THE FEET OF JESUS – THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS IN MATTHEW #7
- What does it mean to take a statement out of context?
- Why is it important to understand how verses next to each other fit together?
- For the best possible Spiritual growth, it is important to understand how these verses in Matthew 7:1-14 fit together. Let’s take a look!
BE DISCERNING – Vss. 1-6
- After talking about love of money and the anxiety it causes (Matthew 6:19-34), Jesus talks about another roadblock to Spiritual success.
- 1-2 – Why is it that it’s so much easier to identify the faults of others than it is our own?
- There are certainly other passages that warn against being judgmental. John 8:1-11, Romans 14:4, James 4:11-12
- 1-2 – If I judge others and don’t repent, God will judge me! The same measure with which we judge others, God will judge us. This also seems true in our relationships with people. Luke 6:37
- 3-4 – What hinders us from judging accurately?
- Self-righteousness hinders us from being helpful to others.
- 5 – To be discerning in our judgments we must first examine ourselves. 1 John 1:5-10, Galatians 6:1
- 6 – When is it best to keep quiet when people are antagonistic? If we are discerning, we will avoid unwanted verbal abuse.
BE DEPENDENT – Vss. 7-11
- Jesus has been giving all sorts of instructions in Godly living. Prayer for wisdom and Spiritual growth ties in with what he is saying.
- At the point we might say, “This is unattainable”, Jesus says, “Pray”!
- 7-8 – We are to be asking, seeking, and knocking for Spiritual help for us and others. Consider Paul’s prayers for Spiritual growth in Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 2 Thessalonians. Also consider what James says in James 1:5-8.
- 9-11 – Be encouraged! God wants you to succeed!
BE DEMONSTRATIVE – Vs. 12
- As we pray for Spiritual wisdom and growth, we will demonstrate the love of God for others.
- We are to treat others the way we want to be treated. Leviticus 19:18, Luke 6:31
BE DEFINITIVE – Vss. 13-14
- 13 – There is a wide gate and broad way to destruction.
- 14 – There is the narrow gate of salvation. John 14:6, Acts 14:12, Romans 5:1
- How is the Christian life hard? What makes it doable? 2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 8:1-4
