Opening prayer
Father God, we pray that you will make your presence known to us through your word tonight as we study Jesus teaching through the Sermon on the Mount. Lead us in this study as we seek to understand those truths about our present world which would lead us on the narrow way to reach our salvation. We ask your blessing now for all those in our study who need your healing touch, and our own loved ones, and those who cannot be present with us tonight. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen
The King James Version
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
These two verses present a picture of a narrow entrance or gate to a place. In this case the place is our salvation, the entry to which is very strait, requiring precise knowledge in order to successfully pass through it. (2Co 10:5)
One cannot carry through this gate the sin nature, or the worldly ways of mankind’s failures, the carnal and fleshly desires of this world, the self serving and greedy hypocritical high places where man has placed his worth as measured by the worlds standards.
But it is the wide gate which will more than accommodate passage with our load of sin and ungodliness. And it is full to the point of overflow with those who choose that wide worldly way. And one can bring in all that our greed pleases. The evil, the pride, arrogance, and desires of this world. Nothing is forbidden. And broad is the road that leads us to that inviting wide gate. A wide and smooth pathway inviting all who will follow it to the wide and worldly gate to destruction. (Pro 13:15)
Jesus is telling us that this strait narrow gate is very discriminating as to what can pass through it. Even the road to it is narrow, signaling a need for ridding oneself of this worlds ways. But there is passage through it, available to all who have knowledge of the way. And this knowledge is not hidden nor mysterious, but is open to all who ask, all who seek, all who knock at Christ’s door. (Mat 7:7-8)
Q.1 What meaning is conveyed by the use of the words “wide” and “broad” in vs. 13?
Q.2 What meaning is conveyed by the use of the words “small” and “narrow” in vs. 14?
Q.3 There is more than just the message of salvation in these two verses, What are some of the other messages?
Q.4 what is so significant about the phrase “many enter through it”?
Q.5 And conversely what is the significance of the phrase “only a few find it”?
Pg.2
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
“False prophets”, those who profess to have knowledge of the way we should go, the proper way to lead our life, the proper god to worship the proper word to which we devote our study.
Those “Who come to us in sheep’s clothing”. Presenting to us a misrepresentation of God’s will for our life. Many of them in Jesus’ day were well known, even in high places (Acts 13:6 –7)
Even today there are well known, well respected, seemingly well intentioned people who try to convince us that they have our best interests at heart, when they really are simply promoting themselves. What better way to execute a lie than to include in it such truths as are given to us in the Word of God. (2Corinthians 11:12)
We are warned to beware of such persons, to avoid contact with them. Jesus calls them “ferocious wolves”, or “ravenous wolves”, (Ezekiel 22: 27)Jesus is very vividly describing the dangers to our faith, Those dangers which are ever-present, of which we are to be aware and must avoid. (2Ti 2:16)
Q.1 One of the greatest missionary fields in the world today is the United States, does that statement seem true or false to you?
Q.2 What is it about any religion that attracts false teachers?
Q.3 Why do Christians of today consider some of our modern day religions false?
Q.4John 1:5 "And the Light (which is Jesus, the true, narrow Way, the Truth, and the Life), shineth in the Darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. – What in this statement reveals the truth about false prophets and teachers?
Q.5 Do we have questions about these verses that present us with words which basically have the same meaning, but can be misunderstood?
Q.6 Even in Jesus day, at times when he was teaching, he used phrases and words which everyone did not understand. Why did he do that? (Mat 13:11-13)
Pg.3
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
A description of the intent of False Prophets, they do no good and it seems obvious to those who know God’s word that they are committing acts of chicanery and selfish intent. And since their acts are based on self gratification they cannot produce good results. But many people are attracted to them because they include in their false teaching some of the basic biblical truths. They preach the broad path and the wide gate philosophy. Get rich, get healed, get instant forgiveness without repentance, and send us a faith gift and we will pray for you. Does any of that seem familiar?
Even Satan has a good working knowledge of scripture, as did Jim Jones, David Koresh, Benny Hinn, and many more who offer a feel good ministry, miracle cures a wealthy life, a pious life if properly funded. They do not follow the strait and narrow. And their broad trail of lies and deceit attract many to enter through the wide gate, and to their own destruction. (Jude 17&18)
The best way to guard yourself against falsehood and false teachers is to know the truth. To spot a counterfeit, study the real thing. Any believer who “correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Satan masquerades as an angel of light, and his ministers masquerade as servants of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:14 &15). Only by being thoroughly familiar with the truth will we be able to recognize a counterfeit.
Q.1 How does Jesus describe the differences that exist between the False Teacher, and the true disciple, doing God’s will?
Q.2 Why did Jesus use fruit trees as his teaching tool?
Q.3 What teaching tool would Jesus use today if he were warning us of False Teachers?
Q.4 What are some of the recognizable traits that follow “False Teachers”?
Q.5 If they are recognizable by those whom God has called, why are there so many?
Pg.4
Bible Verses
2Corinthians 10:5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;
Proverbs 13:15 Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
Mat 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened
Act 13:6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.
2Co 11:12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
Ezekiel 22:27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, that they may get dishonest gain.
2Ti 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
Mat 13:11-16 He replied, "Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.
(Jude 17&18) But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”
2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth
2Co 11:14 &15 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
Closing Prayer
Father God, close our study tonight and make a blessing for each one here. Be with each of us as we leave this place and guide us safely to our homes. We pray for those of our concern who need your healing touch. (prayer requests)
Make a blessing especially for each of those mentioned, and bring them strength and comfort in the knowledge that they are yours and you love them. Bless them with your healing, and glorify your presence in all of our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray Amen
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