February 2, 2020
Matthew 7:13-14
Season 1, Episode 15
My thesis for the study:
In the sermon on the mount, Jesus teaches us how to live in the world. Jesus gives actual instruction and formation. More than rules or law, the SOM is a set of convictions about moral truth.
13“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy a(3171)
that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
INTRODUCTION
1. Why do something that is difficult?
"We choose to go to the moon in this decade…, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win..."
President John F. Kennedy September 12, 1962 at Rice University
2. Welcome: Hi Pals, this is Blaine Hill with the Simply Stated Podcast for you, the Journey Sunday School class at Lake Murray Presbyterian Church in Chapin, SC. This season of the podcast is on Jesus sermon on the mount, in Matthew chapters 5 through 7. Today we are reading Matthew 7:13-14
3. I’ll get the basic ideas of the passage simply stated, then we’ll try to draw some wisdom out of the passage (person of Jesus, theology, eternity, ethics)
4. Read 7:13-14
A BLOCK
1. Structure
a. Repetition and contrast to make sticky. This is a meme. An idea with the power to repeat itself.
2. Bible Context: What comes before and after? Teaching on how to live our life as part of the Kingdom. This begins the end of Jesus SOM. He gives three contrast, two ways, two harvest, two builders.
3. Wayàmanner of living in Paul and imagination: The American way of life
B BLOCK
1. Blunt and tough speech: The toughness of the end of the sermon mirrors the grace and tenderness of the Beatitudes.
2. Life outside of Jesus is alluring—do as you see fit. Any mature and experienced view of the world knows that we must live with limitations. Life is chaotic and hard even in limitations. What set of borders will we submit to? On what basis will we make difficult decisions in difficult circumstances?
3. Link John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7
4. What way of living is Jesus talking about? Last passage we looked at:
a. Do not judge and condemn
b. But be discerning
c. Ask in prayer
d. And use your own imagination
5. Jesus is not being hard-nosed here. He is warning us of danger and trying to show us the best way. Psalm 1:1-2
Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
2 but their delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
Warning us about the danger of an easy way of life; invitation to a way that leads to life.
CLOSING
Invitation to trust in Jesus himself, not only his teaching.
Thanks, and ask for feedback.
Include a prayer