WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:09.500 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:15.280 redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:22.620 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:22.620 --> 00:00:36.500 Today's scripture reading is from the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 7, verses 13 to 29, as printed in the liturgy. 00:00:37.340 --> 00:00:39.820 A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew. 00:00:41.100 --> 00:00:49.740 Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 00:00:49.740 --> 00:00:57.060 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 00:00:58.260 --> 00:00:59.980 Watch out for false prophets. 00:01:00.520 --> 00:01:06.000 They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 00:01:07.060 --> 00:01:09.299 By their fruit you will recognize them. 00:01:10.659 --> 00:01:15.740 Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 00:01:15.739 --> 00:01:23.079 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 00:01:23.959 --> 00:01:29.759 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 00:01:30.819 --> 00:01:35.519 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 00:01:36.819 --> 00:01:39.379 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 00:01:39.379 --> 00:01:50.420 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. 00:01:51.659 --> 00:02:03.819 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? 00:02:03.819 --> 00:02:09.120 Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. 00:02:09.519 --> 00:02:11.400 Away from me, you evildoers. 00:02:12.620 --> 00:02:21.620 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. 00:02:21.620 --> 00:02:29.439 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the wind blew, and beat against that house. 00:02:30.140 --> 00:02:35.000 Yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:44.659 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. 00:02:44.659 --> 00:02:54.539 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew, and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. 00:02:56.120 --> 00:03:01.859 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 00:03:02.460 --> 00:03:09.219 because he taught as one who had authority and not as their teachers of the law. 00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:12.259 This is the Gospel of the Lord. 00:03:12.960 --> 00:03:14.079 Thanks be to you. 00:03:14.659 --> 00:03:17.520 Good morning, Christ Church. 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:23.519 We are exploring again today the Gospel of Matthew. 00:03:23.859 --> 00:03:30.400 And here at the beginning of this Gospel in chapters 5, 6, and 7 is what we call the Sermon on the Mount. 00:03:30.939 --> 00:03:35.379 And Jesus has technically finished the body of his sermon. 00:03:36.379 --> 00:03:39.300 And so now in these verses, he's rounding it off. 00:03:39.359 --> 00:03:40.400 He's landing the plane. 00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:41.400 He's applying. 00:03:41.620 --> 00:03:42.460 He's exhorting. 00:03:42.460 --> 00:03:52.680 He's urging on his listeners the importance and the necessity of practicing and implementing the Sermon on the Mount in their daily lives. 00:03:52.680 --> 00:03:58.740 And basically what he's said so far, and you can open up your pew Bible if you like, Matthew 5, 6, and 7. 00:03:58.920 --> 00:04:00.860 You can double check what I'm saying here. 00:04:00.939 --> 00:04:03.520 But Jesus basically has said, I'm the Son of God. 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:09.740 I've come down from heaven to earth to establish this alternative kingdom. 00:04:09.740 --> 00:04:12.960 I've come in the midst of all the kingdoms of this world. 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:17.960 And I've come to call out a people to myself. 00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:26.120 And I've come to form that people into the kingdom of God, the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of light. 00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:35.680 And you people that I'm calling out into this kingdom are to be entirely different, utterly unique, right? 00:04:35.759 --> 00:04:41.639 Noticeably set apart from everybody else in your thinking and in your living. 00:04:42.300 --> 00:04:49.120 And he begins that sermon, you know, with that portrait of the nature and the character of the Christian and what we call the Beatitudes. 00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:57.100 And he says, you know, people that have experienced the grace of God in their lives, they are poor in spirit. 00:04:57.980 --> 00:05:02.220 And they mourn over their sin and their selfishness. 00:05:02.819 --> 00:05:08.660 And they have about themselves a meekness and a lowliness and a humility of heart. 00:05:09.360 --> 00:05:15.920 And they hunger and thirst for something that they don't have, which is the righteousness that only God can give. 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:23.560 And out of that, they treat other people with mercy, the way that God has been merciful to them. 00:05:23.640 --> 00:05:27.620 And they have a pure heart that wants only really one thing. 00:05:28.140 --> 00:05:29.660 And they're peacemakers. 00:05:30.640 --> 00:05:38.439 And Jesus says, these kinds of people that are in my kingdom, the world is going to treat you like they treated me. 00:05:39.220 --> 00:05:42.420 Blessed are you when you're persecuted because of righteousness. 00:05:42.420 --> 00:05:46.480 But Jesus says, just because they're treating you poorly, don't run away. 00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:47.340 Don't escape. 00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:48.640 Don't retreat. 00:05:49.480 --> 00:05:56.120 Jesus says, I want you to live in the world as salt that holds back the decay of this world. 00:05:56.819 --> 00:06:01.780 And I want you to live as light that pushes back the darkness of this world. 00:06:01.860 --> 00:06:08.560 And then Jesus tells us how to be Christians who live out the moral law of God. 00:06:08.560 --> 00:06:11.519 He basically says, I want you to be righteous. 00:06:11.980 --> 00:06:17.259 I want your righteousness to be obvious and noticeable. 00:06:18.100 --> 00:06:26.879 And so he gives us in Matthew 5, 6, and 7 these detailed instructions for how to be righteous people in relationship with God 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:30.160 and righteous people in relationship with others. 00:06:30.160 --> 00:06:37.380 And basically, if you read this whole Sermon on the Mount in one sitting, you experience it like this giant searchlight. 00:06:38.400 --> 00:06:38.580 Right? 00:06:38.700 --> 00:06:45.120 A hundred thousand lumens just shining into your soul, shining onto your life. 00:06:45.400 --> 00:06:53.280 And if you really let it shine on you, you'll cry out and say, I am poor in spirit. 00:06:53.780 --> 00:06:57.740 And I really, really need a Savior. 00:06:57.740 --> 00:07:00.860 That's what the Sermon on the Mount does to you. 00:07:00.960 --> 00:07:04.220 But Jesus, now he gets to the very end of the sermon. 00:07:05.100 --> 00:07:06.280 And how does it end? 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:07.819 Well, he says this. 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:10.220 He paints four little pictures for us. 00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:12.780 And he says, look, there are two roads. 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:16.420 One leads to destruction and one leads to life. 00:07:17.100 --> 00:07:18.639 And there are two trees. 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:20.900 One is good and it produces healthy fruit. 00:07:20.960 --> 00:07:25.040 And the other is bad and it produces diseased fruit. 00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:27.000 And so that tree has to be cut down. 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:28.939 And thrown into the fire. 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:33.560 And he says there's two different kinds of people who call themselves Christians. 00:07:33.800 --> 00:07:35.680 One that does the will of God. 00:07:36.040 --> 00:07:38.480 And one that does their own will. 00:07:38.780 --> 00:07:43.980 And that person who does their own will is going to hear me say one day, depart from me. 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:45.079 I never knew you. 00:07:45.960 --> 00:07:47.879 And then he says there are two kind of houses. 00:07:48.040 --> 00:07:51.439 There's one that's built on the rock and it stands in the test. 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:54.740 And the other that's built on sand and it falls. 00:07:54.740 --> 00:08:06.060 And one of the last words of this greatest sermon ever preached, Jesus says, it fell with a great crash. 00:08:06.060 --> 00:08:10.100 And then he drops the mic and walks off the stage. 00:08:12.620 --> 00:08:16.740 Imagine if I said to you, hey, I'm going to go swim in the ocean today. 00:08:16.939 --> 00:08:20.939 And you, because you're such a good friend, you said, hey, I don't think that's such a great idea. 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:24.699 Because these waters are actually shark infested waters. 00:08:25.160 --> 00:08:27.480 And there's an incredible riptide today. 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:29.060 It's already killed multiple people. 00:08:29.060 --> 00:08:31.939 So I don't really think you should go and swim. 00:08:33.139 --> 00:08:35.759 Is that friend trying to ruin my fun? 00:08:36.940 --> 00:08:40.840 Is that a friend who's trying to manipulate me and scare me? 00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:45.080 Or is this a friend who's trying to give me a loving warning? 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:49.000 A friend who's trying to save me and give me life? 00:08:49.820 --> 00:08:52.159 And I think that's what Jesus is in this sermon. 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:58.879 The Apostle Paul, when he's preaching to the greatest intellectuals of the day in Athens, 00:08:59.059 --> 00:09:00.659 in Acts 17, he says, 00:09:00.819 --> 00:09:06.519 For God has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. 00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:10.679 He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead. 00:09:11.739 --> 00:09:14.719 And Paul goes on in one of his other letters, 2 Corinthians 5, he says, 00:09:14.879 --> 00:09:18.699 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, 00:09:19.239 --> 00:09:21.939 so that each of us may receive what is due for us, 00:09:22.579 --> 00:09:26.339 for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 00:09:26.340 --> 00:09:33.080 And here's Jesus, the most loving person who's ever existed. 00:09:33.800 --> 00:09:37.399 And he's standing here as the judge of all people, 00:09:37.480 --> 00:09:39.240 the judge we're going to meet on judgment day. 00:09:39.860 --> 00:09:40.879 And he says, 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:45.500 Here's what's going to be on the final exam. 00:09:45.500 --> 00:09:47.960 I'm telling you now. 00:09:48.659 --> 00:09:49.740 There's no guessing. 00:09:50.919 --> 00:09:52.799 This is the final exam. 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:54.480 So, you ready to listen? 00:09:55.539 --> 00:10:01.700 Jesus judges our road, our fruit, our will, and our foundation. 00:10:02.820 --> 00:10:04.080 That's what Matthew 7 tells us. 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:07.659 Jesus judges our road, fruit, will, and foundation. 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:10.159 First of all, Jesus judges our road. 00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:12.139 He says in verse 13, 00:10:12.219 --> 00:10:26.179 The Lord Jesus gets to the end of the Sermon on the Mount, 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:26.959 and he asks us, 00:10:27.379 --> 00:10:28.059 What is the point? 00:10:29.179 --> 00:10:31.740 What's the most important thing of all that I've said? 00:10:31.799 --> 00:10:36.319 What's the one principle above all the others that you really need to grasp? 00:10:36.320 --> 00:10:42.080 What's the most outstanding characteristic of the life to which I'm calling all Christians? 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:44.180 In the Sermon on the Mount, 00:10:44.580 --> 00:10:46.780 and Jesus says it's narrowness. 00:10:48.540 --> 00:10:50.220 It's a narrow gate, 00:10:50.640 --> 00:10:52.420 and it's a narrow road, 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:54.260 and it's a narrow life. 00:10:54.520 --> 00:10:54.920 And we say, 00:10:55.040 --> 00:10:56.080 Well, wait a second, Jesus. 00:10:56.620 --> 00:10:57.740 I think you got that backwards. 00:10:58.720 --> 00:11:01.420 Don't you really mean to say that 00:11:01.419 --> 00:11:06.620 the way that leads to life is one of wideness and one of broadness? 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:12.079 And didn't you mean to say that many people are going to find the path to life? 00:11:12.679 --> 00:11:15.419 Because the way you just said it, Jesus, sounds kind of exclusive. 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:18.079 And I think you really want to be more inclusive. 00:11:19.179 --> 00:11:19.679 And Jesus, 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:22.579 don't you really want to appeal to more people 00:11:22.579 --> 00:11:25.199 and accommodate all of our needs? 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:29.280 And do you really want to sum up your Sermon on the Mount 00:11:29.280 --> 00:11:30.860 with this word, 00:11:31.520 --> 00:11:31.800 narrow? 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:34.120 And Jesus says, 00:11:34.540 --> 00:11:34.879 Jonathan, 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:36.600 thank you so much 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:39.920 for trying to help me be the Son of God, 00:11:40.020 --> 00:11:40.180 but 00:11:40.180 --> 00:11:41.600 yes, 00:11:41.700 --> 00:11:42.680 I meant narrow. 00:11:43.180 --> 00:11:43.940 I meant narrow. 00:11:44.520 --> 00:11:46.440 Standing before you are two gates, 00:11:46.700 --> 00:11:48.400 and you have to make a decision. 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:51.860 On your left hand is this wide gate 00:11:51.860 --> 00:11:53.620 that has a great crowd of people 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:55.699 that's entering in simultaneously. 00:11:55.939 --> 00:11:56.519 And on the right, 00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:57.840 you have this small gate 00:11:57.840 --> 00:12:00.000 that only takes one person at a time. 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:01.699 On your left, 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:03.019 you have this broad road 00:12:03.019 --> 00:12:05.600 where the masses of people are surging along it 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:07.019 like a six-lane highway. 00:12:07.299 --> 00:12:08.039 And on the right, 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.919 you have this small gate, 00:12:10.019 --> 00:12:11.139 and it leads to a narrow, 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:13.159 single-track path, 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:14.960 and only a few people 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:16.939 are walking along it. 00:12:16.939 --> 00:12:17.759 And Jesus says, 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:20.620 that's what the Sermon on the Mount is all about. 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:23.740 That's the way I want you to walk. 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:26.819 And only there on that path, 00:12:26.919 --> 00:12:27.819 that narrow road, 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:29.000 are you going to find me 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:31.100 walking before you. 00:12:31.939 --> 00:12:34.699 And notice that the Christianity Jesus describes 00:12:34.699 --> 00:12:36.639 is narrow from the beginning. 00:12:36.779 --> 00:12:37.439 It's not like, 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:38.600 you know, 00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:39.840 at first it's broad, 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:41.879 and then it gets more and more narrow. 00:12:42.579 --> 00:12:44.279 Jesus says that the gate, 00:12:44.279 --> 00:12:46.220 the point of entry, 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:47.299 is narrow, 00:12:47.299 --> 00:12:49.019 and it's hard to squeeze through. 00:12:50.219 --> 00:12:50.519 Right? 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:53.000 There's only one gate. 00:12:53.859 --> 00:12:55.639 Jesus says it like this in John 14. 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:56.299 He doesn't say, 00:12:56.699 --> 00:12:57.299 I'm a way, 00:12:57.419 --> 00:12:57.839 a truth, 00:12:57.919 --> 00:12:58.259 a life. 00:12:58.299 --> 00:12:58.559 He says, 00:12:58.639 --> 00:12:59.659 I am the way, 00:13:00.139 --> 00:13:00.779 the truth, 00:13:00.939 --> 00:13:01.479 and the life. 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:02.299 And then what does he say? 00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:04.979 No one comes to the Father 00:13:04.979 --> 00:13:07.559 except through me. 00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:09.419 So when Jesus says, 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:11.799 enter through the narrow gate, 00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:12.419 he's saying, 00:13:12.779 --> 00:13:13.579 convert to me. 00:13:14.619 --> 00:13:15.479 Submit to me. 00:13:16.339 --> 00:13:17.939 Call me your Lord. 00:13:18.619 --> 00:13:18.899 Now, 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:20.699 if you've ever been through 00:13:20.699 --> 00:13:24.859 a really tight security turnstile 00:13:24.859 --> 00:13:26.459 that's tall and metal, 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:27.239 you know, 00:13:27.319 --> 00:13:28.299 you can't even get through 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:28.959 one of those things 00:13:28.959 --> 00:13:29.959 with a backpack on. 00:13:30.619 --> 00:13:31.819 And I think that's kind of 00:13:31.819 --> 00:13:32.979 what Jesus is describing. 00:13:33.099 --> 00:13:34.279 There's some things 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:35.539 at this gate 00:13:35.539 --> 00:13:36.939 that you have to leave outside. 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:38.779 Some things you've got to leave behind. 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:41.139 And what must we leave 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:42.179 at this gate? 00:13:42.679 --> 00:13:43.199 Jesus says, 00:13:43.319 --> 00:13:43.500 well, 00:13:43.599 --> 00:13:44.019 first of all, 00:13:44.059 --> 00:13:45.500 you've got to leave the crowd. 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:47.959 You've got to leave the majority. 00:13:49.159 --> 00:13:49.339 Right? 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:50.279 You've got to leave behind 00:13:50.279 --> 00:13:51.559 the way of the world 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:53.399 and your need to be popular 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:54.819 because what I'm calling you to 00:13:54.819 --> 00:13:55.759 is different 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:56.919 and it's strange 00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:58.059 and it's uncool. 00:13:59.059 --> 00:14:00.399 Because the world says, 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:01.019 hey, 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:02.279 if somebody slaps you, 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:03.159 slap them back. 00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:04.779 And, 00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:06.199 hate your enemies 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:09.139 and curse those 00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:09.980 who curse you. 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:12.199 But what I'm telling you 00:14:12.199 --> 00:14:14.159 is if somebody slaps you, 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.579 turn them to the other cheek 00:14:15.579 --> 00:14:17.000 and let them slap that one as well. 00:14:17.839 --> 00:14:19.039 And what I'm telling you is 00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:20.279 love your enemies 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:21.539 and pray for those 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:22.600 who persecute you. 00:14:22.839 --> 00:14:24.179 And if somebody curses you, 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:26.579 I want you to bless them back. 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:28.879 How in the world do we do that? 00:14:29.839 --> 00:14:30.459 Jesus says, 00:14:30.539 --> 00:14:30.639 well, 00:14:30.699 --> 00:14:31.299 if you're going to leave, 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:32.799 you've got to leave the world behind 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:34.899 and if you're going to do these things 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:35.819 I'm calling you to do, 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:37.599 you've got to leave yourself behind. 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:39.639 Right? 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:40.479 We heard it earlier. 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:41.359 If anyone 00:14:41.359 --> 00:14:43.879 wants to be my disciple, 00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:47.099 you must deny yourself 00:14:47.099 --> 00:14:48.459 and take up your cross 00:14:48.459 --> 00:14:49.120 and follow me. 00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:50.479 And what's the first thing he says? 00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:52.599 You've got to renounce yourself. 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:53.799 You've got to renounce 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:55.399 your old self. 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.419 For that's the road 00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:58.799 that all of us are born on. 00:14:59.000 --> 00:14:59.220 Right? 00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:00.639 Is the way of the self. 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:02.679 The way in which 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:04.439 this wide and broad way 00:15:04.439 --> 00:15:05.980 that's completely centered 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:06.919 on the self. 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:08.779 And Jesus says 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:09.639 that way 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:11.720 ultimately will destroy you. 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:12.139 Because 00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:13.759 if you're centered on yourself, 00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:15.259 you can't be centered on God. 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:16.319 And you can't be centered 00:15:16.319 --> 00:15:17.319 on other people. 00:15:18.199 --> 00:15:19.519 And what you're going to be left with 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:20.600 at the end of your life 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:21.679 is just this small, 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:22.340 pitiful, 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:24.340 little ego self. 00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:26.060 And you're going to be 00:15:26.060 --> 00:15:27.120 on your deathbed 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:28.720 and all that's awaiting you, 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:29.360 Jesus says, 00:15:29.540 --> 00:15:30.620 is destruction. 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:33.440 Irreversible, 00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:35.080 eternal destruction. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:36.800 But 00:15:36.800 --> 00:15:38.000 the good news is 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:38.519 Jesus says 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:39.100 I came 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:39.940 that you might have 00:15:39.940 --> 00:15:40.860 life. 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:43.139 Verse 14, 00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:44.160 small is the gate 00:15:44.160 --> 00:15:44.980 and narrow the road 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:45.940 that leads to life 00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:47.840 and only a few find it. 00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:49.139 You know, 00:15:49.320 --> 00:15:50.519 if you've been a Christian 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:51.080 for a while, 00:15:51.180 --> 00:15:51.580 you can 00:15:51.580 --> 00:15:52.820 attest 00:15:52.820 --> 00:15:53.940 that from the outside 00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:55.060 the way of Jesus 00:15:55.060 --> 00:15:56.000 seems narrow 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:57.240 and constraining. 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:57.960 But once you get 00:15:57.960 --> 00:15:58.780 on the inside, 00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:00.640 it's quite spacious 00:16:00.640 --> 00:16:02.060 and liberating. 00:16:02.180 --> 00:16:03.040 And Jesus is basically 00:16:03.040 --> 00:16:03.600 saying here, 00:16:03.680 --> 00:16:03.880 look, 00:16:04.200 --> 00:16:05.600 if you go through the gate 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:07.000 where you have to 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:08.040 renounce yourself 00:16:08.040 --> 00:16:09.220 to even get through 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:11.360 and if you walk with me 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:12.660 on this narrow road 00:16:12.660 --> 00:16:13.820 where you love God 00:16:13.820 --> 00:16:14.960 and you love other people 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:16.320 more than you love yourself, 00:16:17.160 --> 00:16:18.420 not only are you going to be 00:16:18.420 --> 00:16:19.420 on that way 00:16:19.420 --> 00:16:20.580 with the one 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:21.540 who calls himself 00:16:21.540 --> 00:16:22.820 the resurrection 00:16:22.820 --> 00:16:23.640 into life, 00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:25.300 but what you're going 00:16:25.300 --> 00:16:26.620 to get at the very end 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:28.000 is the life 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:28.520 of God 00:16:28.520 --> 00:16:29.220 himself. 00:16:30.780 --> 00:16:31.560 So Jesus says, 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:32.480 which road 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:33.960 are you on? 00:16:35.400 --> 00:16:36.120 Which road 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:36.620 are you on? 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:38.900 Jesus judges 00:16:38.900 --> 00:16:39.580 our road, 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:41.280 but he also judges 00:16:41.280 --> 00:16:41.980 our fruit. 00:16:42.760 --> 00:16:43.320 And so he says 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:44.480 next in verse 15, 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:44.800 he says, 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:45.540 watch out for 00:16:45.540 --> 00:16:46.780 false prophets. 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:47.520 They come to you 00:16:47.520 --> 00:16:48.320 in sheep's clothing, 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:49.100 but inwardly 00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:50.860 they are ferocious 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:51.800 wolves. 00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:52.500 By their fruit 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.679 you will recognize them. 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:55.279 Do people pick grapes 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:56.059 from thorn bushes 00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:57.819 or figs from thistles? 00:16:59.019 --> 00:16:59.799 Now why does Jesus 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:00.719 bring up false 00:17:00.719 --> 00:17:01.659 and true prophets 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.359 at this point? 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:04.079 Why is he talking 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:05.099 about their fruit 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:06.599 and the difference 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:07.599 between the outward 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.099 appearance 00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:09.059 and the inward 00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:09.839 substance? 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:11.579 Because there's 00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:12.440 a danger 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:14.099 that confronts us 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:14.759 as we stand 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:16.079 before this narrow gate 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.299 and this narrow road 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.379 and Jesus says 00:17:18.379 --> 00:17:18.919 the danger 00:17:18.919 --> 00:17:19.779 that is confronting 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.740 you are people 00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:21.839 who claim 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:22.539 to have a new 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.940 prophetic message. 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.700 These are people 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.500 who are inside 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.139 the church, 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:28.899 they look like 00:17:28.899 --> 00:17:29.440 sheep, 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:31.000 but they're trying 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:32.839 to dissuade you 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.980 from listening 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:34.740 to the true 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.359 prophecy 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:36.259 of the Sermon 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:36.660 on the Mountain 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.220 and the true 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:38.399 prophetic words 00:17:38.399 --> 00:17:39.460 of the apostles' 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:40.039 teaching 00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:41.220 in the New Testament. 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:42.639 Right? 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.420 A false prophet 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:44.319 says, 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:45.160 you know, 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:45.740 you don't really 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:46.519 need to enter 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:48.339 through the one 00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:49.480 gate of Jesus. 00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:49.940 In fact, 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:51.019 there are many gates. 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:53.139 They're all equally valid 00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:54.059 and they all lead 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:55.240 to the same place, 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:55.519 really. 00:17:56.879 --> 00:17:57.799 And a false prophet 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.920 says, 00:17:59.559 --> 00:17:59.759 you know, 00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:00.279 you don't really 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:01.039 need to renounce 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:01.579 yourself. 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:02.019 You don't need 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:02.559 to walk 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:04.339 this narrow road. 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:04.740 In fact, 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.660 if you interpret 00:18:05.660 --> 00:18:06.559 the Bible 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:07.379 in this new, 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:08.440 cool way 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:09.079 that I have 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:09.859 to show you, 00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:10.960 then you'll find 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.859 this broad 00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:12.779 and wide 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:14.639 moral permissiveness 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:15.500 and just sort 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:16.180 of an ethical 00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:17.480 salad bar 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:17.960 and buffet 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:18.480 that you can 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:19.200 pick and choose 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:19.640 the things 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:20.280 in the New Testament 00:18:20.280 --> 00:18:21.540 that you like 00:18:21.540 --> 00:18:22.860 and just have 00:18:22.860 --> 00:18:23.780 a God of grace, 00:18:23.860 --> 00:18:24.460 he doesn't really 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.560 care about 00:18:25.560 --> 00:18:26.620 obedience. 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:27.960 You can just 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.460 do whatever 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.920 pleases you. 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:32.340 If you read 00:18:32.340 --> 00:18:33.000 church history 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:33.540 for the past 00:18:33.540 --> 00:18:34.400 2,000 years, 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:34.880 it's just 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:36.340 so utterly 00:18:36.340 --> 00:18:36.980 simple. 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:38.300 False prophets 00:18:38.300 --> 00:18:39.680 want to take 00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:40.380 the cross 00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:41.380 out of the gospel 00:18:41.380 --> 00:18:42.720 and they want 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:43.740 to take the cost 00:18:43.740 --> 00:18:45.359 out of discipleship 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:46.579 and they want 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:47.120 to take this 00:18:47.120 --> 00:18:47.819 high, 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:49.519 glorious life 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:50.019 of the Sermon 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.420 on the Mount 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:50.779 and they want 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:51.759 to bring the bar 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.900 way down here 00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:53.200 and say, 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:53.480 you know, 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:53.920 it's actually 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:54.579 pretty easy. 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.279 There's really 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:57.160 nothing hard, 00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:57.799 there's nothing 00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:59.259 difficult about 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:00.180 Christianity. 00:19:02.059 --> 00:19:02.880 A false prophet 00:19:02.880 --> 00:19:04.680 is known more 00:19:04.680 --> 00:19:05.700 often by what 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:06.700 they do not say 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.380 and what they 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:08.279 leave out of 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:08.700 their message. 00:19:08.859 --> 00:19:09.620 They talk about 00:19:09.620 --> 00:19:10.220 the gospel 00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.720 as if there's 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.579 absolutely nothing 00:19:12.579 --> 00:19:13.720 offensive in it. 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.419 There's no 00:19:14.419 --> 00:19:15.799 narrowness here. 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:18.000 Humanity is not 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.740 on the road 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.639 to destruction. 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:20.399 In fact, 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.259 all people are 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:21.579 going to get 00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:22.579 life in the end 00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:23.699 without judgment. 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:25.919 And friends, 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.779 I hope you know 00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:28.740 that it is impossible 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:30.980 to square that 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:32.159 with the teachings 00:19:32.159 --> 00:19:32.740 of Jesus 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:34.379 or with the 00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:35.259 things that 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.819 he trained 00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:37.619 and sent 00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:38.460 and commissioned 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.240 his apostles 00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:40.199 to write. 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:42.360 you just can't 00:19:42.360 --> 00:19:43.100 make it say 00:19:43.100 --> 00:19:43.480 that. 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:45.440 This is not 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:46.240 just a New Testament 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:46.559 thing, 00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:47.319 it's an Old Testament 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.039 thing as well. 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:48.779 This is the prophet 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:50.559 Isaiah chapter 30. 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:51.140 The people 00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:52.059 of God 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:52.420 said, 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:53.580 give us no more 00:19:53.580 --> 00:19:54.340 visions of what 00:19:54.340 --> 00:19:54.799 is right. 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.180 Tell us pleasant 00:19:56.180 --> 00:19:56.620 things. 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:57.500 Prophesy 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.340 illusions. 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:01.600 In Jeremiah 6, 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.059 they said, 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.019 he says, 00:20:03.100 --> 00:20:03.819 they dress the 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.019 wound, 00:20:04.120 --> 00:20:04.279 they, 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:05.360 the false prophets, 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.180 dress the wound 00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:06.920 of my people 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:08.279 as though it 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:09.200 were not serious. 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:10.139 Peace, 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:10.579 peace, 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.079 they say, 00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:11.899 when there is 00:20:11.899 --> 00:20:13.139 no peace. 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.480 You see, 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.440 a false prophet 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:16.019 is a comforting 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:17.299 preacher that 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:18.099 will tell you 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:19.180 pleasant things 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:19.480 and say, 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:19.720 well, 00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:20.660 there's not really 00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:21.779 much wrong 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:22.539 and there's nothing 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.359 to really be 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:24.619 concerned about. 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:26.480 And definitely 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.420 don't listen to 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:28.180 Isaiah 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:29.819 and Jeremiah 00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:30.399 and all their 00:20:30.399 --> 00:20:31.119 talk about the 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:32.279 holiness of God 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:33.259 and the justice 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:34.379 of God. 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:34.799 Those guys 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:35.779 are so serious, 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:36.819 they're so intense, 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:38.039 they're so narrow, 00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:40.619 God is a God 00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:41.279 of love. 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.519 There's no justice 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.099 in his love, 00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:44.940 there's no judgment 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:45.899 in his love. 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:48.240 Wide is the gate 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.579 that leads 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.319 to salvation. 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:52.420 Broad is the road 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:53.059 that leads 00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:53.839 to life. 00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.740 Doesn't that sound 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.279 nice? 00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:57.740 Doesn't it look 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:58.639 sheep-like? 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.180 Kind of feels 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:01.920 soft and woolly 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:02.639 and warm. 00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:04.339 But what does 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:05.240 Jesus call that? 00:21:06.379 --> 00:21:07.099 He says it's 00:21:07.099 --> 00:21:07.720 wolfish. 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.619 It's like a 00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:10.500 ravenous wolf 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:12.079 that would tear 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:12.680 the flock 00:21:12.680 --> 00:21:13.339 of sheep 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:14.819 to shreds. 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.799 And then Jesus 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.799 changes this metaphor, 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:18.639 he says a false 00:21:18.639 --> 00:21:20.019 prophet is somebody 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:21.079 who bears bad 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:21.819 fruit because 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.319 it's growing 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:23.019 on a bad 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.740 tree. 00:21:24.859 --> 00:21:25.420 Any of you ever 00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:26.680 see a shiny, 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.119 red, 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:27.899 delicious apple 00:21:27.899 --> 00:21:30.539 and it looks 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.160 so good 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:31.839 on the outside 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:32.399 and you think, 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:34.299 I should take 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:34.879 a bite of that. 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:36.340 and then what 00:21:36.340 --> 00:21:36.880 happens when you 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:37.300 take a bite? 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.000 It's just 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:38.640 horrible. 00:21:39.840 --> 00:21:41.120 It's tough skin, 00:21:42.040 --> 00:21:42.840 it's mealy 00:21:42.840 --> 00:21:43.760 flesh. 00:21:44.060 --> 00:21:45.040 I was disappointed 00:21:45.040 --> 00:21:46.100 in so many 00:21:46.100 --> 00:21:47.300 lunches in my 00:21:47.300 --> 00:21:48.360 childhood and I 00:21:48.360 --> 00:21:50.020 finally got to a 00:21:50.020 --> 00:21:50.560 day where I was 00:21:50.560 --> 00:21:51.540 like never again. 00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:52.380 I'm an adult now. 00:21:52.780 --> 00:21:53.560 Like nobody can 00:21:53.560 --> 00:21:54.520 feed me this stuff. 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:57.019 It turns out 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:57.599 the selective 00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:58.799 breeding over time 00:21:58.799 --> 00:22:00.420 it improved 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:01.119 the look 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:01.819 but destroyed 00:22:01.819 --> 00:22:02.480 the taste 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:02.980 of the red, 00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:03.680 delicious apple. 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.180 And Jesus 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:05.759 is saying 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.940 be careful 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:08.200 not to eat 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:08.639 the red, 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:09.359 delicious apple 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:11.440 and be really 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:11.900 careful 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:12.779 and be sure 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.559 that you are 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:14.660 not a red, 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.420 delicious apple. 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.460 He says 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:18.339 in verse 18, 00:22:18.900 --> 00:22:19.500 a good tree 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.079 cannot bear 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:20.700 bad fruit 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:21.359 and a bad tree 00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:21.879 cannot bear 00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:22.400 good fruit. 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.019 Every tree 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:23.599 that does not 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:24.359 bear good fruit 00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:25.779 is cut down 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.859 and thrown 00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:28.399 into the fire. 00:22:29.199 --> 00:22:30.119 Two trees, 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:31.899 they're both 00:22:31.899 --> 00:22:32.579 in church. 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:33.939 They look 00:22:33.939 --> 00:22:35.439 exactly the same 00:22:35.439 --> 00:22:36.219 on the outside 00:22:36.219 --> 00:22:36.779 but they have 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.740 a different nature, 00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:38.779 a different life 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.719 on the inside 00:22:39.719 --> 00:22:40.479 and so they bear 00:22:40.479 --> 00:22:41.740 a different fruit. 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:42.419 And Jesus 00:22:42.419 --> 00:22:43.240 is telling us 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:43.959 that a Christian 00:22:43.959 --> 00:22:45.619 is somebody 00:22:45.619 --> 00:22:46.599 who's received 00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:47.859 a new nature, 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:49.199 a new life, 00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:50.079 a new DNA 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:51.519 on the inside 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:53.000 from God 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:53.459 above. 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:54.959 That their 00:22:54.959 --> 00:22:55.819 old nature 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:56.679 of thorns 00:22:56.679 --> 00:22:57.500 and thistles 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.419 has been done 00:22:58.419 --> 00:22:59.059 away with 00:22:59.059 --> 00:22:59.740 and that new 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:00.299 nature that 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:01.679 produces luscious 00:23:01.679 --> 00:23:02.819 grapes and delicious 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:04.099 figs has come 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:04.579 in. 00:23:05.479 --> 00:23:05.839 And Jesus 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:06.799 is asking us, 00:23:07.439 --> 00:23:08.279 do you have 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:10.199 that new life? 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:11.859 Do you have 00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:12.759 real life? 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.479 And you say, 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.319 well how do I know 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:16.159 I have that life? 00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:18.079 Well here's a test. 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:20.240 How do you feel 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:22.379 when you look up 00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:23.899 at the holiness 00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:24.539 of God 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:26.199 and you look 00:23:26.199 --> 00:23:27.259 inside of yourself 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.059 at the sinfulness 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:28.859 of your heart 00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:30.839 and you look ahead 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:31.879 at your impending 00:23:31.879 --> 00:23:32.500 death 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.059 and you look at 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:34.000 the just judgment 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.639 of Christ 00:23:34.639 --> 00:23:35.240 that's going to 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.019 come to you, 00:23:36.399 --> 00:23:37.579 how do you feel 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:38.240 about yourself? 00:23:39.379 --> 00:23:40.519 Do you feel proud? 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.659 Do you feel confident? 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:43.939 Do you feel like, 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:45.059 man I got this? 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:46.819 Or do you say, 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:48.639 I'm poor in spirit. 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:50.759 I'm mourning 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.839 over all 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:53.220 of my self-centeredness. 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:55.779 I feel so meek 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.679 and lowly 00:23:56.679 --> 00:23:57.579 before God. 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:59.579 I'm just hungering 00:23:59.579 --> 00:24:00.240 and thirsting 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:00.980 and crying out 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.779 for a righteousness 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.659 that only God 00:24:02.659 --> 00:24:03.359 can give me. 00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:05.460 I am desperate 00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:06.960 and I am utterly 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:08.519 dependent on Christ 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:10.359 and Christ crucified 00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:12.299 to reconcile me 00:24:12.299 --> 00:24:12.819 to this God. 00:24:12.919 --> 00:24:14.200 That's how you know 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:15.880 you have that new life 00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:17.100 in you. 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.080 Jesus, 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:21.080 he judges our road, 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:22.220 he judges our fruit 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:23.940 and he also judges 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:24.640 our will. 00:24:25.600 --> 00:24:26.720 He judges our will. 00:24:26.840 --> 00:24:27.819 He's examining us 00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.240 and he's saying, 00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:29.480 are you a true Christian? 00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:31.680 Are you a false Christian? 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:33.080 Right? 00:24:33.120 --> 00:24:33.840 And now he comes 00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:34.940 to this third picture, 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:36.319 this most serious 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:37.700 and solemn warning yet 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:39.500 and it's given again 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.100 to Christians 00:24:40.100 --> 00:24:41.059 who are people 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:41.960 who profess 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.880 to be Christians 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:44.860 who are conscious 00:24:44.860 --> 00:24:45.460 of the fact 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:45.860 that they're going 00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:46.980 to stand before God 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.860 in the final judgment 00:24:47.860 --> 00:24:48.920 and here's what he says. 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:50.779 Verse 21, 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:51.819 not everyone who says 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:52.100 to me, 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.680 Lord, Lord, 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.380 will enter the kingdom 00:24:53.380 --> 00:24:53.819 of heaven 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.680 but only those 00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:55.740 who do the will 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.380 of my Father 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.100 who is in heaven. 00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:59.140 Many will say to me 00:24:59.140 --> 00:24:59.579 on that day, 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.279 Lord, Lord, 00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:01.319 did we not prophesy 00:25:01.319 --> 00:25:01.980 in your name 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:02.579 and in your name 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:03.360 drive out demons 00:25:03.360 --> 00:25:04.779 and in your name 00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.759 perform many miracles 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.519 and then I will tell 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.059 them plainly, 00:25:07.100 --> 00:25:08.039 I never knew you 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:09.340 apart from me, 00:25:09.799 --> 00:25:10.740 you evildoers. 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:13.839 Jesus warns us 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:15.599 of the terrible danger 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.799 of self-deception 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:19.059 and he says 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.819 that on judgment day 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.339 there's going to be 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:21.660 many surprises 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:22.500 so be careful 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:24.039 not to rely 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:25.480 on false evidences 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:27.799 because it's possible 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:28.620 to think that you're 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:29.059 a Christian, 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.700 to think that you've 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.640 received salvation 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:32.180 from God, 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.620 to do so much 00:25:33.620 --> 00:25:35.039 and to go so far 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:35.599 and then to get 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.660 to the very end 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.759 and realize 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.519 that you were 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.640 altogether wrong. 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.920 And so he says 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.859 the first evidence 00:25:42.859 --> 00:25:44.460 not to rely on 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.799 is orthodox doctrine 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:47.460 and correct belief. 00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:48.039 Right? 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:49.059 You can call Jesus 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:49.859 your Lord. 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.519 You can have all 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.339 the right truths 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:53.380 about his person 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.240 and his work. 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:55.059 You can say all 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:56.000 the right things. 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:56.400 Right? 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.859 That Jesus is the 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:59.220 eternal preexistent 00:25:59.220 --> 00:25:59.940 son of God, 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.539 that he came from 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:02.900 heaven to earth, 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:04.099 that he endured 00:26:04.099 --> 00:26:05.519 the bitter shame 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.180 and agony 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:06.779 and cruelty 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:07.640 of the cross 00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:09.780 to save us 00:26:09.780 --> 00:26:10.440 from our sins 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:11.640 and reconcile us 00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:12.100 to God, 00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:13.020 that he was bodily 00:26:13.020 --> 00:26:14.560 raised from death 00:26:14.560 --> 00:26:15.120 to life 00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:15.860 and that he's now 00:26:15.860 --> 00:26:17.440 sitting on God's throne 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.480 ruling over all. 00:26:18.560 --> 00:26:19.420 You can say all 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:20.060 those things, 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.680 Jesus says, 00:26:20.820 --> 00:26:22.000 but still not have 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:23.060 entered the kingdom 00:26:23.060 --> 00:26:23.600 of God. 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.280 Don't get me wrong. 00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:27.820 Orthodox doctrine, 00:26:28.020 --> 00:26:28.800 correct belief 00:26:28.800 --> 00:26:29.780 is essential. 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.940 No one enters 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.780 the kingdom of God 00:26:32.780 --> 00:26:33.580 without saying 00:26:33.580 --> 00:26:34.680 all those things, 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.380 but not everyone 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.660 who says those things 00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:37.880 will enter in. 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:40.660 And so Jesus warns us 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:42.980 that intellectual 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:44.060 assent to the truth 00:26:44.060 --> 00:26:44.980 is insufficient. 00:26:46.380 --> 00:26:47.380 There's a vast difference 00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:48.160 between knowledge 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:49.680 about Christ 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.259 and knowledge 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:51.340 of Christ. 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:53.759 And Jesus also says 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:55.320 it's not just orthodoxy, 00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:56.880 it's orthopathy 00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:58.060 that's not enough. 00:26:59.100 --> 00:27:00.400 Orthodoxy is right belief, 00:27:00.580 --> 00:27:02.580 orthopathy is right feeling. 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.799 You not just say 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:05.099 Jesus is Lord, 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:06.460 but he's Lord, Lord. 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.579 I'm fervent. 00:27:09.159 --> 00:27:10.039 I'm enthusiastic. 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:12.319 I'm excited about Jesus. 00:27:13.819 --> 00:27:14.559 And Jesus says 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:16.259 it's not just orthodoxy 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.099 and orthopathy, 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:18.899 but orthopraxy, 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:19.799 right action. 00:27:20.819 --> 00:27:21.700 You can give 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:23.500 great spiritual messages. 00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:25.859 Not that this one's great, 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:27.319 but you can do that. 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.299 You can prophesy 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.000 in my name. 00:27:29.659 --> 00:27:31.279 You can do wonderful works. 00:27:31.399 --> 00:27:32.379 You can deliver people 00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:34.040 from spiritual bondage. 00:27:34.100 --> 00:27:35.000 You can heal the sick. 00:27:35.080 --> 00:27:35.860 You can do it all 00:27:35.860 --> 00:27:36.840 in my name, 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.520 Jesus says, 00:27:37.580 --> 00:27:38.680 but where in the Sermon 00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:39.020 on the Mount 00:27:39.020 --> 00:27:39.620 did I ask you 00:27:39.620 --> 00:27:40.960 to do any of those things? 00:27:42.580 --> 00:27:43.620 I'm not asking you 00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:44.520 to work for me. 00:27:44.600 --> 00:27:45.260 I'm asking you 00:27:45.260 --> 00:27:47.040 to live under me. 00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:48.980 To live under me. 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:51.640 Because what really matters 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.400 in the end 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:54.860 is whether or not 00:27:54.860 --> 00:27:56.760 I know you 00:27:56.759 --> 00:28:00.000 or I never knew you. 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:01.440 And I know all things. 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.799 So what I'm talking about 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.660 is whether or not 00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.500 I knew you 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:08.059 in a personal relationship. 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:10.660 Not that you use my name, 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:12.039 but that I knew you 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:13.039 by name. 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.700 And how can we know 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:16.759 that we're in a relationship 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:18.160 with Christ? 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:18.960 Jesus says, 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:19.920 it's not people 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:20.539 who say to me, 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:21.180 Lord, Lord, 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:22.480 but those who do the will 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.559 of my Father in heaven. 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:26.099 Have you renounced your will? 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:28.640 To do the will of God instead. 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:32.000 Jesus, the judge of all people, 00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:34.180 says that on that day, 00:28:35.379 --> 00:28:36.359 many people 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:38.279 who've been busy in my name 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:40.259 are going to be shown 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:43.019 to have been doers of evil. 00:28:43.440 --> 00:28:45.480 Workers of lawlessness 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.559 is what it says. 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.759 And why is that? 00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:50.920 Because those people 00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:51.859 have been active, 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.740 very active 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:55.099 to impress other people 00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:55.740 in my name. 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:57.880 They've been very active 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:59.299 to please themselves 00:28:59.299 --> 00:29:00.019 in my name. 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:00.880 They've been very active 00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:02.160 to do their own will 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:03.779 for their own glory. 00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:04.740 But what I'm after 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.960 is people who want to do 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:07.240 my Father's will 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:09.180 and do it for His glory. 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:12.660 And Jesus is saying to us, 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:14.059 friends, 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:15.019 where's your heart? 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.799 Do I know you? 00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:20.720 Do you really belong to me? 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.740 Have you renounced yourself 00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:23.059 and your will 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:24.839 to embrace the holy 00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:25.940 and righteous will 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.660 of my Father 00:29:26.660 --> 00:29:28.759 as I taught it to you 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.819 in the Sermon on the Mount? 00:29:31.640 --> 00:29:33.359 If you've not done that, 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.099 then Jesus says, 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:36.319 you're in great danger 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:39.000 of hearing these awful words 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:40.019 away from me. 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:42.599 Be apart from me. 00:29:42.660 --> 00:29:43.859 And if I'm the light, 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.640 that means you're going to be 00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:45.200 in the darkness. 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:47.500 And if I'm the light, 00:29:47.580 --> 00:29:48.140 that means you're going 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:49.100 to be in death. 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:53.360 Oh, I do not want you 00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:54.100 to experience 00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:55.660 the miserable end 00:29:55.660 --> 00:29:57.279 of going into the darkness 00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:58.620 and into death, 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.180 Jesus says. 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:03.580 So Jesus judges our road, 00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:05.279 our fruit, our will, 00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:06.500 and finally He judges 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.940 our foundation. 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:10.299 And now He comes 00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:11.440 to the final 00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:12.539 and the sharpest warning 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.700 of all. 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.440 In verse 24, 00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:14.900 He says, 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.480 therefore anyone 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:16.700 who hears these words 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.140 of mine, 00:30:17.380 --> 00:30:18.420 puts them into practice, 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:20.180 is like a wise man 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.920 who built his house 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.440 on the rock. 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:22.380 The rain came down, 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:23.360 the streams rose, 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.240 the winds blew, 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:26.080 and beat against that house, 00:30:26.120 --> 00:30:26.940 yet it did not fall 00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:28.100 because it had its foundation 00:30:28.100 --> 00:30:28.759 on the rock. 00:30:29.440 --> 00:30:30.400 But everyone who hears 00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:31.259 these words of mine 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:32.059 and does not put them 00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:32.580 into practice 00:30:32.580 --> 00:30:33.740 is like a foolish man 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:35.120 who built his house 00:30:35.120 --> 00:30:35.759 on sand. 00:30:36.600 --> 00:30:37.600 The rain came down, 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.480 the streams rose, 00:30:38.620 --> 00:30:39.259 the winds blew, 00:30:39.380 --> 00:30:40.400 and beat against that house, 00:30:40.440 --> 00:30:41.039 and it fell 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:43.160 with a great crash. 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:46.019 Jesus' chief concern 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:46.680 in this fourth 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:47.600 and final picture 00:30:47.600 --> 00:30:48.580 is addressed again 00:30:48.580 --> 00:30:49.180 to people 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:50.980 who are professing Christians. 00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:53.299 They like listening 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:54.360 to the Sermon on the Mount. 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.220 They like listening 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:56.360 to the teaching of Jesus. 00:30:56.640 --> 00:30:57.539 They're members 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:58.700 of the church. 00:30:59.019 --> 00:30:59.539 They claim 00:30:59.539 --> 00:31:00.360 to be disciples. 00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:02.580 And Jesus' question 00:31:02.580 --> 00:31:03.720 to us is, 00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:05.340 are we seeking 00:31:05.340 --> 00:31:06.480 and are we desiring 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:08.759 only the benefits 00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:09.900 and the blessings 00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:10.799 of salvation? 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:12.980 Do we just want 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:13.599 the house 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:14.279 and the family 00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:14.940 in the house 00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:15.659 so that we can be 00:31:15.659 --> 00:31:16.259 at ease 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:17.940 and enjoy ourselves, 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:19.200 or do we really 00:31:19.200 --> 00:31:20.559 want to do the hard work 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:22.119 of digging down 00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:23.339 to bedrock? 00:31:23.339 --> 00:31:26.399 Both of these people 00:31:26.399 --> 00:31:27.319 say they're Christians. 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.220 They're building 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.439 on the same locale, 00:31:30.599 --> 00:31:31.299 same landscape, 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.559 same weather conditions. 00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:33.559 They build the same 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.519 kind of house, 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:36.240 and these houses 00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:37.539 are put to the same test 00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:38.579 and the same stresses. 00:31:39.619 --> 00:31:40.519 And there's no difference 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:41.139 between them 00:31:41.139 --> 00:31:42.799 except what lies 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:43.879 beneath the surface. 00:31:45.619 --> 00:31:46.159 And Jesus, 00:31:46.399 --> 00:31:47.359 in his teaching on this 00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:48.259 in Luke chapter 6, 00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:48.939 he helps us 00:31:48.940 --> 00:31:49.779 because he says 00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:51.200 that the wise man, 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:52.559 he dug down deep 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:54.000 and laid foundations 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:55.220 on the rock. 00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:57.680 But the foolish man, 00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.740 he built his house 00:31:58.740 --> 00:32:00.160 just right on the ground 00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:01.860 without a foundation. 00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:04.100 This foolish man, 00:32:04.180 --> 00:32:04.779 we don't know 00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:06.460 why he chose 00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:07.779 not to dig at all. 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:08.559 Maybe he was 00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:09.279 just in a hurry. 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:11.480 Maybe he was impatient. 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.580 Maybe he just needed 00:32:13.580 --> 00:32:14.600 to take some shortcuts 00:32:14.600 --> 00:32:16.400 and get quick results. 00:32:16.600 --> 00:32:17.519 Couldn't be troubled 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:20.279 to listen to guidance. 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:21.700 Couldn't pay attention 00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:23.180 to the rules 00:32:23.180 --> 00:32:23.819 that govern 00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:24.700 the construction 00:32:24.700 --> 00:32:26.599 of a durable edifice. 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.779 Maybe he said to himself, 00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:29.180 you know, 00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:31.299 my ideas are the best, 00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:33.200 and I don't have anything 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:34.660 to learn from anybody else. 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:37.119 But Jesus' point here 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:38.599 is that foundation work 00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:40.019 is costly. 00:32:41.400 --> 00:32:42.279 How many of us 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:43.200 want to spend our money 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:44.019 on a foundation? 00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:46.639 It's not fun to, 00:32:46.640 --> 00:32:47.759 it's not fun 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.560 to spend your time 00:32:48.560 --> 00:32:49.360 on a foundation? 00:32:50.800 --> 00:32:51.259 I mean, 00:32:51.300 --> 00:32:52.400 we can easily think 00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:53.020 it's hidden. 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.880 It's out of the way. 00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:56.780 I can't see it. 00:32:56.820 --> 00:32:57.820 It's beneath the surface. 00:32:57.960 --> 00:32:58.820 It must not be 00:32:58.820 --> 00:32:59.680 that significant 00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:01.100 or that necessary. 00:33:01.300 --> 00:33:01.900 And Jesus says, 00:33:02.020 --> 00:33:02.400 oh, 00:33:02.800 --> 00:33:04.340 it's the most vital, 00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:06.500 the most important thing 00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:07.380 of all, 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:08.600 because if your foundation 00:33:08.600 --> 00:33:09.240 is wrong, 00:33:09.580 --> 00:33:11.000 everything is wrong. 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:14.779 you will not endure 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:17.519 the unavoidable tests 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.440 that are going to come 00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:19.740 to you in this life, 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:21.319 and you certainly 00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:22.279 won't be able to endure 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:23.779 the test on that day 00:33:23.779 --> 00:33:25.259 when you stand 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:26.480 before the judgment seat 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.660 of Christ. 00:33:29.579 --> 00:33:30.619 And so Jesus is saying, 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:32.039 build your life 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:32.720 on the rock. 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:34.660 Build it on me. 00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.839 Build it on my life, 00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:36.539 my death, 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:37.480 my crucifixion. 00:33:37.579 --> 00:33:38.579 Build it on the sermon 00:33:38.579 --> 00:33:39.699 on the mount. 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:41.559 I won't, 00:33:42.139 --> 00:33:42.839 if you do that, 00:33:42.879 --> 00:33:43.939 I'm not going to spare you 00:33:43.939 --> 00:33:44.899 the rain 00:33:44.899 --> 00:33:46.079 and the floods 00:33:46.079 --> 00:33:46.799 and the wind, 00:33:47.059 --> 00:33:48.419 but I will support you. 00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.339 And if you build 00:33:50.339 --> 00:33:51.059 your life on me, 00:33:51.119 --> 00:33:51.799 I'm not going to cause 00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:52.619 your house to glow 00:33:52.619 --> 00:33:53.299 in the dark 00:33:53.299 --> 00:33:55.019 or expand into 00:33:55.019 --> 00:33:56.199 some amazing mansion, 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:57.399 but I will cause 00:33:57.399 --> 00:33:58.299 your house to stand. 00:33:59.779 --> 00:34:00.980 And some of us today 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:01.659 might be saying, 00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:02.139 gosh, 00:34:03.259 --> 00:34:04.379 I think maybe 00:34:04.379 --> 00:34:05.319 I've built my life 00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:06.699 on the sand. 00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:08.699 What if I built 00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:09.760 my life on the sand? 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.019 Well, 00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:13.139 if you're poor in spirit, 00:34:14.240 --> 00:34:14.920 you'll cry out 00:34:14.920 --> 00:34:15.179 and say, 00:34:15.240 --> 00:34:15.639 God, 00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:17.320 I need a savior. 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:19.539 Jesus, 00:34:19.740 --> 00:34:20.659 who embodied 00:34:20.659 --> 00:34:21.199 this sermon 00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:21.740 on the mount, 00:34:22.400 --> 00:34:24.000 who lived beautifully 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:24.800 and perfectly 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:25.460 the life 00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:27.159 that we should have lived, 00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:29.539 and he died the death 00:34:29.539 --> 00:34:30.260 we should have died, 00:34:30.320 --> 00:34:31.860 he went up on his cross, 00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:33.059 and when he did that, 00:34:33.280 --> 00:34:34.720 he was putting himself 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:36.399 on that broad road 00:34:36.399 --> 00:34:38.099 that leads to destruction. 00:34:38.959 --> 00:34:39.159 Right? 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:41.199 When Jesus mounted his cross, 00:34:41.299 --> 00:34:43.679 he became that bad tree 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:44.799 that was cut down 00:34:44.799 --> 00:34:46.559 and thrown into the fire. 00:34:46.719 --> 00:34:47.679 Jesus was the one 00:34:47.679 --> 00:34:48.519 on his cross. 00:34:48.719 --> 00:34:50.539 He heard those terrible words, 00:34:50.959 --> 00:34:52.559 away from me. 00:34:53.639 --> 00:34:55.339 And that's why he was crying out, 00:34:55.419 --> 00:34:55.879 my God, 00:34:55.939 --> 00:34:56.379 my God, 00:34:56.459 --> 00:34:57.839 why have you forsaken me? 00:34:59.359 --> 00:35:00.859 Jesus on his cross 00:35:00.859 --> 00:35:02.839 felt the wrath of God 00:35:02.839 --> 00:35:04.419 raining down on him. 00:35:05.379 --> 00:35:06.619 And that the floods 00:35:06.619 --> 00:35:07.519 of human sin 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:09.159 pouring in on him, 00:35:10.119 --> 00:35:11.419 and the winds of evil 00:35:11.419 --> 00:35:12.939 blowing and beating 00:35:12.939 --> 00:35:13.619 against him, 00:35:13.659 --> 00:35:14.319 and what happened 00:35:14.319 --> 00:35:15.299 to Jesus' house 00:35:15.299 --> 00:35:15.980 on the cross, 00:35:16.639 --> 00:35:19.339 it fell with a great crash. 00:35:21.279 --> 00:35:21.879 Why? 00:35:22.939 --> 00:35:24.500 Why did he do that? 00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:26.859 Because Jesus said, 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:27.519 I came 00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:30.339 to take all the curses, 00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:31.579 all the hell, 00:35:31.579 --> 00:35:33.460 all the separation 00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:34.019 from God, 00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:35.159 that you might get 00:35:35.159 --> 00:35:35.840 all the blessings, 00:35:36.980 --> 00:35:38.239 that you might have heaven, 00:35:39.319 --> 00:35:41.000 that you might have life 00:35:41.000 --> 00:35:42.739 with God forever. 00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:43.559 And so he's saying, 00:35:44.360 --> 00:35:45.139 build your life 00:35:45.139 --> 00:35:45.880 on the rock. 00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:48.299 Build your life 00:35:48.299 --> 00:35:50.239 on this firm foundation 00:35:50.239 --> 00:35:52.519 in which you can never, 00:35:52.659 --> 00:35:52.960 ever, 00:35:53.139 --> 00:35:53.420 ever, 00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:54.639 even in the final day 00:35:54.639 --> 00:35:55.079 of judgment, 00:35:55.239 --> 00:35:57.119 ever be shaken. 00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:59.920 Friends, 00:36:00.420 --> 00:36:01.719 let's build on this rock 00:36:01.719 --> 00:36:02.679 in the name of Christ. 00:36:03.319 --> 00:36:03.619 Amen. 00:36:03.619 --> 00:36:03.739 Amen. 00:36:03.739 --> 00:36:33.719 Thank you.