WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.859
 Turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 7.

00:00:04.240 --> 00:00:04.759
!

00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.719
 I have no idea how long this sermon is, because I usually need to move it to a word processing

00:00:34.719 --> 00:00:37.600
 document and then look at the page numbers to see how long it is.

00:00:38.060 --> 00:00:42.420
 And so hopefully we're not here for three hours, but I think, and I trust that we'll

00:00:42.420 --> 00:00:42.820
 be okay.

00:00:43.620 --> 00:00:45.179
 So please bear with me.

00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:48.560
 Matthew chapter 7, verses 13 to 27.

00:00:51.879 --> 00:00:56.700
 The main substance of Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount has been concluded, and

00:00:56.700 --> 00:01:02.980
 so now he is really bringing everything to a close, at that point, tying a bow on it,

00:01:03.300 --> 00:01:08.780
 with a series of warnings highlighting the importance of obeying and putting into practice

00:01:08.780 --> 00:01:10.659
 everything he has taught in the Sermon on the Mount.

00:01:10.659 --> 00:01:15.020
 And so that's where we are today, Matthew 7, 13 to 27.

00:01:15.680 --> 00:01:18.939
 But before I read, let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word.

00:01:18.939 --> 00:01:30.140
 Heavenly Father, this is your Word, and we are your people.

00:01:31.219 --> 00:01:37.060
 So we humble ourselves before your Word and place ourselves under your authority.

00:01:38.359 --> 00:01:43.799
 It is a hard word, but you give it, Lord, because you love us.

00:01:43.799 --> 00:01:52.780
 So help us to receive it, and help us to not be hearers of the Word only, but doers of the Word.

00:01:56.799 --> 00:02:01.459
 Energized by your grace in Jesus Christ, empowered by your Holy Spirit.

00:02:02.579 --> 00:02:04.879
 In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

00:02:04.879 --> 00:02:12.799
 If you are able, please stand to honor God as we read from His Word, as He addresses us in and through His Word.

00:02:13.919 --> 00:02:15.759
 Matthew 7, 13 to 27.

00:02:21.879 --> 00:02:24.079
 Enter by the narrow gate.

00:02:24.900 --> 00:02:29.139
 For the gate is wide, and the way is easy that leads to destruction.

00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:31.859
 And those who enter by it are many.

00:02:31.860 --> 00:02:36.580
 For the gate is narrow, and the way is hard that leads to life.

00:02:36.900 --> 00:02:38.980
 And those who find it are few.

00:02:41.180 --> 00:02:47.020
 Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

00:02:47.880 --> 00:02:49.900
 You will recognize them by their fruits.

00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:54.780
 Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?

00:02:55.500 --> 00:03:01.260
 So every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.

00:03:01.860 --> 00:03:07.320
 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.

00:03:07.960 --> 00:03:13.220
 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

00:03:14.100 --> 00:03:16.820
 Thus, you will recognize them by their fruits.

00:03:16.819 --> 00:03:27.199
 Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

00:03:28.039 --> 00:03:38.840
 On that day, many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?

00:03:38.840 --> 00:03:44.759
 And then will I declare to them, I never knew you.

00:03:45.960 --> 00:03:48.560
 Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.

00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:59.520
 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:09.980
 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on the rock.

00:04:09.979 --> 00:04:19.459
 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

00:04:19.879 --> 00:04:29.039
 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

00:04:29.620 --> 00:04:31.920
 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

00:04:32.019 --> 00:04:32.740
 Please be seated.

00:04:32.740 --> 00:04:43.840
 There are billions of professing Christians in the world today.

00:04:44.920 --> 00:04:47.560
 There have been billions more throughout history.

00:04:48.579 --> 00:04:55.500
 But what if many of those professing Christians don't actually make it into the kingdom of heaven?

00:04:55.500 --> 00:05:07.139
 What if God's word teaches us that many who profess Christ outwardly will not actually be saved?

00:05:09.120 --> 00:05:15.439
 On the one hand, it's true that the Bible teaches us that in the end, the saints of God will be an innumerable throng.

00:05:16.019 --> 00:05:18.300
 Revelation 7, 9 describes that throng.

00:05:18.300 --> 00:05:18.600
 It says,

00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:34.860
 There's going to be many of us in the end, the cumulative number.

00:05:36.040 --> 00:05:41.360
 The cumulative total of all saints throughout all history will indeed be an innumerable throng.

00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:52.699
 On the other hand, the Bible also teaches us consistently of the fact that, relatively speaking, compared to the rest of the world,

00:05:52.800 --> 00:06:01.560
 at every time and juncture in human history, those who believe and trust in him and who are actual regenerate Christians are few.

00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:09.620
 In the parable of the wedding feast, later in Matthew 22, 1-14, Jesus says that many who are invited to the wedding feast,

00:06:09.620 --> 00:06:15.259
 which symbolizes heavenly bliss and in the fellowship with God, they actually do not come, even though they've been invited.

00:06:16.199 --> 00:06:23.759
 And some who come to the feast, they show up, it says, with no wedding garment, meaning they don't have the means.

00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:25.759
 They don't have, they've not been cleansed by Christ.

00:06:25.860 --> 00:06:27.579
 They don't have the right to enter in.

00:06:28.379 --> 00:06:30.199
 And so they are cast into the outer darkness.

00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:33.740
 Jesus, then, at the conclusion of that parable, says this,

00:06:34.220 --> 00:06:38.420
 Many are called, but few are chosen.

00:06:39.620 --> 00:06:45.280
 In Luke 13, 23-24, someone asks Jesus explicitly,

00:06:46.160 --> 00:06:49.840
 Lord, will those who are saved be few?

00:06:50.860 --> 00:06:53.800
 And Jesus gives him a straight answer.

00:06:54.819 --> 00:06:57.120
 Strive to enter the narrow door.

00:06:57.720 --> 00:07:02.340
 For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:05.259
 Meaning, there will be a few.

00:07:05.259 --> 00:07:11.920
 This passage is what parallels our passage this morning in Matthew 7, 13-14, where Jesus says,

00:07:11.800 --> 00:07:16.899
 Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction.

00:07:17.379 --> 00:07:19.680
 And those who enter by it are many.

00:07:20.079 --> 00:07:23.420
 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life.

00:07:23.500 --> 00:07:26.199
 And those who find it are few.

00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:34.279
 How, then, can we tell true Christians apart from the false Christians?

00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:39.500
 From those who, true Christians who are on the narrow gate and the narrow way,

00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:42.419
 from those who are on the broad way to destruction?

00:07:42.420 --> 00:07:46.740
 Jesus' answer is obedience.

00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:52.379
 And the key word that recurs throughout this passage is the word do.

00:07:53.520 --> 00:07:58.660
 It began with verse 12, which summarizes the ethical commands of the entire Sermon on the Mount

00:07:58.660 --> 00:08:02.300
 and, indeed, of the entire law and the prophets, where it says,

00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:06.660
 Do to others what you wish they would do to you.

00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:08.780
 The word do, it first occurred there.

00:08:08.779 --> 00:08:12.519
 And then you see it again in verses 17-19, where it says,

00:08:12.839 --> 00:08:19.259
 So every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.

00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:24.059
 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.

00:08:24.299 --> 00:08:28.279
 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

00:08:28.859 --> 00:08:32.600
 The word that's used there, translated as bear, in Greek,

00:08:32.699 --> 00:08:36.819
 is actually the exact same word that's translated do, earlier in verse 12.

00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:41.840
 So if you translate it literally, it would be that every healthy tree does good fruit,

00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:43.800
 produces good fruit.

00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:47.360
 This theme of doing continues in verse 21.

00:08:47.560 --> 00:08:50.620
 Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven.

00:08:51.100 --> 00:08:52.879
 Then who will enter the kingdom of heaven?

00:08:53.220 --> 00:08:58.180
 But the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

00:08:58.179 --> 00:09:01.919
 Similarly, Jesus says in verse 24 and 26,

00:09:01.959 --> 00:09:09.779
 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

00:09:10.059 --> 00:09:16.879
 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

00:09:18.159 --> 00:09:24.759
 Given this prominent theme, we can summarize Jesus' main point in this passage with the words of James 1.22.

00:09:24.759 --> 00:09:29.399
 Be doers of the word and not hearers only.

00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:36.240
 To drive his point home, Jesus gives us four illustrations, really warning vignettes,

00:09:36.439 --> 00:09:40.379
 that emphasize the importance of doing God's will, not just hearing it.

00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:45.200
 And he warns us against four types of people, that we should not be like that,

00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:49.080
 and also warns us against such people who will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

00:09:49.080 --> 00:09:58.740
 First, I'm going to call drifters, people who are drifting along with the patterns of this world and conforming to the patterns of this world, conformists.

00:09:59.220 --> 00:10:03.520
 Second, deceivers or imposters, the wolves in sheep's clothing.

00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:09.600
 Third, the deluded, those who think that they are saved but are not, but are actually hypocrites.

00:10:09.600 --> 00:10:19.100
 And lastly, the dabblers or the dilettantes who dabble in the faith, who hear things and pick up things here and there,

00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:22.080
 but are not actually practicing it and living by it.

00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:25.860
 Jesus' first warning concerns the conformists.

00:10:25.940 --> 00:10:27.639
 He says in verses 13 to 14,

00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:51.299
 This is a decision that confronts every man and every woman, and there's no way around it.

00:10:51.879 --> 00:10:57.500
 Jesus makes several stark contrasts between these two spiritual options.

00:10:57.639 --> 00:11:00.659
 And these two options differ in four ways.

00:11:01.179 --> 00:11:03.120
 First, in the point of entry.

00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:05.439
 Second, in the path itself.

00:11:06.080 --> 00:11:08.879
 Third, in the people, the number of people who choose them.

00:11:09.179 --> 00:11:12.059
 And fourth, and finally, in their destination, where it leads.

00:11:12.899 --> 00:11:14.840
 First, the point of entry is different.

00:11:15.819 --> 00:11:18.679
 Jesus tells us to enter by the narrow gate,

00:11:19.100 --> 00:11:21.759
 but in contrast, the other gate is wide.

00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:27.379
 The narrow gate implies a high barrier for entry.

00:11:28.379 --> 00:11:32.000
 The wide gate implies a low barrier for entry.

00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:38.639
 Repeatedly in the ensuing chapters, Jesus speaks of the high cost of following him.

00:11:39.340 --> 00:11:43.639
 He says that his disciples are like sheep in the midst of wolves.

00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:46.799
 What happens to sheep in the midst of wolves?

00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:48.100
 They get devoured.

00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:50.819
 He says in the same way, you will be persecuted.

00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:52.240
 You'll be reviled.

00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:55.080
 You will be killed for his name's sake.

00:11:55.340 --> 00:11:56.720
 Matthew 10, 16 to 33.

00:11:57.700 --> 00:12:00.240
 Similarly, he says in Matthew 16, 24 to 26.

00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:05.940
 If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:11.000
 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:17.200
 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?

00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:23.340
 According to Jesus, following him entails losing our lives.

00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:29.879
 Counting our very lives forfeit for the sake of following Christ.

00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:39.120
 It means denying ourselves our own selfish purposes and priorities and submitting them to God's purposes and priorities.

00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:49.500
 It involves taking up our own cross, dying to our sinful desires, and saying along with the apostle Paul in Galatians 2, 20,

00:12:49.799 --> 00:12:52.019
 I have been crucified with Christ.

00:12:52.560 --> 00:12:55.919
 I no longer live, but Christ lives within me.

00:12:56.679 --> 00:13:01.120
 The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.

00:13:02.360 --> 00:13:06.759
 According to Jesus, following him entails first, losing our lives.

00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:12.200
 Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:13.679
 We must lose our lives.

00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:17.919
 And a necessary corollary to that is that we must also lose the world.

00:13:18.819 --> 00:13:23.939
 Jesus says, what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul?

00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:26.819
 We must lose the world.

00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:28.220
 James 4, 4 says this,

00:13:28.220 --> 00:13:32.319
 Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?

00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:37.440
 Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

00:13:38.160 --> 00:13:40.520
 What exactly is the world?

00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:43.400
 1 John 2, 15 to 16 explains,

00:13:43.540 --> 00:13:46.240
 Do not love the world or the things in the world.

00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:49.640
 If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:56.720
 For all that is in the world, the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life

00:13:56.720 --> 00:14:00.180
 is not from the Father, but is from the world.

00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:05.259
 In order to follow after Christ, we must leave the sinful world behind.

00:14:06.919 --> 00:14:10.539
 This is what it means to enter by the narrow gate.

00:14:11.459 --> 00:14:15.319
 I imagine a narrow passageway, maybe in the cave,

00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:18.159
 from a scene in The Lord of the Rings or something in the two towers,

00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:22.159
 where you have to drop all your bags, you have to leave your horse behind,

00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:26.419
 because it's only barely narrow enough for you to get through with your body.

00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:30.579
 Or I imagine this like crawl like hobbit hole, you know,

00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:32.500
 where you have to get on your hands and knees,

00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:36.399
 and you have to crawl through because it is so small and narrow.

00:14:38.079 --> 00:14:42.519
 The narrow gate through which every Christian is saved

00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:46.379
 is one that requires us to humble ourselves before God.

00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:55.779
 It requires submission to the Lord and renunciation of the world.

00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:58.639
 The other gate, on the other hand, is wide.

00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:03.799
 In fact, it's so wide, it's almost as if there's no gate at all.

00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:07.379
 It says those who enter by it are many.

00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:09.960
 The barrier for entry is very low.

00:15:10.059 --> 00:15:12.139
 So low, in fact, it's as if there's no barrier,

00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:18.980
 because this is the default gate at which every single human being finds him or herself.

00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:23.080
 No tickets are required.

00:15:23.799 --> 00:15:25.279
 There are no security guards.

00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.939
 There are no bag limits.

00:15:27.519 --> 00:15:28.399
 This gate is wide.

00:15:29.460 --> 00:15:30.679
 It's open to everyone.

00:15:32.319 --> 00:15:33.039
 Anyone.

00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:38.899
 There's something about this notion of inclusivity and openness

00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:43.719
 that appeals to people who are naturally compassionate and considerate toward people,

00:15:44.219 --> 00:15:46.219
 which that, in and of itself, is a good thing.

00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:50.719
 Who among us wants to be known as the exclusive one, right?

00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:56.199
 For this reason, well-meaning Christians sometimes lower the bar,

00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:58.459
 and they widen the gate.

00:15:58.460 --> 00:16:04.759
 Oh, you don't believe certain fundamental doctrines of the faith.

00:16:05.920 --> 00:16:10.240
 Oh, you disagree with the Bible's ethical teachings.

00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:18.100
 Oh, you're living in willful disobedience to God's commands

00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:21.920
 because you don't think that that particular command is important.

00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:26.700
 Don't worry about it.

00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:27.700
 Don't worry about it.

00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:28.620
 Come right in.

00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:31.759
 God is gracious.

00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:33.600
 He overlooks our sins.

00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:36.020
 Everyone is entitled to the freedom of conscience.

00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:40.120
 The problem with that approach

00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:44.860
 is that we do not have the authority to widen the gate.

00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:51.240
 We think that we have widened the right gate for people to enter in.

00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:53.860
 What we have actually done is direct them to the wrong gate,

00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:57.779
 to the wide gate and the easy way that leads to destruction,

00:16:58.779 --> 00:17:02.200
 not the narrow gate and the hard way that leads to life.

00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:07.099
 However compassionate and considerate it might appear to us,

00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:09.759
 giving people a sense of security,

00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:11.839
 a false sense of assurance,

00:17:12.380 --> 00:17:15.700
 on the broad way to destruction,

00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:18.759
 is not compassion but cruelty.

00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:26.619
 Second, the two spiritual options before us also differ in their path or way.

00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:29.400
 The way to life is hard,

00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:32.599
 but the way to destruction is easy.

00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:36.700
 The words hard and easy don't quite capture the imagery

00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:38.339
 that's being employed here by Jesus.

00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:41.400
 The word translated easy here in the ESV

00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:44.960
 is not the exact same word that was translated in the earlier verses wide,

00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:47.319
 but it has a similar meaning.

00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:49.720
 It's a word that means broad and spacious.

00:17:51.120 --> 00:17:55.360
 This path is easy because it is broad and roomy.

00:17:56.380 --> 00:17:59.460
 Imagine a well-paved 10-lane highway

00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:01.360
 like the ones you see in California,

00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.980
 though somehow they still have traffic in it.

00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:05.960
 You have all the room you could want.

00:18:06.340 --> 00:18:09.019
 You can do somersaults on it and cartwheels on it,

00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:10.880
 and you never have to worry about falling off the road.

00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:15.680
 The word translated hard, on the other hand,

00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:19.300
 in verse 14, is also not the same word

00:18:19.300 --> 00:18:20.820
 that's translated as narrow,

00:18:21.280 --> 00:18:22.800
 but it's also a similar word.

00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:27.220
 It's a word that means to press upon or to be narrow.

00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:30.840
 It's a word that describes the crowd

00:18:30.840 --> 00:18:34.700
 pressing in against Jesus in Mark 3, 9,

00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:38.940
 so that it says that his disciples fear that he might be crushed.

00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:44.880
 It's the same word that's used in the New International Version

00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:46.799
 of 2 Corinthians 4, verse 8,

00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:49.559
 to describe the life of faithful followers of Christ.

00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:54.799
 It says that we are hard-pressed on every side.

00:18:54.840 --> 00:18:56.680
 That's the same word, but not crushed.

00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:59.960
 So the reason why this way is hard

00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:02.380
 is because it is narrow.

00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:04.779
 It's tight.

00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:08.279
 Imagine a wilderness journey

00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:12.019
 where you have a narrow sliver of path to walk on,

00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:15.279
 and you have little room to the left or to the right.

00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:19.160
 You're pressed in by rocks and crags

00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:22.180
 and tree branches and bushes everywhere,

00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:25.839
 and you're navigating through this hard-pressed path.

00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:30.319
 The Christian's pilgrim journey is like that.

00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:34.659
 We are afflicted in every way,

00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:35.819
 but not crushed.

00:19:36.179 --> 00:19:37.879
 Perplexed, but not driven to despair.

00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:40.339
 Persecuted, but not forsaken.

00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:42.019
 Struck down, but not destroyed.

00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:46.419
 Becoming a Christian does not make your life

00:19:46.419 --> 00:19:47.980
 automatically smooth and easy.

00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:53.919
 Jesus guaranteed to us in John 16, 33,

00:19:54.159 --> 00:19:56.379
 in this world you will have tribulation.

00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:58.359
 And 2 Timothy 3, 12 says,

00:19:58.359 --> 00:20:01.439
 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life

00:20:01.439 --> 00:20:03.759
 in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

00:20:04.939 --> 00:20:08.199
 The broad way that leads to destruction is easy.

00:20:08.659 --> 00:20:09.459
 It's smooth.

00:20:09.919 --> 00:20:11.839
 It's well-paved and inviting

00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:14.819
 because it's the path that appeals

00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:18.199
 to the sinful, natural man.

00:20:20.699 --> 00:20:24.399
 It's the path that fits with,

00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:27.379
 that's conformed to the well-grooved patterns

00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:28.400
 of our sinful world.

00:20:29.520 --> 00:20:30.520
 So it is natural,

00:20:30.800 --> 00:20:33.480
 it feels natural to go down that path.

00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:37.340
 But the narrow way that leads to life

00:20:37.340 --> 00:20:40.180
 is hard, full of toil and pain.

00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:43.500
 Why?

00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:49.180
 Because our sinful flesh rails against this way,

00:20:49.880 --> 00:20:51.440
 against the Spirit of God within us.

00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:53.500
 As it says in Galatians 5, 16 to 17,

00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:55.960
 we must fight to keep in step with the Spirit.

00:20:56.960 --> 00:21:00.960
 We must fight to mortify our sinful flesh,

00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:04.859
 disciplining our body and keeping it under control,

00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:07.000
 as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9, 27,

00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:10.019
 laying aside every weight and sin

00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:11.539
 which clings so closely,

00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:13.900
 and running with endurance the race

00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:14.960
 that is set before us,

00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:16.700
 as it says in Hebrews 12, verse 1.

00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:19.799
 Our sinful flesh resists the way.

00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:24.379
 The sinful world also resists the way of God.

00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:28.299
 It pressures us to conform to the sinful values

00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.399
 and patterns of this world,

00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.579
 and when we don't,

00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:33.759
 it ostracizes us and persecutes us.

00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:36.399
 So we must fight daily

00:21:36.399 --> 00:21:39.159
 to renew our minds in God's Word

00:21:39.159 --> 00:21:41.720
 and to be transformed in doing so.

00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:44.680
 So the world resists it,

00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:46.180
 our sinful flesh resists it,

00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:48.339
 and the devil also resists it.

00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:50.859
 He rages against the people of God,

00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:53.819
 prowling around like a roaring lion,

00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:55.599
 seeking someone to devour,

00:21:55.659 --> 00:21:57.639
 as it says in 1 Peter 5, 8 to 9.

00:21:57.939 --> 00:22:01.339
 And we must stand in faith firmly and resist them,

00:22:02.159 --> 00:22:03.619
 putting the whole armor of God

00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:06.439
 through prayer and supplication

00:22:06.439 --> 00:22:08.699
 and by wielding the sword of the Spirit,

00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.659
 which is the Word of God,

00:22:09.699 --> 00:22:10.899
 as it says in Ephesians 6.

00:22:12.259 --> 00:22:13.879
 So these two spiritual options

00:22:13.879 --> 00:22:15.119
 differ in the point of entry,

00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:17.079
 they differ in the way itself,

00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:17.960
 and third,

00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:21.000
 they differ in the number of people who enter them.

00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:24.619
 Those who enter by the wide gate

00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:25.519
 and the broad way,

00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:25.859
 it says,

00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:26.779
 are many.

00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:29.679
 But those who enter the small gate

00:22:29.679 --> 00:22:31.179
 and the narrow road are few.

00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:33.000
 In other words,

00:22:33.399 --> 00:22:34.759
 the path of the Christian disciple

00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:36.059
 is not popular.

00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:38.559
 It's not the normal way

00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:40.740
 in this sinful world.

00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:42.680
 Right at the onset,

00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:44.319
 Jesus is counseling us

00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.759
 to give up the hope

00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:47.519
 of world's acceptance

00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:48.680
 and acclaim.

00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:52.519
 Even in historical times

00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:54.759
 when there was great revival

00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:56.160
 among the churches of God,

00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:57.579
 like the first century

00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:59.500
 that we see recorded in the book of Acts,

00:22:59.900 --> 00:23:01.380
 even in such times,

00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.740
 Christians were always

00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.519
 a small minority.

00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:11.700
 The sinful world hates

00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.579
 the light of Christ

00:23:12.579 --> 00:23:15.180
 because they don't want

00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:16.740
 their dark evil deeds

00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.359
 to be exposed,

00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:18.859
 as it says in John 3.20.

00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:21.539
 Christians are never going to be

00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:23.240
 loved by this world

00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:24.759
 because our belief

00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:26.160
 exposes their unbelief,

00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:27.279
 because our obedience

00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:29.920
 exposes their disobedience to God.

00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:32.920
 If we are ever approved

00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.259
 by this world

00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:36.100
 or acclaimed by this world,

00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.900
 that should be a cause

00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:39.060
 not for celebration

00:23:39.060 --> 00:23:39.880
 but concern.

00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:42.360
 Jesus said in the Beatitudes

00:23:42.360 --> 00:23:43.920
 earlier in Matthew 5.11-12,

00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.519
 Blessed are you

00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.820
 when others revile you

00:23:46.820 --> 00:23:48.019
 and persecute you

00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:49.400
 and utter all kinds of evil

00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:51.180
 against you on account of me.

00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.279
 Rejoice and be glad

00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:54.720
 for great is your reward in heaven.

00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:56.259
 For so they persecute

00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:57.460
 the prophets who are before you.

00:23:57.920 --> 00:23:58.900
 In the same parallel,

00:23:59.080 --> 00:23:59.680
 the Beatitudes,

00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:01.240
 in Luke 6.26,

00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.480
 Jesus adds this,

00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.799
 Woe to you

00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:06.200
 when all people speak well of you,

00:24:06.560 --> 00:24:07.980
 for so their fathers did

00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:09.220
 to the false prophets.

00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:12.560
 If we find ourselves

00:24:12.560 --> 00:24:15.140
 aligned with the many people

00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:15.960
 of this world

00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:17.660
 and not with the few

00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.720
 of Christ's disciples,

00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:20.380
 that's not a sign

00:24:20.380 --> 00:24:22.180
 that we're this enlightened Christian

00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:24.019
 who's not like those other

00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:25.539
 backwards and bigoted Christians.

00:24:27.340 --> 00:24:28.860
 More likely than that,

00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:30.779
 we are on the broad way

00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.740
 that leads to destruction

00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:33.719
 and the world sees nothing

00:24:33.719 --> 00:24:34.719
 in us to persecute.

00:24:38.959 --> 00:24:40.240
 Brothers and sisters in Christ,

00:24:40.419 --> 00:24:42.259
 are you spoken ill of

00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.699
 by the people of this world?

00:24:45.199 --> 00:24:46.439
 Then take heart.

00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:48.079
 Be encouraged.

00:24:48.939 --> 00:24:51.219
 For that's how all the faithful people

00:24:51.219 --> 00:24:52.399
 of God in past ages

00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:53.299
 have been treated.

00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:56.059
 So Jesus is here warning us

00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:58.039
 that the conformists

00:24:58.039 --> 00:25:00.339
 who drift along the currents

00:25:00.339 --> 00:25:00.980
 of this world

00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:02.720
 rather than swimming upstream

00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:04.960
 against the current,

00:25:05.799 --> 00:25:08.159
 those who fear the judgment of man

00:25:08.159 --> 00:25:10.079
 more than the judgment of God

00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:11.639
 and therefore follow along

00:25:11.639 --> 00:25:12.279
 with the masses,

00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:15.319
 they will not enter

00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.019
 the kingdom of heaven.

00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:20.500
 That brings me to the final contrast

00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.500
 in Jesus' analogy,

00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:23.480
 the fourth difference.

00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:24.559
 The two choices differ

00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:25.680
 in their final destination.

00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:27.639
 This is the reason

00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:28.700
 that Jesus commands us

00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:30.460
 to enter by the narrow gate.

00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.859
 For, he says,

00:25:31.900 --> 00:25:32.920
 this is the reason he gives,

00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:34.339
 for the gate is wide

00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.039
 and the way is easy

00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:36.079
 that leads to destruction.

00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:38.400
 For the gate is narrow

00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:39.059
 and the way is hard

00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:40.259
 that leads to life.

00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.440
 Jesus is here speaking

00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:42.799
 of eternal destruction

00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:44.220
 and eternal life

00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.319
 as we can see

00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.160
 in the following verses.

00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:48.279
 These two stark choices

00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.819
 that Jesus offers us,

00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:51.360
 there's no way around them.

00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:53.000
 These are not two ways

00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:54.620
 that take different routes

00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:55.960
 to get to the same destination.

00:25:56.100 --> 00:25:57.740
 No, they inevitably,

00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:59.279
 unavoidably lead

00:25:59.279 --> 00:26:01.600
 to two very different destinations,

00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:02.839
 either to eternal life

00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:04.160
 or to eternal destruction.

00:26:04.860 --> 00:26:06.860
 There is no third way

00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:09.480
 on this spiritual pilgrimage.

00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:12.039
 We are either on the way to hell

00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:13.019
 or on the way to heaven.

00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:15.220
 We are either with Christ

00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:16.660
 or against him.

00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:20.879
 Indecision is a decision

00:26:20.879 --> 00:26:23.279
 because if you do not heed

00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:24.059
 Jesus' command

00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.500
 to enter by the narrow gate,

00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:27.759
 you are already at the wide gate

00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:28.599
 and the broad way

00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:29.680
 that leads to destruction.

00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:34.940
 It's keeping in view

00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:36.759
 this ultimate destination

00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:38.559
 that enables us to persevere

00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:40.559
 in the hard and narrow way

00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:43.119
 when it's frankly hard.

00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:46.659
 The people of this world

00:26:46.659 --> 00:26:48.179
 might on the surface

00:26:48.179 --> 00:26:49.779
 look like they're really

00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.980
 enjoying themselves

00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:52.319
 on that broad way

00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:53.559
 and the easy way.

00:26:54.399 --> 00:26:55.799
 Maybe they are doing cartwheels

00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:57.039
 and somersaults

00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:59.419
 along that 10-lane highway path.

00:26:59.420 --> 00:27:04.380
 They don't have to fight greed.

00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:06.140
 They can acquire and acquire

00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:07.259
 and acquire and get as much

00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:07.700
 as you want

00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.720
 and spend on everything

00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.340
 that you want,

00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.580
 that you want on luxuries

00:27:10.580 --> 00:27:11.840
 and the finer things in life.

00:27:13.300 --> 00:27:14.259
 They don't have to worry

00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.860
 about chastity or purity.

00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:17.380
 They can sleep around

00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:18.300
 with as many partners

00:27:18.300 --> 00:27:18.880
 as they want,

00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:19.720
 have sex with whoever

00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.560
 they want.

00:27:21.880 --> 00:27:22.800
 They can drink,

00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:23.660
 they can gamble,

00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:27.220
 they can wield great power

00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:28.340
 and abuse it

00:27:28.340 --> 00:27:31.460
 and by getting that power

00:27:31.460 --> 00:27:32.540
 and exercising authority

00:27:32.540 --> 00:27:33.480
 they could earn

00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:34.540
 the praises

00:27:34.540 --> 00:27:35.880
 and the admirations

00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:37.080
 of the people of this world.

00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:40.500
 But in the end,

00:27:40.600 --> 00:27:41.279
 where does it lead?

00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:44.220
 It leads to death,

00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.160
 to destruction,

00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:48.259
 to eternal damnation.

00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:51.539
 in contrast,

00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:54.099
 we who are on the hard

00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:54.920
 and narrow way,

00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:58.960
 we are wasting away outwardly,

00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:01.160
 being persecuted,

00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:02.460
 reviled.

00:28:03.640 --> 00:28:04.400
 But it says,

00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.660
 in 2 Corinthians 4,

00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.759
 16-18,

00:28:06.859 --> 00:28:08.539
 we are being inwardly,

00:28:08.619 --> 00:28:10.000
 we are being renewed

00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:11.259
 day by day

00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.680
 for this light,

00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:14.259
 momentary affliction

00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.599
 is preparing for us

00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:17.759
 an eternal weight of glory

00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.960
 beyond all comparison

00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:20.759
 as we look not to the things

00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:21.420
 that are seen

00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:22.059
 but to the things

00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:23.099
 that are unseen

00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:24.500
 for the things that are seen

00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.180
 are transient

00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:26.700
 but things that are unseen

00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.460
 are eternal.

00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:32.759
 That's the first vignette

00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.420
 or the image

00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:34.819
 that the metaphor Jesus shares.

00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:37.379
 The second type of people

00:28:37.379 --> 00:28:38.259
 that Jesus mentions

00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:40.359
 in verse 15-20

00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:41.480
 are the imposters.

00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.640
 So not all who are

00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:47.400
 on the broad way

00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:48.740
 are aware

00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.920
 that they are non-Christians.

00:28:50.580 --> 00:28:51.300
 So these people

00:28:51.300 --> 00:28:51.920
 are those who

00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:53.460
 pretend to be Christians.

00:28:54.840 --> 00:28:55.620
 Verse 15 says,

00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:57.259
 Beware of false prophets

00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:58.320
 who come to you

00:28:58.320 --> 00:28:59.220
 in sheep's clothing

00:28:59.220 --> 00:28:59.900
 but inwardly

00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.900
 are ravenous wolves.

00:29:01.600 --> 00:29:03.259
 These people look like sheep.

00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:05.640
 They come in sheep's clothing.

00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:07.600
 They know how to pass

00:29:07.600 --> 00:29:08.440
 as Christians.

00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:11.080
 They know Christian jargon.

00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:12.620
 They know the Christian subculture.

00:29:12.800 --> 00:29:13.759
 They can quote scripture

00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:15.420
 and appear pious and godly.

00:29:15.420 --> 00:29:16.600
 They are invariably

00:29:16.600 --> 00:29:17.420
 quite nice

00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:18.220
 and they are winsome

00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:18.940
 and persuasive

00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:20.380
 as charlatans tend to be.

00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:25.740
 They may for this reason

00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:27.279
 even be widely respected

00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:29.820
 within the church

00:29:29.820 --> 00:29:30.700
 and among Christians

00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:31.420
 as leaders

00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:32.900
 and as prophets of the Lord.

00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:35.620
 And it's precisely

00:29:35.620 --> 00:29:37.340
 because of their deceptive powers

00:29:37.340 --> 00:29:38.460
 that Jesus warns us,

00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:40.960
 Beware of false prophets.

00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:42.980
 But how then

00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:44.440
 can we tell these impostors

00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:45.620
 apart from true Christians?

00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:46.940
 Jesus tells us

00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:48.220
 in verses 16 to 20,

00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.640
 You will recognize them

00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:50.840
 by their fruits.

00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:52.400
 Our grapes gather

00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:53.220
 from thorn bushes

00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:54.519
 or figs from thistles.

00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:56.340
 So every healthy tree

00:29:56.340 --> 00:29:57.360
 bears good fruit

00:29:57.360 --> 00:29:58.640
 but the diseased tree

00:29:58.640 --> 00:29:59.960
 bears bad fruit.

00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.440
 A healthy tree

00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:02.960
 cannot bear bad fruit

00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:04.819
 nor can a diseased tree

00:30:04.819 --> 00:30:06.019
 bear good fruit.

00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:07.440
 Every tree

00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:08.539
 that does not bear good fruit

00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.200
 is cut down

00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:10.079
 and thrown into the fire.

00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:11.339
 Thus you will recognize them

00:30:11.339 --> 00:30:12.399
 by their fruits.

00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:13.759
 Twice Jesus says

00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.720
 you will recognize them

00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.679
 by their fruits.

00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:17.779
 The main point

00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:18.439
 of this metaphor

00:30:18.439 --> 00:30:20.319
 is pretty straightforward, right?

00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:21.819
 Most of us

00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:23.599
 live in the city.

00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:23.980
 I mean,

00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.939
 we're all here in Boston

00:30:24.939 --> 00:30:27.720
 and maybe we don't know

00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:28.539
 trees very well

00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:29.480
 and shrubs very well.

00:30:30.619 --> 00:30:31.519
 It might be

00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.919
 only a few of us

00:30:32.919 --> 00:30:33.619
 probably can look

00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:34.299
 at trees and bushes

00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:34.980
 and recognize them

00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:35.699
 by their leaves

00:30:35.699 --> 00:30:36.359
 and trunks

00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:37.119
 and branches.

00:30:37.879 --> 00:30:38.019
 You know,

00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:39.059
 but all of us

00:30:39.059 --> 00:30:39.779
 no matter how dull

00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.240
 we are

00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:41.500
 can recognize trees

00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.879
 by their fruit, right?

00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:45.000
 When there's an apple

00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:45.399
 on a tree,

00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:46.119
 that's an apple tree.

00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:47.599
 When there's blueberries

00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:48.240
 on a bush,

00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:49.339
 that's a blueberry bush.

00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:50.879
 Likewise,

00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:51.859
 we know how to tell

00:30:51.859 --> 00:30:52.859
 a diseased tree

00:30:52.859 --> 00:30:53.859
 or a healthy tree

00:30:53.859 --> 00:30:55.420
 by looking at their fruit.

00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:57.200
 If a vine

00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:58.680
 produces juicy

00:30:58.680 --> 00:30:59.480
 and plump

00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:01.259
 and sweet grapes,

00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:01.740
 then we know,

00:31:01.819 --> 00:31:01.920
 oh,

00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:02.920
 this is a healthy vine.

00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.799
 But if a vine

00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.799
 produces this

00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:07.160
 shriveled up

00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:09.040
 and sour grapes,

00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:12.000
 then you know

00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:12.840
 that there's something

00:31:12.840 --> 00:31:13.660
 wrong with the vine.

00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:15.460
 It's a diseased tree.

00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.980
 But when it comes

00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:18.620
 to applying

00:31:18.620 --> 00:31:20.600
 this self-evident principle

00:31:20.600 --> 00:31:21.540
 to people,

00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:23.200
 what exactly

00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:24.200
 are the fruits

00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:25.060
 that we're looking for?

00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:27.000
 Remember that

00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.960
 in Matthew 7,

00:31:28.100 --> 00:31:28.980
 7 to 27,

00:31:29.140 --> 00:31:29.920
 here in this

00:31:29.920 --> 00:31:31.279
 large passage,

00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:32.259
 there is an emphasis

00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:33.860
 on doing the will

00:31:33.859 --> 00:31:34.439
 of the Father

00:31:34.439 --> 00:31:34.859
 in heaven.

00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:36.299
 Are these

00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:38.000
 so-called prophets

00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:39.819
 doing the will

00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.319
 of the Father

00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:40.639
 in heaven?

00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:41.659
 Are they doing

00:31:41.659 --> 00:31:42.559
 to others

00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:43.679
 what they wish

00:31:43.679 --> 00:31:44.299
 they would do

00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:44.859
 to them?

00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:49.939
 In Jeremiah,

00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:52.959
 the Lord God

00:31:52.959 --> 00:31:53.699
 condemns

00:31:53.699 --> 00:31:54.779
 the false prophets

00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:57.759
 who are committing adultery,

00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:59.219
 who are strengthening

00:31:59.219 --> 00:32:00.279
 the hands of the wicked

00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:01.439
 so that there is

00:32:01.439 --> 00:32:02.179
 no justice

00:32:02.179 --> 00:32:03.599
 in the land.

00:32:03.859 --> 00:32:06.379
 Definitely one of the things

00:32:06.379 --> 00:32:06.979
 in view here

00:32:06.979 --> 00:32:08.359
 are false prophets

00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:10.899
 who live falsely,

00:32:11.819 --> 00:32:12.859
 who undo

00:32:12.859 --> 00:32:14.359
 the word of God

00:32:14.359 --> 00:32:15.099
 by the works

00:32:15.099 --> 00:32:15.719
 that they do.

00:32:16.859 --> 00:32:18.219
 That's one aspect of it.

00:32:18.859 --> 00:32:19.159
 However,

00:32:19.199 --> 00:32:20.099
 I think there is

00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:20.639
 a situation

00:32:20.639 --> 00:32:21.639
 that is even more

00:32:21.639 --> 00:32:22.259
 prominently

00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:23.319
 in Jesus' mind

00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:24.779
 when he warns

00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:25.779
 of false prophets here.

00:32:26.339 --> 00:32:27.859
 Because what prophets

00:32:27.859 --> 00:32:28.819
 are primarily known for

00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:31.579
 are not their works,

00:32:31.699 --> 00:32:32.699
 but their words.

00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:33.900
 what they say,

00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.720
 and they are called

00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.620
 false prophets

00:32:35.620 --> 00:32:37.340
 when they prophesy

00:32:37.340 --> 00:32:38.080
 falsely,

00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:39.019
 a message that God

00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:39.819
 has not given them,

00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:40.860
 but they relay it

00:32:40.860 --> 00:32:41.519
 as a message

00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:42.059
 of the Lord.

00:32:44.700 --> 00:32:45.880
 And whenever Jesus

00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:48.200
 uses the example

00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:49.440
 of the metaphor

00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:50.100
 of trees

00:32:50.100 --> 00:32:50.920
 and their fruits,

00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:52.400
 he seems to emphasize

00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:54.620
 the fruit of our lips,

00:32:54.819 --> 00:32:55.620
 what we say,

00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.539
 our speech.

00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:57.960
 You can see this

00:32:57.960 --> 00:32:58.799
 in multiple places

00:32:58.799 --> 00:33:00.019
 in the gospel.

00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:01.099
 If you go to

00:33:01.099 --> 00:33:02.299
 Matthew chapter 12,

00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:05.200
 verse 33 to 37,

00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:05.879
 Jesus says,

00:33:06.039 --> 00:33:08.000
 either make the tree good

00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:08.920
 and its fruit good,

00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:10.379
 or make the tree bad

00:33:10.379 --> 00:33:11.240
 and its fruit bad.

00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:12.119
 For the tree

00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:13.259
 is known by its fruit.

00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:14.740
 You brood of vipers,

00:33:14.859 --> 00:33:16.619
 how can you speak good

00:33:16.619 --> 00:33:17.779
 when you are evil?

00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:19.539
 For out of the abundance

00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:20.399
 of the heart

00:33:20.399 --> 00:33:21.899
 the mouth speaks.

00:33:22.379 --> 00:33:23.259
 The good person

00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.339
 out of his good treasure

00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:25.420
 brings forth good,

00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:26.500
 and the evil person

00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.519
 out of his evil treasure

00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:28.600
 brings forth evil.

00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:29.820
 I tell you,

00:33:29.900 --> 00:33:30.700
 on the day of judgment,

00:33:30.840 --> 00:33:31.860
 people will give account

00:33:31.860 --> 00:33:34.039
 for every careless word

00:33:34.039 --> 00:33:34.700
 they speak.

00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:36.320
 For by your words,

00:33:36.360 --> 00:33:37.220
 you will be justified,

00:33:37.400 --> 00:33:38.440
 and by your words,

00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:40.160
 you will be condemned.

00:33:43.100 --> 00:33:43.580
 Similarly,

00:33:44.120 --> 00:33:46.440
 in Luke chapter 6,

00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:49.560
 verse 43 to 45,

00:33:51.140 --> 00:33:51.580
 Jesus says,

00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:52.580
 for no good tree

00:33:52.580 --> 00:33:53.500
 bears bad fruit,

00:33:53.900 --> 00:33:55.140
 nor again does a bad tree

00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:55.920
 bear good fruit.

00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:56.900
 For each tree

00:33:56.900 --> 00:33:58.380
 is known by its own fruit.

00:33:58.780 --> 00:34:01.360
 For figs are not gathered

00:34:01.360 --> 00:34:02.060
 from thorn bushes,

00:34:02.160 --> 00:34:02.980
 nor are graves picked

00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:03.940
 from a bramble bush.

00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:05.000
 The good person

00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:05.880
 out of the good treasure

00:34:05.880 --> 00:34:06.300
 of his heart

00:34:06.300 --> 00:34:07.080
 produces good,

00:34:07.280 --> 00:34:08.180
 and the evil person

00:34:08.180 --> 00:34:09.079
 out of his evil treasure

00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:10.220
 produces evil.

00:34:10.660 --> 00:34:11.920
 For out of the abundance

00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:12.680
 of the heart,

00:34:12.980 --> 00:34:15.160
 his mouth speaks.

00:34:16.300 --> 00:34:16.740
 Again,

00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:18.400
 whenever Jesus uses metaphor,

00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:19.519
 he seems to focus

00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.900
 on our speech

00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:21.360
 and the things

00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:22.019
 that we say

00:34:22.019 --> 00:34:22.480
 and the things

00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.719
 that we teach.

00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:24.940
 Earlier in Matthew 5,

00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:25.639
 17 to 20,

00:34:25.679 --> 00:34:26.219
 when he was speaking

00:34:26.219 --> 00:34:27.219
 about how he came

00:34:27.219 --> 00:34:28.019
 to fulfill the law

00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:28.539
 and the prophets,

00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:29.380
 he said,

00:34:29.599 --> 00:34:30.099
 not only those

00:34:30.099 --> 00:34:31.159
 who relax the least

00:34:31.159 --> 00:34:31.759
 of these commandments,

00:34:31.980 --> 00:34:32.500
 but also those

00:34:32.500 --> 00:34:33.460
 who teach others

00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:34.179
 to do the same,

00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:35.719
 those who teach others

00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:36.820
 to relax God's commands,

00:34:37.159 --> 00:34:37.759
 teach others

00:34:37.759 --> 00:34:38.759
 to break his commands,

00:34:39.099 --> 00:34:40.460
 will be held accountable

00:34:40.460 --> 00:34:41.139
 to God.

00:34:41.139 --> 00:34:42.379
 I think that's primarily

00:34:42.379 --> 00:34:44.579
 what God has in view here.

00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.659
 I refer you again

00:34:46.659 --> 00:34:47.460
 to the image

00:34:47.460 --> 00:34:48.719
 of the false prophet,

00:34:48.839 --> 00:34:49.659
 the second beast,

00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:52.900
 in Revelation chapter 19,

00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.940
 or chapter 12, 11, sorry,

00:34:55.799 --> 00:34:57.199
 where this false prophet,

00:34:57.279 --> 00:34:57.839
 the second beast,

00:34:57.900 --> 00:34:58.579
 is described

00:34:58.579 --> 00:35:00.239
 as looking like a lamb

00:35:00.239 --> 00:35:02.000
 but speaking like a dragon.

00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:03.739
 That's how you recognize

00:35:03.739 --> 00:35:04.460
 a false prophet,

00:35:05.219 --> 00:35:06.460
 by their speech.

00:35:07.659 --> 00:35:08.519
 In what ways

00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:09.199
 do they reveal

00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:10.159
 that they are false prophets

00:35:10.159 --> 00:35:11.119
 by what they say?

00:35:11.779 --> 00:35:12.679
 It's the same thing

00:35:12.679 --> 00:35:13.420
 that false prophets

00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:14.139
 have always said.

00:35:14.779 --> 00:35:16.579
 In Jeremiah 6, verse 14,

00:35:17.000 --> 00:35:17.619
 God denounces

00:35:17.619 --> 00:35:18.519
 these false prophets

00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:18.899
 saying,

00:35:19.420 --> 00:35:20.079
 they have healed

00:35:20.079 --> 00:35:21.239
 the wound of my people

00:35:21.239 --> 00:35:21.659
 lightly,

00:35:21.879 --> 00:35:22.179
 saying,

00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:23.719
 peace, peace,

00:35:23.799 --> 00:35:25.679
 when there is no peace.

00:35:26.839 --> 00:35:28.519
 Jeremiah was prophesying

00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.719
 sword and famine

00:35:29.719 --> 00:35:31.000
 to the people of Israel

00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:32.460
 because of their idolatry

00:35:32.460 --> 00:35:33.759
 and their adultery,

00:35:33.899 --> 00:35:34.719
 spiritual adultery

00:35:34.719 --> 00:35:36.139
 and unfaithfulness to God.

00:35:36.480 --> 00:35:37.199
 Sword is coming,

00:35:37.319 --> 00:35:37.920
 war is coming,

00:35:38.059 --> 00:35:38.759
 famine is coming,

00:35:38.899 --> 00:35:39.699
 but then there was

00:35:39.699 --> 00:35:40.679
 this whole host

00:35:40.679 --> 00:35:41.819
 of false prophets

00:35:41.819 --> 00:35:42.899
 who were telling

00:35:42.899 --> 00:35:43.500
 the Israelites,

00:35:43.819 --> 00:35:44.859
 oh, don't worry,

00:35:45.739 --> 00:35:47.119
 peace, peace,

00:35:47.199 --> 00:35:48.099
 you will have peace.

00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:51.559
 And God denounces them

00:35:51.559 --> 00:35:52.219
 for saying,

00:35:52.379 --> 00:35:53.000
 peace, peace,

00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:53.939
 when there is no peace,

00:35:54.219 --> 00:35:55.079
 healing the wounds

00:35:55.079 --> 00:35:56.079
 of my people lightly.

00:35:56.919 --> 00:35:57.899
 They were promising

00:35:57.899 --> 00:35:58.679
 these sinners

00:35:58.679 --> 00:35:59.799
 cheap grace,

00:36:00.980 --> 00:36:02.239
 peace without repentance.

00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:05.079
 They were dismissing Jeremiah,

00:36:05.239 --> 00:36:05.419
 saying,

00:36:05.519 --> 00:36:06.039
 well, Jeremiah,

00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:07.619
 you know him.

00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:10.019
 He's always a Debbie Downer.

00:36:10.340 --> 00:36:11.000
 He's always been.

00:36:12.079 --> 00:36:13.000
 He's harsh,

00:36:13.599 --> 00:36:14.179
 narrow-minded,

00:36:14.340 --> 00:36:15.460
 a theological snob,

00:36:15.539 --> 00:36:16.860
 a legalistic Pharisee.

00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:18.460
 Don't listen to him.

00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:19.900
 He understands nothing

00:36:19.900 --> 00:36:21.460
 of the wideness

00:36:21.460 --> 00:36:22.480
 of God's grace,

00:36:23.300 --> 00:36:24.059
 the broadness

00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:24.980
 of God's love.

00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:25.099
 God's love.

00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:29.559
 In other words,

00:36:29.639 --> 00:36:30.699
 these false prophets

00:36:30.699 --> 00:36:31.980
 preached a gospel

00:36:31.980 --> 00:36:34.860
 without a narrow gate

00:36:34.860 --> 00:36:38.639
 and a hard road.

00:36:38.639 --> 00:36:42.379
 they preached pleasant

00:36:42.379 --> 00:36:44.339
 and unoffensive messages

00:36:44.339 --> 00:36:45.099
 that appealed

00:36:45.099 --> 00:36:46.559
 to the sinful natural man.

00:36:48.799 --> 00:36:49.859
 When pressed,

00:36:50.019 --> 00:36:50.980
 these false prophets

00:36:50.980 --> 00:36:52.739
 might concede

00:36:52.739 --> 00:36:53.859
 that sin is real,

00:36:54.859 --> 00:36:55.839
 but they certainly

00:36:55.839 --> 00:36:57.079
 don't like to talk about it.

00:36:57.859 --> 00:36:59.199
 They make light of sin.

00:36:59.879 --> 00:37:00.900
 They heal the wounds

00:37:00.900 --> 00:37:02.219
 of the people lightly,

00:37:02.659 --> 00:37:03.839
 putting a little band-aid

00:37:03.839 --> 00:37:05.420
 on skin cancer,

00:37:05.420 --> 00:37:08.960
 prescribing some antacids

00:37:08.960 --> 00:37:10.039
 for someone

00:37:10.039 --> 00:37:10.619
 who's experiencing

00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:11.400
 heart failure,

00:37:13.960 --> 00:37:16.280
 saying peace, peace

00:37:16.280 --> 00:37:17.619
 when there is no peace.

00:37:18.920 --> 00:37:19.800
 D. Martyn L. Jones

00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:20.519
 concurs.

00:37:21.139 --> 00:37:21.420
 He says,

00:37:21.500 --> 00:37:22.340
 the false prophet

00:37:22.340 --> 00:37:23.579
 very rarely tells you

00:37:23.579 --> 00:37:24.200
 anything about

00:37:24.200 --> 00:37:24.760
 the holiness,

00:37:25.280 --> 00:37:25.840
 the righteousness,

00:37:26.280 --> 00:37:26.860
 the justice,

00:37:27.119 --> 00:37:28.059
 and the wrath of God.

00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:30.320
 He generally emphasizes

00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:32.000
 one truth about God only,

00:37:32.099 --> 00:37:32.780
 and that is love.

00:37:34.099 --> 00:37:35.240
 He does not mention

00:37:35.239 --> 00:37:36.219
 the other truths

00:37:36.219 --> 00:37:37.339
 that are equally prominent

00:37:37.339 --> 00:37:37.879
 in the scriptures,

00:37:38.259 --> 00:37:39.679
 and that is where

00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:41.059
 the danger lies.

00:37:42.519 --> 00:37:44.759
 I believe such false prophets

00:37:44.759 --> 00:37:45.919
 and false teachers

00:37:45.919 --> 00:37:47.459
 are even more dangerous

00:37:47.459 --> 00:37:49.379
 than the overt opponents

00:37:49.379 --> 00:37:50.219
 and persecutors

00:37:50.219 --> 00:37:50.839
 of the church,

00:37:51.219 --> 00:37:52.579
 because when you have

00:37:52.579 --> 00:37:53.599
 these persecutors

00:37:53.599 --> 00:37:54.279
 of the church

00:37:54.279 --> 00:37:55.039
 from without,

00:37:55.799 --> 00:37:56.399
 it's obvious

00:37:56.399 --> 00:37:57.199
 that they are there,

00:37:57.519 --> 00:37:58.679
 and we can prepare ourselves

00:37:58.679 --> 00:37:59.719
 and defend ourselves,

00:38:00.419 --> 00:38:01.500
 but with the wolves

00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:02.779
 in sheep's clothing,

00:38:03.000 --> 00:38:04.699
 it's harder to recognize them,

00:38:04.699 --> 00:38:06.059
 and they destroy the church

00:38:06.059 --> 00:38:06.839
 from within

00:38:06.839 --> 00:38:09.599
 and ravage the people of God,

00:38:10.339 --> 00:38:11.599
 the sheep of God's pasture.

00:38:14.379 --> 00:38:15.639
 But the imposters

00:38:15.639 --> 00:38:16.719
 will all one day

00:38:16.719 --> 00:38:18.019
 be exposed by God,

00:38:18.480 --> 00:38:19.359
 and it says,

00:38:19.739 --> 00:38:20.659
 every tree that does not

00:38:20.659 --> 00:38:21.500
 bear good fruit

00:38:21.500 --> 00:38:22.419
 will be cut down

00:38:22.419 --> 00:38:23.699
 and thrown into the fire.

00:38:24.460 --> 00:38:25.539
 So that's the second kind

00:38:25.539 --> 00:38:25.899
 of people.

00:38:27.019 --> 00:38:28.279
 The third kind of people

00:38:28.279 --> 00:38:29.319
 Jesus warns us about here

00:38:29.319 --> 00:38:30.699
 are the hypocrites,

00:38:30.699 --> 00:38:32.099
 the deluded.

00:38:33.939 --> 00:38:34.879
 Jesus is bringing

00:38:34.879 --> 00:38:36.019
 this comparison

00:38:36.019 --> 00:38:37.059
 even closer to home.

00:38:37.619 --> 00:38:38.199
 There are people

00:38:38.199 --> 00:38:39.859
 who are really convinced

00:38:39.859 --> 00:38:41.339
 that they belong

00:38:41.339 --> 00:38:42.339
 in the kingdom of heaven,

00:38:42.759 --> 00:38:43.579
 but in fact,

00:38:43.719 --> 00:38:44.159
 they don't.

00:38:45.519 --> 00:38:46.759
 Jesus says in verse 21,

00:38:47.339 --> 00:38:48.759
 not everyone who says to me,

00:38:48.839 --> 00:38:49.419
 Lord, Lord,

00:38:49.480 --> 00:38:50.279
 will enter the kingdom

00:38:50.279 --> 00:38:50.719
 of heaven,

00:38:50.960 --> 00:38:52.799
 but the one who does

00:38:52.799 --> 00:38:53.919
 the will of my Father

00:38:53.919 --> 00:38:54.699
 who is in heaven.

00:38:55.519 --> 00:38:56.439
 Jesus is speaking

00:38:56.439 --> 00:38:57.679
 of those who confess

00:38:57.679 --> 00:38:58.779
 him as Lord,

00:38:58.780 --> 00:39:00.460
 which we are supposed

00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:01.140
 to do that.

00:39:02.000 --> 00:39:02.820
 He's not saying,

00:39:03.120 --> 00:39:03.519
 don't worry about

00:39:03.519 --> 00:39:04.540
 confessing Jesus is Lord.

00:39:04.620 --> 00:39:04.820
 He says,

00:39:05.060 --> 00:39:06.280
 not everyone who confesses

00:39:06.280 --> 00:39:07.060
 Lord, Lord,

00:39:07.140 --> 00:39:07.620
 will enter the kingdom

00:39:07.620 --> 00:39:07.900
 of heaven,

00:39:08.460 --> 00:39:10.040
 but no one who does

00:39:10.040 --> 00:39:10.920
 not confesses

00:39:10.920 --> 00:39:11.640
 Jesus is Lord

00:39:11.640 --> 00:39:12.220
 will enter the kingdom

00:39:12.220 --> 00:39:12.519
 of heaven.

00:39:12.600 --> 00:39:13.240
 That's true too.

00:39:14.040 --> 00:39:14.780
 So we are supposed

00:39:14.780 --> 00:39:15.440
 to confess him,

00:39:15.560 --> 00:39:16.480
 but that confession

00:39:16.480 --> 00:39:18.400
 itself isn't enough.

00:39:18.900 --> 00:39:19.480
 What does it say

00:39:19.480 --> 00:39:20.240
 in Romans 10?

00:39:20.300 --> 00:39:21.220
 You must confess

00:39:21.220 --> 00:39:22.060
 with your mouth

00:39:22.060 --> 00:39:22.940
 that Jesus is Lord

00:39:22.940 --> 00:39:23.940
 and you must believe

00:39:23.940 --> 00:39:24.760
 in your heart

00:39:24.760 --> 00:39:25.660
 that God has raised

00:39:25.660 --> 00:39:26.380
 him from the dead.

00:39:27.080 --> 00:39:27.980
 These people don't

00:39:27.980 --> 00:39:29.440
 actually fully trust him,

00:39:31.059 --> 00:39:32.099
 believe in Jesus.

00:39:32.980 --> 00:39:33.480
 They don't have

00:39:33.480 --> 00:39:34.780
 a personal relationship

00:39:34.780 --> 00:39:35.300
 with Jesus.

00:39:36.460 --> 00:39:37.539
 So Jesus says of them,

00:39:37.719 --> 00:39:39.079
 I never knew you

00:39:39.079 --> 00:39:39.840
 in verse 23.

00:39:41.940 --> 00:39:43.719
 They are the hypocrites

00:39:43.719 --> 00:39:44.679
 that Jesus announces

00:39:44.679 --> 00:39:46.059
 in Matthew 15 verse 8

00:39:46.059 --> 00:39:47.000
 who honor God

00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:47.820
 with their lips

00:39:47.820 --> 00:39:48.840
 while their hearts

00:39:48.840 --> 00:39:50.019
 are far from him.

00:39:51.039 --> 00:39:52.260
 James 2 also speaks

00:39:52.260 --> 00:39:52.940
 of such people,

00:39:53.039 --> 00:39:53.920
 the people who claim

00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:54.659
 to have faith

00:39:54.659 --> 00:39:56.320
 but who had no good works

00:39:56.320 --> 00:39:57.059
 to accompany

00:39:57.059 --> 00:39:58.980
 their so-called faith.

00:40:00.180 --> 00:40:01.660
 James 2 19 says,

00:40:02.039 --> 00:40:03.059
 you believe that God

00:40:03.059 --> 00:40:03.519
 is one,

00:40:03.660 --> 00:40:04.420
 you do well.

00:40:05.260 --> 00:40:06.440
 Even the demons

00:40:06.440 --> 00:40:07.860
 believe and shudder.

00:40:09.000 --> 00:40:10.940
 A mere cognitive belief,

00:40:11.460 --> 00:40:12.920
 intellectual assent

00:40:12.920 --> 00:40:14.180
 that God exists

00:40:14.180 --> 00:40:15.559
 and that he is one

00:40:15.559 --> 00:40:16.640
 is insufficient.

00:40:17.280 --> 00:40:18.180
 That kind of faith,

00:40:18.300 --> 00:40:19.340
 even demons have it.

00:40:20.000 --> 00:40:21.400
 They believe that God exists.

00:40:22.160 --> 00:40:23.960
 Later in Matthew 8 verse 29,

00:40:23.960 --> 00:40:26.039
 the demons will address Jesus

00:40:26.039 --> 00:40:28.260
 as, oh son of God.

00:40:29.360 --> 00:40:30.619
 But do these demons

00:40:30.619 --> 00:40:31.400
 have saving faith?

00:40:31.440 --> 00:40:32.099
 Of course not.

00:40:32.179 --> 00:40:32.480
 That is,

00:40:32.740 --> 00:40:33.420
 that confession,

00:40:33.579 --> 00:40:34.240
 oh son of God

00:40:34.240 --> 00:40:34.920
 from the demons

00:40:34.920 --> 00:40:36.639
 is light years apart

00:40:36.639 --> 00:40:37.440
 from the confession

00:40:37.440 --> 00:40:38.800
 of Peter later on

00:40:38.800 --> 00:40:39.960
 in Matthew

00:40:39.960 --> 00:40:41.380
 when he says,

00:40:42.380 --> 00:40:45.000
 you are the Christ,

00:40:45.500 --> 00:40:47.420
 the son of the living God.

00:40:47.420 --> 00:40:53.639
 a mere acknowledgement

00:40:53.639 --> 00:40:55.780
 of Lord,

00:40:55.880 --> 00:40:56.700
 Lord confessing him

00:40:56.700 --> 00:40:57.380
 is insufficient.

00:40:59.440 --> 00:41:01.059
 It's those who do

00:41:01.059 --> 00:41:01.980
 the will of the Father

00:41:01.980 --> 00:41:02.240
 in heaven

00:41:02.240 --> 00:41:02.680
 who will enter

00:41:02.680 --> 00:41:03.940
 the kingdom of heaven.

00:41:05.220 --> 00:41:06.860
 But here's the sobering reality

00:41:06.860 --> 00:41:08.019
 and the reason why

00:41:08.019 --> 00:41:08.720
 this passage

00:41:08.720 --> 00:41:10.320
 has troubled the conscience

00:41:10.320 --> 00:41:11.180
 of many people

00:41:11.180 --> 00:41:11.880
 throughout history.

00:41:12.900 --> 00:41:13.820
 These hypocrites

00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:14.920
 are genuinely deluded.

00:41:14.920 --> 00:41:17.519
 they think

00:41:17.519 --> 00:41:18.400
 that they did

00:41:18.400 --> 00:41:19.300
 do the will of God

00:41:19.300 --> 00:41:19.659
 in heaven.

00:41:20.619 --> 00:41:21.780
 On the day of judgment

00:41:21.780 --> 00:41:22.840
 they will say to Jesus,

00:41:23.099 --> 00:41:23.619
 Lord, Lord,

00:41:23.720 --> 00:41:24.320
 did we not

00:41:24.320 --> 00:41:25.680
 prophesy in your name

00:41:25.680 --> 00:41:27.099
 and cast out demons

00:41:27.099 --> 00:41:27.639
 in your name

00:41:27.639 --> 00:41:28.619
 and do

00:41:28.619 --> 00:41:30.780
 many mighty deeds

00:41:30.780 --> 00:41:31.740
 in your name?

00:41:32.599 --> 00:41:33.720
 And there's no indication

00:41:33.720 --> 00:41:34.260
 in the text

00:41:34.260 --> 00:41:35.500
 that they're lying

00:41:35.500 --> 00:41:37.220
 or that they're being

00:41:37.220 --> 00:41:38.079
 misleading,

00:41:38.360 --> 00:41:39.200
 making misleading

00:41:39.200 --> 00:41:40.260
 grandiose claims.

00:41:40.400 --> 00:41:40.519
 No,

00:41:40.619 --> 00:41:41.700
 they sincerely believe

00:41:41.700 --> 00:41:42.659
 that they prophesied

00:41:42.659 --> 00:41:43.559
 and cast out demons

00:41:43.559 --> 00:41:44.860
 and that they did

00:41:44.860 --> 00:41:46.000
 mighty wonders.

00:41:47.920 --> 00:41:49.159
 Prophecy is a gift

00:41:49.159 --> 00:41:49.900
 of the Holy Spirit

00:41:49.900 --> 00:41:50.980
 as Ed mentioned earlier

00:41:50.980 --> 00:41:51.539
 in the service.

00:41:51.880 --> 00:41:52.860
 It's the gift

00:41:52.860 --> 00:41:53.440
 that God gives

00:41:53.440 --> 00:41:54.199
 to enable people

00:41:54.199 --> 00:41:55.279
 to receive messages

00:41:55.279 --> 00:41:55.840
 from God

00:41:55.840 --> 00:41:56.480
 and relay them

00:41:56.480 --> 00:41:57.500
 to others

00:41:57.500 --> 00:41:58.139
 to build up

00:41:58.139 --> 00:41:58.940
 the church of Christ.

00:42:00.279 --> 00:42:00.719
 However,

00:42:00.940 --> 00:42:01.820
 spiritual gifts

00:42:01.820 --> 00:42:04.019
 are natural gifts

00:42:04.019 --> 00:42:05.019
 sanctified,

00:42:05.820 --> 00:42:06.360
 consecrated

00:42:06.360 --> 00:42:07.259
 by the Holy Spirit.

00:42:07.260 --> 00:42:10.700
 So,

00:42:11.020 --> 00:42:11.560
 if I could use

00:42:11.560 --> 00:42:12.040
 some examples,

00:42:12.180 --> 00:42:13.260
 a university professor

00:42:13.260 --> 00:42:14.360
 who is very gifted

00:42:14.360 --> 00:42:14.940
 in teaching

00:42:14.940 --> 00:42:16.580
 might be converted

00:42:16.580 --> 00:42:17.240
 to Christianity

00:42:17.240 --> 00:42:18.920
 and now he has

00:42:18.920 --> 00:42:20.560
 a consecrated gift

00:42:20.560 --> 00:42:21.160
 of teaching

00:42:21.160 --> 00:42:21.860
 to build up

00:42:21.860 --> 00:42:22.640
 the church of Christ

00:42:22.640 --> 00:42:23.520
 through preaching,

00:42:23.660 --> 00:42:24.000
 perhaps.

00:42:25.620 --> 00:42:26.180
 Or,

00:42:26.360 --> 00:42:26.900
 there might be

00:42:26.900 --> 00:42:27.240
 a woman

00:42:27.240 --> 00:42:28.980
 who seems

00:42:28.980 --> 00:42:29.520
 to have

00:42:29.520 --> 00:42:30.720
 premonitions.

00:42:31.300 --> 00:42:32.420
 Even from a childhood,

00:42:32.620 --> 00:42:33.620
 she received visions

00:42:33.620 --> 00:42:34.620
 and has dreams.

00:42:34.619 --> 00:42:36.980
 when she's converted,

00:42:37.139 --> 00:42:38.239
 now those dreams

00:42:38.239 --> 00:42:38.639
 and visions

00:42:38.639 --> 00:42:39.639
 are also converted

00:42:39.639 --> 00:42:40.239
 in a sense.

00:42:40.380 --> 00:42:41.119
 They are sanctified

00:42:41.119 --> 00:42:41.960
 and consecrated

00:42:41.960 --> 00:42:42.579
 for the purposes

00:42:42.579 --> 00:42:43.119
 of God

00:42:43.119 --> 00:42:45.179
 and they use it

00:42:45.179 --> 00:42:46.019
 as a gift of prophecy

00:42:46.019 --> 00:42:47.000
 to build up the church.

00:42:48.719 --> 00:42:49.619
 The reason why

00:42:49.619 --> 00:42:49.920
 I mentioned

00:42:49.920 --> 00:42:50.440
 these examples

00:42:50.440 --> 00:42:50.880
 is to show

00:42:50.880 --> 00:42:51.500
 that a person

00:42:51.500 --> 00:42:52.900
 can prophesy

00:42:52.900 --> 00:42:53.940
 without being

00:42:53.940 --> 00:42:54.719
 a genuine Christian.

00:42:56.359 --> 00:42:57.179
 Perhaps the most

00:42:57.179 --> 00:42:57.920
 famous example

00:42:57.920 --> 00:42:59.000
 is Balaam

00:42:59.000 --> 00:43:00.420
 in Numbers 22-24.

00:43:01.539 --> 00:43:02.000
 The Lord

00:43:02.000 --> 00:43:02.839
 enables this

00:43:02.839 --> 00:43:03.799
 pagan seer

00:43:03.800 --> 00:43:05.039
 to prophesy

00:43:05.039 --> 00:43:06.280
 with striking

00:43:06.280 --> 00:43:07.240
 accuracy

00:43:07.240 --> 00:43:09.300
 and specificity

00:43:09.300 --> 00:43:10.220
 of the future.

00:43:12.019 --> 00:43:12.560
 And yet,

00:43:13.120 --> 00:43:14.019
 the Bible's

00:43:14.019 --> 00:43:14.980
 assessment of Balaam

00:43:14.980 --> 00:43:15.780
 is not good.

00:43:16.420 --> 00:43:17.440
 2 Peter 2-15

00:43:17.440 --> 00:43:18.060
 describes him

00:43:18.060 --> 00:43:18.580
 as someone

00:43:18.580 --> 00:43:19.280
 who loved

00:43:19.280 --> 00:43:21.019
 gain from wrongdoing.

00:43:21.900 --> 00:43:23.019
 Revelation 2-14,

00:43:23.160 --> 00:43:24.039
 Jesus himself

00:43:24.039 --> 00:43:25.120
 condemns those

00:43:25.120 --> 00:43:26.000
 in the church

00:43:26.000 --> 00:43:26.560
 of Pergamum

00:43:26.560 --> 00:43:27.220
 who hold

00:43:27.220 --> 00:43:27.800
 the teaching

00:43:27.800 --> 00:43:28.640
 of Balaam.

00:43:29.280 --> 00:43:30.340
 And Jesus

00:43:30.340 --> 00:43:31.300
 rejects Balaam

00:43:31.300 --> 00:43:31.660
 as someone

00:43:31.660 --> 00:43:32.400
 who put

00:43:32.400 --> 00:43:33.440
 a stumbling block

00:43:33.440 --> 00:43:34.180
 before the sons

00:43:34.180 --> 00:43:34.599
 of Israel

00:43:34.599 --> 00:43:34.980
 so that they

00:43:34.980 --> 00:43:35.660
 might eat food,

00:43:35.780 --> 00:43:36.680
 sacrifice to idols,

00:43:36.760 --> 00:43:37.180
 and practice

00:43:37.180 --> 00:43:38.079
 sexual immorality.

00:43:39.680 --> 00:43:41.000
 So it is possible

00:43:41.000 --> 00:43:41.820
 for unsaved,

00:43:42.019 --> 00:43:42.740
 unregenerate people

00:43:42.740 --> 00:43:43.660
 to do these kinds

00:43:43.660 --> 00:43:44.579
 of impressive deeds.

00:43:45.440 --> 00:43:46.220
 Not only that,

00:43:46.260 --> 00:43:46.680
 these people

00:43:46.680 --> 00:43:47.840
 have cast out demons.

00:43:48.579 --> 00:43:49.480
 In Matthew 12,

00:43:49.579 --> 00:43:50.720
 22-32,

00:43:50.800 --> 00:43:51.840
 when Jesus himself

00:43:51.840 --> 00:43:52.820
 casts out a demon,

00:43:53.300 --> 00:43:54.800
 the envious Pharisees

00:43:54.800 --> 00:43:55.519
 accuse him

00:43:55.519 --> 00:43:57.059
 of casting out demons

00:43:57.059 --> 00:43:57.760
 by the power

00:43:57.760 --> 00:43:58.460
 of the prince

00:43:58.460 --> 00:43:59.020
 of demons,

00:43:59.160 --> 00:43:59.580
 Beelzebul.

00:44:00.840 --> 00:44:01.540
 And Jesus

00:44:01.540 --> 00:44:02.440
 asks them

00:44:02.440 --> 00:44:03.460
 a question

00:44:03.460 --> 00:44:04.220
 to challenge them.

00:44:04.300 --> 00:44:04.560
 He says,

00:44:05.060 --> 00:44:06.380
 if I cast out demons

00:44:06.380 --> 00:44:07.280
 by Beelzebul,

00:44:07.800 --> 00:44:08.880
 by whom do

00:44:08.880 --> 00:44:10.020
 your sons

00:44:10.020 --> 00:44:11.320
 cast out demons?

00:44:13.040 --> 00:44:13.480
 Therefore,

00:44:13.660 --> 00:44:14.240
 they will be

00:44:14.240 --> 00:44:14.680
 your judges.

00:44:15.320 --> 00:44:15.800
 In other words,

00:44:15.860 --> 00:44:16.560
 Jesus is saying,

00:44:17.200 --> 00:44:17.340
 well,

00:44:17.440 --> 00:44:17.940
 why don't you go

00:44:17.940 --> 00:44:18.940
 ask your own

00:44:18.940 --> 00:44:19.660
 Jewish sons

00:44:19.660 --> 00:44:20.480
 who go around

00:44:20.480 --> 00:44:21.280
 and casting out demons

00:44:21.280 --> 00:44:21.840
 and see if they

00:44:21.840 --> 00:44:22.660
 can cast out demons

00:44:22.660 --> 00:44:23.280
 by demons

00:44:23.280 --> 00:44:23.860
 because that doesn't

00:44:23.860 --> 00:44:24.620
 make any sense.

00:44:24.619 --> 00:44:31.400
 Jesus is here

00:44:31.400 --> 00:44:31.880
 admitting that

00:44:31.880 --> 00:44:32.159
 there were

00:44:32.159 --> 00:44:33.079
 Jewish exorcists

00:44:33.079 --> 00:44:33.839
 who were casting

00:44:33.839 --> 00:44:34.339
 out demons.

00:44:36.359 --> 00:44:37.539
 That's what you see

00:44:37.539 --> 00:44:38.359
 in Acts 19,

00:44:38.440 --> 00:44:39.000
 13-16,

00:44:39.099 --> 00:44:39.900
 the sons of Sceva.

00:44:40.619 --> 00:44:42.000
 It's not as effective

00:44:42.000 --> 00:44:44.039
 as the Christians

00:44:44.039 --> 00:44:44.619
 who are indwelled

00:44:44.619 --> 00:44:45.440
 by the Spirit of God

00:44:45.440 --> 00:44:46.099
 and have the authority

00:44:46.099 --> 00:44:47.199
 of Christ behind them.

00:44:47.859 --> 00:44:48.339
 But nevertheless,

00:44:48.579 --> 00:44:49.099
 it can happen

00:44:49.099 --> 00:44:49.920
 in a limited way,

00:44:49.980 --> 00:44:50.519
 in some way.

00:44:51.219 --> 00:44:51.599
 And of course,

00:44:51.659 --> 00:44:52.460
 we see in Revelation

00:44:52.460 --> 00:44:53.380
 the false prophet,

00:44:53.460 --> 00:44:54.019
 the second beast

00:44:54.019 --> 00:44:54.539
 being empowered

00:44:54.539 --> 00:44:55.259
 by the devil

00:44:55.259 --> 00:44:56.420
 to do similar things,

00:44:56.779 --> 00:44:57.360
 although it's not

00:44:57.360 --> 00:44:58.460
 casting out their own demons.

00:44:58.920 --> 00:44:59.759
 They do other wonders

00:44:59.759 --> 00:45:00.300
 and signs.

00:45:02.920 --> 00:45:04.000
 This is still not all.

00:45:04.079 --> 00:45:04.699
 These people say

00:45:04.699 --> 00:45:05.739
 in verse 22,

00:45:05.940 --> 00:45:06.759
 did we not do

00:45:06.759 --> 00:45:07.739
 many mighty works

00:45:07.739 --> 00:45:08.300
 in your name?

00:45:08.719 --> 00:45:09.360
 That word do

00:45:09.360 --> 00:45:10.659
 is again the key word

00:45:10.659 --> 00:45:11.139
 that recurs

00:45:11.139 --> 00:45:12.019
 throughout this passage.

00:45:12.159 --> 00:45:12.679
 They're claiming

00:45:12.679 --> 00:45:13.679
 to have done

00:45:13.679 --> 00:45:15.159
 what Jesus says

00:45:15.159 --> 00:45:16.380
 that we must do

00:45:16.380 --> 00:45:17.360
 to do the will

00:45:17.360 --> 00:45:18.179
 of the Father in heaven.

00:45:19.559 --> 00:45:20.599
 We did it, Lord.

00:45:21.279 --> 00:45:22.619
 We were not hearers only,

00:45:22.679 --> 00:45:23.480
 we were doers.

00:45:24.260 --> 00:45:24.559
 Nevertheless,

00:45:24.840 --> 00:45:25.440
 Jesus declares,

00:45:25.559 --> 00:45:26.860
 I never knew you.

00:45:27.440 --> 00:45:28.380
 Depart from me,

00:45:28.460 --> 00:45:28.980
 you workers

00:45:28.980 --> 00:45:29.599
 of lawlessness.

00:45:30.880 --> 00:45:31.960
 Jesus is not saying

00:45:31.960 --> 00:45:32.599
 that he has never

00:45:32.599 --> 00:45:33.219
 heard of them.

00:45:34.380 --> 00:45:35.800
 Jesus is the omniscient,

00:45:36.199 --> 00:45:36.480
 risen,

00:45:36.639 --> 00:45:37.740
 and ascended Lord

00:45:37.740 --> 00:45:38.300
 and judge

00:45:38.300 --> 00:45:39.079
 of all the earth

00:45:39.079 --> 00:45:40.320
 in this scene.

00:45:42.619 --> 00:45:43.360
 He's speaking

00:45:43.360 --> 00:45:44.460
 rather of personal

00:45:44.460 --> 00:45:45.059
 relationship.

00:45:45.539 --> 00:45:46.099
 He's speaking

00:45:46.099 --> 00:45:46.860
 of election.

00:45:46.860 --> 00:45:48.099
 in the same way

00:45:48.099 --> 00:45:48.900
 God speaks of it

00:45:48.900 --> 00:45:49.880
 in Amos chapter 3,

00:45:49.940 --> 00:45:50.340
 verse 2,

00:45:50.420 --> 00:45:51.740
 referring to his people Israel.

00:45:52.120 --> 00:45:53.980
 You only have I known

00:45:53.980 --> 00:45:55.559
 among all the families

00:45:55.559 --> 00:45:56.099
 of the earth.

00:45:56.820 --> 00:45:57.760
 That doesn't mean

00:45:57.760 --> 00:45:58.519
 that God doesn't know

00:45:58.519 --> 00:45:59.220
 about any of the other

00:45:59.220 --> 00:46:00.019
 families and peoples

00:46:00.019 --> 00:46:00.480
 in the world.

00:46:00.559 --> 00:46:01.180
 It means that

00:46:01.180 --> 00:46:03.039
 you only have I chosen

00:46:03.039 --> 00:46:04.440
 as my people,

00:46:04.900 --> 00:46:06.500
 my own special possession.

00:46:08.740 --> 00:46:10.019
 That's what Jesus is saying.

00:46:10.099 --> 00:46:10.940
 I never knew you.

00:46:11.000 --> 00:46:11.700
 He means you never

00:46:11.700 --> 00:46:12.519
 belonged to me.

00:46:13.039 --> 00:46:13.579
 You were never

00:46:13.579 --> 00:46:14.599
 one of my people.

00:46:15.539 --> 00:46:16.759
 But how can that be

00:46:16.759 --> 00:46:17.639
 when these people

00:46:17.639 --> 00:46:18.599
 prophesied

00:46:18.599 --> 00:46:19.559
 and cast out demons

00:46:19.559 --> 00:46:20.900
 and did many mighty works

00:46:20.900 --> 00:46:21.599
 in Jesus' name?

00:46:22.699 --> 00:46:24.039
 Notice that Jesus calls them

00:46:24.039 --> 00:46:25.519
 workers of lawlessness.

00:46:26.320 --> 00:46:27.199
 They were hypocrites.

00:46:28.480 --> 00:46:29.599
 They did many

00:46:29.599 --> 00:46:31.599
 public impressive works

00:46:31.599 --> 00:46:33.099
 that were ostensibly

00:46:33.099 --> 00:46:33.940
 for God,

00:46:34.420 --> 00:46:35.719
 but they weren't really

00:46:35.719 --> 00:46:36.739
 doing it for him.

00:46:38.079 --> 00:46:39.119
 Because in other,

00:46:39.440 --> 00:46:40.539
 perhaps less visible

00:46:40.539 --> 00:46:41.500
 areas of their life,

00:46:41.599 --> 00:46:42.360
 they were workers

00:46:42.360 --> 00:46:43.099
 of lawlessness.

00:46:45.120 --> 00:46:46.039
 This reminds me

00:46:46.039 --> 00:46:47.539
 of Deuteronomy 13,

00:46:48.400 --> 00:46:50.099
 1 to 5,

00:46:51.700 --> 00:46:52.880
 where there's warnings

00:46:52.880 --> 00:46:53.900
 against false prophets.

00:46:55.019 --> 00:46:55.320
 He says,

00:46:55.420 --> 00:46:56.160
 If a prophet

00:46:56.160 --> 00:46:57.000
 or a dreamer

00:46:57.000 --> 00:46:57.900
 of dreams

00:46:57.900 --> 00:46:59.059
 rises among you

00:46:59.059 --> 00:47:00.240
 and gives you

00:47:00.240 --> 00:47:01.559
 a sign or a wonder,

00:47:01.980 --> 00:47:03.019
 and the sign or wonder

00:47:03.019 --> 00:47:03.720
 that he tells you

00:47:03.720 --> 00:47:04.800
 comes to pass,

00:47:05.420 --> 00:47:06.260
 and if he says,

00:47:06.420 --> 00:47:07.220
 Let us go after

00:47:07.220 --> 00:47:07.920
 other gods

00:47:07.920 --> 00:47:09.000
 which you have not known

00:47:09.000 --> 00:47:10.059
 and let us serve them,

00:47:10.340 --> 00:47:11.620
 you shall not listen

00:47:11.619 --> 00:47:12.159
 to the words

00:47:12.159 --> 00:47:12.799
 of that prophet

00:47:12.799 --> 00:47:13.500
 or that dreamer

00:47:13.500 --> 00:47:13.980
 of dreams.

00:47:14.299 --> 00:47:15.299
 For the Lord your God

00:47:15.299 --> 00:47:16.359
 is testing you

00:47:16.359 --> 00:47:17.539
 to know whether you

00:47:17.539 --> 00:47:18.539
 love the Lord your God

00:47:18.539 --> 00:47:19.380
 with all your heart

00:47:19.380 --> 00:47:20.279
 and with all your soul.

00:47:20.779 --> 00:47:21.759
 You shall walk

00:47:21.759 --> 00:47:22.940
 after the Lord your God

00:47:22.940 --> 00:47:23.739
 and fear him

00:47:23.739 --> 00:47:24.759
 and keep his commandments

00:47:24.759 --> 00:47:25.779
 and obey his voice

00:47:25.779 --> 00:47:26.859
 and you shall serve him

00:47:26.859 --> 00:47:28.559
 and hold fast to him.

00:47:28.559 --> 00:47:33.179
 even if what this false

00:47:33.179 --> 00:47:34.320
 prophets say is true,

00:47:34.420 --> 00:47:35.159
 even if they do

00:47:35.159 --> 00:47:36.559
 signs and wonders,

00:47:37.500 --> 00:47:38.420
 if they then say,

00:47:38.659 --> 00:47:39.239
 Let's turn away

00:47:39.239 --> 00:47:40.039
 from the Lord,

00:47:40.239 --> 00:47:41.619
 that's a false prophet.

00:47:45.099 --> 00:47:46.059
 I think that's what

00:47:46.059 --> 00:47:49.400
 these self-deceived,

00:47:49.679 --> 00:47:50.279
 deluded people

00:47:50.279 --> 00:47:51.079
 were doing.

00:47:51.079 --> 00:47:57.079
 The obedience

00:47:57.079 --> 00:47:58.239
 that Jesus demands here

00:47:58.239 --> 00:47:58.960
 is not just

00:47:58.960 --> 00:48:00.819
 external acts.

00:48:01.460 --> 00:48:02.799
 Jesus is after our hearts.

00:48:04.579 --> 00:48:06.099
 Not just what we do,

00:48:06.420 --> 00:48:07.659
 but why we do

00:48:07.659 --> 00:48:08.299
 these things.

00:48:08.719 --> 00:48:09.880
 When you do your acts

00:48:09.880 --> 00:48:10.440
 of devotion

00:48:10.440 --> 00:48:11.079
 and service

00:48:11.079 --> 00:48:11.699
 and righteousness,

00:48:11.880 --> 00:48:12.920
 do you do those works

00:48:12.920 --> 00:48:14.159
 out of your personal

00:48:14.159 --> 00:48:15.299
 relationship with Jesus?

00:48:16.840 --> 00:48:18.099
 Are they expressions

00:48:18.099 --> 00:48:19.079
 of your wholehearted

00:48:19.079 --> 00:48:19.819
 love for him?

00:48:21.079 --> 00:48:22.819
 Maybe you love

00:48:22.819 --> 00:48:24.340
 debating theology

00:48:24.340 --> 00:48:26.340
 and the finer points

00:48:26.340 --> 00:48:26.920
 of theology.

00:48:27.739 --> 00:48:29.219
 You love charts

00:48:29.219 --> 00:48:30.539
 and cross-references

00:48:30.539 --> 00:48:32.279
 and you're greatly

00:48:32.279 --> 00:48:33.840
 stimulated by dissecting

00:48:33.840 --> 00:48:34.639
 the word of God.

00:48:35.480 --> 00:48:36.860
 But maybe you're not

00:48:36.860 --> 00:48:37.819
 a lover of Jesus.

00:48:38.779 --> 00:48:40.319
 You're a lover of logic

00:48:40.319 --> 00:48:41.480
 and argumentation

00:48:41.480 --> 00:48:45.119
 and literary analysis.

00:48:46.539 --> 00:48:48.139
 Maybe you love apologetics.

00:48:48.920 --> 00:48:49.900
 You love to engage

00:48:49.900 --> 00:48:50.779
 unbelievers with

00:48:50.780 --> 00:48:52.140
 the cosmological argument

00:48:52.140 --> 00:48:55.540
 or talk to them

00:48:55.540 --> 00:48:56.200
 about the credibility

00:48:56.200 --> 00:48:56.960
 and the reliability

00:48:56.960 --> 00:48:57.960
 and the historicity

00:48:57.960 --> 00:48:58.660
 of the scriptures.

00:49:00.000 --> 00:49:00.980
 But maybe more

00:49:00.980 --> 00:49:01.820
 than loving Jesus,

00:49:01.980 --> 00:49:03.019
 you love your intellect

00:49:03.019 --> 00:49:05.000
 and showcasing it

00:49:05.000 --> 00:49:05.440
 to others.

00:49:07.040 --> 00:49:07.820
 I'm not saying

00:49:07.820 --> 00:49:08.600
 that these activities

00:49:08.600 --> 00:49:09.820
 are bad in and of themselves.

00:49:10.240 --> 00:49:10.960
 They're good things

00:49:10.960 --> 00:49:11.720
 and we should do.

00:49:11.800 --> 00:49:13.440
 You should study theology.

00:49:13.600 --> 00:49:14.920
 You should learn apologetics,

00:49:15.040 --> 00:49:15.680
 but I'm trying to show you

00:49:15.680 --> 00:49:16.780
 how they can all go wrong

00:49:16.780 --> 00:49:17.940
 if our heart's not

00:49:17.940 --> 00:49:18.620
 in the right place.

00:49:18.619 --> 00:49:21.940
 Maybe you love to talk

00:49:21.940 --> 00:49:23.279
 about your devotional practices,

00:49:23.699 --> 00:49:25.079
 how much scripture

00:49:25.079 --> 00:49:25.739
 you've read

00:49:25.739 --> 00:49:26.799
 or memorized,

00:49:27.259 --> 00:49:28.900
 how much you've journaled,

00:49:29.539 --> 00:49:31.759
 how much you love God.

00:49:32.940 --> 00:49:34.239
 You're always trying

00:49:34.239 --> 00:49:35.299
 to produce tears

00:49:35.299 --> 00:49:36.500
 when you're talking

00:49:36.500 --> 00:49:37.119
 about God.

00:49:37.500 --> 00:49:38.579
 You want people to know

00:49:38.579 --> 00:49:39.679
 how genuine you are.

00:49:39.679 --> 00:49:43.500
 But what if your zeal

00:49:43.500 --> 00:49:44.399
 is misguided

00:49:44.399 --> 00:49:46.259
 and more than loving Jesus,

00:49:46.460 --> 00:49:49.199
 you love to show people

00:49:49.199 --> 00:49:50.199
 how much you love Jesus.

00:49:56.960 --> 00:49:58.219
 What if you're a pastor

00:49:58.219 --> 00:49:59.539
 or a missionary

00:49:59.539 --> 00:50:01.440
 and you have given your life

00:50:01.440 --> 00:50:02.699
 to building up the church?

00:50:04.179 --> 00:50:06.099
 You've worked yourself

00:50:06.099 --> 00:50:07.940
 haggard,

00:50:08.119 --> 00:50:10.099
 but in the end,

00:50:10.460 --> 00:50:11.659
 you're doing it for yourself.

00:50:12.599 --> 00:50:14.360
 You're gaining followers

00:50:14.360 --> 00:50:15.440
 after yourself.

00:50:16.059 --> 00:50:16.819
 What if ministry

00:50:16.819 --> 00:50:17.839
 was not a context

00:50:17.839 --> 00:50:19.119
 for loving and serving Jesus,

00:50:19.219 --> 00:50:20.559
 but was actually a pretext

00:50:20.559 --> 00:50:21.739
 for making much of yourself?

00:50:25.199 --> 00:50:26.400
 What if Jesus said

00:50:26.400 --> 00:50:27.679
 you could never preach again?

00:50:29.299 --> 00:50:30.619
 Would you still read your Bible?

00:50:31.639 --> 00:50:32.799
 What if Jesus said

00:50:32.799 --> 00:50:33.440
 that you could never

00:50:33.440 --> 00:50:34.139
 be a missionary?

00:50:34.139 --> 00:50:36.259
 Would you still evangelize

00:50:36.259 --> 00:50:37.139
 the lost around you?

00:50:38.500 --> 00:50:39.980
 What is so alarming

00:50:39.980 --> 00:50:40.699
 about this passage

00:50:40.699 --> 00:50:41.500
 is that Jesus says

00:50:41.500 --> 00:50:42.400
 in verse 22,

00:50:42.980 --> 00:50:43.699
 on that day,

00:50:43.920 --> 00:50:45.079
 many will say to me,

00:50:45.339 --> 00:50:45.920
 Lord, Lord,

00:50:46.500 --> 00:50:47.339
 but then I will declare

00:50:47.339 --> 00:50:48.440
 to them I never knew you.

00:50:48.519 --> 00:50:49.519
 The word many here

00:50:49.519 --> 00:50:50.480
 matches the many

00:50:50.480 --> 00:50:52.019
 who enter the wide gate

00:50:52.019 --> 00:50:53.099
 and the broad way

00:50:53.099 --> 00:50:54.139
 that leads to destruction.

00:50:55.019 --> 00:50:55.920
 It's not few

00:50:55.920 --> 00:50:56.980
 who are self-deceived.

00:50:57.199 --> 00:50:57.799
 It's many

00:50:57.799 --> 00:50:58.940
 who are self-deceived.

00:50:59.859 --> 00:51:00.719
 And this reality

00:51:00.719 --> 00:51:01.879
 should make all of us

00:51:01.879 --> 00:51:02.819
 examine ourselves

00:51:02.820 --> 00:51:05.140
 for all that we are doing

00:51:05.140 --> 00:51:06.000
 to serve the Lord.

00:51:07.140 --> 00:51:08.360
 Do we have a personal

00:51:08.360 --> 00:51:09.720
 relationship with Jesus?

00:51:10.760 --> 00:51:12.360
 If all your titles

00:51:12.360 --> 00:51:13.500
 and positions

00:51:13.500 --> 00:51:15.660
 and reputations

00:51:15.660 --> 00:51:16.519
 and ministries

00:51:16.519 --> 00:51:18.039
 were stripped from you,

00:51:18.940 --> 00:51:20.760
 would you still love God

00:51:20.760 --> 00:51:21.800
 with all of your heart?

00:51:21.800 --> 00:51:26.019
 The final vignette

00:51:26.019 --> 00:51:27.320
 in verses 24 to 27

00:51:27.320 --> 00:51:28.800
 summarizes this whole passage

00:51:28.800 --> 00:51:30.000
 and brings it to a close.

00:51:31.019 --> 00:51:31.900
 Everyone who then

00:51:31.900 --> 00:51:33.060
 hears these words of mine

00:51:33.060 --> 00:51:33.660
 and does them

00:51:33.660 --> 00:51:34.820
 will be like a wise man

00:51:34.820 --> 00:51:35.660
 who built his house

00:51:35.660 --> 00:51:36.200
 on the rock.

00:51:36.740 --> 00:51:37.940
 And the rain fell

00:51:37.940 --> 00:51:39.060
 and the floods came

00:51:39.060 --> 00:51:40.039
 and the winds blew

00:51:40.039 --> 00:51:41.200
 and beat on that house.

00:51:41.680 --> 00:51:42.820
 But it did not fall

00:51:42.820 --> 00:51:43.640
 because it had been

00:51:43.640 --> 00:51:44.560
 founded on the rock.

00:51:45.260 --> 00:51:46.500
 And everyone who hears

00:51:46.500 --> 00:51:47.260
 these words of mine

00:51:47.260 --> 00:51:48.240
 and does not do them

00:51:48.240 --> 00:51:49.420
 will be like a foolish man

00:51:49.420 --> 00:51:50.180
 who built his house

00:51:50.179 --> 00:51:50.799
 on the sand.

00:51:51.299 --> 00:51:52.159
 And the rain fell

00:51:52.159 --> 00:51:53.099
 and the floods came

00:51:53.099 --> 00:51:53.779
 and the winds blew

00:51:53.779 --> 00:51:54.859
 and beat against that house

00:51:54.859 --> 00:51:55.759
 and it fell

00:51:55.759 --> 00:51:57.419
 and great was the fall of it.

00:51:58.159 --> 00:51:59.199
 This is a particularly

00:51:59.199 --> 00:52:01.259
 hard-hitting passage

00:52:01.259 --> 00:52:02.139
 in light of the recent

00:52:02.139 --> 00:52:02.819
 flash floods

00:52:02.819 --> 00:52:05.159
 along the Guadalupe River

00:52:05.159 --> 00:52:05.699
 in Texas.

00:52:07.059 --> 00:52:08.039
 Maybe some of you guys

00:52:08.039 --> 00:52:08.799
 have seen videos,

00:52:08.960 --> 00:52:10.000
 literal houses

00:52:10.000 --> 00:52:12.619
 floating down the river

00:52:12.619 --> 00:52:14.279
 that's swelling up,

00:52:16.259 --> 00:52:17.480
 destroying people's lives.

00:52:17.480 --> 00:52:19.699
 This also happened

00:52:19.699 --> 00:52:20.800
 in this arid area,

00:52:21.079 --> 00:52:22.420
 part of the world

00:52:22.420 --> 00:52:23.539
 that Jesus is preaching in

00:52:23.539 --> 00:52:24.980
 and Jesus is warning

00:52:24.980 --> 00:52:25.679
 against that.

00:52:26.099 --> 00:52:26.659
 And notice that

00:52:26.659 --> 00:52:27.539
 the two builders,

00:52:27.659 --> 00:52:28.599
 they build houses

00:52:28.599 --> 00:52:29.619
 that probably look

00:52:29.619 --> 00:52:30.559
 very much the same.

00:52:31.340 --> 00:52:32.179
 There's no indication

00:52:32.179 --> 00:52:32.840
 that they're radically

00:52:32.840 --> 00:52:33.780
 different houses.

00:52:33.960 --> 00:52:35.139
 They look the same

00:52:35.139 --> 00:52:35.980
 on the surface.

00:52:37.780 --> 00:52:38.599
 This is what I call

00:52:38.599 --> 00:52:39.420
 the dabblers,

00:52:39.860 --> 00:52:40.539
 the dilettantes,

00:52:40.619 --> 00:52:41.260
 the people who

00:52:41.260 --> 00:52:43.019
 go in and out of church,

00:52:43.760 --> 00:52:44.820
 people who've heard sermons

00:52:44.820 --> 00:52:45.679
 and know how to say

00:52:45.679 --> 00:52:46.519
 Christian things,

00:52:46.519 --> 00:52:47.559
 people who give

00:52:47.559 --> 00:52:48.139
 the appearance

00:52:48.139 --> 00:52:49.659
 that they are Christians.

00:52:51.000 --> 00:52:52.759
 Yet, fundamentally,

00:52:52.940 --> 00:52:53.920
 there's something amiss

00:52:53.920 --> 00:52:55.400
 because they did not

00:52:55.400 --> 00:52:56.519
 build their house

00:52:57.320 --> 00:52:58.619
 on the rock.

00:52:58.699 --> 00:52:59.300
 They did not build

00:52:59.300 --> 00:52:59.840
 their house

00:52:59.840 --> 00:53:01.940
 on submission to Christ

00:53:01.940 --> 00:53:02.460
 and obedience

00:53:02.460 --> 00:53:03.460
 to his commands.

00:53:05.400 --> 00:53:06.739
 Rather, they started

00:53:06.739 --> 00:53:07.780
 without the foundation

00:53:07.780 --> 00:53:08.860
 and built to show

00:53:08.860 --> 00:53:09.699
 what appears

00:53:09.699 --> 00:53:10.619
 to other people

00:53:10.619 --> 00:53:11.719
 to be a house.

00:53:11.719 --> 00:53:17.439
 instead of starting

00:53:17.439 --> 00:53:18.559
 with humbling oneself

00:53:18.559 --> 00:53:19.219
 before God

00:53:19.219 --> 00:53:20.159
 and before Jesus.

00:53:26.399 --> 00:53:27.579
 I do want you all

00:53:27.579 --> 00:53:30.079
 to hear these things

00:53:30.079 --> 00:53:31.699
 and examine yourselves

00:53:31.699 --> 00:53:32.299
 as I did,

00:53:32.879 --> 00:53:34.059
 but I also don't want you

00:53:34.059 --> 00:53:35.519
 to go back home

00:53:35.519 --> 00:53:36.199
 with despair

00:53:36.199 --> 00:53:37.179
 if you are a genuine

00:53:37.179 --> 00:53:37.759
 follower of Christ,

00:53:37.819 --> 00:53:38.559
 which I suspect

00:53:38.559 --> 00:53:39.519
 most of you are.

00:53:39.519 --> 00:53:43.360
 I was reading

00:53:43.360 --> 00:53:44.340
 a chapter

00:53:44.340 --> 00:53:45.380
 in the sermon,

00:53:45.579 --> 00:53:46.259
 Studies in the Sermon

00:53:46.259 --> 00:53:46.840
 on the Mount

00:53:46.840 --> 00:53:47.920
 by D. Martin Lloyd-Jones

00:53:47.920 --> 00:53:49.440
 on this chapter,

00:53:50.079 --> 00:53:51.759
 and he was

00:53:51.759 --> 00:53:53.039
 mentioning a preacher

00:53:53.039 --> 00:53:54.440
 named Robert Murray

00:53:54.440 --> 00:53:55.820
 McShane,

00:53:56.579 --> 00:53:57.519
 and he said

00:53:57.519 --> 00:53:58.480
 that this preacher

00:53:58.480 --> 00:54:02.079
 walked so intimately

00:54:02.079 --> 00:54:02.960
 and personally

00:54:02.960 --> 00:54:03.719
 with God

00:54:03.719 --> 00:54:04.579
 and was so full

00:54:04.579 --> 00:54:05.139
 of the Spirit

00:54:05.139 --> 00:54:06.299
 that people

00:54:06.299 --> 00:54:07.400
 who in the audience

00:54:07.400 --> 00:54:08.219
 who heard him preach

00:54:08.219 --> 00:54:09.460
 said that when he came

00:54:09.460 --> 00:54:10.759
 to preach at the pulpit

00:54:10.759 --> 00:54:13.119
 that people would start

00:54:13.119 --> 00:54:14.219
 weeping right away

00:54:14.219 --> 00:54:16.400
 because they sensed

00:54:16.400 --> 00:54:17.119
 that this man

00:54:17.119 --> 00:54:18.159
 came straight

00:54:18.159 --> 00:54:19.039
 from an audience

00:54:19.039 --> 00:54:20.099
 with the living God.

00:54:25.539 --> 00:54:26.799
 And I read that

00:54:26.799 --> 00:54:28.699
 and I wept.

00:54:28.699 --> 00:54:28.739
 And I wept.

00:54:28.739 --> 00:54:37.819
 If I could be

00:54:37.819 --> 00:54:38.779
 a preacher like that.

00:54:44.699 --> 00:54:45.739
 How many times

00:54:45.739 --> 00:54:46.979
 when I should have

00:54:46.979 --> 00:54:47.779
 shut my mouth,

00:54:48.279 --> 00:54:48.899
 blabbered

00:54:48.899 --> 00:54:51.299
 to make myself

00:54:51.299 --> 00:54:51.859
 look good

00:54:51.859 --> 00:54:54.339
 instead of trying

00:54:54.339 --> 00:54:54.879
 to make Christ

00:54:54.879 --> 00:54:55.359
 look good.

00:54:55.360 --> 00:55:01.340
 If you are being

00:55:01.340 --> 00:55:01.760
 convicted

00:55:01.760 --> 00:55:02.920
 by the sermon,

00:55:03.160 --> 00:55:03.760
 I want to

00:55:03.760 --> 00:55:04.480
 leave you

00:55:04.480 --> 00:55:04.960
 with this

00:55:04.960 --> 00:55:06.019
 hope

00:55:06.019 --> 00:55:08.200
 because as Jesus

00:55:08.200 --> 00:55:08.780
 goes through

00:55:08.780 --> 00:55:09.280
 the sermon,

00:55:09.480 --> 00:55:10.380
 he makes an interesting

00:55:10.380 --> 00:55:12.539
 and suggestive

00:55:12.539 --> 00:55:13.120
 shift.

00:55:13.599 --> 00:55:14.420
 He says

00:55:14.420 --> 00:55:14.960
 in verses

00:55:14.960 --> 00:55:16.700
 21 to 23,

00:55:17.579 --> 00:55:18.039
 not everyone

00:55:18.039 --> 00:55:18.519
 who says to me,

00:55:18.620 --> 00:55:19.200
 Lord, Lord,

00:55:19.240 --> 00:55:19.680
 will enter

00:55:19.680 --> 00:55:20.480
 the kingdom of heaven.

00:55:20.599 --> 00:55:21.200
 Notice he said,

00:55:21.280 --> 00:55:21.720
 not everyone

00:55:21.720 --> 00:55:22.740
 who says to me,

00:55:23.820 --> 00:55:24.519
 not everyone

00:55:24.519 --> 00:55:25.340
 who says to God,

00:55:25.340 --> 00:55:25.940
 not the Father.

00:55:26.900 --> 00:55:27.740
 This is the first time

00:55:27.740 --> 00:55:28.180
 in Matthew

00:55:28.180 --> 00:55:29.140
 when Jesus calls

00:55:29.140 --> 00:55:30.800
 himself Lord.

00:55:31.960 --> 00:55:32.700
 The Lord,

00:55:33.079 --> 00:55:33.420
 Lord.

00:55:35.019 --> 00:55:35.539
 And then

00:55:35.539 --> 00:55:36.920
 look at verse 24

00:55:36.920 --> 00:55:37.440
 when he says,

00:55:38.100 --> 00:55:38.420
 everyone then

00:55:38.420 --> 00:55:38.880
 who hears

00:55:38.880 --> 00:55:39.740
 these words

00:55:39.740 --> 00:55:41.559
 of mine

00:55:41.559 --> 00:55:42.960
 and does them

00:55:42.960 --> 00:55:43.519
 will be

00:55:43.519 --> 00:55:44.740
 like wise men

00:55:44.740 --> 00:55:45.559
 who built his house

00:55:45.559 --> 00:55:46.100
 on the rock.

00:55:46.300 --> 00:55:47.360
 He doesn't say here

00:55:47.360 --> 00:55:48.460
 everyone who does

00:55:48.460 --> 00:55:50.320
 the words of the Father,

00:55:50.420 --> 00:55:51.180
 the will of the Father

00:55:51.180 --> 00:55:51.539
 as he said

00:55:51.539 --> 00:55:52.360
 in the previous passage.

00:55:52.420 --> 00:55:52.900
 No, he says

00:55:52.900 --> 00:55:54.360
 these words of mine.

00:55:55.099 --> 00:55:56.019
 Jesus is putting

00:55:56.019 --> 00:55:56.880
 himself in

00:55:56.880 --> 00:55:58.200
 the very place

00:55:58.200 --> 00:55:59.220
 of the living God

00:55:59.220 --> 00:55:59.780
 because he is

00:55:59.780 --> 00:56:00.599
 the son of God.

00:56:01.519 --> 00:56:02.500
 And he's doing this

00:56:02.500 --> 00:56:03.200
 because he knows

00:56:03.200 --> 00:56:03.740
 what he's going

00:56:03.740 --> 00:56:04.440
 to accomplish

00:56:04.440 --> 00:56:05.280
 on the behalf

00:56:05.280 --> 00:56:05.920
 of his people

00:56:05.920 --> 00:56:07.500
 by going to the cross

00:56:07.500 --> 00:56:08.780
 and dying for the sins

00:56:08.780 --> 00:56:09.140
 of people

00:56:09.140 --> 00:56:10.019
 to save them

00:56:10.019 --> 00:56:11.460
 and to make a way

00:56:11.460 --> 00:56:11.980
 for them

00:56:11.980 --> 00:56:12.960
 to go to the kingdom

00:56:12.960 --> 00:56:13.400
 of heaven.

00:56:14.480 --> 00:56:15.120
 And that's what

00:56:15.120 --> 00:56:15.840
 we read about

00:56:15.840 --> 00:56:17.180
 in John 10

00:56:17.180 --> 00:56:18.460
 that Ed mentioned

00:56:18.460 --> 00:56:21.920
 in the assurance

00:56:21.920 --> 00:56:22.380
 of pardon

00:56:22.380 --> 00:56:23.079
 in our service.

00:56:24.260 --> 00:56:25.099
 What is

00:56:25.099 --> 00:56:26.240
 the narrow gate

00:56:26.240 --> 00:56:27.519
 that leads

00:56:27.519 --> 00:56:27.900
 to the kingdom

00:56:27.900 --> 00:56:28.300
 of heaven?

00:56:28.740 --> 00:56:29.460
 Jesus says

00:56:29.460 --> 00:56:30.220
 in John 10

00:56:30.220 --> 00:56:30.840
 verse 7

00:56:30.840 --> 00:56:31.800
 truly truly

00:56:31.800 --> 00:56:32.639
 I say to you

00:56:32.639 --> 00:56:33.960
 I am

00:56:33.960 --> 00:56:34.579
 the door

00:56:34.579 --> 00:56:35.280
 of the sheep.

00:56:38.820 --> 00:56:39.800
 And he says

00:56:39.800 --> 00:56:40.440
 I am

00:56:40.440 --> 00:56:41.240
 the good shepherd

00:56:41.240 --> 00:56:42.579
 I know my own

00:56:42.579 --> 00:56:43.079
 and my own

00:56:43.079 --> 00:56:43.579
 know me.

00:56:45.139 --> 00:56:46.200
 I laid out

00:56:46.200 --> 00:56:46.900
 my life

00:56:46.900 --> 00:56:47.539
 for the sheep.

00:56:47.539 --> 00:56:49.619
 That's what

00:56:49.619 --> 00:56:50.460
 Jesus did

00:56:50.460 --> 00:56:51.360
 for us.

00:56:52.860 --> 00:56:53.820
 He doesn't just

00:56:53.820 --> 00:56:54.719
 point to a way

00:56:54.719 --> 00:56:54.980
 and say

00:56:54.980 --> 00:56:55.679
 well that's a really

00:56:55.679 --> 00:56:56.259
 hard way

00:56:56.259 --> 00:56:56.840
 but you have

00:56:56.840 --> 00:56:57.380
 to make it.

00:56:57.619 --> 00:56:58.079
 You have to

00:56:58.079 --> 00:56:58.699
 get through there.

00:56:58.960 --> 00:56:59.519
 You have to

00:56:59.519 --> 00:57:00.440
 squeeze in somehow.

00:57:00.759 --> 00:57:01.159
 You need to

00:57:01.159 --> 00:57:02.079
 push a little harder.

00:57:02.500 --> 00:57:03.380
 No Jesus says

00:57:03.380 --> 00:57:04.920
 I am

00:57:04.920 --> 00:57:05.679
 the way.

00:57:06.340 --> 00:57:07.279
 In John 14

00:57:07.279 --> 00:57:07.619
 6

00:57:07.619 --> 00:57:08.460
 I am

00:57:08.460 --> 00:57:09.019
 the way

00:57:09.019 --> 00:57:09.800
 the truth

00:57:09.800 --> 00:57:10.599
 and the life.

00:57:11.019 --> 00:57:11.739
 I am

00:57:11.739 --> 00:57:12.679
 the door.

00:57:13.320 --> 00:57:13.739
 Jesus says

00:57:13.739 --> 00:57:14.779
 in John 14

00:57:14.779 --> 00:57:16.480
 6

00:57:16.480 --> 00:57:17.179
 John 15

00:57:17.179 --> 00:57:17.519
 5

00:57:17.519 --> 00:57:18.260
 I am

00:57:18.260 --> 00:57:19.240
 the vine.

00:57:23.400 --> 00:57:23.920
 Whoever

00:57:23.920 --> 00:57:24.719
 abides in me

00:57:24.719 --> 00:57:25.039
 and I

00:57:25.039 --> 00:57:25.340
 in him

00:57:25.340 --> 00:57:26.000
 he it is

00:57:26.000 --> 00:57:26.480
 that bears

00:57:26.480 --> 00:57:26.980
 fruit.

00:57:30.320 --> 00:57:31.199
 1 Corinthians

00:57:31.199 --> 00:57:31.480
 10

00:57:31.480 --> 00:57:31.860
 tells us

00:57:31.860 --> 00:57:32.119
 Jesus

00:57:32.119 --> 00:57:32.820
 is

00:57:32.820 --> 00:57:33.800
 the rock.

00:57:34.920 --> 00:57:35.500
 1 Corinthians

00:57:35.500 --> 00:57:35.920
 3

00:57:35.920 --> 00:57:36.320
 says

00:57:36.320 --> 00:57:36.559
 that there

00:57:36.559 --> 00:57:36.920
 is no

00:57:36.920 --> 00:57:37.219
 other

00:57:37.219 --> 00:57:37.940
 foundation

00:57:37.940 --> 00:57:38.280
 upon

00:57:38.280 --> 00:57:38.519
 which

00:57:38.519 --> 00:57:38.639
 we

00:57:38.639 --> 00:57:38.800
 can

00:57:38.800 --> 00:57:39.159
 build

00:57:39.159 --> 00:57:39.679
 but

00:57:39.679 --> 00:57:40.240
 Jesus

00:57:40.240 --> 00:57:41.219
 Christ.

00:57:42.420 --> 00:57:42.659
 So

00:57:42.659 --> 00:57:43.219
 all these

00:57:43.219 --> 00:57:43.440
 things

00:57:43.440 --> 00:57:43.820
 if we

00:57:43.820 --> 00:57:44.340
 go back

00:57:44.340 --> 00:57:44.699
 from this

00:57:44.699 --> 00:57:45.000
 passage

00:57:45.000 --> 00:57:45.380
 and say

00:57:45.380 --> 00:57:45.800
 you know

00:57:45.800 --> 00:57:45.980
 what

00:57:45.980 --> 00:57:46.300
 I just

00:57:46.300 --> 00:57:46.639
 need to

00:57:46.639 --> 00:57:47.199
 kick

00:57:47.199 --> 00:57:47.519
 myself

00:57:47.519 --> 00:57:47.800
 a little

00:57:47.800 --> 00:57:48.119
 more

00:57:48.119 --> 00:57:48.840
 be a little

00:57:48.840 --> 00:57:49.179
 harder

00:57:49.179 --> 00:57:49.760
 on myself

00:57:49.760 --> 00:57:50.659
 and work

00:57:50.659 --> 00:57:50.920
 a little

00:57:50.920 --> 00:57:51.159
 hard

00:57:51.159 --> 00:57:51.559
 and push

00:57:51.559 --> 00:57:51.840
 harder

00:57:51.840 --> 00:57:52.340
 and do

00:57:52.340 --> 00:57:52.559
 it

00:57:52.559 --> 00:57:52.920
 do it

00:57:52.920 --> 00:57:53.300
 do it

00:57:53.300 --> 00:57:53.659
 and I'm

00:57:53.659 --> 00:57:53.860
 going to

00:57:53.860 --> 00:57:54.260
 make it

00:57:54.260 --> 00:57:54.880
 I promise

00:57:54.880 --> 00:57:55.079
 you

00:57:55.079 --> 00:57:55.639
 you will

00:57:55.639 --> 00:57:56.000
 not

00:57:56.000 --> 00:57:56.619
 make it.

00:57:57.179 --> 00:57:57.699
 It's

00:57:57.699 --> 00:57:58.460
 too hard.

00:57:59.099 --> 00:57:59.380
 The gate

00:57:59.380 --> 00:57:59.760
 is too

00:57:59.760 --> 00:58:00.139
 narrow.

00:58:00.639 --> 00:58:00.900
 The way

00:58:00.900 --> 00:58:01.360
 is too

00:58:01.360 --> 00:58:01.840
 hard.

00:58:02.360 --> 00:58:02.460
 You

00:58:02.460 --> 00:58:02.639
 will

00:58:02.639 --> 00:58:02.920
 not

00:58:02.920 --> 00:58:03.199
 make

00:58:03.199 --> 00:58:03.500
 it.

00:58:11.760 --> 00:58:12.400
 But if

00:58:12.400 --> 00:58:12.719
 you go

00:58:12.719 --> 00:58:13.079
 now

00:58:13.079 --> 00:58:14.139
 and hear

00:58:14.139 --> 00:58:14.480
 Jesus

00:58:14.480 --> 00:58:14.860
 say

00:58:14.860 --> 00:58:16.340
 I

00:58:16.340 --> 00:58:16.820
 am

00:58:16.820 --> 00:58:17.220
 the

00:58:17.220 --> 00:58:17.579
 door

00:58:17.579 --> 00:58:18.500
 I

00:58:18.500 --> 00:58:18.980
 am

00:58:18.980 --> 00:58:19.480
 the

00:58:19.480 --> 00:58:19.860
 way

00:58:19.860 --> 00:58:20.840
 I

00:58:20.840 --> 00:58:21.320
 am

00:58:21.320 --> 00:58:21.840
 the

00:58:21.840 --> 00:58:22.320
 tree

00:58:22.320 --> 00:58:22.720
 the

00:58:22.720 --> 00:58:23.140
 vine

00:58:23.140 --> 00:58:23.360
 in

00:58:23.360 --> 00:58:23.539
 which

00:58:23.539 --> 00:58:23.960
 you

00:58:23.960 --> 00:58:24.280
 can

00:58:24.280 --> 00:58:24.800
 derive

00:58:24.800 --> 00:58:25.420
 nourishment

00:58:25.420 --> 00:58:25.980
 from

00:58:25.980 --> 00:58:27.079
 I

00:58:27.079 --> 00:58:27.340
 am

00:58:27.340 --> 00:58:27.519
 the

00:58:27.519 --> 00:58:27.820
 rock

00:58:27.820 --> 00:58:28.160
 upon

00:58:28.160 --> 00:58:28.380
 you

00:58:28.380 --> 00:58:28.519
 should

00:58:28.519 --> 00:58:28.740
 build

00:58:28.740 --> 00:58:28.960
 it's

00:58:28.960 --> 00:58:29.160
 not

00:58:29.160 --> 00:58:29.640
 about

00:58:29.640 --> 00:58:30.059
 just

00:58:30.059 --> 00:58:30.820
 here's

00:58:30.820 --> 00:58:30.960
 what

00:58:30.960 --> 00:58:31.079
 you

00:58:31.079 --> 00:58:31.200
 need

00:58:31.200 --> 00:58:31.300
 to

00:58:31.300 --> 00:58:31.480
 do

00:58:31.480 --> 00:58:31.840
 here's

00:58:31.840 --> 00:58:31.940
 a

00:58:31.940 --> 00:58:32.140
 list

00:58:32.140 --> 00:58:32.280
 of

00:58:32.280 --> 00:58:32.559
 things

00:58:32.559 --> 00:58:32.800
 go

00:58:32.800 --> 00:58:33.099
 do

00:58:33.099 --> 00:58:33.320
 it

00:58:33.320 --> 00:58:33.860
 Jesus

00:58:33.860 --> 00:58:34.120
 says

00:58:34.120 --> 00:58:34.380
 no

00:58:34.380 --> 00:58:34.820
 I

00:58:34.820 --> 00:58:35.100
 am

00:58:35.100 --> 00:58:35.260
 the

00:58:35.260 --> 00:58:35.400
 way

00:58:35.400 --> 00:58:35.640
 come

00:58:35.640 --> 00:58:35.800
 to

00:58:35.800 --> 00:58:36.300
 me

00:58:36.300 --> 00:58:37.460
 come

00:58:37.460 --> 00:58:37.620
 to

00:58:37.620 --> 00:58:37.840
 me

00:58:37.840 --> 00:58:38.019
 and

00:58:38.019 --> 00:58:38.340
 believe

00:58:38.340 --> 00:58:38.539
 in

00:58:38.539 --> 00:58:38.880
 me

00:58:38.880 --> 00:58:39.480
 come

00:58:39.480 --> 00:58:39.640
 to

00:58:39.640 --> 00:58:39.900
 me

00:58:39.900 --> 00:58:40.100
 that

00:58:40.100 --> 00:58:40.280
 I

00:58:40.280 --> 00:58:40.660
 died

00:58:40.660 --> 00:58:41.019
 for you

00:58:41.019 --> 00:58:41.280
 on the

00:58:41.280 --> 00:58:41.559
 cross

00:58:41.559 --> 00:58:41.920
 for your

00:58:41.920 --> 00:58:42.260
 sins

00:58:42.260 --> 00:58:42.680
 and was

00:58:42.680 --> 00:58:43.059
 raised

00:58:43.059 --> 00:58:43.420
 from the

00:58:43.420 --> 00:58:43.600
 dead

00:58:43.600 --> 00:58:43.860
 so you

00:58:43.860 --> 00:58:44.019
 might

00:58:44.019 --> 00:58:44.220
 have

00:58:44.220 --> 00:58:44.539
 eternal

00:58:44.539 --> 00:58:44.920
 life

00:58:44.920 --> 00:58:45.400
 come

00:58:45.400 --> 00:58:45.600
 to

00:58:45.600 --> 00:58:45.940
 me

00:58:45.940 --> 00:58:46.260
 so you

00:58:46.260 --> 00:58:46.400
 might

00:58:46.400 --> 00:58:46.539
 be

00:58:46.539 --> 00:58:46.960
 one

00:58:46.960 --> 00:58:47.240
 with

00:58:47.240 --> 00:58:47.620
 me

00:58:47.620 --> 00:58:48.140
 so you

00:58:48.140 --> 00:58:48.380
 might

00:58:48.380 --> 00:58:48.760
 live

00:58:48.760 --> 00:58:49.000
 with

00:58:49.000 --> 00:58:49.180
 me

00:58:49.180 --> 00:58:49.480
 and have

00:58:49.480 --> 00:58:49.920
 fellowship

00:58:49.920 --> 00:58:50.320
 with

00:58:50.320 --> 00:58:50.600
 me

00:58:50.600 --> 00:58:50.940
 that I

00:58:50.940 --> 00:58:51.059
 might

00:58:51.059 --> 00:58:51.380
 come

00:58:51.380 --> 00:58:51.800
 and live

00:58:51.800 --> 00:58:52.280
 inside

00:58:52.280 --> 00:58:52.440
 you

00:58:52.440 --> 00:58:52.860
 and dwell

00:58:52.860 --> 00:58:53.059
 in

00:58:53.059 --> 00:58:53.200
 you

00:58:53.200 --> 00:58:53.460
 so

00:58:53.460 --> 00:58:53.680
 my

00:58:53.680 --> 00:58:54.260
 spirit

00:58:54.260 --> 00:58:54.559
 might

00:58:54.559 --> 00:58:55.240
 empower

00:58:55.240 --> 00:58:55.700
 you

00:59:03.320 --> 00:59:05.640
 that's

00:59:05.640 --> 00:59:05.800
 the

00:59:05.800 --> 00:59:06.019
 hope

00:59:06.019 --> 00:59:06.120
 of

00:59:06.120 --> 00:59:06.220
 the

00:59:06.220 --> 00:59:06.600
 gospel

00:59:06.600 --> 00:59:09.440
 so

00:59:09.440 --> 00:59:09.640
 let's

00:59:09.640 --> 00:59:09.880
 cling

00:59:09.880 --> 00:59:10.039
 to

00:59:10.039 --> 00:59:10.180
 that

00:59:10.180 --> 00:59:10.539
 together

00:59:10.539 --> 00:59:11.460
 let's

00:59:11.460 --> 00:59:11.700
 pray

00:59:11.700 --> 00:59:20.480
 yes

00:59:20.480 --> 00:59:20.840
 father

00:59:20.840 --> 00:59:21.280
 thank you

00:59:21.280 --> 00:59:21.800
 for sending

00:59:21.800 --> 00:59:22.260
 your only

00:59:22.260 --> 00:59:22.519
 son

00:59:22.519 --> 00:59:22.760
 Jesus

00:59:22.760 --> 00:59:23.260
 Christ

00:59:23.260 --> 00:59:26.860
 to

00:59:26.860 --> 00:59:27.180
 be

00:59:27.180 --> 00:59:27.460
 the

00:59:27.460 --> 00:59:27.760
 way

00:59:27.760 --> 00:59:27.980
 that

00:59:27.980 --> 00:59:28.120
 we

00:59:28.120 --> 00:59:28.340
 need

00:59:28.340 --> 00:59:28.559
 it

00:59:28.559 --> 00:59:37.940
 Lord

00:59:37.940 --> 00:59:38.340
 for

00:59:38.340 --> 00:59:38.579
 there

00:59:38.579 --> 00:59:38.799
 is

00:59:38.799 --> 00:59:39.000
 no

00:59:39.000 --> 00:59:39.259
 other

00:59:39.259 --> 00:59:39.639
 way

00:59:39.639 --> 00:59:45.960
 Lord

00:59:45.960 --> 00:59:46.239
 many

00:59:46.239 --> 00:59:46.639
 of us

00:59:46.639 --> 00:59:47.000
 in this

00:59:47.000 --> 00:59:47.239
 room

00:59:47.239 --> 00:59:47.500
 have

00:59:47.500 --> 00:59:48.000
 tried

00:59:48.000 --> 00:59:49.099
 we've

00:59:49.099 --> 00:59:49.500
 tried

00:59:49.500 --> 00:59:50.340
 these

00:59:50.340 --> 00:59:50.559
 other

00:59:50.559 --> 00:59:50.980
 ways

00:59:50.980 --> 00:59:52.460
 they

00:59:52.460 --> 00:59:52.820
 don't

00:59:52.820 --> 00:59:53.199
 work

00:59:53.199 --> 00:59:54.820
 they

00:59:54.820 --> 00:59:55.219
 don't

00:59:55.219 --> 00:59:55.460
 lead

00:59:55.460 --> 00:59:55.639
 us

00:59:55.639 --> 00:59:55.799
 to

00:59:55.799 --> 00:59:56.079
 you

00:59:56.079 --> 00:59:57.579
 they

00:59:57.579 --> 00:59:58.019
 don't

00:59:58.019 --> 00:59:58.219
 lead

00:59:58.219 --> 00:59:58.379
 us

00:59:58.379 --> 00:59:58.500
 to

00:59:58.500 --> 00:59:58.619
 the

00:59:58.619 --> 00:59:58.799
 kingdom

00:59:58.799 --> 00:59:58.959
 of

00:59:58.959 --> 00:59:59.259
 heaven

00:59:59.259 --> 01:00:01.719
 but

01:00:01.719 --> 01:00:02.019
 Lord

01:00:02.019 --> 01:00:02.279
 we

01:00:02.279 --> 01:00:02.859
 confess

01:00:02.859 --> 01:00:05.000
 and

01:00:05.000 --> 01:00:05.199
 we

01:00:05.199 --> 01:00:05.579
 worship

01:00:05.579 --> 01:00:05.779
 you

01:00:05.779 --> 01:00:06.119
 because

01:00:06.119 --> 01:00:06.279
 of

01:00:06.279 --> 01:00:06.480
 this

01:00:06.480 --> 01:00:06.679
 that

01:00:06.679 --> 01:00:06.959
 Jesus

01:00:06.959 --> 01:00:07.399
 is

01:00:07.399 --> 01:00:07.559
 the

01:00:07.559 --> 01:00:07.739
 way

01:00:07.739 --> 01:00:07.919
 the

01:00:07.919 --> 01:00:08.199
 truth

01:00:08.199 --> 01:00:08.359
 and

01:00:08.359 --> 01:00:08.459
 the

01:00:08.459 --> 01:00:08.739
 life

01:00:08.739 --> 01:00:11.139
 and

01:00:11.139 --> 01:00:11.399
 because

01:00:11.399 --> 01:00:11.599
 of

01:00:11.599 --> 01:00:11.799
 him

01:00:11.799 --> 01:00:12.019
 we

01:00:12.019 --> 01:00:12.419
 have

01:00:12.419 --> 01:00:13.599
 a

01:00:13.599 --> 01:00:14.019
 pathway

01:00:14.019 --> 01:00:14.259
 to

01:00:14.259 --> 01:00:14.519
 you

01:00:14.519 --> 01:00:15.219
 we

01:00:15.219 --> 01:00:15.299
 have

01:00:15.299 --> 01:00:15.439
 been

01:00:15.439 --> 01:00:16.179
 reconciled

01:00:16.179 --> 01:00:16.319
 to

01:00:16.319 --> 01:00:16.699
 you

01:00:16.699 --> 01:00:20.799
 Lord

01:00:20.799 --> 01:00:21.059
 help

01:00:21.059 --> 01:00:21.179
 us

01:00:21.179 --> 01:00:21.319
 to

01:00:21.319 --> 01:00:21.639
 cling

01:00:21.639 --> 01:00:21.839
 to

01:00:21.839 --> 01:00:22.119
 this

01:00:22.119 --> 01:00:22.539
 truth

01:00:22.539 --> 01:00:22.719
 so

01:00:22.719 --> 01:00:22.859
 that

01:00:22.859 --> 01:00:22.980
 we

01:00:22.980 --> 01:00:23.239
 might

01:00:23.239 --> 01:00:23.419
 be

01:00:23.419 --> 01:00:23.519
 able

01:00:23.519 --> 01:00:23.679
 to

01:00:23.679 --> 01:00:24.219
 persevere

01:00:24.219 --> 01:00:25.139
 till

01:00:25.139 --> 01:00:25.299
 the

01:00:25.299 --> 01:00:25.539
 very

01:00:25.539 --> 01:00:25.919
 end

01:00:25.920 --> 01:00:28.680
 in

01:00:28.680 --> 01:00:28.980
 Jesus

01:00:28.980 --> 01:00:29.220
 name

01:00:29.220 --> 01:00:29.380
 we

01:00:29.380 --> 01:00:29.619
 pray

01:00:29.619 --> 01:00:30.820
 amen