Choices, choices, choices

Matthew 7:13-29

Choice 1 – Narrow or broad way

• Matthew 7:13-14
• Jesus lays out a very clear choice, there’s no middle ground.
• It’s both an eternal choice and a daily choice in our walk with God, Luke 13:24. The choice to live the ‘narrow’ way is deliberate and challenging.
• The narrow way leads to ‘life in all it’s fullness’

Choice 2 – Who will you listen to?

• Matthew 7:15-20
• We need discernment for who to listen to and not be dazzled by outward appearance.
• Key is verse 16, ‘by your fruits you will know’ but fruit takes time, so we need to watch patiently with God’s discernment.
• The mark of a true teacher/prophet is sound doctrine and holy living.

Choice 3 – will we be a wise or foolish builder?

• Matthew 7:21-29
• The only way into heaven, is through the blood of Jesus.
• The whole of the sermon on the mount can be summed up in the story of the wise and foolish builders and Jesus is asking, will you put into practice what you’ve heard?
• The two buildings look the same from the outside, but it’s the foundations that are different and it’s only when the storms come that the difference is revealed, Luke 6:48
• Verse 28, we need to come back to being amazed at who God is and be challenged at his authority.