Matthew 7:13 Fruit - For The Glory of Jesus

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Fruit

What fruit does your life produce? Has your life changed, producing fruit for the Glory of Jesus?

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13. “Many people think that both the narrow gate and the wide gate provide the entrance to God’s kingdom. But only the narrow gate—constricted and precise, salvation by faith through Christ alone—is God’s way that leads to life eternal.” (MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary. [Nashville, Thomas Nelson Inc., 2005], 1135)

“It is possible for people to know the right language, believe intellectually the right doctrines, obey the right rules, and still not be saved.” (Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament Volume 1 Matthew-Galatians. [Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004], 30)

14. “Christ continually emphasized the difficulty of following Him (10:38, 16:24-25; John 15:18-19; 16:1-3; cf. Acts 14:22). Salvation is by grace alone, but it is not easy. It calls for knowledge of the truth, repentance, submission to Christ as Lord, and a willingness to obey His will and Word.” (MacArthur, 1135)

“Jesus said that the narrow way was hard. We cannot walk on two roads, into two different directions, at the same time.” (Wiersbe, 31)

True Faith

15. “True faith in Christ changes the life and produces fruit for God’s glory. Everything in nature reproduces after its kind, and this is also true in the spiritual realm.” (Wiersbe, 31)

Jesus “describes some of the pretenders as ‘false prophets,’ those who claim to be God’s spokesperons but are not.” (Blomberg, Craig L., The New American Commentary, Volume 22, Matthew. [Nashville: Broadman Press], 132)

16-18. “We are to recognize them by their fruits. That is what we are to watch for in their lives.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV. [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983], 42)

“V. 16 suggests that outward behavior may enable one to distinguish between true and false Christians.” (Blomberg, 133)

“False doctrine cannot restrain the flesh, so false prophets manifest wickedness. Cf. 2 Peter 2:12-22.” (MacArthur, 1135)

“Like wolves in sheep’s clothing, they give all external appearances of promoting authentic Christianity in both word and work.” (Blomberg, 132)

19. Trees not bearing good fruit will be cast into the fire (KJV).

20. We are known by our fruit!

21. This verse “further equates this fruit with doing ‘the will of my Father who is in heaven,’ Precisely what the Sermon on the Mount is elaborating.” (Blomberg, 133)

22. “The name of Christ is on the lips of people who are leaders of cults and ‘isms.’ Just to use the name of Christ and the Bible is not proof that a system is genuine.” (McGee, 42)

23. “It is not the outward profession but the inward relationship to a crucified but living Savior that is important.” (McGee, 41)

Builders

24-25. “The house represents a religious life; the rain represents divine judgement.” (MacArthur, 1135)

“The foundation in this parable is obedience to God’s Word—obedience that is an evidence of true faith (James 2:14ff.).” (Wiersbe, 31)

“We must build a solid foundation that combines authentic commitment to Christ with persevering obedience.” (Blomberg, 134)

“If you come to Christ, He is the foundation (2 Corinthians 3:11).” (McGee, 42)

“By yielding to the Holy Spirit, you can build a life which the Bible likens to gold, silver, and precious stones.” (McGee, 42)

26-27. “What is sand? It is human effort. It is the old weakness of the flesh.” (McGee, 42)

“The wise person living in the Palestinian desert would erect a dwelling on a secure rock to protect the house from the floods that sudden storms created. The foolish person would build directly on the sand and would have no protection against the devastation of the elements.” (Blomberg,134)

Obedience to God’s Word “calls from repentance, rejection of salvation by works, and trust in God’s grace to save through His merciful provision. (James 1:22-25). (MacArthur, 1135)

28-29. “The congregation was astonished at this sermon. Why? Because Jesus spoke with divine authority. The scribes and Pharisees spoke ‘from authorities,’ always quoting the various rabbis and experts of the law.” (Wiersbe, 32)

“You and I need to recognize that we have nothing worthwhile to say unless it is with the authority of the Word of God and unless we believe it is the Word of God.” (McGee, 42)

References

New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

In this article Scripture quotations taken from KJV.

Blomberg, Craig L., The New American Commentary, Volume 22, Matthew. Nashville: Broadman Press
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Nashville, Thomas Nelson Inc., 2005
Robertson, A. T., A Harmony of the Gospels. New York, HarperCollins Publishers
Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament Volume 1 Matthew-Galatians. Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004

Judgment Matthew 8

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