Session 6
Matthew 7:15-29
Memory Verse: Matthew 7:24
Sometime along the way, authority became a four-letter word. Some historians point to the rebellious and riotous 1960s. Still others point to postmodern influences and the belief that everyone defines right and wrong for themselves. Whatever the cause, many people have a negative view of authority in any form.
People in Jesus’s day lived in an atmosphere of totalitarian authority. Politically, Rome and its governors dominated regions like Israel. Spiritually, Jewish religious leaders exerted their own coercive authority. The common folks knew both were inherently false.
But Jesus’s audiences heard something different. He spoke with genuine authority, unlike the Jewish teachers. In Jesus, the people found an authentic voice, a voice of true authority they could accept and follow.
As you prepare to teach this final session from the Sermon on the Mount, evaluate your own attitude toward authority-including God’s authority over your life. Ask Him to help you surrender to Him and to give you the wisdom you need to guide the adults in your Bible study to acknowledge His authority in their lives.
When we need to get it right, we often turn to the “authority.” The authority is supposedly the most knowledgeable and experienced person in his or her field. The authorities are the ones you count on to have the correct information and skills. To be recognized as an authority in an area of expertise is a unique honor. When that person speaks, people generally pay close attention. (PSG, p. 58)
Who is someone you know that you would consider an authority in a particular field? If you had a choice, in what field of expertise would you like to be considered an authority?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus progressed through topics with fluid grace. Spiritual truth flowed from His lips to eager ears ready for genuine guidance. In this final section of His message, Jesus warned the people to avoid judging one another. Instead, they should focus their attention and energy on their own culpability before God. He was not saying believers should abandon loving discernment, but they should avoid self-righteous criticism and condemnation of others. Only as people deal with their own personal sin can they nurture the humility and grace needed to correct others as Jesus did.
Jesus challenged hearers to apply biblical principles to their relationship with God and with one another. For example, we relate to God as a Father who knows and cares about our needs. Therefore, we can continually ask, seek, and knock with confidence that He hears our prayers. Because the Father loves us, He provides for us according to what is best for us.
Because we enjoy this interactive relationship with God, we should treat others in the same way. This “Golden Rule” is based not on human principles, but on the application of reciprocal love. It summarizes the intention of all the Mosaic law and the prophetic writings-in other words, the entirety of Scripture.
It’s easy to follow the wide road of human inclination rather than the narrow road of godly obedience. It’s also easy to find false prophets who tickle our ears by advocating false teaching. This was a dangerous situation for Jesus’s listeners and remains so for us today.
Some people call Jesus “Lord,” yet they do not really know Him. As a result, true believers should beware. Without being judgmental, we are instructed to take note of the fruit produced by each person and to choose wisely the direction we follow.
Taking the various teachings of His sermon as a whole, Jesus used an analogy to illustrate how we should respond. Using familiar word pictures, He portrayed two houses with very different foundations. One house was built on solid rock, while the other stood on shifting sand. One endured the storms that beat against it; the other crashed as its foundation was swept away by the tempest. Similarly, wise believers not only hear Jesus’s teachings, but they incorporate each precept into their lives. A sound relationship with Christ informs their understanding of these principles and their application. Jesus alone is the true Rock who offers a sound foundation for life (1 Pet. 2:1-7).
Read Matthew 7:15-29 in your Bible. Make a list of words that describe the lifestyle of followers of Christ and another list of words that describe the way of the self-righteous religious leaders. (PSG, p. 59)
EXPLORE THE TEXT
15 “Be on your guard against f
alse prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. 16 You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.”
Jesus understood human vulnerability. Even His followers were not exempt from the subtle seduction of false teachers. He warned them to be on your guard. This phrase translates a single command to be on alert continually. The danger of false prophets should not be underestimated. Heretics not only spoke falsehoods, but they also did it in God’s name. Their purpose was to deceive unsuspecting individuals.
One might not easily identify false prophets because they tend to look and sound good. They seem to be part of the Lord’s flock, but they are wearing sheep’s clothing. Outwardly, they seem genuine, but Jesus described them as ravaging wolves. These false teachers pursued their victims viciously, hunting
susceptible prey.
We recognize false prophets by their fruit. Their words and deeds must be consistent with God’s Word. Old Testament prophets had a simple test: Did what they say come true? (Deut. 18:21-22). Jesus’s caution applied not only to those who falsely claimed to prophesy what was to come, but also to those who taught false doctrine.
Like most of His illustrations, Jesus used things familiar to His audience to make a point. Here, He used a rhetorical question that highlights an evident truth: Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? The obvious response was “certainly not.”
In the same way connects the illustration with its logical conclusion. Every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. In Greek, the terms describing bad trees and bad fruit are slightly different. The trees are damaged by an external defect, like a disease. But the bad fruit is internally rotten, making it worthless. In its moral sense, “bad” implies harm, like spoiled fruit that makes a body sick.
Keep in mind the general nature of metaphors. Some fruit of good trees may have worms or other problems, but the basic principle remains true. Godly people may sin on occasion, but their lifestyles will not be characterized by sin. In contrast, lost people may do good deeds on occasion, but the core of their lives is corrupt and godless.
Applied to false prophets, some genuinely godly teachers may be incorrect on occasion, but they do not intentionally deceive others. Conversely, phony prophets may say some things that appear true, but their motivation is rotten.
Parallelism is a literary technique used for emphasis. It repeats a statement using slightly different terminology. Jesus reiterated the illustration of trees. In general, a good tree doesn’t yield bad fruit, and a bad tree doesn’t yield good fruit. We see a consistency between people and their lifestyles, as well as between spiritual leaders and their teachings.
A wise farmer understands the danger that diseased trees pose to the rest of the grove. If a tree can’t produce good fruit, he will cut it down. In Jesus’s day, such trees were thrown into the fire lest they infect healthy trees.
It’s important to understand that Jesus was not advocating works-based salvation in verse 19. Salvation is always a gift of God’s grace, and believers’ good works reveal His presence in their lives (Eph. 2:8-10). Instead, Jesus emphasized that no matter how good unbelievers seem on the outside, they will face judgment in the end.
Having admonished the disciples to beware of false prophets, Jesus again assured them that false teachers could be identified by their fruit. Spiritual discernment differs from self-righteous judgment and criticism. Believers have a responsibility to evaluate what people say and do to make sure it lines up
with Scripture.
Similarly, believers’ lives should exhibit spiritual fruit. When others look at us, they should have no question about the health of our “tree” or the “fruit” it produces.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’”
After warning against false prophets, Jesus addressed the issue of false believers. Sadly, many people think they are saved because they are church members or live “good” lives. But Jesus noted that some who address Him as Lord will not enter the kingdom of heaven. This kingdom includes more than heaven in eternity. It also includes the complete rule and reign of God in our lives now.
Jesus distinguished between those who claim Him as Lord and those who actually submit to His reign. True salvation involves repentance, faith, and receiving Christ as Savior and Lord (John 1:11-12; Acts 3:19; 16:31). Genuine conversion involves obeying the will of the Father. One cannot live in rebellion against the Lord and expect a place in His eternal kingdom.
Most scholars believe that day refers to the day of the Lord when Jesus returns in power and judgment (see Acts 2:20; 1 Cor. 1:8; 1 Thess. 5:2-3). This will be a time of reward for believers (2 Tim. 4:8), but terror for the lost.
Jesus described a scene in which many will be shocked to find themselves outside the kingdom. Earlier, Jesus urged people to enter the narrow gate of salvation because choosing the wider path leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14).
As they stand before Christ, multitudes will cry Lord, Lord as they plead to enter His kingdom. Without offering an exhaustive list, Jesus focused on three pleas that will be made by people who pretend to follow Him.
Some will claim to prophesy in Jesus’s name. Old Testament prophecy usually involved foretelling future events under God’s inspiration, yet false prophets spoke lies to lure God’s people away from Him
(Deut. 13:1-3). Often, New Testament prophecy refers to religious teaching or preaching. Jesus addressed people who illegitimately spoke for Him.
Others claimed to drive out demons and work miracles. Doing something in Jesus’s name means claiming His authority and on His behalf. In all three instances, people misused His name for their own purposes. Like the fake exorcists in Acts who tried to cast out demons using Jesus’s name, these people will suffer for dishonoring the Name above all names (Acts 19:13-16).
Jesus will unleash His judgment on these false followers. They did not have the right to use Jesus’s name because He never knew them. Of course, Jesus knows about them, since He possesses divine omniscience. But they will have no personal relationship to support their claims. They will be missing a genuine spiritual transformation that moves them from darkness to light. Jesus’s denial of these individuals means they will lack a saving relationship with Him. As a result, they would suffer the consequences.
Jesus also called them lawbreakers. The Greek wording emphasizes one who actively and willfully rejects God’s commands. Regardless of their protests, these imposters were determined to violate His laws. As a result, Jesus will order them to depart from His presence. Separation from Christ’s presence is the essence of hell. Eternal damnation involves suffering eternal torment removed from Jesus.
Believers are known by their desire to obey God’s Word. They not only make a statement of belief, but they also demonstrate genuine faith by joyfully doing God’s will.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.
Concluding His sermon, Jesus incorporated all He had taught in a final illustrative warning. In this case, therefore looks back not only to the immediate statements about false prophets but also to His
entire message.
Jesus contrasted two kinds of people within the larger group of everyone who hears these words of mine. These groups differ in how they respond to what He said. The person who acts on them obeys His teaching. The verb tense describes someone who doesn’t just heed Christ’s words once in a while,
but constantly.
This person resembles a wise man who builds his residence on a foundation of rock. Notice the progression: He hears, then he acts. His obedient action is wise-ensuring a secure footing for his life.
But challenging circumstances afflict everyone. In Jesus’s word picture, driving rain, rising rivers, and pounding winds pummeled the structure. The house built on the rock did not escape a rough environment, yet it didn’t collapse.
This man’s house survived because it was built on the rock. The New Testament identifies Jesus as our Rock (1 Pet. 2:4-8). With Christ as the basis for our lives, we can live securely, regardless of circumstances.
Sadly, others are like a foolish man. Jesus said this person also hears these words of mine, but he doesn’t act on them. Both builders have the advantage of Jesus’s words, but they respond very differently and experience very different results.
This foolish man built his house on the sand. By its nature, sand provides little stability for a structure. You can build a home on the beach because you like an oceanfront view, but you must drive the supports deep enough to reach bedrock. Unfortunately, many people bypass the rock of Christ and build their lives on the sand of personal desires.
As with the first house, the rain, rivers, and winds battered the building. The circumstances are the same in both settings, but the result for the second house was disastrous. It collapsed with a great crash. When we ignore Christ, we are like this unstable house built on sand. Without Him, we are bound to collapse.
Jesus did not specifically make the above application, but the point was clear to the crowds who heard Him. Scholars note that as Jesus spoke, His disciples were joined by many others who had followed Him. And, when He was done, He simply finished the message.
But His listeners felt the impact of His words. They were astonished at his teaching. The verb tense indicates an ongoing response that resonated with them long after the sermon ended. Their reaction revealed the overwhelmingly powerful effect of Jesus and His words.
The term because establishes the reason for the people’s response. While His words were powerful, Jesus Himself was the Source of the power. The crowds were accustomed to the secondhand reflections of their scribes whose instruction was based primarily on rabbinical traditions. They lacked the personal authority of Christ. Jesus’s teaching wasn’t just repeating precepts. It carried the potency of His person and His presence as God the Son.
Believers can stand firm on God’s Word. Placing our faith in Jesus as God the Son, we can be sure that we not only have solid principles for life, but that we also have direct access to the Person who empowers
those truths.Review these points from Apply the Text on page 66 of the Personal Study Guide.
Direct adults to read through the application points from the session again and to give themselves a ranking for each one on a scale of 1-5 (with 1 being “lacking” and 5 being “perfect”). After a few minutes, allow volunteers to share which point got their highest ranking and why. Emphasize that no one is perfect, but God wants us to come to Him and allow Him to make us more like Him in each of these areas.
Encourage adults to read and discuss the first set of questions on page 66 of the PSG. As a group, make a list of ways they can encourage one another and hold one another accountable for bearing good fruit and building on a strong foundation. (Possible answers: phone calls, meet weekly in pairs, encouraging text messages, and so forth) Suggest they follow through on identifying a partner and identify one way to live out this application step.
Once the adults have paired off, encourage them to pray together. Close the session in prayer, asking God to teach each person how to live their faith in a genuine way every day for their good and God’s glory.
During the week, text or email the group the second set of questions from page 66 of the PSG. Feel free to share your greatest area of struggle and ask adults to pray for you in that area. Encourage the other adults to share and to pray for one another. Remind them to connect with their prayer partner during the week and to reach out to you if they have more questions about becoming a Christian.
All Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. (See Psalm 119:89; 2 Timothy 3:15-17.)
Use other Scripture to help understand a Bible passage.
Wise people build their lives on the foundation of Jesus. Look up the passages in which the psalmist referred to God as his “rock”: Psalm 18:2; 62:2,6. List other images in these verses used by the psalmist to describe what it meant to have God as his rock (for example, “fortress”). Prophets also described God as a rock. Read
1 Samuel 2:2 and Isaiah 26:4; 28:16. Note qualities such as “everlasting” and “unshakable.” Now read the following New Testament passages: 1 Corinthians 3:11; 10:4; and 1 Peter 2:4-8. How do these verses add to your understanding of Jesus as your foundation?