Matthew 7

It Starts with Me!

• God expects me to see my sin and to change• God expects me to see my sin as my biggest

concern• God expects me to lovingly help others• God expects me to be wise with when and

who I give advice to

We Have a Gracious Father!

• He has given us His Word• He sent Christ to die so that we could please

him• He provides us with the Comforter who allows

us to be righteous even in the worst of circumstances – I Cor 10:13

We Have a Gracious Father!

• Therefore, be gracious to others• We are expected to love God Supremely and

others Sincerely

Me or Others?

We Have a Choice!

• Two Decisions on the Shelf: Pleasing God or Pleasing Self!

Decision Point

Pleasing Self

Pleasing God

Which do I want or value

more?

Hard Easy

Result: HardResult: Easy (er)

We (believers) Produce Fruit

• Our fruit shows where our heart is • We can determine other’s hearts by their fruit• Our fruit will eventually look like the trees we

plant ourselves with– Diseased– Healthy

We will Stand!

• Wise – Work: Built a House– Circumstance:

Torrential Storms– Result: House did not

fall– Why: It was built on

rock

• Fool– Work: Built a House– Circumstance:

Torrential Storms– Result: Violent

Destruction– Why: It was built on

sand

We will Stand!

• Same: – Resources: Hearing Jesus’ Word– Circumstances: Rough Trials

• Difference– Wise man heard and DID– Foolish man hear and DID NOT

Never Stop Being Amazed!

• Christ promises hope for your life:– Your marriage– Your parenting – Your job

• God’s Word is Sufficient– It provides you the pathway to godliness– It shows you how to stop pleasing self and how to

please God

Implications for Life

• Will you take your sin seriously? Will you spend more time thinking about your struggles than those around you?– The problem with our relationships is that I spend

as much time thinking about your sin as you should be thinking about your sin. And you are spending as much time thinking about my sin as I should be thinking about my sin!

Implications for Life

• Do you seek and knock on your heavenly Father’s door? Is your attitude like the child who is helpless to feed himself with the hand of his parent?

• Which path are heading down? What kind of tree are you?

Implications for Life

• Are you wise? Do you consistently do God’s Word?

• Are you constantly “amazed” at God’s Word?

Matthew 7