KINGDOM EVIDENCE (evidence we were saved)

Kingdom Evidence (Matthew 7:13-27)

When God saves us, it is not a ‘one time event’
but it is the beginning of a new life, which is
different than the one we have been living.
There should be some evidence of a change in our lives.

We should expect, anticipate, and look forward
to some radical changes in our thoughts,
priorities, habits, and attitudes.

We should expect to see our selfishness
replaced with a desire to become righteous
(the scriptures tell us to seek
the righteousness of God).
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.”
(Matthew 6:33)

We need to ask ourselves,
   “What does seeking His righteousness mean to me?”
   “What parts of my old self am I holding on to?”
   “Can others tell that my life has been changed?”
   “Does my ‘seeking righteousness’ cause others to want
    to ‘seek’ it too, or am I damaging God’s work by my
    failure to make significant changes in my life?”

If we are seeking His righteousness, it means
we are striving to become more like the Lord.

Imagine for a moment the things that He does not do.
  – He doesn’t show partiality.
  – He doesn’t consider himself better than others.
  – He doesn’t look down on others.
  – He doesn’t damage His body with things like
    alcohol, drugs, cigarette smoke, etc.
  – He doesn’t use any profanities.
  – He doesn’t take advantage of others.
  – He isn’t rude or inconsiderate of others.
  Note:
      Add others that come to your mind.

Now, imagine for a moment how you feel
when you see a Christian doing these things.
And then, imagine how a lost person (or another Christian)
feels whenever they witness you doing some of these things.

For instance, if a lost person sees you drinking an
alcoholic beverage or using profanity, more than
likely they will have thoughts like,
“I thought he or she was Christian who is following Christ.
I don’t think Jesus would be doing that!”

Why are our attitudes and the things we do so important?
Because as followers of Christ, we are His ambassadors.
Some may not choose to change and say,
“This is just who I am, other people need to get over it!”

But the scriptures tell us plainly,
“Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.”
(Romans 12:17)
What we do as Christians is not only important for others,
but it is also important for ourselves as we seek His righteousness.
It is a matter of our total surrender, versus our selfishness.

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus spoke to the
multitudes about the things in life that really matter.
These words from the mouth of the One we follow
are guidelines to help us in seeking His righteousness.

(MATTHEW 5:1-16)
– Christlike character:
      – “poor in spirit”
        Admit to ourselves that we are dependent on God.

      – “they that mourn”
        Be concerned about our own sin and sin in the world.

      – “the meek”
        Learn to be humble
        (humility is not a sign of weakness,
         but it is strength under control).

      – “they who hunger and thirst for righteousness”
        Strive for righteousness
        instead of pleasing our own selfish desires.

      – “the merciful”
        Be kind, considerate,
        and show compassion toward others.
        Look for ways to encourage
        and lift the spirits of others.

      – “pure in heart”
        Be sincere in our devotion to God.
        Don’t just wear the title ‘Christian’, but
        surrender completely to His Will for your life.

      – “the peacemakers”
        Learn to be peacemakers and not troublemakers.

      – “they who are persecuted for righteousness sake”
        Be prepared, and realize some people will
        not like us as a result of our faith and lifestyle.
        Note:
           Their dislike could be because our lifestyle
           is totally opposite, or because they want to
           be the same, but cannot overcome their
           habits or ways (they are jealous).

      – “revile you, persecute you,
         say all manner of evil against you falsely”
         Realize that others will slander us
         and try to destroy our friendships.

      – Be missionaries for God through our lifestyles;
        don’t conceal our faith, but let others see it
        through our words, attitudes, and good works.

      – Rewards for this type of character:
            – We can experience a bit of heaven now,
               and all of it later.
            – We will be comforted.
            – We become heirs (‘inherit the earth’) of God,
               who owns everything.
            – We will be filled with righteousness.
            – We will receive God’s mercy.
            – We will have a special awareness
               of God’s presence (‘they shall see God’).
            – We become God’s adopted children.
            – Ultimately, we will be with God in heaven.
            – We will have great rewards in heaven.
            – We glorify God
               through our positive influence on others.

(MATTHEW 6:1-18)

– Christlike Attitudes.
      – Be sincere in all that we do.

      – Our focus needs to be on pleasing God, not man.

      – Don’t rush to tell others about our giving
        (time or money), but be content in realizing
        that God knows, even if no one else ever does.

      – Pray to God on a personal, one-to-One basis;
         pray from the heart, and not so it will sound
         eloquent to anyone who may hear.
         Be normal in your language.
            Would you say something like, “Is dinner ready?”
            or would you say,
            “Hast thou prepared morsels for consumption?”
         Talk to God with awe and respect, but use normal
         terminology as you would with a friend.

      – Don’t just babble meaningless words
         when praying, but pray from the heart.
         Never forget that the Holy Spirit will pray for you
         whenever you are struggling to express yourself.
         “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.
          We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit
          himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
          (Romans 8:26)
            The Holy Spirit prays for us with a power we don’t own.
            The Holy Spirit prays for us with a wisdom we lack.
            The Holy Spirit prays for us with a mercy we could
            never imagine.
            The Holy Spirit prays for us with a special connection
            to God.
            The Holy Spirit prays for us with God’s will in mind.
            The Holy Spirit prays for us with a love greater than ours.

      – Realize that prayers are heard for their quality, not quantity.

      – Be quick to forgive others,
         and pray for our own forgiveness.
         Note:
            Sin creates a wall between us and our fellowship
            with God…forgiveness brings down that wall.

      – Know that fasting is a private expression to God,
         and not something that we need to tell others about
         (we should continue to be as normal as possible when
         we fast….it is a private matter between God and us).

(MATTHEW 6:19-34)

– Christlike Priorities.
      – Don’t be concerned with temporal, material things,
         but be more concerned with how we can contribute
         to God’s ministry.
         When buying something, get something that is good
         and will perform the task, but don’t spend more
         money just to get some extra ‘bells and whistles’
         (then use that money to contribute to God’s ministry).

      – What we value as our treasure shows
         where our heart and desires are focused.
         If we are thinking about how we can impress
         others with our purchases, then we are failing
         to develop the humility of Christ in our lives.

      – Our loyalty needs to be to God only;
         we cannot have (or serve) two masters.

      – Accept the fact that we totally depend on God
         (especially for the necessities of life).
         God wants our dependence, and not our independence.

      – Our focus needs to be on God’s provisions
         and not on worrying.
         Note:
            Worry shows a weakness of in our faith;
            it is a pagan practice;
            it takes our attention away from God and His goodness.
         Note:
            All of us have worries that “pop up” from time to time,
            but when we cling to them, it can be debilitating.
         Note:
            The remedy for worry is to think about good things;
            we should focus on how God has blessed us
            and provided for us.

      – Our number one priority should be to focus on
         the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
         Note:
            As best we can, we need to try to view everything
            from His perspective, and accept His will in all things.

The last message He gave to the people
was about entering the Kingdom of Heaven.

He included words of invitation, and words of warning.

He spoke of:
   two gates,
   two ways,
   two crowds,
   two kinds of fruit,
   two kinds of doers,
   two destinations,
   and two houses.

He challenged them (and us) to make decisions
and commit to actions.

MATTHEW 7:

VERSES 13-14:

“ENTER THE NARROW GATE”
Question:
If salvation is free,
then why is the gate to salvation narrow?
    – People tend to shrink away from
      repentance and total commitment.
      Note:
         Only with God’s grace and power
         can we meet these demands.

The narrow gate leads to a way that is narrow.
Note:
   Narrow means compressed
   or constricted..in essence, it is difficult.

There are few who find the narrow gate and way.
Note:
   Many want to control their own life,
   instead of following God’s way and His leadership.
Note:
   This narrow way leads to life (salvation).

He also refers to a broad gate.
Note:
   It represents the easy way of drifting
   and failing to enter the narrow gate.

The wide gate leads to
a way that is broad (spacious and roomy).
Question:
Why is it broad?
   – There are no guidelines or restrictions.
   – It is easy to follow the worldly crowd and act as they do.
   – It is the popular way; people are free to do as they please.

Note:
   The gate is so broad that a person can
   drift through it without realizing it is a gate.
   Many who enter this gate think of themselves
   as individuals, but they are really all alike….they
   are all shuffling their way toward destruction.

Summary:
   – The door to salvation is narrow
      because it demands repentance and commitment.

   – The way to Christ is difficult
      because it is in opposition to the world.

   – Those who do not choose to enter the narrow gate,
      will drift through the wide gate and the broad way.

   – Many will follow the broad way, but few will
      enter the narrow gate and walk the difficult way.

   – Our ultimate destiny depends on which gate we choose.

VERSES 15-20:

“BEAR GOOD FRUIT”
Jesus warned about false prophets.
(Jeremiah 23:9-32)
   Jeremiah condemned false prophets for leading
   people astray, for raising false hopes, and for
   speaking their own words instead of God’s words.

The New Testament warns of:
   – False teachers (2 Peter 2:1)
   – False apostles (2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 13)
   – False Christs (Matthew 24:24)

“sheeps clothing”
   – Implies false prophets were not known enemies
      of the church who attack from the outside,
      but they are members of the flock itself.
      Note:
         This deception makes them dangerous
         (like ravening wolves).
         Note:
            Look at Paul’s warning (Acts 20:29).

Question:
How can we distinguish between true and false prophets?
   – By their fruits.
         – A wolf may disguise itself as a sheep,
            but eventually its wolf nature will surface.
            Question:
               Can you think of some examples?

         – Thornbushes produce thorns (bad),
            and not grapes (good).

         – Thistles produce thistles (bad),
            and not figs (good).

Jesus referred to the qualities of trees and their fruit:
   – Good trees bear good fruit.
   – Bad trees bear bad fruit.
      Note:
         Although He is referring to false teachers,
         we should apply this concept to our lives too
         (verse 18).
      Note:
         – Jesus taught that failing to bear good fruit
           is sinful and will be judged (verse 19).

Examples of the evil fruit of false teachers?
   – The quality of their lives.
      (Galatians 5:19-23)
         – Paul contrasted the works of the flesh
           with the fruit the Spirit.
           Note:
              These tests are for prophets and believers.

   – The message they teach.
         – They distort the truth
            (some can be religious con men).
            Note:
               Paul tolerated those who preached the true
               gospel, even if their motives were wrong
               (Philippians 1:15-18).

               He had no patience with those who
               preached a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9).

      – The long range impact of their ministry.
            – Are people being saved?
              Are believers becoming mature disciples?
              Note:
                  (Deuteronomy 13:1-5)
                      – Describes a prophet who does miraculous
                        signs, but leads people to other gods.
              Note:
                 A lot of people are influenced by the charisma
                 of a preacher and fail to examine his messages.

Summary:
   – We should be aware of false prophets
      (they are deceptive and dangerous).

   – We need to evaluate people who claim to speak
      for God (by how they live and what they say).

   – We need to use discernment,
      but not become judgmental (examine the fruit).

VERSES 21-23:

“OBEY GOD’S WILL”
Jesus points out that merely doing good works doesn’t
qualify us for heaven, we need to know the Lord.
Question:
What does “knowing the Lord” mean to you?
   – Spending time in His Word.
   – Obedience.
   – Personal relationship.
   – Active prayer life.
   – Trust.
   – Others?

VERSES 24-27:

“BUILD ON SOLID ROCK”
Jesus says we should do more than hear His Word
…more than remember it, and more than teach it to others
…we are to put it into practice and obey it.
Note:
   Those who do not, will have a terrible fate.

Summary:
   – We need to enter the narrow gate of salvation
      and travel the difficult way of discipleship.

   – We need to evaluate those we follow by the fruit they bear.

   – We need to evaluate ourselves by the fruit we bear.

   – Our assurance of salvation is based on
      knowing the Lord and doing the Father’s Will.

   – We need to be doers of the Word and not hearers only.