Anthony Gammage – Matthew 7:13-27
Sermon Quotes
Matthew 5:13–27
[13]“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. [14] For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
[15]“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. [16] You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. [18] A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
[21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [23] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
If we truly confess Jesus is Lord, we must also be willing to bend our will to his, even if his directives seem unpleasant or foolish to us…The test of loyalty, the test of our submission to the Lord, comes when his will crosses ours. We truly obey (we submit) to God whenever we obey a command that requires painful or strange actions.
-Dan Doriani
It is true, of course, that no one enters the kingdom because of their obedience; but it is equally true that no one enters the kingdom who is not obedient. It is true that people are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ; but it is equally true that God’s grace in a person’s life inevitably results in obedience.”
-D.A. Carson