The 
ight House
Sunday School (Two Choices)
Two Choices
(Matthew 12 - 29)
The remainder of this “Sermon on the Mound” focuses on presenting two choices for the listener. These two choices are presented in several contexts and examples, yet all of them at the very core is the choice between following the ways of God which leads to eternal life, or following after the ways of the world which leads to spiritual death.
Verse 12 reads…
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
(Matthew 7:12)This is the famous “Golden Rule” you have no doubt heard quoted since childhood. This verse is a follow up on the verses from the previous lesson about judging one another. This verse goes beyond telling us what not to do in terms of casting judgment and provides us with instruction on what we should do instead of judging. Rather than judging one another, we are to treat others the way we would like to treated. The choice here is between judging others or applying this ‘golden rule’. In one sense however, it is not a choice at all, because we are not given the option without consequence. Judging is condemned while treating others the way we would want to be treated is commanded.
Treating others the way we would want to be treated regardless of their behavior may not always be an easy thing to do. It certainly requires humility and meekness which are traits of the Christian having a close walk with God. The closer walk we have with God, the more humility we will have and be more apt to treat others with Christian love regardless of their behavior. Without that close fellowship with God our natural tendency is to treat others the way we perceive that they DESERVE to be treated, which is a form of judging. We not only cast judgment on others with our thoughts and our talk, but also simply in the way we treat them when our treatment of them is effected how we see that person based on their behavior, and their faults.
Not only does this principle apply toward those who’s behavior simply is not in accordance with Christian principles, but it even applies toward those who do not treat us with kindness and may even persecute us. The following scriptures support this scripture known as the “Golden Rule”.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
(Matthew 5:44)See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
(1 Thessalonians 5:15)The best example of this principle of showing love toward those who do not show love toward us is found on the cross. Jesus died for the very ones that killed him and that was all of us because he was there for our sins. When we look at the cross we see the ultimate example of love given in exchange for the ultimate act of hatred and persecution.
Continuing in the lesson lets look at verses 13 and 14.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
(Matthew 7:13-14)The two choices here are between the broad way which leads to destruction and the narrow way which leads to life. The way which leads to life is a narrow way because salvation is only through Jesus Christ.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
(John 10:1)Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(John 14:6)Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
(Acts 4:12)The way which leads to destruction is broad because any religion, doctrine, or belief regarding salvation which is not based upon Jesus Christ will get you there.
Jesus said that few are on the narrow way which leads to life and many are on the broad way which leads to destruction. That is a sad truth, especially when we know that that salvation is free and available to all people. Some that are on that broad way know of the narrow way but have simply not chosen it. Others that are on that broad way don’t realize they are on that path to destruction. They are trusting in something vain and false to take them to Heaven.
Speaking of counterfeits, look at the next versus of this lesson…
15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
(Matthew 7:15-20)The choice here is between the good tree or the corrupt tree. The tree is symbolic of those proclaiming to have a gospel message such as teachers or preachers. If the tree is corrupt then the fruit of that tree (the teachings) is corrupt. This scripture tells us that they will appear genuine on the outside (sheep’s clothing), but will be corrupt on the inside (inwardly they are raging wolves). They can be recognized by their fruit, but only if we know what good fruit is. God’s word is the standard by which all teachings can be measured to make the determination of what is good and what is corrupt. Therefore, we must be well studied in God’s word to be able to recognize false teachings.
15Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
(2 Timothy 15:16)Many people in this day are deceived by false teachings because they are not well studied in the word. They simply make their judgements based on what seems right in their own mind, but we are warned about leaning to our own understanding rather than trusting in God’s word.
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
(Proverbs 3:5)12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
(Proverbs 4:12)If we know the truth, we can see the many false prophets, teachings and doctrines all around us. Many people of this day are religious, yet God’s word tells us that few are on that narrow way. This could only mean that a great number of those who embrace some form of religion are deceived.
11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
(Matthew 24:11)“Fruits” not only applies to the doctrines they claim, but also to their actions (how they live their lives). Talking one way while living another is a strong indicator that a prophet is false. This should not be used out of context however. Everyone, including pastors, preachers, and teachers who are well grounded in the word and live accordingly will make mistakes. The best of us is capable of sin, therefore seeing faults in a person does not mean they are a false prophet. The faults and sins of the genuine true man of God however are the exceptions to his character and not definitive of his daily walk.
Note the end destiny of the corrupt tree…
19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(Matthew 7:19)There are several thing which can hinder a person from seeing and accepting truth such as pride, logic, seeking doctrine to conform with their own desires, and traditions. In the next lesson we will do an in depth study on “Counterfeit Salvation” and will take a closer look at how these tendencies hinder a person from seeing the truth of God’s word.
Look at the next three versus.
21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
(Matthew 7:21-23)These scriptures are about “counterfeit salvation” which is the result of embracing false doctrines and placing ones trust in anything other than the Lord jesus Christ for salvation.
Obviously the Lord will be speaking to those who believe they were saved, yet they were not saved, thereby having a counterfeit salvation. They make their pleas based on their works although the bible tells us plainly that we are not saved by our works but by the Grace of God through our faith in Jesus.
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9)Therefore trusting in false and corrupt doctrines not only lead to deceit in this life, but ultimately can lead to the person hearing Jesus speak those dreadful words to them on the day of judgement, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Notice that these with the counterfeit, actually do profess Jesus Christ (indicated by them saying, “Lord, Lord”). It is not enough to claim to be a Christian or to claim Jesus as savior although it is a component of salvation.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
(Romans 10:10)However, the profession without real conversion is in vain.
Do not confuse Jesus’ statement saying, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” To mean that we are saved by our actions. While our actions and deeds do not save us, they do serve as evidence of our salvation. We are not saved because we do the will of God, but rather we do the will of God because we are saved! So there is a connection between our deeds and our salvation, but we need to understand the correct order of the connection and which one causes the other.
Consider versus 24-29…
24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
(Matthew 7:24-29)The two choices here are between two foundations. The choices are the foundation which is the rock (the doctrine of Jesus Christ) or the sand (all other doctrines and beliefs). Jesus says that those that hear these sayings of mine and does them will be like the person who builds his house upon the rock. Again we need to realize that he is not saying that salvation is by doing anything, but rather the doing of the sayings is the evidence of salvation. Another scripture which supports this principle is…
26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
(James 2:26)We are saved by grace through faith and nothing else. However if we are genuinely saved, there will be works. These works are not to be hidden, but to illuminated by the light which is the Holy Spirit which dwells in us.
16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
(Matthew 5:16)By building our house (our life) upon the rock (the true doctrine of Jesus Christ) our house (our life) will be able to withstand the storms (the trials, tribulations, and temptations of life) without falling.
19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
(Psalm 34:19)Not only will we be able to endure these hardships in this life by trusting in the Lord, but even more we will have eternal life with our Lord in Heaven. The house will never fall (eternal life).
Those who hear these sayings and do them not (reject Jesus and his teachings) are like the man who builds his house (his life) upon the sand (any beliefe or doctrine other than that of Christ), his house will fall when the storms come (his life will be destroyed… he will perish).
So it’s not enough to hear the gospel, but we must be obedient to it.
13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
(Romans 2:13)Note that the man who built his house on the sand, did not loose his house because he did not labor, but it based simply on the type of foundation that he chose to build on. A man could be the most dedicated Buddhist that ever lived, but because his faith was not in Jesus Christ it will all be in vain and Hell will be his eternal home. Labor does count for something, but it is meaningless if it is not based on the one, true doctrine which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
All these analogies of two choices given in this lesson can be summarized in one choice between two things…
Jesus or Hell, which is synonymous of eternal life or death. That’s putting it very straight forwardly, yet that is the truth.
The people had never heard teachings like this before. These teachings were in great contrast to the teachings they had received from the scribes and the Pharisees. Jesus did not teach these things in a passive or merely a suggestive way, but he taught them with authority. The message being so different from anything they had heard before, yet taught with such authority caused the people to be amazed and astonished at Jesus’ teachings.
God Bless you,
Carl
I may not look like much, but I cost a bunch!
