I've judged hypocritically - criticizing Y re sex with F.
Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
Hypocritical judgement hurts rather than helps.
It deceives us into thinking that we are doing better than we actually are.
Some people try to divert attention from their own shortcomings by judging the shortcomings of others.
Homiletical Idea: Stop - the life you judge may be your own!
Purpose
Make people aware of when they are judging others.
Make people judge themselves before judging others.
Breakdown
Explain the text
Explore the experience of being judged by a hypocrite.
Cite the portrayal of religious hypocrites in the media.
Do you want to be a part of this pattern?
Ask, Seek, Knock
Passage - Mat 7:7-11
Related passages: Luke 11:1-13
Exegetical Idea: Pursue God persistently because he wants to bless you with good things.
Analyze the Exegetical Idea
Explain It: What does this mean?
Even unjust people respond to persistence, how much more will our loving Father?
God rewards persistence.
Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
Things I've prayed for for years that have eventually happened:
Agreement with my wife.
Knowing God's voice.
Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
You can have the blessing - it's your choice!
Homiletical Idea: Keep pursuing God!
Apple, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie
Purpose
Understand the importance of persistence in pursuing God.
Develop a lifestyle of persistence in pursuing God.
Breakdown
Explain the text
Contrast the pursuit of easy things vs. hard things
God is calling for a people who will "go for the gold"
Diligently seek the Lord - Heb 11:6
Golden Rule
Passage - Mat 7:12
Related Passage: Luke 6:31
Exegetical Idea: Do to others what you want them to do to you.
Analyze the Exegetical Idea
Explain It: What does this mean?
Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
Homiletical Idea: Treat other people the way you want to be treated.
Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
Love On A Two Way Street
Purpose
Make sure you treat others the way you want to be treated.
Breakdown
Narrow Gate, Narrow Path
Passage - Mat 7:13-14
Related Passages: Luke 13:22-30
Exegetical Idea: Many people find destruction but only a few find life.
Analyze the Exegetical Idea
Explain It: What does this mean?
The journey to destruction has a wide starting point and lots of options along the way.
The journey to life has only one starting point and few options along the way.
The path and the gate are similar.
Have you ever had trouble looking for a side street on your way to somewhere you've never been before? Finding it requires your full attention (e.g. driving to visit Dana and Thomas in Virginia).
Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
A relationship with God must be on his terms.
God calls the shots
Jesus is the only way - John 14:1-6; Acts 4:8-12
You demonstrate faith in a
cook: by eating the food he prepares.
surgeon: by letting him/her operate on you or a loved one.
leader: by following him/her.
Continue the way you started - Col 2:6-7
Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
If you don't stay focused on the right path you can miss it altogether.
Even many churchgoers miss the path because they lose sight of what Jesus actually said.
Homiletical Idea: It's Tight, But It's Right
Purpose
Understand the narrow nature of our Christian walk.
Walk consistently with this understanding.
Breakdown
Explain the passage.
Christianity is not a "do your own thing" movement.
Following Jesus requires focus and paying attention.
Following Jesus requires self-denial and restraint.
Following Jesus means walking where your errors can be seen.
Contrast narrow and broad starts to spiritual life.
Contrast narrow and broad spiritual journeys.
Illustrate using Joe Sumrell's demonstration.
What approach are you taking?
False Prophets
Passage - Mat 7:15-20
Related Passages:
Exegetical Idea:
Subject: How should you watch out for false prophets?
Complement: By inspecting their fruit.
Analyze the Exegetical Idea
Explain It: What does this mean?
The term "prophet" indicates that Jesus is describing someone who would appear to be a legitimate leader.
We are commanded to watch out for false prophets - they exist and we will encounter them.
We can't wait until they reveal themselves to inspect their fruit. We must inspect fruit as part of our general lifestyle.
Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
Yes - Share experiences:
Personal experience with A.C.C. and leader's fruit.
Jim Jones & People's Temple
Other cults
Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
How would you behave in the presence of a ravenous wolf?
Failing to recognize false prophets has consequences:
It makes you vulnerable to their harmful agendas.
It leaves the rest of the church vulnerable as well.
We have to change the way we evaluate:
Focus less on words and more on actions
Focus less on the short term and more on the long term
Homiletical Idea:
Purpose
We must watch out for false prophets.
We must evaluate in ways that enable us to detect false prophets.
Breakdown
Read the passage.
Jesus says watch out for false prophets.
False prophets are false leaders
Sheep's clothing refers to what shepherds wear.
He apparently knows that they exist.
He apparently knows that they are coming.
He apparently knows that they are dangerous.
Do false prophets exist?
Yes - Share experiences:
Personal experience with A.C.C. and leader's fruit.
Jim Jones & People's Temple
Other cults
What are the implications of a dangerous leader?
How would you behave in the presence of a ravenous wolf?
Failing to recognize false prophets has consequences:
It makes you vulnerable to their harmful agendas.
It leaves the rest of the church vulnerable as well.
We have to change the way we evaluate:
Focus less on words and more on actions
Focus less on the short term and more on the long term
What does it take to heed Jesus' warning?
Fruit focus!
How is it done in the world?
Credit reports
Job references
Check first - then trust!
Unbelievers are shrewder than the saints - Luke 16:1-15
What must we do in the Church?
We must assess both existing and future fruit - 1Tim 5:24-25
Structure and operate in a way that facilitates checking fruit
Check references before authorizing ministry
Present references before seeking to minister
What are the warning signs of a false prophet?
Bad fruit
Hiding fruit
Hiding his/her past
Lying
Not accountable to anyone
It takes more than failure to make a false prophet
We all fail - James 3:1-2; 1John 1:5-10
Some become false prophets by refusing to repent
Some become false prophets by trying to restore themselves
We need our brothers' and sisters' help - Gal 6:1-2; James 5:13-20
"Lead Us Not Into Temptation" by Don Basham p. 67
We must change our church subculture!
New Material
Preparation
Expository Preaching
Expository preaching is the communication of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher, then through the preacher, applies to the hearers.
Select the Passage
Study the Passage
NIV
Hebrew Study Bible
KJV
The Message
NASB
RSV
Discover the Exegetical Idea
Subject
Tools: How, Who, What, When, Where, Why
Complement
Analyze the Exegetical Idea
Explain It: What does this mean?
Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
Formulate the Homiletical Idea
Determine the Purpose of the Sermon
Make it plain
Use accessible language and modern parables
Make sure people do something with the word God gives you for them.
Decide How to Accomplish This Purpose
Outline the Sermon
The Standard - Mat 5 - 7 (cont.)
Build On The Rock
Passage - Mat 7:21-27
Related Passages: Luke 6:46-49
Exegetical Idea: Only the obedient will enter God's Kingdom, therefore put Jesus' words into practice.
Analyze the Exegetical Idea
Explain It: What does this mean?
Doing the Father's will takes more than simply calling Jesus "Lord"!
Supernatural performance is not proof of a relationship with Jesus.
Only doing the Father's will and knowing Jesus count with him.
The only way to ultimately enter God's Kingdom is to consistently practice what Jesus says.
Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
Yes - look at the sometimes spectacular failures of some popular nationally known ministries.
I'm no longer impressed by public performance.
The gifted who have failed need to open up about their failures.
Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
Homiletical Idea:
Purpose: For the saints to understand the scope of obedience that God requires and adjust their lifestyles accordingly.
Breakdown
Present the passage
Story
Sir Edward William Elgar (1857 - 1934) composed a series of 5 musical pieces.
Title from Act III of Shakespeare's Othello
"Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump, The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife, The royal banner, and all quality, Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!".[1]
1901 (October) - First piece premiered in Liverpool
1902 "Land Of Hope and Glory" section of Coronation Ode for King Edward VII (great-grandfather of Elizabeth)
1905 (June 28) Professor Samuel Sanford invited Elgar to receive an honorary doctorate at Yale.
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra, College Choir, Glee club, music faculty members, and New York musicians performed Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 as the graduates and officials marched out.
The tune is now a standard at American graduations.
Mat 7:21-23 depicts the ultimate graduation.
My MIT Graduation
Final assembly
Names called for last minute fees, library books, etc.
Checkers every dozen yards or so.
Most received diplomas.
Some received diploma frames with explanatory notes
How will you do at graduation?
How you do then is determined by what you do now!
Some things that we thought would count won't!
Some things we thought wouldn't count will!
Graduating takes more than wearing school clothing.
Being a star athlete or working for the school newspaper are not proof that you understand your field of study.
Only completing your degree requirements counts.
The only way to graduate is to do your homework.
Mat 7:24-27 is about your lifestyle
The house standing or falling reflects graduating or not graduating.
Standing through the storm (i.e. graduating) requires obedience.
A building's foundations are not random and neither is obedience.
Analogies for Mat 7:21-23 vs. Mat 7:24-27
Graduation vs. homework
Planning for a lifestyle of obedience
We sow a thought and reap an act; We sow an act and reap a habit; We sow a habit and reap a character; We sow a character and reap a destiny.
Attributed to Charles Reade
Scope of obedience
Practicing Jesus' words means more than just going to church.
Produce fruit for God's Kingdom!
Jesus wants you to make disciples.
All of the rest of the sermon on the mount is spoken in this context - to disciples who are being trained to make disciples.
Church helps you discover where the rock is, but it doesn't sink the foundations for you.
"No my brother - you have to buy your own!"
Describe sinking of pilings.
Pilings must underlie the entire structure being constructed.
You must examine your entire life to ensure that every facet has its foundation on rock.
You can't do this by yourself - you need a team!
You and your team
American culture is individualistic
"I'll do it myself!"
"I did it my way!"
We bring our own cultural baggage when we interpret scripture.
Jesus built a team and expected his disciples to do the same.
Jesus used metaphors that involved teams:
Harvest - a team activity
Fishing - a team activity (when done to make a living)
Building Houses - a team activity
Immaturity
Pursues spiritual growth individualistically
Focuses on things that don't require a team
accumulating spiritual information
emulating church behavior
Maturity
Pursues spiritual growth as part of a team
Focuses on developing a spiritual lifestyle
Sees a team as essential to doing God's will
Will find a team or build one.
Pays attention to character more than to gifts.
Teams play to win
Much of the behavior we settle for should be our preparation.
You have to do more than practice.
You have to do more than drills.
You have to do more than exhibition games.
You have to take a risk and play a game and make mistakes.
How will you do at graduation?
How you do then is determined by what you do now!
Some things that we thought would count won't!
Some things we thought wouldn't count will!
Doing God's will takes more than simply calling Jesus "Lord"!
Signs and wonders are not proof of a relationship with Jesus.
Only doing the Father's will and knowing Jesus count with him.
The only way to ultimately enter God's Kingdom is to consistently practice what Jesus says.
God has a big Kingdom - You should have a big goal:
More than scoring points
More than winning a single game
More than winning a division title
More than winning the national championship
Set your sights on the hall of fame as part of the greatest team in history!
Discussion Questions / Topics (based on the indicated scriptures)
Scripture References: Mat 7:21-27
Does anyone do the Father's will perfectly? Is that what Jesus had in mind in Mat 7:21? Is Jesus your Lord? What factors other than perfection demonstrate your commitment to doing the Father's will?
Have you ever seen anyone legitimately prophesy, do miracles, or drive out demons? If so, what have you assumed about their spiritual lives?
What is your plan for putting Jesus' words into practice in your life?
What role do teams play in your efforts to put Jesus' words into practice? Are they essential or optional? Explain.
Do you believe that God wants you to win and make disciples? If so, how long have you believed this and what is your plan for doing it?
In what ways have you made your team more effective?
Is your team "playing to win" or just practicing and "doing drills"?
God has a big Kingdom. Does your team have goals that match? Are you going for the "hall of fame"?
Witnessing Activities For This Week's Life Group Meetings
Make sure that everyone knows about the next Life Church 101 class:
Sunday June 8, 2008 - 2 P.M. - 6 P.M.
Other witnessing / works activities as determined by your life group leader.
