The Jesus Talks: Matthew 7:15-28
Quick (very) Review of Matthew
The wake they leave says what they are like
Deceived: self evalutate on obedience
Decision Point: A foundational call.
**

24 “Everyone then 
            who hears these words of mine 
            and does them 
                     will be like a wise man 
                              who built his house on the rock. 
25 And the rain fell,
     and the floods came,
     and the winds blew 
     and beat on that house,
     but it did not fall,
           because it had been founded on the rock.  
26 And everyone who hears these words of mine 
     and does not do them 
           will be like a foolish man 
                    who built his house on the sand.  
27 And the rain fell,
     and the floods came,
     and the winds blew and beat against that house,
     and it fell,
     and great was the fall of it.”
28 And when Jesus finished these sayings,
           the crowds were astonished at his teaching,
29                     for he was teaching them 
                                    as one who had authority,
                                    and not as their scribes. 

The wake they leave says what they’re like
Deceived or Deceiving: Self Evaluate on obedience
Decision Point: A foundational call
INTRODUCTION TO THE KINGDOM (1:1–4:23)

Ancient biographies could open with the subject’s public vocation, as in Mark, but often began by rehearsing the background of the central character. Such background might include 
a noble or prominent ancestry (Mt 1:1–17)
virtuous parents (1:18–25)
childhood background that introduced themes relevant to the subject’s later public activity (2:1–23)
the attestation of others to the person’s character (3:1–17)
including that of the person’s adherents (4:18–25)
qualifying tests through which the person’s character was proved (4:1–11). 

Such introductory comments set the tone for the whole of the work that would follow.
THE ETHICS OF GOD’S KINGDOM
   5:1–16 Kingdom Blessings for True Disciples
   5:17–48 Jesus Applies Principles in God’s Law
   6:1–18 Showing Righteousness to God Alone
   6:1 Righteousness When Only God Sees
   6:2–4 Doing Charity Secretly
   6:5–15 The Right Way to Pray
   6:16–18 Fasting Secretly
   6:19–34 Do Not Value Possessions
   7:1–27 Appropriate Judgment
7:1–6 Do Not Judge Others
7:7–12 Good Gifts Guaranteed
7:13–14 The Narrow Way
Matthew 7:15–29 (ESV) — 

** 

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.’ 
Ravenous: very eager or greedy for food, satisfaction, or gratification ‹a ~ appetite› voracious
Public = Private
Character, Deeds
Teaching, What?
Who:
What:
Pharisees/Sribes or Jesus Followers?
What kind of legacy?
Who has spiritual power but no obedience?
Could obedience here mean faith?
Was it real spiritual power?
Should the question, "How much lawlessness" be asked and why would Jesus not know them?"
Jesus seems to be talking about the same people but maybe not. What do you think? 

Some people divide this part of Jesus' talk into only two parts. The first part and the decision point. What do you think?
Character or Motive? Can you 
tell a story of someone who
was like this?
No one is perfect, right? So, divide up chapters 5, 6 and 7 among the people of the group.  Each person make a list of commands or instructions from their section. How would you rate yourself on following those words of Jesus? Put it on a 1 to 10 scale. 

This is completely subjective but how do you think you are doing? 
THE ETHICS OF GOD’S KINGDOM
   5:1–16 Kingdom Blessings for True Disciples
   5:17–48 Jesus Applies Principles in God’s Law
   6:1–18 Showing Righteousness to God Alone
   6:1 Righteousness When Only God Sees
   6:2–4 Doing Charity Secretly
   6:5–15 The Right Way to Pray
   6:16–18 Fasting Secretly
   6:19–34 Do Not Value Possessions
   7:1–27 Appropriate Judgment
7:1–6 Do Not Judge Others
7:7–12 Good Gifts Guaranteed
7:13–14 The Narrow Way