Sermon notes:
1. The defining difference between a true and fake believer is the prolonged practice of sin.
2. Jesus says false believers will give him lip service, but not their lives.
3. “Rock people” hear the words of Jesus and build on them.
4. “Sand people” hear the words of Jesus and don’t build on them.
At the end of Matthew 7:
5. Jesus calls Himself Lord.
6. Jesus calls God His Father.
7. Jesus says He will be the judge of who enters heaven and who doesn’t.
8. Jesus says He is the foundation to success in life.
Review:
Looking back on last Sunday’s message and your notes, what was the most memorable part for you?
Digging Deeper:
1. Read Matthew 7:21-23. In Matthew chapters 5 through 7, a multitude of people went up on a hillside to listen to Jesus teach. In these verses what does Jesus teach about Himself?
2. What do you think were some of the responses of the people when they heard Jesus say this? What do you think your response would have been?
3. In these verses, Jesus describes the characteristics of false believers. What do we learn about them?
4. Read 1 John 3:4-10. The Apostle John was friends with the greatest false believer in history, Judas. From these verses, what is the difference between true and false believers?
5. When you hear the word “practice” what do you think of? What do you think is the difference between a person that struggles with sin and a person that practices it?
6. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus describes two people. What do these two people have in common and how are these two people different?
7. If someone doesn’t build their foundations of life on Jesus, what do you see them building them on? How have you seen storms test people’s foundations? How have they tested yours?
8. In Matthew 7:28-29, it says that the people were amazed when Jesus had finished His sermon. When you ponder the teachings of Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount, what is your impression and why?
Taking it Home:
Pray that God will help you be a clear-thinking follower of Him in these unique days we are living in.