Your Decision

1. Your Decision September 30

2. Think About It … • When you go on a trip, what are some of the choices you have to make as you plan and prepare? • Jesus talked about the journey of life … He spoke of choices we must make. • Today we look at what road to take, whom to listen to, and whom we will obey.

3. Listen for the description of two different routes. Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV) "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. [14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

4. Life or Destruction? • How did Jesus describe the gate to the kingdom of God? Why? • In what ways to “narrow” and “difficult” describe what it’s like to follow Jesus? • Many religions teach self-sacrifice. How is this different from being a follower of Jesus? • In what way did Jesus describe the gate that leads to destruction?

5. Life or Destruction? • What broad roads did you (or people you know) travel before meeting Christ? • How should we fit or not fit into the world? • What was your entry through the narrow gate like? • In what sense is it narrow-minded to believe in Christ?

6. Listen for ways to detect false prophets. Matthew 7:15-23 (NIV) "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. [16] By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

7. Listen for ways to detect false prophets. [18] A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. [21] "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

8. Listen for ways to detect false prophets. [22] Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' [23] Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

9. Genuine or Counterfeit? • According to this passage, what are some characteristics of false prophets? • What would be some examples of false prophets in our world? • How do you carefully evaluate “fruit” without judging (which Jesus warned against)?

10. Genuine or Counterfeit? Remember that these Fruit of the Spirit are qualities that are the result of being under the Kingdom/Rule of God  When God is ruling in your life, these beautiful fruit are what will naturally be seen • Consider the contrasts of different kinds of fruit: Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; [20] idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions [21] and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like

11. Genuine or Counterfeit? • What kinds of things will people claim before God who want to enter heaven? • According to this passage, why will they be denied? • Consider what steps you should take if you know that obedience of God is not present in your life … confession, repentance, by faith receiving forgiveness, declaring your submission to God, making Jesus Lord of your life

12. Listen for the meaning of “the rock” in this passage. Matthew 7:24-29 (NIV) "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. [26] But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into

13. Listen for the meaning of “the rock” in this passage. practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. [27] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." [28] When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, [29] because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

14. Rock or Sand? • What happens to a house that is not built on solid ground? • How would this apply to your spiritual life? • What kind of storms attack our lives and threaten to destroy them?

15. Rock or Sand? • The children’s song, “The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock” has a verse that says, “So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ.” What does this passage actually say? • Why will our lives not be destroyed when we build them on the rock of God’s words to us?

16. Application • All people have the opportunity to decide how they will respond to God • Believers are confronted with the demands of discipleship • These demands may appear to be constricting but, in truth they set us free and lead to life • This week choose to follow Jesus direction in your life – it may be rigorous, but it is worth the cost.

17. Application • Disciples need to be on guard against those who would deceive them in an effort to destroy them • Authentic teachers and true disciples can be recognized by the fruit of their lives • Make sure that your life is more than just saying religious words or doing religious acts. • Cultivate a right relationship with Jesus and allow Him to demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit through you

18. Application • Those who hear and obey Jesus’ words build their lives on a solid foundation • This solid foundation prepares a believer for the storms of life and for the Day of Judgment • Jesus’ words are God’s Truth – believe them … base your life on them

19. Your Decision September 30