Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It
Senior Pastor David Rose wraps up his “Summer on the Mount” series with a look at Matthew 7:13-28. He highlights the narrow way of following Christ, the need for discernment against false prophets, and the difference between lip service truly knowing Christ. It’s a call to authentic discipleship and a life transformed by the gospel.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus invites us to live in His kingdom.
- Jesus clarifies the foundations of life.
- Jesus is worthy of our condition.
Further Study
- How does Jesus’ teaching about the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14) relate to His statement in John 14:6 that He is “the way, the truth, and the life”? How does this reinforce the Gospel truth that salvation is found in Christ alone?
- In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus warns about false prophets and emphasizes the importance of good fruit. How does this connect with Paul’s teaching on the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23? How does the Gospel empower us to bear good fruit?
- Jesus speaks about those who call Him “Lord” but don’t truly know Him (Matthew 7:21-23). How does this relate to the parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-13? What does this teach us about the nature of saving faith versus mere religious activity?
- In the parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27), how does building on the rock of Christ’s teachings relate to Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 3:11 that “no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ”?
- How does Jesus’ teaching with authority (Matthew 7:28-29) foreshadow His Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20? How does this authority relate to the Gospel’s power to save and transform lives (Romans 1:16)?
The Gospel
If you have questions about what it means to be a Christian, we would love to talk with you about it.
Reach outThe Gospel is the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. As Pastor David reminded us, it’s not about our own efforts or religious activities, but about what Christ has done for us.
The heart of the Gospel is that we are all sinners, separated from God and unable to save ourselves. We can’t build our own righteousness or create a resume impressive enough to earn our way to heaven. Instead, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross to bear the punishment for our sins. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 tells us, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day.”
Christ’s resurrection proves His victory over sin and death, offering us the hope of eternal life. This salvation is not earned but received as a gift. When we put our trust in Jesus, acknowledging our need for Him and surrendering our lives to His lordship, we are forgiven, reconciled to God, and adopted into His family.
True faith in Christ will cost us something—our pride, self-reliance, our worldly ambitions. But in exchange, we gain everything: a relationship with God, a new identity, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the promise of eternal life. As we build our lives on this Gospel foundation, we are transformed from the inside out, producing the fruit of the Spirit and becoming more like Christ.
This Gospel isn’t just about future salvation; it’s about a present reality of living in God’s kingdom. It’s not some future payment or reward based on our current performance; rather, it’s about knowing and being known by Jesus now, walking daily with Him now, and allowing His life to be lived out through us now, all of which culminate in an eternity together with Him.