Here is our text for the week:
Matthew 7:21-27
"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. 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?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
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. 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. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
What do you think about this?
Clearly, not everyone who thinks he/she is going to Heaven is going to make it. What is the criteria for getting to Heaven?
This seems to take us back to where we have been for the last two weeks: Just what are we to do with our lives?
What else is on your mind this week?
[This is Spring Break week and some of our regular contributors are gone, so here is your chance to jump in and share some thoughts.]
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Fruit Inspection
Here’s our passage for the week:
Matthew 7:15-20
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."
What’s your first impression of these words of Jesus?
It seems that Jesus is talking about two, related, things. First, the credibility of a prophet’s words is backed up by his actions. The false prophet’s walk does not match his talk. The other thing, which is a little broader, is that everyone can be "judged" by his or her "fruit."
Then there is the third part. Those who do not produce good fruit are not acceptable to God.
Questions:
What is the "fruit" that Jesus has in mind?
Can you give some examples of "false fruit" producers?
Is it true that what you do defines who you are?
Who are you, according to your "fruit"?
Matthew 7:15-20
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."
What’s your first impression of these words of Jesus?
It seems that Jesus is talking about two, related, things. First, the credibility of a prophet’s words is backed up by his actions. The false prophet’s walk does not match his talk. The other thing, which is a little broader, is that everyone can be "judged" by his or her "fruit."
Then there is the third part. Those who do not produce good fruit are not acceptable to God.
Questions:
What is the "fruit" that Jesus has in mind?
Can you give some examples of "false fruit" producers?
Is it true that what you do defines who you are?
Who are you, according to your "fruit"?
Sunday, March 11, 2007
The Long and Winding Road
Here is our passage for the week:
Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
These verses seem contrary to the present mind-set in the culture and in the broader Christian community which says, "I’m OK; you’re OK."
What do you think Jesus is talking about?
What does it mean that only a few are going to find "life"?
Why only a few?
Is he talking about eternal life, heaven?
What else is on your mind this week?
Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
These verses seem contrary to the present mind-set in the culture and in the broader Christian community which says, "I’m OK; you’re OK."
What do you think Jesus is talking about?
What does it mean that only a few are going to find "life"?
Why only a few?
Is he talking about eternal life, heaven?
What else is on your mind this week?
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Just A.S.K.! (Ask, Seek, Knock)
Matthew 7:7-12
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
This is a nicely timed passage, as we head into our first full week of 40 Days of Focus, but I wonder if we really believe what Jesus says.
On the surface it appears that if we ask, seek, and knock, and then we’ll get what we want. Is that your experience? If not, then what is your experience?
I am fairly certain that we have some readers who do not pray. If you are one them, tell us why (anonymously is fine).
How are you doing with the 40 Days of Focus?
What else in on your mind this week?
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
This is a nicely timed passage, as we head into our first full week of 40 Days of Focus, but I wonder if we really believe what Jesus says.
On the surface it appears that if we ask, seek, and knock, and then we’ll get what we want. Is that your experience? If not, then what is your experience?
I am fairly certain that we have some readers who do not pray. If you are one them, tell us why (anonymously is fine).
How are you doing with the 40 Days of Focus?
What else in on your mind this week?
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