Jesus on Choices
40 Days with Jesus – Part 7
Life Church – November 14, 2010
Pastor Dan Walker
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Proverbs 20:24 (NIV) A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?
1. Choose not to follow the _____________
1A. Don’t choose the _______ road
Matthew 7:13 (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.
1B. Choose the _____________ road
Matthew 7:14 (NIV) But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
2. Choose __________ who you follow
2A. Don’t choose by ___________ appearance
Matthew 7:15 (NIV) Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
2B. Choose by the lasting _____________
Matthew 7:16-19 (NIV) 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.
3. Choose to ____ God’s will
3A. Don’t just _________ the right things
Matthew 7:21 (NIV) 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.
3B. Don’t just do _________ things
Matthew 7:22-23 (NIV) 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!'
3C. Don’t just _________ to Jesus’ words
Matthew 7:26-27 (NIV) 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.
3D. Put Jesus’ words into ________________
Matthew 7:24-25 (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. 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.
Message Study Guide
Jesus on Choices
Life Church – November 14, 2010
(Answer questions based on the message outline and verses)
Intro. What important truths does God’s Word teach us about the choices we face in life (1 Corinthian 10;13)?
Why is important to discover and follow God’s path for your life (Proverbs 20:24)?
1A. Why do you think that the wide road is so appealing to many (Matthew 7:13)?
1B. How would you explain to someone on the wide road what the narrow road is all about (Matthew 7:14)? What if they already thought they were on the narrow road?
2A. Why do people tend to choose who they follow by outward appearance (Matthew 7:15)?
2B. What kind of fruit would you look for in a spiritual leader you should follow (Matthew 7:16-19)?
2C. How would you explain to someone who has chosen a church for entertainment, how God wants them to choose a church family?
3A. Why do you think so many people claim to be Christians who aren’t (Matthew 7:21)?
3B. How could someone do supernatural things and be sent to hell (Matthew 7:22-23)?
3C. What is wrong in thinking that just listening to God’s Word brings blessing (Matthew 7:26-27)?
3D. Why is it hard to put God’s Word into practice (Matthew 7:24-25)?