Title: “The Character of Kingdom People” Type: Expository
Script: Mt. 7:7-23 Where: GNBC 3-15-09/ rw 2-13-22
Intro: I have recently been reading Jon Meacham’s American Lion, a biography of Andrew Jackson, our nation’s 7th president. Many have remarked upon the president, however, his character was a conundrum. Losing his father before birth, his two brothers in battles with the British, his own mother in ministering to wounded colonialists, Jackson’s childhood was tumultuous. A product of cold and austere 18th century Southern Presbyterianism, Jackson was deeply religious, yet given to profanity and drink, violent and spiteful towards his enemies, he was completely concerned about his friends and especially endearing towards his soldiers, uncommonly loving and gentle towards children while being unimpressed in the company of great men, while presenting the image of a ruffian and frontiersman was also elegant in his clothing and manners, while be chivalrous towards women to a fault (at least a couple of duels) he married and lived with his first wife for a couple of years before making sure she was divorced (she wasn’t!). Jackson was a character, and in part it was due to the extremes of his character! In Mt. 7, as we conclude the SOM, we continue to see the character of Kingdom People, Christ’s Disciples.
Prop: In Mt. 7:7-23 we see 3 characteristics of Kingdom people.
BG: 1. Nearly at the conclusion of the SOM. Some of the most important words, ideas, concepts, for Christian to live by. 2. Possibly you are new Christian – study on own see what Xst expects.
3. Xst came to est. Kingdom, comprised of those who put faith and trust in Him for salvation.
Prop: In Mt. 7:7-23 we see 3 more characteristics of Kingdom people.
I. 1st: Kingdom People Pray in Faith – vv. 7-11
A. Kingdom People are to Take Initiative in Seeking After God. vv. 7-8
1. We take initiative in seeking after God when we pray.
a. v. 7 – three specific action words (verbs) Jesus uses here in relation to prayer and the believer – ask, seek, knock. Again, in each instance, the believer is taking the initiative. It reminds me of the Apostle Paul in Phil. 3:12 – “…I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ.”
b. Illust – A businessman who needed millions of dollars to clinch an important deal went to church to pray for the money. He happened to kneel next to a man who was praying for one hundred dollars to pay an urgent debt. The businessman took out his wallet and pressed one hundred dollars into the other man’s hand. Overjoyed, the man got up and joyfully left the church. The businessman then closed his eyes and prayed, "And now, Lord, that I have your undivided attention . . ." (The Power of Persistent Prayer, by David DeWitt) Now, don’t worry, God can hear your prayer even if others are asking, however, we are to take initiative and not be passive when it comes to praying.
2. We are rewarded with answers when we seek God in prayer.
a. Jesus gives three specific promises for those three specific actions Christians are to take in prayer. He says that if you ask you will receive. He says that if you seek you will find. He says that if you knock it shall be opened. In other words, our seeking after God’s will will not go unnoticed nor unanswered. All three verbs in verse seven, Ask, Seek, Knock are imperatives (commands).There are two basic kinds of imperatives in the New Testament. There is the aorist imperative which is a command to do a particular thing at one specific time, and there is the present imperative which is a command not only to do something but to keep on doing it indefinitely. All three verbs in verse seven, Ask, Seek, Knock are not only imperatives (commands) but they are present tense imperatives. We are told to ask and keep on asking, we are to seek and keep on seeking and we are to knock and keep on knocking.
b. Possibly the question comes to mind: What if there don’t appear to be any answers to my prayers? What sometimes causes our prayers to become disabled in their effectiveness? 1. Don’t believe God can or will answer. – Mt.21:22/Ja. 1:6-8; 2. Wrong motives –Ja 4:3; Unconfessed sin – Is. 59:1-2; Idols in our hearts – Ez 14:3; Not helping those in need – Prov. 21:13; God’s Word not in us – Jn. 15:7; Not treating your wife in an understanding manner – I Pet. 3:7.
B. Jesus Encourages His Followers to Ask in Faith Knowing God’s Nature. vv. 9-11
1. Jesus compares God’s relationship to us as a father to his own son, so as to give us confidence in His willingness and desire to provide for a please His child.
- vv. 9-10 – For some reason we get to the point in life we think maybe if God does exist and does hear my prayers and does answer, He is going to do something awful or give be bad things or something I really don’t want or want to do. And yet, Jesus says here, what natural father would do such? Absurd. Friend, Jesus us telling you that you have a loving Heavenly Father who loves you more than a good father loves his own child. Then, in v. 12 makes qualitative judgment – if this is the response of natural fathers, how much more confidence can you have in the God Who is by nature the very definition of Goodness??
2. Illust – We need to have the same kind of confidence in our lives that Abram and Sarai did when they left Ur of the Chaldeas. We read in Heb. 11:8 – “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Now friend, Abram might not have known where he was going but he did know Who he was going with and that gave comfort and security. Abram knew he could trust the God Who was real and not fake moon god of his people.
a. I Jn. 5:14 - “And this is the confidence that we have before him: that whenever we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” When we pray God’s will, we can be sure that he will answer that prayer. Therefore, in order to pray effectively, we must give ourselves to studying God’s Word to discern God’s will. God’s will, when properly interpreted, is meant to be pursued in prayer. Christ’s promise of receiving when we ask, seek, and knock is true only when we are pursuing the will of the King.
C. Applic: Kingdom people, Christ’s disciples, are to pray in faith.
II. 2nd: Kingdom People Practice the “Golden Rule” – v. 12
A. Kingdom People Imitate the Love of God by Practicing “The Golden Rule”
1. In v. 12 Jesus states what has commonly been called “The Golden Rule” …Do to others what you would have them do to you…
a. In many other religions the rule is stated negatively. There’s a story of an event that took place in 20 B.C. That is, about 50 years before Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. The tale was told of a Gentile who approached Rabbi Hillel and his rival teacher of wisdom. The Gentile promised each that he would convert to Judaism if one of them could teach him the entire Law while standing on one foot. So Rabbi Hillel said this: “Do not do to your fellow what you hate to have done to you. This is the whole law; the rest is explanation.” (A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Craig S. Keener, p. 249) That incident would have been legendary by the time of Jesus, like I said, just ½ century years later. Every Jew would have heard about that and probably even repeated it a few times.
b. So Jesus takes a very familiar statement and turns it around – so that it is no longer stated negatively, but positively. About 50 yrs. (1961 inaugural) ago JFK made such a statement that was in the positive and has become a part of our nation’s though.” “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” (idea from Matthew Rogers – The Golden Rule – sermon read)
2. What is the application of this rule to our lives?
a. At first glance this verse seems almost a bit out of place with surrounding verses. And yet the word “Therefore” connects us back to the context of the passage. I think we can go back to v. 1 and concept of judging others. Treat others how you want to be treated.
b. Illust – I want everyone to take just a moment to see how we can apply the “Golden Rule”. Kids and youth – Respect one another and show love and kindness. Life as a kid can be tough…other kids can be mean and cruel. You don’t know what love or attention that other kid gets at home, if has a home. Don’t know if has any friends in neighborhood or school. Is it really that difficult to be nice to one another? This is a “tease-free” zone! This is an “exclusion free” zone. This is a “hit and kick” free zone. It’s a “mean free” zone! I want you kids to think creatively how to include others kids. Youth. Cliques are immature. If you are young man or young woman, I want you to think about the godly young person who tries to welcome and include others not the rebel. That’s the type of person one day should be interested in.
B. What’s the Problem with the Golden Rule?
1. Really, there is no problem with the Golden Rule, but…
a. Illust – Ethicists and moralists and theologians often praise the Golden Rule . But we need to remember that Jesus didn’t preach the SOM in order that you and I comment on it. Rather, He preached the SOM so that we might obey and carry out His orders.
b. You see, the NT life requires us to leave out “self”. Self is the greatest of all stumbling blocks. The Gospel is by nature very humbling. Go back to the first words of the SOM – Mt. 5:3 – “Blessed is the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Jesus is address what is diametrically opposed to our natural man. We cling to our pride vehemently. And yet Jesus says that if you and I will become poor in spirit, we will have the Kingdom of Heaven. Again, here, Jesus is saying think of others more importantly than selves.
2. Live out the Golden Rule!
a. Think of what Jesus is saying to this crowd on the mountain. Certainly there were similar statements in antiquity. However, all the ancient versions of the Golden Rule were always given in the negative, while Christ gave it in the positive. Christ’s version of the Golden Rule is much harder and demanding. It is one thing to not steal. It is another to generously give to others. It is one thing to not slander someone; it is another to always edify them with our words. The negative version calls us to not sin, but the positive version calls us to love.
b. Illust - I am sure that all of us have shopped at J.C. Penney at some time or other, but I want to tell you something that you probably did not know about Penney’s. It used to be known as “the Golden Rule store”. In fact, when Mr. Penney first started, his first several stores were called that. Mr. Penney did not like to use the word “employee.” He called those that worked for him, “Associates”. He treated them just as well as he would like to be treated, too. He was able to take a general store in 1902, and build it into a multi-billion dollar business, because he actually lived the Golden Rule. Mr. Penny tried his best to always treat people like he wanted to be treated. He treated them with love, respect, kindness, understanding and encouragement. Do you try to treat others in your life like this – or not?
C. Applic: It was Edwin Markham who said these famous words: “We have committed the Golden Rule to memory; let us now commit it to life.”
III. 3rd: Kingdom People Follow the Right Route and Produce the Right Fruit. Vv.13-23
A. Jesus Proposes that Salvation is Found on a very narrow Route. (Jesus is essentially finishing sermon at this point.) He is telling us there is one way for salvation.
1. Jesus States that we are to enter in by the true opening. (Now what can this only mean except that there is ONE way and not multiple ways!)
a. Illust – IN Jn. 14:6 Jesus said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Jesus is claiming a very narrow and a very specific means of access. Probably most of us have at one time or another gone through an airport security check. Now days, take off coat and shoes, and empty pockets, and jewelry, and… Then, with all eyes on you, you walk through the metal detector. Only one person at a time is allowed to pass through that detector. Why? Can specifically screen/test each individual. Friend, every person who comes to Christ comes to Christ one at a time. Even at a mass crusade, each individual makes his/her own profession of faith.
b. Jesus clearly teaches His followers here that the great crowd of humanity is going through life w/o the truth, spiritually going in the wrong direction. May not be interested, may be very spiritual, may be very wicked or even very kind, and yet they are traveling down the same path to the same destiny, a Christless eternity.
2. Kingdom People recognize the one true path of salvation.
- What Jesus is telling us here is that “Kingdom Living” or being a serious disciple of Christ has never been very popular. In IC, only about 10-12% church attendance. SC – was about 70% where we lived! Jesus compares the road to destruction as wide and many on it. Illust – Now go back to my airport allusion. In almost every major airport in the world you now have moving sidewalks! What a blast! Can sweep hundreds of people along at a time without any effort on the part of those riding! Everyone on the moving sidewalk is moving. And they are all moving in the same direction, regardless of the type of people they appear to be. In the spiritual realm, equally true. On those sidewalks, every now and then a chance to get off. When you heard the Good News of the Gospel of JC, and the Spirit began to draw you, you realized need to Jesus Christ, and God the Father infused new life into your and my dead souls (Eph. 2:1) and you got off the broad path leading to destruction and you entered in by the narrow way.
B. Jesus Warns His Disciples to Follow those who Produce the Right Fruit.
1. As Jesus Wraps up His SOM He tells His listeners to Beware of those who do not Produce the Right Fruit.
a. v. 15 – “Beware of false prophets… (read)” When someone is hiding his or her true, destructive intentions, we say “He is a wolf in…” This is where that phrase comes from. Pseudoprophetes- false prophets. Fake or imitator. Even if they are well disguised (wolf in sheep’s clothing), Jesus tells us we can determine false prophets by the fruit they bear.
b. Compares false prophets to false trees that don’t bear proper fruit. Jesus is saying that trees may look exactly alike and yet do not produce same kind of fruit. It’s not matter of appearance on the surface that matters, its what’s in the heart. It’s not whether someone can mimic you pet theological position or key words…It is so easy to be misled by appearances isn’t it? (Bernie Madhoff and Ponzi scheme)
2. Beware of Deceiving Yourself vv. 21-23.
a. Illust - John MacArthur Jr. in his commentary on Matthew says the following, “To address Him as Lord, Lord was to add a spirit of intense zeal to demonstrate strength of devotion and dedication. In verse 22, the three references to your name are emphatic and convey the significance of who He is. Jesus is therefore talking about those who make a profession of faith in Him. Jesus is telling the people that lip service is not what God is looking for. Lip service without obedience is meaningless. William Barclay in his commentary on Matthew say, “There are two great permanent truths within this passage There is only one way in which a man’s sincerity can be proved, and that is by his practice. Fine words can never be a substitute for fine deeds. There is only one proof of love, and that proof is obedience. There is no point in saying that we love a person, and then doing things which break that person’s heart. When we were young maybe we used sometimes to say to our mothers, “Mother, I love you.” And maybe mother sometimes smiled a little wistfully and said, “I wish you would show it a little more in the way you behave.” So often we confess God with our lips and deny him with our lives. It is not difficult to recite a creed, but it is difficult to live the Christian life. Faith without practice is a contradiction in terms, and love without obedience is an impossibility.” A life without “doing” the will of God cannot save us. Doing the will of God does not mean that we are sinless perfect, but it means our life is one that displays as overall obedience to the will of God.
b. Illust - California’s most colorful stagecoach robber, “Black Bart.” For 6 years starting in 1877, Black Bart committed 28 robberies wearing a flour sack over his head, brandishing a shotgun demanding, “Will you please thrown down your treasure box, sir?” He was wounded in his last robbery, dropping a handkerchief with the laundry marking, FX07, which was traced to San Francisco where the police made one of the most surprising, arrests in city history. Black Bart the stagecoach robber turned out to be Charles Bolton, one of San Francisco’s leading citizens with close ties to the police department. He had a reputation as a non-smoking, non-drinking, God-fearing man with big business interests in the gold mines. The citizens of San Francisco were duped into deception, deceived by someone who had the appearance of one life but was living an entirely different one. (Christ says of these false prophets.)
C. Applic: Are you following the way of Christ? Are you producing the right fruit? Fruit in keeping with righteousness? Fruit of the Spirit?
