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Scripture Text for Matthew 7:13 “Go in through the narrow gate; for the gate that leads to destruction is wide and the road broad, and many travel it; 14 but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.15 “Beware of the false prophets! They come to you wearing sheep’s clothing, but underneath they are hungry wolves! 16 You will recognize them by their fruit. Can people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every healthy tree produces good fruit, but a poor tree produces bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, or a poor tree good fruit. 19 Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire! 20 So you will recognize them by their fruit.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, only those who do what my Father in heaven wants. 22 On that Day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! Didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we expel demons in your name? Didn’t we perform many miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I will tell them to their faces, ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’[Matthew 7:23 Psalm 6:9(8)]
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Matthew 7:13-23
Verse 13
[13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
The strait gate — The holiness described in the foregoing chapters. And this is the narrow way.
Wide is the gate, and many there are that go in through it — They need not seek for this; they come to it of course.
Many go in through it, because strait is the other gate — Therefore they do not care for it; they like a wider gate. Luke 13:24.
Verse 15
[15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Beware of false prophets — Who in their preaching describe a broad way to heaven: it is their prophesying, their teaching the broad way, rather than their walking in it themselves, that is here chiefly spoken of. All those are false prophets, who teach any other way than that our Lord hath here marked out.
In sheep's clothing — With outside religion and fair professions of love: Wolves - Not feeding, but destroying souls.
Verse 16
[16] Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
By their fruits ye shall know them — A short, plain, easy rule, whereby to know true from false prophets: and one that may be applied by people of the weakest capacity, who are not accustomed to deep reasoning. True prophets convert sinners to God, or at least confirm and strengthen those that are converted. False prophets do not. They also are false prophets, who though speaking the very truth, yet are not sent by the Spirit of God, but come in their own name, to declare it: their grand mark is, "Not turning men from the power of Satan to God." Luke 6:43,44.
Verse 18
[18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree good fruit — But it is certain, the goodness or badness here mentioned respects the doctrine, rather than the personal character. For a bad man preaching the good doctrine here delivered, is sometimes an instrument of converting sinners to God. Yet I do not aver, that all are true prophets who speak the truth, and thereby convert sinners. I only affirm, that none are such who do not.
Verse 19
[19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire — How dreadful then is the condition of that teacher who hath brought no sinners to God!
Verse 21
[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Not every one — That is, no one that saith, Lord, Lord - That makes a mere profession of me and my religion, shall enter - Whatever their false teachers may assure them to the contrary: He that doth the will of my Father - as I have now declared it. Observe: every thing short of this is only saying, Lord, Lord. Luke 6:46.
Verse 22
[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
We have prophesied — We have declared the mysteries of thy kingdom, wrote books; preached excellent sermons: In thy name done many wonderful works - So that even the working of miracles is no proof that a man has saving faith.
Verse 23
[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
I never knew you — There never was a time that I approved of you: so that as many souls as they had saved, they were themselves never saved from their sins. Lord, is it my case? Luke 13:27.
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The Daily Devotionals
The Daily Devotionals
Monday, August 22, 2016
Text to read: Matthew 7:13-23
- Why is the “way” to life a narrow one?
- What could that mean?
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Text to read: Matthew 7:13-23
- What does the teaching about good and bad fruit mean?
- What are the implications?
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Text to read: Matthew 7:13-23
- How can you know the good fruit from the bad?
- What is the lesson?
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Text to read: Matthew 7:13-23
- Read verses 21-23.
- What is response to this warning?
Friday, August 26, 2016
Text to read: Matthew 7:13-23
- Read the whole text and sum it up in one sentence.
- How does that help you?
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Text to read: Matthew 7:13-23
- The stakes of discipleship seem high.
- Why is that?
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Text to read: Matthew 7:13-23
- Pray for those who make a HARD choice today about worshipping God.
First United Methodist Church
2111 Camino Del Rio South
San Diego, California 92108, United States
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2111 Camino Del Rio South
San Diego, California 92108, United States
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