Choose Wisely

Gospel Light Church

Matthew series #15

July 5th, 2026

 

Choose Wisely

Matthew 7:13–20

Every day we make decisions. Some are insignificant—what to wear, what to eat, which route to take home. Other decisions determine the direction of our entire lives. Some of us today have amazing lives because of intentional decisions that we have made.

Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount by confronting His hearers with a series of choices. There is no neutral ground. There are only two gates, two roads, two destinations, two kinds of teachers, and ultimately two kinds of people.

The question is not whether you’re on a road.

The question is which road you’re on.

Jonathan Pennington says, “Jesus is contrasting the way of outward religious observance against the way of genuine heart transformation.”

I. Enter Through the Narrow Gate (v. 13-14)

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.

“Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

A. The Entrance

Notice the first word:

“Enter.”

• This isn’t merely information.
• It is an invitation that demands a response.

Jesus never intended the Sermon on the Mount to be admired from a distance.

He calls us to act.

B. The Narrow Gate

The narrow gate is Christ Himself.

The narrow gate is on the road that leads to LIFE.

Jesus later says,

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved…….” (John 10:9)

The gate is narrow because salvation comes only through Christ.

• Not Christ plus works.
• Not Christ plus morality.
• Not Christ plus religion.

Christ alone.

The narrow gate only allows YOU to enter in alone. Not with your friends, your spouse, your kids, your coworkers or your parents.

“The way to heaven is not shut because it is narrow; it is narrow because truth excludes falsehood and holiness excludes sin.” – C.H. Spurgeon

Spurgeon reminds us that God’s narrowness is not cruelty. It is clarity.

• Our culture assumes that sincerity is enough.
• Jesus says direction matters more than sincerity.
• You can be sincerely traveling the wrong road.

C. The Wide Gate

Jesus describes the popular path.

• It’s easy.
• It’s comfortable.
• It requires no repentance.
• It demands no surrender.
• It’s full of people.
• Its glamourous.
• Its dark (spiritually)
• Its wide… broad!

It simply follows the current.

The broad road says:

• Follow your heart.
• Define your own truth.
• Live for yourself.

The WORLD loves the convenience and flow of the broad way!

Who do you know that is on the broad way?

And Jesus says it leads to destruction.

This Greek word apōleia does not simply mean “ceasing to exist.” It refers to:

• ruin
• loss
• devastation
• eternal judgment
• complete separation from God’s blessing

It describes the tragic end of a life lived apart from God.

Popularity has never been proof of truth or life.

II. Beware of False Prophets (v. 15-16a)

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”

Jesus now shifts from roads to guides.

The greatest danger isn’t simply choosing the wrong road.

It’s following the wrong leader!

This is the ONLY warning in the Sermon on the Mount.

What is a false prophet?

• A false prophet is a person who spreads false teachings or messages while claiming to speak the Word of God.

They COME TO YOU!!

“Satan’s servants do not usually come with horns upon their heads. They wear the garb of religion and use the language of Canaan.” – C.H Spurgeon

A. False teachers rarely look dangerous

Jesus doesn’t describe wolves dressed as wolves.

He describes wolves dressed as sheep.

That means deception.

False teachers often sound biblical.

They may even appear compassionate.

But appearance isn’t the measure.

Truth is.

“False teachers rarely announce themselves. Error almost always arrives wrapped in language that sounds spiritual.”- Skip Heitzig

That is exactly Jesus’ warning. Discernment requires more than emotion. It requires Scripture.

I John 4:2-3 –   By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

B. Discernment is a Christian responsibility

Jesus says, “Be on your guard.”

He says, “Discern.”

Christians aren’t called to be suspicious of everyone.

But we are called to test everything.

Romans 16:18 – “For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, [a] and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”

!!!!!!Ask questions!!!!!

• Does this teaching exalt Christ?
• Does it submit to Scripture?
• Does it call people to repentance?
• Does it produce holiness?
• Does it point people to Jesus or to the prophet?

According to Matthew 7, a false prophet is:

• A deceptive teacher who appears to belong to God’s flock.
• An inward wolf whose true motives are selfish rather than shepherd-like.
• Someone whose life, doctrine, and ministry ultimately produce bad fruit.
• A person who leads others away from wholehearted obedience to Jesus, even if they seem outwardly successful or religious.

“The emphasis is not on a teacher’s gifts but on “the total product of his life and ministry.” Jesus calls His followers to look beyond appearances and evaluate leaders by the enduring fruit they bear in character, doctrine, and the effect of their ministry.” – D. A Carson

III. Fruit Reveals the Root (v. 16b-20)

Jesus gives an illustration everyone understood.

“You’ll recognize them by their fruits.”

Fruit always reveals the tree.

But look at the plurality of the word…fruits…. it’s one thing to fake it for a moment or even a season…. but when you observe over time…what does the fruits say?

Trees and fruits don’t grow immediately, but inevitably.

A. Nature tells the truth

• Jesus asks, can grapes come from thorn bushes?
• Jesus asks, can figs come from thistles?

They all knew the answer and so do we…. NO.

Fruit always matches the tree.

B. Character Matters More Than Charisma

People often evaluate leaders by:

• personality
• giftedness
• platform
• influence

Jesus evaluates them by fruit!

Fruit includes:

• holiness
• humility
• integrity
• love
• faithfulness

Giftedness can impress people.

Fruit reveals God.

C. Bad Fruit Has a Future

“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

This is a sobering reminder.

• God is patient.
• The judgment is real.

Grace never eliminates accountability.

“Grace does not make men careless; it makes them careful.” C.H. Spurgeon

• Real faith changes how we live.

Decisions. Choose wisely.