Matthew 7:12-14 - Roads, Choices, and Consequences

05/11/25 • 39 min

Let’s read it! Matthew 7:12-14 (NIV):

(12) So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

(13) Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

(14) But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Let’s read it! Matthew 7:12-14 (NIV):

(12) So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

(13) Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

(14) But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Previous Episode

Matthew 7: 6-11 - Keep asking, seeking and knocking

Matthew 7: 6-11 - Keep asking, seeking and knocking

Good morning, church. Today we continue our journey through the Sermon on the Mount—a teaching from Jesus that turns worldly thinking upside down and invites us into the kingdom of God. Growing up, I thought these were one-off lessons that I was to obey or try to obey. As we have been journeying through learning this Sermon Jesus preached, actually built upon itself and was designed to show us what living in the KINGDOM of God is like right now...that those who decide to follow Jesus to be his disciples would live this way. It is a roadmap, an instruction manual and a standard, a yardstick for which we can measure our life to see if we are living our best life.

Matthew 7: 6-11

(6) Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

(7) “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (8) For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

(9) “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? (10) Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? (11) 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!

In the past month or so, we have gone from: don’t be like the hypocrites, “do not worry”, “do not judge”, to “ask, seek and knock”. When we live in the Kingdom of God and we know our Father...We are not to worry and we shouldn't worry, which causes anxiety, especially about things that are outside our control. But if we are worrying about something we screwed up on, that often lead me to pray. For me, every time. So I ask for God’s help. And He does. I put it in God’s hands and then I don’t need to worry. But if I do keep worrying then I’m doubting God’s goodness, and unfairly judging Him.

Moving onto chapter 7, We are not to judge (condemn) each other, but yet we are to judge (correct) each other-- correction judging is based on accountability and mutual encouragement. So, we are to hold one another accountable which is a very godly thing to do and yet we are to judge based on love without being hypocrites.

Next Episode

Matthew 7:15-20 - Discerning Truth in a Deceptive Age

Samantha Testimony

The Manchineel Tree looks like a tropical apple or guava tree, and its fruit looks enticing. This tree, by appearance, is beautiful. They are found in Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America, mostly in coastal regions.

This tree, by appearance, is quite nice. But never stand under one or even touch it. Its sap is poisonous and will cause blistering of the skin upon contact.

And if it’s raining and you’re standing under it for shelter, you might as well call 911. By the way, eating its fruit will kill you. The Manchineel tree is the most dangerous tree on earth, so beware.

Why do I mention this? Because we are talking about that which is destructive yet doesn’t look like it could lead to destruction: false prophets. They are everywhere today and prophet btw does not necessarily mean telling the future, its a person who speaks with spiritual knowledge claiming to be from God.

Sermon Title: Discerning Truth in a Deceptive Age"

Matthew 7:15-20

(15) Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (16) By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? (17) Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. (18) A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. (19) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (20) Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.