WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT

WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT? 

Sermon on the Mount—many challenging, amazing things.  Schweitzer—things that will be expected in Jesus’ coming kingdom. 

But Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Matt. 17:21)

(Matthew 7:15-24, 28) 

Sermon on the Mount is radical teaching—Mt 5-7.  Jesus gives some challenges in living life that are not easy nor human to perform. 

Jesus told was the expected in their world at the time—even Scriptural.  Then gave HIS ethic—His was harder than generally accepted at the time. 

Blessed are persecuted 

Not only do not murder—but do not get angry with people 

Not only do not just love those who love you—but love your enemies and pray for them. 

Do not worry—do not seek revenge—do not judge but leave that to God. 

Here in our passage today—“wolves in sheep’s clothing”—everyone is not what they seem to be. 

How do you know who you can trust—who you can follow—who is worthy of honor? 

“By their fruit”—good trees bear good fruit and opposite. 

“By their fruit you will recognize them.” 

What comes out of your life—my life?  So many believers are just like the world—just like everyone else—just like every other American. 

“Everybody else is doing it.”  Jesus said, “Live by my model, my example, my teaching—even when it opposes all others in the world. 

Who do you obey?  Who do you belong to?  “By their fruit, you will know them.” 

Fruit is born from what is inside—who is controlling our life.  What comes out proves what is inside. 

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the K of heaven.” 

“ONLY he who does the will of the Father who is in heaven.” 

Who are you most like?  Father or mother—world of Jesus?  Obedience to Jesus’ teachings—God’s teaching proves we belong to Him—we are His family. 

We don’t obey in order to make God please with us so He will give us eternal life.  We obey to prove that He has already given us eternal life.  It is fruit—proof of the One to whom we belong. 

Jesus was different from His world—different teaching that went beyond the normal expected things.  Different way of living—He didn’t just teach it; He lived it. 

Vv. 28-29  That is why they were amazed at Him.  He had an authority beyond their regular teachers and the expected. 

But He also expected His followers to live the same way.  Leviticus 19:2  “Be holy for I, the Lord your God am holy.” 

Be like Me.  Obedience. 

Can we do that?  Not in our own power.  Only as God (H.S.) controls us. 

Know the Bible to understand God and Jesus—know what they expect. 

Knowing should lead to doing—living His way—obedience. 

Obedience proves who we belong to—the world or Jesus? 

Who do you obey? 

When we live God’s way, we are radically different from everyone else in the world.

And when we live in obedience to God, we are witnesses with authority. 

People hear the difference—people see the difference. 

Then we have God’s authority when we speak of Him to others. 

What fruit are you bearing?  What fruit are you seeking to bear?