True righteousness is not about outward religious acts but about a genuine relationship with God. It surpasses the righteousness of the Pharisees, who were known for their strict adherence to the law but often lacked the heart of true obedience. This righteousness is characterized by doing the will of the Father, which requires a heart aligned with His purposes. It is not enough to merely call Jesus "Lord" if our actions do not reflect His teachings and commands. We are called to examine our lives and ensure that our actions are not merely for show or self-gain but are rooted in genuine obedience to God. [29:09]
"For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you tempted to perform religious acts for the sake of appearance rather than genuine obedience? How can you realign your heart with God's purposes today?
Day 2: Discernment of True Spiritual Fruit
Success and spiritual deeds do not equate to spiritual fruitfulness. False prophets may appear righteous and successful, but their true nature is revealed by their fruits. Outward success and spiritual deeds, such as preaching or performing miracles, do not guarantee entry into the kingdom. Instead, it is the intimate relationship with God and doing His will that truly matters. We must be cautious of false prophets who use success to mask their true nature. Our focus should be on the fruits of our actions, which reveal our true allegiance to God. [33:26]
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:15-16a, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a time when you equated success with spiritual fruitfulness. How can you shift your focus to discerning true spiritual fruit in your life and the lives of others?
Day 3: The Centrality of Prayer in Our Faith
The Lord's Prayer is central to our faith, emphasizing the importance of a personal relationship with God. This relationship is nurtured through prayer, which deepens our connection and aligns our will with His. Prayer is not about performing religious duties but about knowing God intimately and allowing His will to guide our actions. It is through prayer that we cultivate a deep, personal connection with our Heavenly Father, which is essential for true spiritual growth and transformation. [45:54]
"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create a dedicated time and space for prayer in your daily routine to deepen your relationship with God?
Day 4: Intimacy with God Over Religious Acts
Knowing God is not about being a fan or performing religious duties; it is about an intimate, transformative relationship. We must ensure that our actions are a response to God's call, not just our own desires. This intimacy with God is what truly matters, as it leads to a life that is aligned with His will and purposes. It is not enough to simply go through the motions of religious activities; we must seek to know God deeply and allow His love to transform our hearts and lives. [42:45]
"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to move from merely performing religious acts to cultivating a deeper, more intimate relationship with God?
Day 5: Invitation to Deepen Relationship Through Reflection
We are invited to deepen our relationship with God through intentional practices like prayer and reflection. This week, take time to read Matthew 8, ask God what He wants to reveal to you, and spend moments in silence to listen to His voice. This practice can be the beginning of a transformative journey, where our lives are shaped by His story and His will. By engaging in these practices, we open ourselves to the transformative work of God in our lives, allowing His word to speak to our hearts and guide our actions. [54:36]
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)
Reflection: As you read Matthew 8 this week, what is one specific area where you sense God is inviting you to grow or change? How can you respond to this invitation in a practical way?
Sermon Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound question of who can enter the kingdom of heaven, as highlighted in Matthew 7:15-29. This passage challenges us to reflect on the nature of true righteousness and the authenticity of our faith. Jesus warns us that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom, but only those who do the will of the Father. This calls us to examine our lives and ensure that our actions are not merely for show or self-gain but are rooted in genuine obedience to God.
We discussed the dangers of false prophets and the temptation to equate success with spiritual fruitfulness. False prophets may appear righteous and successful, but their true nature is revealed by their fruits. This serves as a reminder that outward success and spiritual deeds, such as preaching or performing miracles, do not guarantee entry into the kingdom. Instead, it is the intimate relationship with God and doing His will that truly matters.
The sermon also emphasized the importance of prayer and the relationship it fosters with God. The Lord's Prayer, positioned at the center of the Sermon on the Mount, underscores the significance of a deep, personal connection with our Heavenly Father. This relationship is not about performing religious duties but about knowing God intimately and allowing His will to guide our actions.
As we move forward, we are invited to deepen our relationship with God through prayer and reflection. This week, I challenge you to read Matthew 8 and engage in a practice of asking God what He wants to reveal to you. Spend a few minutes in silence, allowing His word to speak to your heart. This practice can be the beginning of a transformative journey, where our lives are shaped by His story and His will.
Key Takeaways
1. True righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and is characterized by a genuine relationship with God, not just outward religious acts. It is about doing the will of the Father, which requires a heart aligned with His purposes. [29:09]
2. Success and spiritual deeds do not equate to spiritual fruitfulness. We must be cautious of false prophets who use success to mask their true nature. Our focus should be on the fruits of our actions, which reveal our true allegiance to God. [33:26]
3. The Lord's Prayer is central to our faith, emphasizing the importance of a personal relationship with God. This relationship is nurtured through prayer, which deepens our connection and aligns our will with His. [45:54]
4. Knowing God is not about being a fan or performing religious duties; it is about an intimate, transformative relationship. We must ensure that our actions are a response to God's call, not just our own desires. [42:45]
5. We are invited to deepen our relationship with God through intentional practices like prayer and reflection. This week, take time to read Matthew 8, ask God what He wants to reveal to you, and spend moments in silence to listen to His voice. [54:36] ** [54:36]
Bible Reading - Matthew 7:15-29 - Matthew 5:20 - Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord's Prayer) Observation Questions
What does Jesus say about those who call Him "Lord" but do not do the will of the Father? How does this relate to entering the kingdom of heaven? [36:36]
How does Jesus describe false prophets, and what criteria does He give for recognizing them? [29:09]
What is the significance of the Lord's Prayer in the context of the Sermon on the Mount? How does it relate to our relationship with God? [45:54]
What does Jesus mean by saying that righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees to enter the kingdom of heaven? [36:36]
Interpretation Questions
How does the concept of "doing the will of the Father" challenge common perceptions of religious success and spiritual deeds? [36:36]
In what ways might the warning against false prophets apply to contemporary Christian communities? How can believers discern true spiritual fruit? [29:09]
How does the Lord's Prayer serve as a model for deepening one's relationship with God? What elements of the prayer emphasize this connection? [45:54]
What does it mean to have an intimate, transformative relationship with God, as opposed to merely performing religious duties? [42:45]
Application Questions
Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be calling Jesus "Lord" but not doing the will of the Father? How can you align your actions more closely with His will? [36:36]
Consider the spiritual leaders you follow or admire. How do you discern whether they are bearing true spiritual fruit? What steps can you take to ensure you are not misled by outward success? [29:09]
How can you incorporate the Lord's Prayer into your daily routine to deepen your relationship with God? What specific part of the prayer resonates with you, and why? [45:54]
Think about a time when you performed a religious duty out of obligation rather than genuine desire. How can you shift your focus to cultivate a more intimate relationship with God? [42:45]
This week, take the challenge to read Matthew 8 and spend time in silence asking God what He wants to reveal to you. What do you hope to learn or experience through this practice? [54:36]
Identify one area in your life where you might be tempted to equate success with spiritual fruitfulness. How can you refocus on the true fruits of your actions? [33:26]
Reflect on your prayer life: How can you make it more about building a relationship with God rather than fulfilling a religious obligation? What changes can you implement this week? [45:54]
Sermon Clips
The motif or the theme about entering the kingdom came back 又 再 回來 的 這個 motif 因為 是 七 章 的 二 十 一 節 主 耶 穌 說 不是 每 一個 稱 呼 我 主 啊 主 啊 的人 都 能 夠 進 天 國 唯 有 遵 行 我 父 子 義 的人 才 能 進 去 He said Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven But the one who does the will of my father who is in heaven 唯 有 這一 群 人, 唯 有 這些 人 才 可以 進 入 天 國 他說 不是 奉 唯 唯 有 這個 不是 那個 稱 呼 主 啊 主 啊 的人 才 可以 進 去 然後 他說 不是 那 些 不是 那 些 人 就 說 不是 我 奉 你的 名 傳 道 嗎 不是 我 奉 你的 名 趕 鬼 嗎 I preach your name In your name I cast out demons and do all the miracles And preach the word 我 傳 道 人 來 的 我 都 不能 進 入 天 國 難 道 是不是 在 說 我 呢 我 都是 一個 奉 主 耶 穌 的 名 傳 道 的人 我 能 不能 進 入 天 國 呢 [00:21:21]
他们 扮 虔 誠 他们 扮 虔 誠 他们 扮 虔 誠 他们 扮 虔 誠 他们 会 找 些 东 西 去 装 饰 他们 自己 但是 主 要 说 这 些 人 最 终 他们 的 果 子 会 出 卖 他们 他们 的 果 子 即 是 他们 的 de eds 他们 的 words 他们 所 做 的 东 西 但是 最 终 带 来 的 con sequ ence 最 终 带 来 的 后 果 结 果 就 会 告诉 我们 究 竟 这 帮 真的是 跟 随 主 耶 稣 的人 还是 假 扮 的人 凭 着 他们 的 果 子 可以 认 出 他们 来 所以 第 21 节 主 耶 稣 说 的 这 些 称 呼 主 啊 主 啊 的人 可能 说 的是 假 先 知 特 别 是 我们 稍 后 看到 其实 在 24 章 都 会 有 说 这 些 东 西 这 些 假 先 知 但是 我们 问 之前 不是 说 法 利 错 人 的 吗 我们 说 的 义 主 耶 稣 说 in chapter 5 your righteousness has to be better than the Pharise e now we were talking against one group of people 我们 说 这 一 帮 人 我们 的 义 要 好 过 这 一 帮 人 但 到 这里 主 耶 稣 说 你的 义 或者 你们 要 小心 这 些 假 的 假 先 知 and it seems another group of enemy comes up at least antagon ists show up 另外 一 帮 的 坏 人 出 现 或者 是 主 耶 稣 要 讲 的 对 象 批 评 批 判 的 对 象 那么 法 利 错 人 和 这个 假 先 知 是 代 表 什么 呢 什么 呢 就是 这样 他们 假 装 敬 拳 我想 假 先 知 和 这个 法 利 错 人 都 有一 些 装 不是 装 架 构 是 扮 演 的 那 种 就是 pret ent ious 的 地方 他们 不同 的 地方 是 那 些 法 利 错 人 是 用 金 钱 去 包 装 rem ember 主 耶 稣 说 你们 不要 像 那 些 法 利 错 人 在 街 口 里 长 篇 大 论 地 去 祈 祷 they preach in the cross road in front of everyone they will get the reward 他们 已经 拿 了 他们 上 次 但是 也 都 说 他们 是 pret ent to be very sad because 他们 fast 因为 他们 金 色 祷 告 变 得 很 惨 很 惨 梁 慕 斯 上 个 礼 拜 都有 都有 跟 我们 讲 这个 问题 它 是 pret ent to be right sp iritual pret ent to be religious in many sense 在 这个 我们 这样 说 在 that 's not a good word to say here but anyway for get it 他们 pret ent to be 一 种 很 好的 基 督 徒 in a way in a way 不是 说 好 基 督 徒 不 应 该 是 他们 pret ent the word the key word is pret ent to be a good word 但是 假 先 知 他们 不是 用 金 钱 去 包 装 自己 不是 pret ent to be spiritual 他们 用 成 功 去 包 装 自己 they use success to package themselves be like oh look at me look at what I 've done look at my words look at my deeds I raised the dead I heal the sick look at my churches look at the people be like 用 成 功 去 包 装 这 些 东 西 在 讲 到 假 先 知 24 章 又 再 出 现 在 24 章 24 节 主 耶 稣 他 特 别 去 针 对 一 班 的人 去 讲 的时候 他 特 别 说 how come it 's not here you 're in the [00:24:38]
We thought, wow, they that's the success, in the gospel, in the属灵界 of the success, and then we chase after that. we think that our mistake we all want really good. We also want to have a good, we also want to achieve it. We also want to achieve it. The false prophet does not deceive us with failures. It doesn't say that, oh, you fail, so you're miserable, you're worthless. Well, the accuser does that, but the false prophet doesn't do that. But the false prophet doesn't do that. Evangelical conferences, especially the evangelistic conferences, I should say .很多都是, oh ,某某的基督徒很成功 ,所以我们请他们来讲见证 ,是不是 ?某某的明星信了 ,我们请他们来讲见证 ,哇 ,看看你的生命如何告诉我们。告诉我们上帝如何祝福你 ,because of your success ,because of their successes. 我们想听上帝如何祝福这个人 ,因为他们的success become a testimony to our lives .And we thought that, wow ,if we want to be blessed, we must be successful .Or if I'm not successful, then I'm not blessed. And that's scary, in a way .And that's what Jesus is saying ,be aware of that ,小心这些东西 ,要防备这些东西 ,这些法力错人的效 [00:33:36](120 seconds)
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用它們的成功去證明自己. I'm a good tree. Look at me. How would you not know me, Jesus? 怎麼會不認識我呢? 我跟風利的命趕鬼的。 Use your name. 風利的命 ,它說到的。 Your name to preach. I'm preaching Jesus every single week. But it may not happen. He may not know us. He may not know who we are. 跟著主耶穌說,祂說了一句說話, I do not know you. Go away from me. 你開我 ,我完全不知道你是哪一個。 如果全道趕鬼 ,事工發展, 不能夠證明我們是一棵好樹, If all these success are outward success and good deeds, does not prove that we are the good tree that Jesus speaks of. Then what can? 主耶穌不是說我們要靠我們的義行嗎? 我們的義行要高過法律出人的義行才可以嗎? 才入到天國。 現在說 ,但你有一些的好 ,做了一些好東西, 但是之前就說, Your good deeds has to be better than the Pharisees. 現在就說, no, this doesn't count. Even in my name does it, you don't count. No, you can't go in. 祂跟他說, 祂的宣告, at least in verse 23, 主耶穌說 ,我要向他們宣告, 我從來不認識你們, 你們這些作惡的人, 給我走開。 Go away, you evil doer, or doer of lawlessness. 這些的good deeds, 祂所做的miracles, [00:35:47]
In Jesus' name, I preach all this. It could be a work of lawlessness. It's shocking. But then, 更加震驚, 更加震驚, 它說, I never knew you. 我從來都不認識你們. 竟然一個, 講耶穌講了這麼多年的人, 主耶穌會說, 我從來都不認識你. 死開了, 走到一邊了. Get away from me. I don't know you. 他們不是很熟聖經的嗎? 傳道的人, Don't they know the Bible? Don't they know the Hebrew? Hebrew Bible from inside out, but they are equal, they are equal to the evil doers, those who are outside of the law, those who are not of the kingdom. 竟然传道的人可以是天国以外的人 ,可以不是上帝认识的人。 我们怎么去理解这句话 ,大家都知道Steph Curry是谁 ,Steph Curry, you know, the star of our state, of our Golden State Warrior. 我们估计都知道他是谁 ,we recognize him and his family. 上一次我朋友说在Chase Center外面见到Aiza Curry, do you know Aiza Curry? [00:38:48]
我们不能单方面去想 ,我们追了这个姓 ,我们追了这个人 ,我们不能单方面去想, oh yeah, we're a buddy now. But to Curry ,对于Steph Curry说, I never know you, who are you? We never talked, we never even met before. It's a hallucination. 有种幻想来的 ,是吧? 跟主耶稣都可以是这样。 We can be a Jesus fanboy for all our life. 我们可以 ,主耶稣的最大的 biggest fans ,最大的 fans, oh, I love him. Yeah, he's good. Yeah, he's the best. But when it comes down to the face -to -face time, 主耶稣可以说 ,哇 ,我不懂你。 谁来的你是? Who are you? 别以为行了神迹 ,歧视 ,赶鬼 ,传道这些东西. 就可以我们一厢情愿地以为我们就认识了上帝. No, it doesn't work. 回教会 ,回小组去服侍. 有时我们都可以是 ,如果我们不是真的认识这位上帝的话. This is all just an act of pretentious righteousness. [00:41:27]
Only those who does the will of the Father in heaven, they know God. They know God, because they does the will of the Father. And that knowing is intimately transforming our lives. That's the knowledge, the knowledge, the knowledge, the knowledge is very密 to change our lives. Because we say, I want to do this, and then I'll go do it. Not because I want to do this, and I'll go do it. This is a good thing, therefore I'll go do it. But it's a response to God's call. 上帝要你做这件事, and then我们去做, 这个才是一个obedience ,这个才是一个good deed, in God's eye. Not that in and of itself is good, then when I just do that, that must be good. But it's what God says, and then we respond to it. That is good. [00:43:14](68 seconds)
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祷告就是的核心 ,是那个关系. Abba, Father, the first verse in the Lord's Prayer. Abba, Father, that denotes the relationship we have inherently with our Heavenly Father. 最祷告 ,最核心的一件事就是关系, 不是说些什么 ,做些什么 ,有没有成就. It's the relationship that counts. 中国人有个说话 ,现在很轻的说话, 有关系就没关系, right? 没关系就有关系. Do you know what it means? 有关系, if you have connections, then it doesn't matter anymore. If you don't have connections, then there's a problem. Do we have that connection with God, with the Heavenly Father? If you have that connection, then there's no problem in that. 我们的关系就没问题了. 但如果我们没有这个关系, we don't have that connection, 但如果我们没有这个关系, we don't have that connection, then there is a problem. 关系其实就是靠着这个祷告去加深. Our relationship deepens with our prayers, or through our prayers. [00:45:25]
And that's why in the middle... in the whole of S erm on on the Mount, the very center of it is the Lord 's Prayer. Everything packaged around it. Everything, from beginning to the end, packaged around that Lord 's Prayer. 整 个 灯 山 宝 库 的 中 心 就是 主 土 文. 所以 为什么 我们 要 慢慢 去 读 主 土 文? 为什么 有 一个 min i series 去 讲 主 土 文? Without that, everything else doesn 't matter. 你可以 讲 很多 东 西, 做 很多 东 西, 你的 意 可以 超 然 地 去 做, it doesn 't matter. There 's no relationship, no connection, 没 关 系. There 's no, no, no, nothing. Nothing is there. It 's worth talking. [00:46:43]
So my final question is, does he know you? Does he know you? Wow, that 's a very scary question, right? How ever we answer that, 他 认 不 认 识 我们 呢? 他 认 不 认 识 你 呢? 但 我想 说, I 'm not trying to put the fear in you. It 's not, I 'm not trying to put that fear in you. I don 't even want to put that doubt in you. 我 不是 想 你们 怀 疑 上 帝 的 拯 救, 救 恩。 不是 这样。 如果 你 已经 相信 了 主 耶 稣, 为 你的 主, 你的 神, 他 已经 认 识 你。 If you have accepted, you have believed and accepted Jesus as your Lord and your God, then he already knows you. 你 做 了 这个 pr ayer, 你 做 了 这个 conf ession, 你 做 了 这个 pro clamation, then he knows you. R est assured, he knows you. [00:48:57]
I know that my kids know me I know that you all know me 但 如果 我们 在 stream ing 的时候 如果 我们 在 on line streaming and I 'm just preaching to the camera 网 上 观 看 的 弟 兄 姊 妹 可能 就 会 她 认 识 我 我不 认 识 她 如果 我有 一个 stream ing audience 即 是 天 父 在 第 五 堂 每 个 礼 拜 有 百 多 人 在 网 上 观 看 如果 她 我 会 说 有一 帮 弟 兄 姊 妹 可能 在 街 上 说 P ast or Antonio 你好 然后 我 会 说 Hello 我不 可能 忘 记 你的 名 字 可以 说 一下 我 常 常 在 网 上 见 到 你 讲 到 的 I never knew you I 'm glad you connected with me That 's good But I did not know you before But now that we do You see 我们 没 见 过 面 的话 没 聊 过 天 的话 是 永 远 都 不会 认 识 In the same way If you have become a Christian But you will never pray Never spend time with God Never talk to him Talk to him about our lives And pour out our heart to him 如果你 没有 做 和 他 谈 心 没有 花 时间 去 见 面 祈 祷 And that bond is not deep It 's not strong It 's not there Then when someone question you 的时候 有人 问 你 的时候 你 会 说 对 啊 我 都 不是 很 确 定 P ast or Antonio was right And then Satan could work in that moment 撒 旦 就 会 在 那 一 刻 他 会 说 对 啊 你 都 不是 基 督 徒 你 都 不 看 你 都 不 祈 祷 你 都 不 做 这 些 不 做 那 样 的 You know S atan could use that moment of weakness To have you doubt God But no He knows you But then We want that bond to be deeper Str ong er So that when anyone question you He 's like No I know him He 's my buddy He 's my friend He called me his friend God called me his friend 上 帝 称 呼 为 我 为 他的 朋友 你 不 需要 质 疑 我 我 和 他的 关 系 Can we do that? Do we want to? [00:50:29]
Ag ain this is not to guilt trip 你们 去 做 任 何 的 事 But it 's The question is Do you want that? 因为 当 你想 要 的时候 你就 会 有 in iti ative Pro actively 去 做 这 些 东 西 It 's an invitation Like I said T ing God The kingdom of heaven Is an invitation to all The question The hard part is Do we want it? Do we really want that part? That intimate relationship? Do we want to see His will done in my life? Do we want to see The dead rise The sick become healed The lame And what start walking in? Not because I do that for God But because he Ask me And I obey And I 'm entering Int o his story 我 进 入 上 帝 的 故 事 当 中 的时候 我 会 见 到 这 些 事 发 生 And that 's why From chapter 8 on ward We will enter into Jesus' story 我们 进 入 另外 一个 人 的 n arr ative And let his story s hape our lives 他的 故 事 去 影 响 我们 索 造 我们 不是 我 再 去 想 我们 的 故 事 是 什么 去 尝 试 去 come up with our own story But let 's Let him write it. And that's far more beautiful, far more amazing. My invitation is, would you do it? Would you want it? [00:52:09]