The Sermon on the Mount #12 – Study Questions
Genuine Faith
Sermon on the Mount (CGS#12) – Matt. 7:21-23
INTRODUCTION: This week, we are covering the three most difficult verses in the Sermon on the Mount. When we read these verses out of context, they can leave us confused and disoriented about God, our salvation, and our motivations. When we read them in context, we see and hear the seriousness of Jesus when it comes to authentic obedience and right motivations. So, how do we read this passage in context?
First, we have to identify the keywords and phrases in this three-verse section, “does the will of my father,” “did we not,” and “you workers of lawlessness” are the phrases we need to hold our attention. Jesus begins this warning by establishing an already expressed point, authentic followers will do the will of God. By making this point, Jesus sets up the reality that those he is talking about have not done the will of God. Remember, back in the Lord’s prayer (6:5-15), Jesus told us that we are to pray that the Lord’s will is done. Here, in 7:21, Jesus makes the implication that it wasn’t God’s will being done but man’s will. This is made even more clear in the retort, “did we not?” The focus of the statement is on the “we.” All of their actions and work were not only done under their own strength but also outside of the will of God. Their works of lawlessness weren’t just a once-in-a-while thing. It was a repeated pattern of self-reliance and effort that was outside of the will of God. That is what Jesus means when he says, “You workers of lawlessness.” This was a pattern of living that declared a gospel of works and not of grace. When we understand the key phrases in this section, suddenly, we begin to hear what Jesus is speaking about. He is once again reminding us not to be hypocrites (actors & pretenders). Instead, we are to authentically desire and work for God’s will alone to be done.
Second, we can look to other passages to help us make sense of what Jesus is teaching. The Apostle John, who would have heard this teaching firsthand, helps us apply it in his letter to the church in Ephesus, 1 John. John’s main theme in that letter was for the believers in Ephesus to have confidence in the knowledge of their salvation. John will tell them that their obedience to God is the first marker of their genuine faith. The second is their growing to be more and more like Christ in his character and nature, “walking in the way that Jesus walked.” What are the characteristics that we are to grow in? Jesus has told us the beatitudes (5:1-12). The nine blessed statements set out the normal virtues and values of the kingdom. And as opposed to prophecy and miracles, no one can fake character development. John heard Jesus teach this truth, and he went on to teach it to the church in Ephesus. Jesus’ words here in the Sermon on the Mount are meant to cause confusion; they are meant to bring clarity. That is why John told the Ephesian believers that they can know with confidence that they are God’s children when they see character development happen.
Then, what is the outworking of our inner character development? It is what Jesus has already told us, we will begin to operate in the normal values and virtues of the kingdom, we will desire God’s will to be done over our own, and in these ways, we will give glory to God. That is the test of genuine faith, the regular posture of glorifying God in all that we do and everywhere that we go. In other words, his kingdom people live with kingdom purpose. In fact, we can be confident in our growing towards maturity in our faith when we move from a posture of merely trying to avoid sin (which isn’t bad) to eagerly and courageously glorifying the Lord. That is the issue that Jesus points out in this warning. Those he speaks to “that knew him not” were those who weren’t glorifying God. They were doing all the right things for the wrong reasons. That is why Jesus’ example is so important. Jesus is our model for authentic obedience to God.
GETTING STARTED – As a group, take time to answer this question. When you look at Jesus’ life in the Gospels, what is a moment of obedience that stands out to you, and why?
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage(s). It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?
Note: Another way to approach your time together is to talk through the following questions.
- What did you hear God’s Spirit say to you through the passage this week? How does it encourage you? How does it sharpen you?
- How have you seen God at work in your life this week? Have you enjoyed him? Have you heard his voice and the leading of his Spirit? Big ways or small ways.
- Over the last two weeks, we have heard Jesus’ desire for authenticity in his people. Talk through the following questions to both be encouraged in your growth so far and to clarify areas of needed growth in the future.
- Do you find yourself prioritizing spiritual things? – This doesn’t mean completely abandoning “non-spiritual things,” but instead, being proactive and purposeful about the spiritual things in your life.
- What has been an intentional next step of growth that you’ve taken over the last month, quarter, or year? What is an intentional next step that you need to take?
- Do you understand and see the primary purpose of your spiritual life as avoiding sin or courageously doing God’s will? Avoiding sin is not a bad thing, but what is the difference?
- When you look at the people in your life, are you primarily concerned about their behavioral modification or their character transformation? What is the difference between the two?