“Good Gifts”

Call To Worship

Leader           “Every good and perfect gift is from above,

People: coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change….”

All:      He chose to give us birth through the word of truth…”

James 1:17,18

Scripture

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

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 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! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

                                                                                                Matthew 7: 7-12

Intro

1. Seek – Matthew 7:7-8

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

Matthew 7:7–8

1. Progress
   1. Asking and Giving: Passive
   2. Seeking and Finding: Active – What you find may challenge you

• Knocking and Opening: Accepting the Consequences

2. Good Things – Matthew 7:9-12

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 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! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 7:9–12

1. What are the Good Things? A child may ask for candy. A good parent gives mostly nutritious meals. Dessert comes in small measures.
2. Of the World?
   1. Material Things
   2. Security

• Position, etc.

1. Of God?
   1. Wisdom
   2. Discernment

• The Kingdom

3. The Narrow Gate – Matthew 7:13-14

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13–14

1. A Wide Gate and a Broad Road
   1. The Idea of Many Paths leading to the same place
   2. The Idea that You determine the destination

• Working Hard for the Wrong Goal

1. A Narrow Gate
   1. a Relationship and a Savior
   2. A Cross: The Sacrifice

• A Spirit: He is Here. He is Now.

1. A Guide Book: He is Lord.

1. A Narrow Road
   1. The Relationship Lived Out
   2. Bears Fruit
      1. The first sprouts
      2. Sometimes the plant has to grow for a while

• In Thought and Action
  1. Recognizing the Voice
  2. The Relationship Becomes Comfortable
  3. Working Well Together

4. Wolves and Thornbushes – Matthew 7:15-20

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

Matthew 7:15–20

1. False Prophets
   1. How They Look: Like Sheep
      1. One of the Flock
      2. Meek
      3. May Even Look Productive: Wearing Another’s Fleece
   2. What They Are: Wolves
      1. Led by their Hunger
      2. Worldly Goods, Security, Prestige

• How They are Revealed
  1. A Plant May Grow, but You have to Wait to See Its Fruit
  2. Destructiveness
  3. Bitter Fruit

1. Their Destiny
   1. Cut Down: The Beginning of the End
   2. Thrown In the Fire: Eternal