Gateway Church of Visalia

Introduction

Matthew 7:13-23
13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

The narrow way is Jesus. (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Tim 2:5)

The gate is small but wide open to all people.

15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.

False prophets either add or take away from the Word of God.

Fruit is determined by root. (John 15)

Galatians 5:19-23 ESV19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will
enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

To know – Ginosko (γινώσκω) – knowledge through experience, to be acquainted with.

Salvation begins with a relationship with Jesus, and our relationship with Jesus produces imitation.

We desire to bring people closer to Jesus, one step at a time.

The Way
Pastor Lance Ainsworth, Matthew 7:13-23
April 3rd & 6th, 2025
The Narrow Way.

Prayer Requests:



Group Discussion: Do you enjoy hiking? What is the most challenging hike you have done?

Read Aloud: Matt. 7:13-23

1. v.13-14 “13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” How can you know if you are walking on the wide path or the narrow path? Is the choice between the wide and narrow paths a one-time choice, or will you need to choose between them on multiple occasions?

2. v.15-16 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits.” Ture teachers and false teacher will both appeal to scripture. So how can the church know which teachers are true and which are false? Why are false teaching so convincing at times? What false teaching are popular today that the church needs to be on watch for
3. Galatians 5:19-23 “19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” How does a relationship with Jesus produce fruit? What is the difference between spiritual gifts and fruit? What evidence (fruit) do you have from a relationship with Jesus?