Too many of us are seeking to find joy and satisfaction by eating poisonous fruit and drinking from polluted streams. It’s so important that we are not led by our ‘flesh’ (appetites that are contrary to the Spirit) when considering how to use our mind in the time we have. We all have limited time and it’s important that we use it for what’s truly important. Jesus tells us,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognise them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, 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 recognise them.” (Matthew 7:15-20)
Oftentimes we can be like the child who has a tantrum because they want to eat sweets rather than a good dinner. God speaks through Isaiah,
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live…” (Isaiah 55:1-3)
Our flesh wants to rebel against God and gets petulant and feels that it’s going to miss out if we think about reducing or even stopping wasting time on social media, films, games…The truth is that we don’t have the luxury of being able to waste precious time! If we will give our time and mind to what’s truly important, we will be living a worthwhile life!
The ‘thorn bushes’ and ‘thistles’ are false prophets and teachers. This should be applied in a broad way. it’s important to avoid bad religion. However, it’s also important to avoid any input which promotes sin. Life is hard enough without filling our minds with images and attitudes which do not promote righteousness. None of us has the time to waste on what poisons us!
RESPONSE
Tomorrow we’ll look in a bit more detail as to how we can recognise false prophets. Today, I simply want us to search our hearts. Do you truly believe that Jesus is the way that satisfies? Are we eating the good fruit can comes from prayer and worship out of His word? Do our calendars reflect what we say we believe? Let me urge you to put time with God in your weekly calendar as you would any important appointment. Let’s prayerfully seek to put our priorities in order and eat what is good.
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - GET NARROW
Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Suggested opener/Ice-breaker
Do you have a memorable experience of taking the wrong road or route?
Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group
On Sunday we continued with our series on discipleship from The Sermon on the Mount. Jesus uses four illustrations (we'll cover three this week) to challenge the crowd that He's teaching - and us- to a decision: will we obey Him or not?
1. ENTER THE NARROW WAY
Please read Matthew 7:13-14
JESUS IS THE ONLY SAVIOUR
The narrow way is about Jesus being the only ways to salvation. Peter said to the crowds,
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12
We cannot be saved from our good works. Paul taught,
‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.’ (Romans 3:23-24
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