"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

Chapter Seven

The "Sermon On The Mount" continues with Jesus discussing the righteousness of the kingdom with respect to man's relation to man, with a warning regarding judging (1-6), the importance of persistence (7-11), and keeping "the golden rule" (12). It concludes with exhortations to enter the kingdom: choose the narrow and difficult path (13-14), watch out for false prophets (15-20), do the Father's will (21-23), being doers of the Word (24-29).

POINTS TO PONDER
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  1. What are the main points of this chapter?
    - Righteousness with respect to man's relation to man - Mt 7:1-12
    - Exhortations to enter the kingdom - Mt 7:15-29
  2. What sort of judging is Jesus warning against? (1-6)
    - Not all judging, but hypocritical, censorious condemnation (cf. Jn 7:24)
  3. How does Jesus illustrate the need for persistence? (7-11)
    - By literally saying "keep on" asking, seeking, knocking
  4. How does Jesus' "golden rule" differ from that found in other religions? (12)
    - Most state it negatively (Don't do to others what you don't want done to you)
  5. Contrast the two "ways" described by Jesus (13-14)
    - The way to life: narrow gate and difficult way, found by few
    - The way to destruction: wide gate and broad way, traveled by many
  6. How do false prophets operate? How can we identify them? (15-20)
    - As wolves in sheep's clothing; by their fruits
  7. Who will not enter the kingdom of heaven? Who will? (21-23)
    - Many who believed in the Lord, did many great things for Him, but practiced lawlessness (i.e., did things without His authority)
    - Those who do the will of His Father in heaven
  8. What is the key difference between the wise and foolish listeners? (24-27)
    - The wise do what Jesus said, the foolish do not
  9. Why were the people astonished at Jesus' teaching? (28-29)
    - Because He taught as one having authority