IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Wisdom Practice

Date: Apr. 18, 2021

Passage

Matthew 7:13-29

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

A Tree and Its Fruit

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

I Never Knew You

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Build Your House on the Rock

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

The Authority of Jesus

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: Matthew 7:24

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

1. The small and narrow (13-23)

Jesus said to enter through the narrow gate. Here, narrow does not refer to narrow minded beliefs and practices-like those of the Pharisees-but to the life that Jesus offered to all who came to him. The gate is small and narrow because few realize that acceptance is received by faith and not by works. Life starts and ends in God's love, given freely without condition. Stop hustling for acceptance through outward appearances or empty words and works like that of false prophets and disciples. Such lifestyles will end in disappointment.

2. Put into practice (24-29)

Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with the advice to put into practice what he taught. Like a house built on a strong foundation is one who listens carefully, understands, and puts into practice Jesus' words. It is a life of genuine love for God and for our neighbors. Seek God's kingdom first and pay forward the mercy that we first receive from God.

Prayer: Lord, no foundation is stronger than the one we have in your love for us in Jesus. May we be wise to live according to it and nothing more.

One Word: Be a wise builder

Daily Bread

We Are Your Sheep, Lord

Psalm 79:1-13

Key Verse: 79:13

But we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will give thanks to you forever;
from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

Read More

Intro Daily