Worship Service Livestream


March 22, 2026
  • Welcome and Announcements
  • Yes, Lord, Yes
  • Prayer of Invocation
  • Like A River Glorious
  • Give Us Clean Hands
  • I saw Mercy
  • Scripture Reading and Prayer - Matthew 7:13-23
  • Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
  • Pastor's Message - Profession is Not Proof
  • Take My Life Lead Me Lord


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.
    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.
    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.'"



SERMON NOTES - Profession is Not Proof

INTRODUCTION
  • At its core, modern pluralism is the belief system that treats all religions, worldviews, and moral frameworks as equally valid paths to truth.
  • While pluralism is about the validity of all religious paths, universalism is about the final outcome which teaches that everyone will ultimately be saved, regardless of their beliefs.
  • While not the same as universalism, there was a belief in Judaism that all Jews would enter the kingdom.
  • Both pluralism and universalism contradict Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount.

EMBARK ON THE RIGHT ROAD (vv. 13-14)
  • There are two gates with two paths that lead to two destinations. One path is well travelled and the other is only travelled by a few. This is because only a few discover the narrow gate and path. One destination is destruction; the other destination is life.
  • The narrow gate is Christ Himself, because entering the kingdom always requires coming through Him. The narrow way is the life of discipleship under Jesus' authority.
  • The Christian faith is at the same time both exclusive and inclusive. It is exclusive in that it rejects any other way to have a relationship with God except through faith in Jesus alone. It is a faith that excludes all other religions, belief systems, philosophies or opinion that denies Jesus is the only way to the Father. But the message of Christ is inclusive because it's a message for everyone. But choosing Him is neither the popular nor the easy way.

EXAMINE THE REAL PRODUCE (vv. 15-20)
  • How do you identify a false teacher? How do you discern whether or not they are teaching truth? Jesus gives one answer - examine the fruit.
  • What is fruit? It refers to the outward, observable evidence of a person's true spiritual condition. It is more than what they teach but also includes, their actions, character and influence.
  • Despite their outward appearances, false prophets will ultimately reveal their true nature through harmful or deceitful actions.

EVALUATE THE RELIGIOUS PROFESSION (vv. 21-23)
  • Notice the continuity of completion or coming to an end point in what Jesus is teaching: a road that leads to a destination, a tree that does or does not bears fruit, and a future judgment. There is also a positive and negative outcome. The path you choose leads either to death or life; the fruit you bear results in continued growth or being cut down; and the future judgment results in entering the kingdom or not entering the kingdom.
  • Saying you are a Christian does not make you a Christian. Belonging to a church does not make you a Christian.
  • Entrance into the kingdom of God is not about what you do; it is about who you know! Jesus said, "This is eternal life, that they may know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3).