Sermon on the Mount Bible Study
Study the Bible with Me | Kim Howard
Judging and being Judged
Matthew 7:1-2 1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Personal Translation: Do not judge others, so that you won’t be judged. For the way you judge others is the way you will be judged, and the measure you use will be measured back to you.
All along Jesus has been rebuking the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who were quick to see the sins of others but were blind and unwilling to hold themselves accountable to the same standards they were imposing on everyone else. Jesus is warning them and us that God will judge us with the same standard we use on others. Pretty sobering reminder to be gracious! Be mindful that God will judge us in precisely the same manner we deal out judgment on others.
Matthew 7:3-5 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote of thy brother’s eye.
Personal Translation: Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but ignore the beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is a beam in your own? You hypocrite, first remove the beam from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Jesus is addressing hypocrisy, which is living in a way that contradicts what one claims to believe—putting on an appearance of virtue or spirituality while ignoring one’s own faults.
In His illustration, the mote represents a small fault, while the beam represents a serious moral failure. When a person focuses on correcting the minor faults of others while neglecting their own greater sins, it exposes a heart marked by self-righteousness and pride.
Through this exaggerated word picture, Jesus makes His point unmistakably clear: it is hypocritical to scrutinize others while remaining blind to ourselves. We are not to pretend to be something we are not. True spiritual help requires humility—acknowledging and correcting our own faults first—so that we can see clearly and lovingly help a brother or sister with theirs.
Jesus’ teaching gives very practical guidance for handling this wisely and faithfully. First, check your motive and deal honestly with your own heart. The goal is restoration, not correction for the sake of being right. If the desire is to help, heal, or protect—not to shame or elevate yourself—then your approach will reflect God’s heart.
*Note to self: When I see a brother or sister in a fault, I need to look inward and deal with my own faults. I wouldn’t be so judgmental if I addressed my own faults first.
Matthew 7:6 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before the swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Personal Translation: Do not give that which is holy to dogs, neither throw your pearls to the pigs. They will only trample them under their feet, and then turn and attack you.
Jesus has just finished instructing the crowd on judgment and reproof (vs 1-5). In verse 6 Jesus uses an analogy to show us the difference between “judgment” and “discernment.” We are not to be hypocritical judges, yet we must be able to discern the swine, lest we cast our pearls before them, or give that which is holy to the dogs.
An analogy mentioning dogs is used in Proverbs 26:11: “as a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.” A dual reference to swine and dogs is also found in 2 Peter 2:22, “But it is happened unto them according to the proverb, “the dog is turned to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire”. (Peter was talking about those that turned from the truth).
In his sermon Jesus uses dogs and swine as a comparison of those who would ridicule, reject, and blaspheme the gospel once it is presented to them. We are not to expose the gospel to those who have no other purpose than to argue and twist the word, and then trample it beneath their feet and return to their evil ways.
“Lest they turn and rend you” in other words they will turn and tear you to pieces. Our job is not to force the gospel on one that does not want to hear it. There is no sense in preaching the value of pearls to swine, nor giving that which is holy to dogs. Jesus’ instructions here is how to handle rejection, it hurts when loved ones or friends reject the gospel. If you keep trying they will turn and tear you to pieces. Simply go elsewhere, “those that do not receive or hear your words, when you depart from them, shake the dust from your feet” (Matthew 10:14).
There are others who need to hear the gospel, and they are ready to hear it!
Asking and Receiving
Matthew 7:11 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For everyone that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall you Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?
Personal Translation: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who seeks will find, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, would give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, would give him a snake? If you, being imperfect, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
The encouragement Jesus gives to seek and knock indicate a heart that is willing to hear. A mind that is open to correction. A life that is seeking His righteousness. When we seek God’s righteousness all the things we need will be added unto us (Matthew 6:33). When we seek God with all our heart, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). When we knock, He will open the door to us (Matthew7:7; Luke 11:9).
This does not mean we get everything we ask for or desire. God is God. And because He is God, He is the One who gets to define what is good - not us! God always has our best interest at heart. He will only give us things that are good for us.
Jesus is making a point when He speaks of earthly fathers. Even earthly fathers that are evil know how to make good decisions for their children because they love them. They would not give their children something that would harm them. How much more would our heavenly Father give to us! How much more does our heavenly Father know what is good for us! Our heavenly Father has much more wisdom and love for us than any earthly father could ever have! God has plans for us to prosper, plans to give us hope, plans for a future! (Jeremiah 29:11)
A heart that is looking - diligently seeking, knocking and asking - will be content with God’s answer to their prayers. When they accept God’s will in their life they will prosper, have hope, and plans for a future! That future is heaven.
The Golden Rule
Matthew 7:12 12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and prophets.
Personal Translation: So therefore, in everything, treat others the way you want them to treat you. This sums up the Law and the Prophets.
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” is commonly known as “The Golden Rule,” and is indeed a biblical principle. Jesus has been teaching all along how to be please God: love your enemies, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, do good unto others, etc. Rather than seeking retribution Jesus’ message is to seek reconciliation. Rather than doing to others what they have done to us or giving them what they may deserve, we are to treat them the way we want them to treat us.
One practical way to love others is to imagine ourselves in their shoes. When we pause to think how we might like to be treated in the same situation, we build empathy for those actually living in that situation. Do we like to be treated with love and respect? Then we should give that gift to others.
For this is what is written in the Law and what the prophets taught. The Golden Rule has always been a basic part of the Bible’s message: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with your soul and with your mind, this is the first and great commandment.’ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments”’ (Matthew 22:37-40).
Two pathways - one leading to life - one leading to destruction
Matthew 7:13-14 13 Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Personal Translation: Enter through the straight gate. For wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many people go that way. But because the straight gate is narrow that leads to life, only a few find it.
THE WIDE GATE AND BROAD WAY - This is the easy path, it is easily found and followed without much thought. There is plenty of space to walk in, plenty of space for the attractive things of the world to grow and allure, plenty of space for a person to wander about. The broad way is the way of the unthoughtful, the undisciplined, the lazy, the worldly, the ungodly, the materialistic, and the carnal. This pathway is popular, so many follow this path, but it leads to destruction. It just doesn’t happen at the end of the pathway, it happens throughout. The world’s view on marriage, parenting, education, success, religion, etc..., all lead to constant ruin. God made this world based on spiritual principles, when these are denied, it causes hurt, pain, depression, and even death. This pathway leads to earthly and eternal ruin.
GOD’S WORD IS THE SRAIGHT GATE - Enter ye in at the straight gate. A person needs to hear and respond to the gospel to be saved. Jesus said, “I am the gate, by Me if any man enters in, he shall be saved...” John 10:9. God’s Word guides, and in some sense, restricts followers of Jesus in their actions and attitudes, keeping them from the broad path and keeping them on the path that leads to life.
THE STRAIGHT GATE AND NARROW WAY - Unlike the broad way, the narrow way has to be found. One has to enter the straight gate, one has to enter in through Jesus Christ. Whatever a person’s situation (raised in the church or not), this path is not easy to find. Only few find it and even less accept it. In life, people typically take the path of least resistance. Therefore, people are naturally inclined to follow the broad path. To find and follow the narrow path, one must turn away from the crowd, sometimes even leaving friends and family. One must turn their back on sin. One must fight against ungodly attitudes and actions. We must put on the new man, and leave the old man behind. This path can be difficult. Though difficult, this pathway leads to life. In fact, as we enter this path we experience a new birth, a new life in Jesus Christ.
How do we experience this new birth? (Read Plan of Salvation Pamphlet in Study).
As we walk with Jesus, we will find this difficult path easier and easier to follow. Ultimately, those who follow this path with Christ, will spend eternity in His heavenly kingdom, and rule with Him.
True and False Prophets
Matthew 7:15-20 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth good fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Personal Translation: Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will recognize them (false prophets) by their fruits.
A call to pay attention - When Jesus says, “beware” this is a call to watch out, to be on guard, to pay attention! He wants us to recognize that there will be those who will be teaching things contrary to the truth and it’s our responsibility to be aware.
A specific warning - While the New Testament has a lot to say about false teachers, this particular warning is about a specific kind of false teacher - those who blend in and are difficult to recognize.
The difficulty of identification - Wolves as sheep - Jesus uses a metaphor to illustrate the subtlety of false teachers. While they are wolves who are ready to devour sheep, they come disguised as sheep. They are false prophets, very dangerous, while at the same time skilled at blending in with those around them.
The Test - You will know them by their fruits - In this metaphor Jesus tells of a tree that brings about good fruit and one that brings about evil fruit. Those trees look good on the outside but when they produce fruit you will know if that tree is good or bad. The good tree will produce good fruit, the diseased tree will produce bad fruit.
Understanding the metaphor - What Jesus is teaching us is that those who teach things contrary to the truth will always have lives that are at odds with the truth.
What teachings are at odds with the truth? False preachers may preach scripture and read from the Bible when teaching, and do good things, and even be a good person (they don’t look like a bad tree). But they don’t teach that baptism or new birth is essential for salvation, repentance and turning from sin is not taught, holiness is not taught - these are the fruits that come from a bad tree. BEWARE of these false prophets!
The fate of the bad tree - Trees that produce bad fruit will be recognized, and in the end, they will be destroyed.
The Obedient and the Disobedient
Matthew 7:21-23 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in they name? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Personal Translation: Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, and do many wonderful works in Your name?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who worked wickedly.”
Jesus’ message here is a sobering remark. Jesus will refuse many people entrance into His kingdom on the Day of Judgement because they did not know Him nor follow His Father’s will. Despite their claims of performing many wonderful works in His name, their deeds and hearts violated God’s law. They were workers of iniquity (iniquity means transgression of the law, unrighteousness, wickedness). Jesus professes He never knew them, in other words they never had a relationship with the Lord.
Many will claim or say He is their Lord, but will not choose to live according to that confession. In other words, they will say He is their Lord but refuse to obey Him. There is a difference between those who say He is their Lord and those who live like He is their Lord. Obedience to the Father’s will is that difference.
From the very beginning the Lord taught His children the importance of obedience. He begins teaching with the beatitudes, how to live and work in God’s kingdom, how to do the Father’s will, and then ends with those that question Him calling Him Lord. In Luke 6:45-46, Jesus said, “And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Those that call Him Lord, not only hear his words, but do them.
If you call Jesus ‘Lord’ that means he has power and authority over your life, and you will do the will of the Father.
The Wise and Foolish Builders
Matthew 7:24-27 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Personal Translation: Therefore, everyone who hears My words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on a rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house; but it did not fall, because it was built on a solid foundation.
But everyone who hears My words and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it collapsed: and its destruction was great.
At the conclusion of Jesus’ sermon on the mount He teaches what a person is like that hears and does His words. He compares them to a person who has built their house on a rock. How do we build our house on the rock? Jesus says, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them.” It is that simple. Hear God’s word and obey God’s word. This is the way to live.
A house built on a rock - He is a wise man. He has heard God’s word and obeyed it. When the storms of life came against him and beat upon his house, he fell not. He was able to stand firm on the word of God.
A house built on sand - He is a foolish man. He heard God’s words but he did not do them. When the storms of life came against him and beat upon his house, it fell, and great was the fall of it. Without God he was not able to stand.
Make it your practice every single day, to hear the word of God, to read it, to study it, to mediate upon it. Let it soak into your life. Don’t forget what you have read. Remember. Do it. Don’t just hear these words of Jesus. Put them into practice.
Build your house on a solid rock. Build your house on that Rock which is Jesus!
Conclusion: Throughout the Sermon on the Mount Jesus has been teaching us what it looks like to live as citizens of the kingdom of God, but as he brings his sermon to a close, he ends His sermon with a four-part conclusion about the entrance into the kingdom of God.
THOSE WHO WILL BE WELCOMED AND THOSE WHO WILL BE EXCLUDED.
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