Recognizing the Road You’re On: The Narrow Way – Matthew 7:13-23

In this teaching, we sat with one of Jesus’ most sobering teachings from Matthew 7. As He brings the Sermon on the Mount toward its conclusion, Jesus exposes the false paths that take us where we want to go, the false voices that tell us what we want to hear, and the false fruit that impresses but lacks substance. His words are a call to examine the real foundation of our lives and what we’re truly rooted in.

As a community becoming resilient disciples, we’re learning to follow Jesus not just in belief, but in practice. In Christ, we are being built together into a dwelling for His Spirit—a people rooted in love, formed by truth, and strengthened by grace.

Key Takeaways:

1. False Paths Can Promise Comfort but Lead to Compromise
   We all have a tendency to drift toward the path of least resistance—the one that feels normal, easy, or familiar. Resilient discipleship requires naming our “easy path” and resisting the false comfort it offers.
   
2. False Voices Can Echo Our Desires Instead of God’s Truth
   Cultural and internal voices often tell us what we want to hear, offering validation, justification, or shortcuts. Jesus calls us to discern these voices by their fruit. Are they forming us into Christlikeness or pulling us away from His way?
   
3. False Fruit Can Look Impressive but Lack Relationship
   Jesus isn’t after external success or public spirituality. Even acts done “in His name” can come from disconnected hearts. Without intimacy with Him, even miraculous-looking fruit is hollow.
   
4. Resilient Discipleship Requires Daily Surrender
   Following Jesus isn’t about grand spiritual moments but about being formed in the everyday. It’s the quiet surrender that leads to lasting fruit. Without it, we risk becoming people who appear righteous for a moment but lack depth over time.
   
5. We Are Being Built into a Dwelling for God’s Spirit
   God’s vision is not just individual growth but a community formed together. Ephesians 2 reminds us that we are being built into a holy temple where God dwells. That vision begins with honesty about where we are and a shared commitment to the narrow way.