Journey With the Word Pt. 3 The Mandate From the Master
Matthew 7:13-14
Introduction:
SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
The Kingdom Defined: God’s Sovereign & Divine Will that rules in the hearts of His people
Entry Requirements: Entering the kingdom requires repentance, faith, and submission to God’s Authority
1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Childish thoughts and behaviors (like selfishness or lack of understanding are natural in childhood; they must be left behind as one matures in faith.
What areas in your walk of faith do you need to work on when it comes to kingdom alignment?
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I. KINGDOM MATURITY
Matthew 7:1–28
If Matthew 5 shaped our heart and Matthew 6 shaped our priorities, then Matthew 7 shapes our discernment and obedience.
This chapter answers:
“What does a spiritually grown disciple actually look like in everyday life?”
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A. JUDGING WITH MERCY, NOT HYPOCRISY
Matthew 7:1–5
“Judge not, that you be not judged… First remove the plank from your own eye…”
Revelation:
Kingdom people don’t lead with criticism — they lead with compassion.
Jesus isn’t forbidding discernment. He’s forbidding self-righteous condemnation.
Hypocrisy blinds us:
• We magnify others’ flaws
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• Minimize our own faults
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• Correct people we haven’t prayed for
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Before God uses you to fix someone else… He fixes you first.
Life Application:
Heart Check Before Mouth Check
Reflection Questions:
• Do I criticize more than I intercede?
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• Am I harder on others than I am on myself?
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• Where might I have a “plank” that needs removing?
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Practical Steps:
• Pray before confronting
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• Lead with grace
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• Examine yourself daily
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Mindset Mastery:
“I correct with compassion because God corrected me with grace.”
B. DISCERNMENT WITH WISDOM
Matthew 7:6
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs… neither cast your pearls before swine, unless they trample them under their feet…”
Revelation:
Love everyone. Trust wisely.
Kingdom maturity means knowing:
• when to speak
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• when to stay silent
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• when to invest
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• when to release
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Not everyone is ready for what God placed inside you. Discernment protects your peace and purpose.
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Life Application:
Stop forcing spiritual truth on resistant hearts.
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Reflection:
• Where am I overextending myself emotionally or spiritually?
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• Who drains my assignment instead of supporting it?
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Practical Steps:
• Set boundaries
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• Guard your time
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• Sow into receptive soil
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Mindset Mastery:
“I steward my energy where God is moving.”
C. PERSISTENT PRAYER & CHILDLIKE TRUST
Matthew 7:7–11
“Ask… Seek… Knock…”
Revelation:
Kingdom people don’t quit praying.
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Jesus shows progression:
• Ask – petition
• Seek – pursue
• Knock – persist
God is not a reluctant Father. He’s a generous Father.
If earthly parents give good gifts, how much more will God?
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Life Application:
Pray like a child who expects Dad to answer.
Reflection:
• Where have I stopped asking too soon?
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• What prayer have I quietly given up on?
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Practical Steps:
• Create a prayer list
• Track answered prayers
• Pray consistently, not occasionally
Mindset Mastery:
“God is good, and good fathers give good gifts.”
D. THE GOLDEN RULE — KINGDOM RELATIONSHIPS
Matthew 7:12
“Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them…”
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Revelation:
This is Kingdom ethics in one sentence.
Don’t wait to be loved — love first.
Don’t wait to be forgiven — forgive first.
The Kingdom isn’t reactive. It’s proactive.
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Life Application:
Treat people the way you pray they treat you.
Reflection:
• Am I giving the grace I expect?
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• Do my actions reflect the love I desire?
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Practical Steps:
• Initiate kindness
• Apologize first
• Serve without recognition
Mindset Mastery:
“I give what I hope to receive.”
E. THE NARROW WAY — KINGDOM COMMITMENT
Matthew 7:13–14
“Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life…”
Revelation:
The Kingdom path isn’t popular — it’s purposeful.
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Wide roads feel easy but lead to destruction. Narrow roads require discipline but lead to life.
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Following Jesus isn’t convenient. It’s transformational.
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Life Application:
Choose obedience over comfort.
Reflection:
• Where am I choosing easy over right?
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• What compromise is widening my path?
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Practical Steps:
• Guard influences
• Limit distractions
• Stay accountable
Mindset Mastery:
“I choose the narrow path because life is on the other side.”
F. FRUIT, NOT FACADE — KINGDOM AUTHENTICITY
Matthew 7:15–23
“You will know them by their fruits…”
Revelation:
God evaluates fruit, not titles.
Not:
• church attendance
• gifting
• charisma
But:
• character
• consistency
• obedience
Activity doesn’t equal intimacy. “Lord, Lord” without relationship is empty religion.
Life Application:
Don’t just look saved — live surrendered.
Reflection:
• Does my private life match my public life?
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• What fruit is my life actually producing?
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Practical Steps:
• Daily time with God
• Obedient actions
• Accountability
Mindset Mastery:
“My life should preach louder than my lips.”
G. BUILD ON THE ROCK — KINGDOM OBEDIENCE
Matthew 7:24–27
“Whoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them…”
Revelation:
The difference between houses wasn’t the storm — it was the foundation.
Storms come to everyone. There is a difference in the way people prepare for storms. Storms reveal the depth of our preparation
The question is:
What are you built on?
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Hearing the Word isn’t enough.
Doing the Word creates stability.
Knowledge without obedience collapses.
Life Application:
Don’t just study Scripture — structure your life on it.
Reflection:
• What areas of my life are built on feelings instead of truth?
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• Where do I know the Word but haven’t obeyed it?
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Practical Steps:
• Apply one scripture daily
• Act immediately on conviction
• Practice consistency
Mindset Mastery:
“Obedience is my foundation.”
FINAL REFLECTION — KINGDOM MATURITY CHECK
Ask yourself this week:
• Am I merciful or judgmental?
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• Am I discerning or drained?
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• Am I persistent in prayer?
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• Am I loving proactively?
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• Am I walking the narrow path?
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• Is my life producing fruit?
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• Am I building on obedience?
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CHALLENGE
This week, commit to one specific action that reflects maturity in discipleship—whether it’s reconciling a relationship, showing radical love, or prioritizing time in prayer. Let this be a step toward becoming the salt and light Jesus calls us to be.
CHALLENGE (Continuation)
This week, choose ONE maturity action:
• Release criticism and show grace
• Pray persistently for one need
• Set a healthy boundary
• Serve someone intentionally
• Obey something God already told you
Because Kingdom maturity isn’t proven in church…It’s proven in life.
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