I. Intro Big Idea: Build on the foundation of Christ by practicing His Word. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11
II. Building Codes
1. Hearing and doing are the same thing. Matthew 7:24a
2. Wise builders dwell on the foundation. Matthew 7:24b
3. Storms will come. Matthew 7:25a
4. Our foundation determines if we’ll withstand the storm. Matthew 7:25b
5. Some people listen to Jesus but don’t hear Him. Psalm 14:1; Matthew 7:26
6. People in the same location can experience the same storms differently. Matthew 7:27; John 14:15
7. It’s possible to be moved by Jesus and not follow Him. Matthew 7:28, 16:13-17
8. Deliverance comes through responding to Christ’s authority. Matthew 7:29
III. Responding
1. Don’t settle for Christ-less standards. Hebrews 1:3
2. Love as the One who loved us first. Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:19

​The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up
§ If you could build a house anywhere, where would you build it?
§ Why do you think Jesus ended the Sermon on the Mount the way he did in Matthew 7:24-29?
§ What are some misconceptions that people have about the Bible or Jesus’ words to us?
§ How can hearing and practicing Jesus’ words help us to withstand storms in life?
§ How has building your life on Jesus’ words made a difference in your life lately?
§ In what ways can merely listening to Jesus’ words be destructive?
§ What’s something you’d like to see God do in our church based on our study of the Sermon on the Mount?
§ How is God calling you to respond to Matthew 7:24-29?
§ Pray for each other.

I. Intro Big Idea: Only surrender to the true gospel saves.
II. Watch Out
A. A good appearance can mask bad intentions. Jeremiah 6:14; Matthew 7:15
B. Consider if a teacher’s message prompts repentance. Matthew 7:16
III. Recognize
A. The outcome matches the message. Matthew 7:17; Ephesians 3:16-18
B. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Matthew 7:19-20; Hebrews 10:31
IV. Not Everyone
A. Our religious expressions won’t save us. Matthew 7:21a; Romans 10:13; James 2:19
B. Belief includes submission. Matthew 7:21b: John 6:40
V. Never Knew
A. Our performance won’t save us. Matthew 7:22; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
B. Be known by Jesus. Matthew 7:23
​
​The Next Step Life Group Follow Up
§ What’s one of your greatest fears?
§ What’s something from Sunday’s message on Matthew 7:15-23 you found encouraging, challenging, or confusing?
§ How do people in our culture get the gospel wrong?
§ How can we protect ourselves and each other from false teaching?
§ Is there anything about Christ’s judgment as described in Matthew 7:15-23 you find comforting?
§ How can thinking about Christ’s future judgment shape our faith now?
§ What impact can the truths in Matthew 7:15-23 have on our focus as a church?
§ Pray for each other.

​​​To watch live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.

I. Intro Big Idea: God’s vast salvation requires a narrow focus.
II. Ask
A. Jesus is at hand. Matthew 7:7; Acts 17:27
B. Jesus is exclusively inclusive. Matthew 7:8
III. In Everything
A. Our Father gives good gifts. Matthew 7:9-11; Luke 11:13; Galatians 5:22-23
B. Following the Golden Rule requires self-denial. Matthew 7:12
IV. The Gate
A. The gospel’s aim is not mass appeal. Matthew 7:13a
B. The world’s appealing message eventually crushes. Matthew 7:13b
V. Only a Few
A. The narrow gospel leads to liberty. Matthew 7:14a
B. Faith empowers perseverance. Psalm 27:10; Matthew 7:14b

​The Next Step Life Group Follow Up
§ Have you ever felt claustrophobic? If so, what happened?
§ What’s something from Sunday’s message on Matthew 7:7-14 you found challenging, comforting, or confusing?
§ Why do you think many people struggle with the truth that God only accepts everyone who believes in His Son?
§ How has the Holy Spirit enabled you to deny yourself lately?
§ In what ways can following the broad road be restrictive or oppressive?
§ What are ways surrendering to Christ leads to liberty?
§ How might FBCE need to persevere in faith in the days to come?
§ How is God calling you to respond to Matthew 7:7-14? Pray for one another.

I. Intro Big Idea: Do not worry!
II. About Your Life
A. It’s natural to care about the basics in life. Matthew 6:25a; 1 Peter 5:7
B. Our souls are more important than our possessions. Matthew 6:25b
III. A Single Hour
A. Jesus argues from the lesser to the greater. Matthew 6:26
B. Worry is bad for us. Matthew 6:27
IV. Little Faith
A. God arrays us in what’s best for us. Psalm 37:25; Matthew 6:28-30; Romans 15:26
B. Worry is an affront to God’s character. Matthew 6:31-32
V. Given
​A. Know the much more of God’s provision. Matthew 6:33
B. Do not worry about anything; pray about everything. Matthew 6:34; Philippians 4:6

I. Intro Big Idea: Jesus calls us to store up what God treasures.
II. Store Up A. We all treasure up treasures. Matthew 6:19
B. Somethings can’t be taken or destroyed. Matthew 6:20
III. Your Heart A. Our desires follow our faith. Matthew 6:21; Romans 12:2
B. We need God’s grace. Jeremiah 17:9
IV. Your Eyes A. If we’re generous, we’ll see God’s generosity. Matthew 6:22; James 1:5; 1 John 1:5
B. If we’re stingy, we’ll be blind to God’s generosity. Matthew 6:23
V. Two Masters A. Everyone has a master. Matthew 6:24a
B. We must decide who we will serve. Matthew 6:24b; Luke 15:11-32

I. Intro Big Idea: Hungering for righteousness leads to genuine satisfaction in Christ. Matthew 5:6
II. When
A. Jesus assumes His followers will fast. Matthew 6:16a
B. It’s easy to crave religious admiration. Matthew 6:16b
III. Reward
A. Fasting can lead us away from God. Isaiah 58:1-5; Matthew 6:16c1
B. Seeking God is meant to be normal. Matthew 6:17; John 6:35
IV. Secret
A. Unseen fasting leads to seeing God. Matthew 6:18a
B. God rewards us in His good, pleasing, and perfect will. Matthew 6:18b; Luke 7:34; John 4:33-35; Romans 12:2
V. Fast
A. True fasting transforms us. Isaiah 58:6-12; Jonah 3:1-10; Acts 13:1-2
B. True fasting is relational not religious. Matthew 9:14-15
“Fasting for Beginners” by David Matthis (desiringGod.org, August 26, 2015)

​The Next Step Life Group Follow Up
§ What’s a food you would not mind fasting from?
§ What’s something from Sunday’s message on Matthew 6:16-18 you hope we talk about as a group?
§ How do people misunderstand Biblical fasting?
§ Why do you think Jesus assumes his followers will fast?
§ What’s something that might prevent you from fasting?
§ How might fasting benefit your relationship with God or shape your life?
§ What are some ways fasting might help us in our mission of making Christ-centered disciples as a church?
§ Consider fasting carefully and prayerfully, and then, as God leads, do it. Pray for one another.
“Fasting for Beginners” by David Matthis (desiringGod.org, August 26, 2015)

​To watch live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.​

I. Intro Big Idea: Prayer is dangerous and necessary.
II. Your Father Sees
A. Our focus in prayer matters. Matthew 6:5
B. God hears our sincere prayers. Matthew 6:6
III. Your Father Knows
A. We can’t manipulate God through prayer. 1 Kings 18:16-46; Matthew 6:7
B. Prayer reveals God’s grace. Psalm 139:4; Matthew 6:8
IV. Our Father
A. Ask that God’s character would be known in our world. Matthew 6:9
B. Ask that God’s will would be completed in our world. Matthew 6:10
V. Forgive
A. Trust daily in God’s provision. Matthew 6:11, 33
B. Trust in God’s deliverance through forgiveness. Matthew 6:12-15; Hebrews 10:14

​The Next Step Life Group Follow Up
§ What’s something that makes prayer difficult or challenging?


§ Read Matthew 6:5-15. What’s something from Sunday’s message on this passage you found convicting, comforting, or confusing?


§ What are ways people can misunderstand prayer?


§ How can praying to God first and foremost as our Father help us in prayer?


§ Why is it important that we pray that God’s name would be hallowed (or known as holy)?


§ What’s significant about praying for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven?


§ Why is it important that we ask God for our daily bread?


§ What can happen if we don’t forgive people when they trespass against us?


§ Take time to pray together as the Lord taught us to pray.

I. Intro Big Idea: Jesus wants us to enjoy the rewards of His kingdom.
II. Be Careful
A. The teachers of the Law thought God would enact righteousness on their terms. Matthew 5:16; 6:1a
B. Our Father wants to reward us. Matthew 6:1b
III. Do Not Announce
A. How we give matters. Matthew 6:2a
B. We’re always rewarded. Matthew 6:2b; 25:33-46
IV. In Secret
A. Don’t be self-conscious. Matthew 6:3
B. Be Christ-conscious. Matthew 6:4a
V. Your Father
A. Our Father sees us. Matthew 6:4b
B. The rewards of God are everlasting. Matthew 6:4b; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Hebrews 12:2

​The Next Step Life Group Follow Up
§ What’s the smallest gift you’ve ever received?
§ Read Matthew 6:1-4. Why do you think Matthew included these verses at this point in Sermon on the Mount?
§ What are ways that people misunderstand what it means to be rewarded by God?
§ Why do people do acts of righteousness before others to be seen by them?
§ How can we not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing when we give?
§ How has Christ-centered giving helped you to grow in your relationship with God lately?
§ What’s something God is calling to believe, an attitude He wants you to change, or an action He wants you to undertake in response to Matthew 6:1-4?

​To watch live on Sunday morning, visit 
​FBC Elma on YouTube.