DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS
1. The Way of Destruction and the Way of Life, vv. 13–14
How many “ways” does our Lord say that there are? Where does the one way lead? Where does the other way lead? If one is not in “the way which leadeth unto life” in what way is he? What is meant by “destruction”? (Rev. 17:8; 19:20; 20:10.) What is meant by “life”? (John 10:28, 29; 17:3; 1 John 1:2.) What kind of a way is it that leads to destruction? Is it easy to enter? Is it easy to walk in? (5" class="scriptRef">Prov. 13:15.) How many go that way? What kind of a way is it that leads to life? Is it easy to enter? What must a man do to enter it? (Matt. 18:3, 4; Acts 2:38; John 3:3, 5; John 14:6.) Is it easy to walk in? (Matt. 11:28–30.) Is it a disagreeable way to walk in? (Prov. 3:17.) How many are traveling that way? Why are so many traveling the broad way? (Jer. 17:9; Ro. 8:7.) Why are so few traveling the narrow way? (1 Cor. 4:14.) Which way are you traveling?
2. Beware of False Prophets, vv. 15–20
Of what class of persons does our Lord especially urge His disciples to beware? What is meant by “false prophets”? Are there any other warnings in the Bible against them? (Deut. 13:3; Jer. 23:16; 24.4-Matt.24.5" class="scriptRef">Matt. 24:4, 5, 11, 24; Mark 13:22; Ro. 16:17, 18; Eph. 5:6; Col. 2:8; 2 Pet. 2:1–3; 1 John 4:1.) Are there any false prophets in the world today? Will their number increase or decrease before the coming of our Lord? (1 Tim. 4:1, 2; 2 Thess. 2:3, 4, 8–10; 2 Peter 3:3; 1 John 2:18; 2 Tim. 3:13, R. V.) How can one avoid falling a prey to them? (Acts 20:29, 30, 32; 2 Tim. 3:13–17.) How do they appear outwardly? What characteristics are indicated by “sheep’s clothing”? What are they inwardly? What is meant by this description? Does the fact that a man makes fair pretences of humility and meekness and love prove that he is really a messenger of God? (2 Cor. 11:13, 14; Ro. 16:18.) How can we detect a false prophet (v. 16)? What are the fruits the real prophet of God bears? (Gal. 5:22, 23; 1 Cor. 13:1–8.)
If we want good fruit, what must we have first? In order that a man may become a good tree, what experience must he pass through? (John 3:3, 5.) Is there any attempt today in religious work to make bad trees bring forth good fruit? What is the fundamental fault with all “Ethical Culture” movements? If a tree does not bring forth good fruit what will become of it? Is it enough to save a tree that it does not bring forth bad fruit? Are there any modern trees that will be hewn down and cast into the fire? Into what fire will they be cast? (Matt. 13:41, 42; 25:41, 46; Rev. 20:15; 21:8.) What is the final test by which any man can be known?
3. Saying and Doing, vv. 21–23
How do many people expect to get into the kingdom? Can any one enter the kingdom that way? Ought we to call Jesus “Lord”? (Ro. 10:9, 10.) When only will our calling Him Lord do any good? (Luke 6:46; 13:25–27; Matt. 25:11, 12; Acts 19:13–16.) Is it mere “saying” that God demands? What does He demand? What is it that we must do? What is the will of the Father in heaven? (John 6:29; 1 John 3:23.) Where will we find His will revealed? If then we are to do His will what Book must we study?
How long will many persons be deceived? Do the persons described in v. 22 really believe themselves to be a saved people? What had they done? Because a person preaches, casts out devils and does many wonderful works in the name of Christ, does it prove that he is really a disciple of Christ? Can one get into heaven that way? What will our Lord say to those persons who have called Him “Lord,” etc., but who have never surrendered their own wills to Him (v. 23)? Where will they spend eternity? (25:41.)
4. Building Upon the Rock and Building Upon the Sand, vv. 24–29
What two things must a person do in order to build upon the rock? What must he hear (v. 24, R. V.)? Where can we now find our Lord’s words to hear them? Will hearing alone prove sufficient? What kind of a man is he that hears and does the words of our Lord? How is the house which every man builds to be tested? What will become of the house built upon the rock when the day of storm comes? Will it do any good to hear the words of our Lord if we do not obey them? What kind of a man is he that hears His sayings but does not do them? What is such a one doing? How will his house be tested? Is every one’s house sure to be tested sooner or later? What will become of the house of the one who hears the sayings of Jesus but does not do them? What kind of a fall will it be?
What was the effect of our Lord’s teaching upon the people? Why were they astonished? Why did He teach them as one who had authority? (John 7:16; 12:49; 14:10, 11, 24.)
CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS
1. God
A Father, His dwelling place—heaven, His will—the supreme law of the kingdom, 21.
2. Jesus Christ
The Son of God, the judge of the world, our Lord, 21–23; an incomparable teacher, taught as one having authority, 13–29; what we do with His sayings determines our destiny, 24–27.
3. The Two Roads
The broad road leading to destruction, many traveling it, 13; the narrow road leading unto life, few traveling it, 14.
4. False Prophets
Make an outward pretence of meekness and gentleness and innocence, in inward fact are fierce and predatory, 15; known by their fruits, 16.
5. Good Trees and Corrupt Trees
(1). A good tree: bringeth forth good fruit, 17; cannot bring forth evil fruit, 18; is known by its fruit, 20.
(2). A corrupt tree: bringeth forth evil fruit, 17; cannot bring forth good fruit, 18; is known by its fruit, 20; shall be cut down and cast into the fire, 19.
6. The Coming Judgment
There is a judgment coming, many will be disappointed in that day, 22; only one adequate preparation for it, not merely hearing but doing, 24–27; merely calling Jesus “Lord, Lord,” prophesying in His name, casting out devils in His name, and doing many wonderful works in His name will not prepare one for that day, 22; Jesus Christ is the Judge, 23.
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R.A. Torrey (1856 - 1928)
An American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Called by D. L. Moody to head Bible institute in Chicago (now Moody Bible Institute). Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles. Pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial) and Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles. Worldwide evangelistic meetings with Charlie Alexander. Founded Montrose Bible Conference, PA. Wrote more than forty books.Torrey held his last evangelistic meeting in Florida in 1927, additional meetings being canceled because of his failing health. He died at home in Asheville, North Carolina, on October 26, 1928, having preached throughout the world and written more than 40 books. Torrey-Gray Auditorium, the main auditorium at Moody, was named for Torrey and his successor, James M. Gray. At Biola, the Torrey Honors Institute honors him, as does the university's annual Bible conference.
Reuben Archer Torrey was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Held evangelistic meetings around the world with song leader Charlie Alexander. Called by D.L. Moody to head the Bible Institute of the Chicago Evangelization Society (now Moody Bible Institute); Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles; pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial Church) and Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles.
Besides his obvious gifts in all these areas, he was also a man of prayer, a student of the Bible, and an outstanding personal soul-winner. It is said that he daily read the Bible in four languages, having a good working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. Some students of church history feel he did more to promote personal evangelism than any other one man since the days of the apostles. His prayer life has seldom been equaled in the annals of Christendom.
Reuben A. Torrey wrote some forty books and his practical writings on the Holy Spirit, prayer, salvation, soul-winning, and evangelism are still favorites of many Christians.