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Bible Studies / New Testament / Matthew
Verse-by-Verse Bible Study

Matthew 7:15–29

False Prophets… vs. 15-20

MatthewNew TestamentEnglish
These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
  • Review…
    • The Sermon of the King…
      • The LONGEST public teaching recorded in the New Testament – Matthew 5-7
      • Teaching disciples – those who want to learn – how to be CITIZENS of the KINGDOM of God…
      • Beginning with the Beatitudes – Jesus established we are POOR in Spirit…
      • And knowing that is what allows us to be a Citizen of the Kingdom – because it drives us to Jesus!
    • Relationship with God
      • Jesus went on to define how to LIVE as a CITIZEN – how to RELATE to God…
      • We are to GIVE in secret – because it shows a heart for God…
      • We are not to PRAY in secret – talking to God – not to be seen by men…
      • We must FORGIVE everyone – everything – every time – just as we were forgiven…
      • We are to store up our treasures in HEAVEN – so we have a HEART for God…
      • We are NOT to WORRY – because we have this PROMISE God FIRST will give us what we NEED!
    • Relationship with Others…
      • We are NOT to judge the MOTIVES of others…
      • If we do want to HELP – make sure we know the answer to our SIN first [take out the spec]
      • And do NOT try and help those who do NOT want help [dogs and pigs]
      • We must also ASK – SEEK – KNOCK – so our Father in Heaven gives us His Holy Spirit…
      • So that we can do unto others [LOVE] – what we want them to do to us…
      • Then we can show them the NARROW path – that leads to Heaven!
  • 1st – False Prophets… vs. 15-20
    • 1st – Not from God… vs. 15
      • Beware…
        • Beware of false prophets!
        • Having told His Disciples how they must LOVE one another – Jesus gives them a WARNING…
        • They must [imperative] always [present] watch out for FALSE prophets….
        • FALSE prophets [ψευδοπροφήτης] – LYING [ψευδής] prophets [προφήτης]!
        • Israel had a LONG history of FALSE prophets – who came to DECEIVE the people…
        • King Jehoshaphat of Judah went to visit King Ahab of Israel – I Kings 22:4-8
        • Ahab wanted Jehoshaphat to join him in going to battle against Syria…
        • Jehoshaphat wisely asked if they could seek the Lord for advice…
        • Ahab agreed and called FOUR hundred prophets – all of whom promised VICTORY in battle…
        • One of the prophets even made horns of iron prophesying victory – VERY dramatic…
        • But the men were NOT prophets of God – they were all FALSE prophets…
        • There was only one TRUE prophet in Israel – Micaiah [note the ratio – 400:1]
        • But Ahab did not like Micaiah – because he always brought BAD news!
        • People rarely want to hear the TRUTH – because the TRUTH hurts…
        • They do NOT want to hear about sin – judgment – they would rather be ENTERTAINED…
        • That is why many churches only talk about HAPPY topics – no HURT feelings…
        • Because churches are more interested in filling the SEATS – than making SAINTS!
      • Look like SHEEP…
        • Who come to you in sheep clothing!
        • We might ASSUME – we could easily recognize a FALSE teacher from faraway…
        • But FALSE teachers do not announce their entrance – they look like SHEEP…
        • Because they are like their MASTER – who looks like an Angel of light – II Corinthians 11:14
        • The impression most have of satan is a red horned – pitchfork wielding – ugly monster…
        • But that description actually comes from the god Pan in Greek mythology…
        • Satan is not ugly – God created him as the perfection of beauty – Ezekiel 28:12
        • Likely satan spread this LIE about himself – so people would NOT recognize him!
        • Likewise – FALSE teachers will imitate Godly men – they will LOOK like the real Pastors!
      • Hungry Wolves…
        • But inwardly they are ravenous wolves!
        • On the INSIDE – FALSE teachers are WOLVES who want to ROB [ravenous] the believers!
        • The imagery is dynamic – a WOLF [predator] walking among the SHEEP [prey]
        • And just as a WOLF has NO interest in HELPING sheep – they only want to CONSUME them…
        • So also FALSE teachers are NOT there to HELP the saints – they want to take from them!
        • II Peter 2:3 – “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words.”
      • After the Money…
        • The MOTIVE of FALSE teachers is the MONEY – they see the church as a way to get RICH…
        • They use DECEPTIVE [carefully molded] words – like an artist they form their LIES…
        • To EXPLOIT [ἐμπορεύομαι] us – where we get the word EMPORIUM – market…
        • They use their WORDS to try and make us into their BUSINESS!
        • Churches are to be a place where people come to LEARN about the Lord…
        • Instead FALSE teachers tell us about a God who only WANTS our MONEY…
        • Giving people the idea that Jesus is just another SCAM – a way to make a MONEY…
        • But God does not want or need our MONEY – He is the creator of Heaven and Earth!
    • 2nd – Their Fruit… vs. 16-18
      • How to Know… vs. 16
        • You will know them by their fruits!
        • How we spot a FALSE teacher – we look at their LIVES…
        • Because we will KNOW [ἐπιγινώσκω] them – by their FRUIT [works]
        • Recall – we are told we are NOT to JUDGE one another [motives] – Matthew 7:1
        • But we are absolutely called to JUDGE their FRUIT [works]!
        • A person can be a gifted SPEAKER – even a powerful TEACHER…
        • But words are EASY – the question is what do we see from their LIFE…
        • We need to be FRUIT inspectors – and check to make sure we see Jesus!
      • Good and Bad… vs. 16-18
        • Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
        • Even so – every good tree bears good fruit – but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
        • A good tree cannot bear bad fruit – nor can a bad tree bear good fruit!
        • It is easy to tell what kind of TREE – by looking at the FRUIT…
        • A thornbush will NOT have grapes – and thistles will NOT have figs…
        • In the same way EVERY [πᾶς] GOOD [ἀγαθός] person – will have GOOD [καλός] fruit…
        • GOOD person [ἀγαθός] – speaks of INTERNAL goodness that comes from God…
        • GOOD fruit [καλός] – speaks of EXTERNAL goodness that is the result of what is INSIDE…
        • And a BAD [σαπρός] person will be known by their BAD [πονηρός] fruit…
        • BAD person [σαπρός] – speaks of INTERNAL corruption – they are rotten on the inside…
        • BAD fruit [πονηρός] – speaks of EXTERNAL evil that is the results of what is INSIDE…
        • That is why a GOOD [ἀγαθός] person cannot have BAD [πονηρός] fruit…
        • And a BAD [σαπρός] person – cannot have GOOD [καλός] fruit!
        • Luke 6:45 – “For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
        • If a tree has a SIGN that said – MANGOS…
        • But we clearly see there are APPLES growing on the branches…
        • Then regardless of what the sign SAYS – it is for sure an APPLE tree!
        • The point is POWERFUL – FRUIT does NOT lie…
        • No matter what a person SAYS – they can CLAIM to be a Pastor…
        • But all we have to do is look at their FRUIT – and we will see if what they say is TRUE!
    • 3rd – Their Fate… vs. 19-20
      • Into the Fire… vs. 19
        • Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
        • Therefore by their fruits you will know them!
        • A tree that does not have GOOD [καλός] fruit – had lost its purpose…
        • Therefore – it is CUT down [present] – and used for FIRE wood…
        • The IMAGERY is unmistakable – it tells us the FUTURE of these FALSE teachers…
        • They will NOT make it to Heaven – they will end up in Hell!
      • Careful who we follow…
        • THEREFORE – we must make sure to KNOW [ἐπιγινώσκω] them by their FRUIT!
        • Philippians 3:17-19 – “They are enemies of the cross of Christ. Their future is eternal destruction. Their god is their appetite… all they think about is this life here on earth.”
        • We need to be careful who we FOLLOW – look to see where they are GOING…
        • Just because a LOT of people are attending – does not make it RIGHT – Matthew 7:13
        • Sadly – there are MEGA churches – THOUSANDS of members…
        • Who are following FALSE teachers [prosperity gospel] – to their DESTRUCTION!
        • II Peter 2:2 – “Many will follow their destructive ways!”
  • 2nd – False Christians… vs. 21-23
    • 1st – Not just Words… vs. 21
      • Our Words…
        • Not everyone who says to Me – Lord – Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven!
        • Not ALL [πᾶς] who call [future] Jesus MASTER [κύριος] – 2x for emphasis
        • Will be allowed into the KINGDOM – meaning WORDS alone CANNOT save us!
        • Is it enough just to call Jesus Lord – if we raise our hands at an alter call – are we SAVED …
        • The answer – that is PART of it – the Bible says we must CONFESS with our MOUTH…
        • But it also adds we also must BELIEVE in our HEART!
        • Romans 10:9 – “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus AND believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead – you will be saved.”
      • Our Actions…
        • But he who does the will of My Father in heaven [shall enter the kingdom of heaven]
        • The person who DOES [participle] the will of FATHER – is SAVED…
        • It is NOT just about what we SAY – it is about what we DO…
        • Because we cannot SEE our heart – so how do we KNOW if we BELIEVE…
        • The answer is look at the FRUIT – that comes from our HEART!
        • James 2:17 – “Faith by itself – if it does not have [fruit] – is dead.”
        • We can SAY we are SAVED – but the evidence needs to be in our LIVES…
        • Coming to CHURCH on Sunday – and having a Bible app on our phone – does NOT save us…
        • Raising our hand in an emotional moment – is NOT enough – we must also BELIEVE…
        • And if we want to KNOW what is in our HEART – either GOOD [ἀγαθός] or BAD [σαπρός]
        • All we have to do is look at the FRUIT that comes from our lives…
        • FRUIT does not LIE – we KNOW who we are by our FRUIT!
    • 2nd – Depart from me… vs. 22-23
      • Good Works… vs. 22
        • Many will say to Me in that day – Lord – Lord.
        • Have we not prophesied in Your name – cast out demons in Your name.
        • And done many wonders in Your name!
        • MANY will plead with God on THE day [White Throne] – Revelation 20:12
        • They had FRUIT – they did DO things for the Lord [κύριος] – 2x for emphasis
        • They PROPHESIED [aorist] in His Name – they knew His WORD…
        • They CAST [aorist] out demons in His Name – they knew His AUTHORITY – Luke 10:17
        • The did many WONDERS [aorist] in His Name – they knew His POWER [δύναμις]
        • But the one thing they did not KNOW [γινώσκω] – was Jesus!
      • Never knew you… vs. 23
        • I will declare to them – I never knew you. Depart from Me – you who practice lawlessness!
        • Jesus will say [ὁμολογέω] to them – He NEVER [not even once] knew [γινώσκω] them…
        • The PROOF they did NOT know Jesus – they were workers [participle] of INIQUITY…
        • INIQUITY [ἀνομία] – to live a life that does NOT follow the LAW [νόμος] of God!
        • This has to be one of the most terrifying verses in the Bible…
        • To think there will be MANY people who THINK they are saved…
        • Because they KNOW about Jesus – His WORD – His AUTHORITY – His POWER…
        • They are even DOING the right things [religion] – but they do NOT know Jesus…
        • This is why we talk so much about having a RELATIONSHIP [γινώσκω] with God!
        • We can SAY we are Christians – we can even be RELIGIOUS…
        • But are our lives after we BELIEVE in Jesus DIFFERENT…
        • Do we live in willful SIN [ἀνομία] – ignoring the conviction of the Holy Spirit…
        • Or are we running to Jesus – seeking His GRACE to transform us – bearing good FRUIT…
        • If we are wondering where our WALK with the Lord is – we should EXAMINE ourselves!
        • II Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves – that Jesus Christ is in you.”
  • 3rd – Built on the Rock… vs. 24-29
    • 1st – Wise Man… vs. 24-25
      • Doers of the Word… vs. 24
        • Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine – and does them!
        • THEREFORE – knowing salvation is seen in both WORDS and ACTIONS [fruit]
        • ANYONE [πᾶς] who HEARS and DOES [present] what Jesus says [λόγος]
        • James 1:22 – “Be doers of the word – and not hearers only.”
        • There are two ways that we can approach the Bible…
        • It can either be an INSTRUCTION manual – or it can be a MIRROR…
        • The person who does not OBEY the INSTRUCTIONS – treats the Bible like a MIRROR!
        • We can nod our head in agreement – or FEEL touched by a Bible study…
        • But if we are NOT doing what the Bible tells us…
        • We are like someone who sees their reflection in a MIRROR…
        • Only to walk away and chose to FORGET what we SAW – and NOT change!
      • Immovable… vs. 24-25
        • I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
        • And the rain descended – the floods came – and the winds blew and beat on that house.
        • And it did not fall – for it was founded on the rock!
        • But the one who LISTENS and DOES [present] – will be [future] like a WISE man…
        • Who built his house upon the ROCK [πέτρα]
        • When [not if] the STORM came [wind and waves] – the house did NOT fall…
        • Because it was FOUNDED [pluperfect] – on the ROCK [Jesus]!
        • We will NEVER fall when we choose to make Jesus our FOUNDATION…
        • That does not mean things will always turn out the way we expect…
        • But we can be absolutely certain – that whatever happens – we are UNSHAKABLE!
    • 2nd – Foolish Man… vs. 26-27
      • Built on sand…
        • Everyone who hears these sayings of Mine – and does not do them.
        • Will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
        • And the rain descended – the floods came – and the winds blew and beat on that house.
        • And it fell. And great was its fall!
        • ANYONE [πᾶς] who HEARS and does NOT [present] do what Jesus says [λόγος]
        • Will be like [future] a FOOLISH [μωρός] man – who built his house on SAND…
        • And when [not if] the STORM came [wind and waves] – the house FELL – a [μέγας] fall…
        • Because it was NOT built upon the ROCK [Jesus]!
      • The choice…
        • 2013 Typhoon Yolanda [Haiyan] hit Leyte with wind speeds over 315 kilometers per hour…
        • We were on the ground TWO days after the storm tore through…
        • There were house without roofs – roofs without houses [blew off]
        • People were desperate – as others selfishly overcharging their neighbors for essentials…
        • And the government was only handing out handfuls of old rice…
        • But those who put their TRUST in Jesus – saw miracles as God provided for them!
        • EVERYONE will have to go through STORMS in life – TOUGH times…
        • The question of whether or not we make it through – depends on our FOUNDATION…
        • As we come to the END of the SERMON of the KING – here is the question…
        • We are POOR in Spirit – but so we see our POVERTY and come to Jesus…
        • Where do we put our TREASURES – are we investing in this LIFE or eternal LIFE…
        • Do we just LISTEN to the Bible study – or do we CHOSE to be DOERS…
        • What choices we make – decide if we are WISE of FOOLISH…
        • This is how we CHOSE if we build our lives on the SAND or on the ROCK!
    • 3rd – Teaching with Authority… vs. 28-29
      • So it was – when Jesus had ended these sayings – that the people were astonished at His teaching.
      • For He taught them as one having authority – and not as the scribes!
      • When Jesus finished His teaching – the Sermon of the King…
      • The people were [imperfect] ASTONISHED at His teaching…
      • ASTONISHED [ἐκπλήσσω] – like someone slapping [passive] you in the face…
      • Because He taught them as one who had POWER [ἐξουσία] – not like the SCRIBES!
      • People will always have ideas about how to have a blessed LIFE – eternal LIFE…
      • But people can never teach with AUTHORITY – because they do NOT know…
      • That is what makes the WORD special – the Sermon on the Mount unique…
      • It is God telling those who are willing to LISTEN [disciples]
      • How to be SAVED – how to RELATE to God – and how we are to RELATE to each other…
      • It is the teaching on how to be a CITIZEN of His KINGDOM!