False Prophets… vs. 15-20

• 1^st – 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!

• 2^nd – 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!
• 3^rd – 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!”

• 2^nd – False Christians… vs. 21-23
  • 1^st – 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! 
  • 2^nd – 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.”

• 3^rd – Built on the Rock… vs. 24-29
  • 1^st – 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!
  • 2^nd – 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!
  • 3^rd – 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!