You Will Know False Teachers By Their Fruit

Had to make a decision. From the faith. Lutheran Church, Greenfield, Indiana. I'm going to be reading a portion of Pastor Daniel O 'Connor's Sermon entitled words not deeds and I don't have audio on this so I have to read this.

Matthew 7 and the Meaning of a Tree’s Fruit

But let me let me in fact. Let me let me read the text the text for this is going to be Matthew chapter 7. I'll start at verse 15, and I think I'll go to 23. Yeah, here it is beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

You will recognize them by their fruits are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles. So every tree that bears good fruit. But the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to me Lord Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. But the one who does the will of my father who is in heaven on that day many will say to me Lord.

Did we not prophesy in your name and cast out demons in your name and do many mighty works in your name? And then I will declare to them I never knew you depart for me you workers of Lawlessness all right now.

That's the gospel text that makes up the basis for and I'm like saying I'll be reading this Large portions of the sermon here. It's not very yeah, you have to understand the Lutheran homilies. They get to the point quick.

You know we Lutherans can say in 15 minutes what it takes a Calvinist an hour to say. I'm just not. That's that's a joke it's not true. This is to say that homilies in the Lutheran Tradition are generally kept short and a lot of the you know the in-depth biblical Instruction happens during you know a different time, but not during the answer normally during Sunday school anyway.

Words, Not Deeds, in the Sermon on the Mount

Yeah, so let me let me read to you pastor O 'Connor's sermon, okay. We're in again. It's entitled words not deeds and going back. Just remember to the opening the program. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down.

What is the fruit of somebody who is a ravenous wolf? Is the saying we test them by their works? Well listen to what pastor O 'Connor says he says there used to be an old mantra used by those folks from the more Protestant.

Shall we say fundamentalist tradition of Christianity by the way I would disagree with him here. I think this this phrase actually comes from the Unitarian Universalist, but anyway it went like this deeds.

Not creeds it spoke of the importance of Living the faith and not just confessing it so that others could see your faith. And how you lived rather than how you spoke to be sure there is an element of truth to that it is important to live the faith.

Good works do matter for us Christians, but not as A means for salvation when it comes to salvation in Christ. It's more a matter of words. Not deeds. We see that from today's gospel reading. To which we now turn our attention.

Here again our Lord says beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing. But inwardly are ravenous wolves you will know them by their fruits. Now what is Jesus talking about here? What does he mean when he refers to?

Fruits usually when people hear the those verses and I had this happen on a shut-in call just the past this past week. They think of how a person lives. They think of deeds. I mean later on in today's gospel.

Jesus does go go on to say not everyone who who? Says to me Lord Lord shall enter the reign or the kingdom of heaven. But he who does the will of my father. So there you have it he who does the will of Jesus's father is the one who enters the the reign of heaven.

Right where Jesus says you will know them ie false prophets by their fruits. People just assume and I used to be one of those making this assumption. He's talking about how false prophets live what they do again he who does the will of my father, but.

Folks.

Jesus is not talking here about how false prophets Live. He's talking about how they speak. You see Jesus says in today's gospel that false prophets wear sheep's clothing. Which means that to the outside world they look pretty good.

Their deeds are the kind that nobody questions. Not only that but Jesus is speaking here about false Prophets and a prophet is known by what he says. A prophet speaks the words of God. Jesus says Elsewhere in Matthew's gospel that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

That's Matthew chapter 12 verse 34, so if someone claims to speak to you God's Word and Inside they're a ravenous wolf to use Jesus's metaphor. You'll know it by what flows to you from their heart. You will know it by their words.

They won't speak in the manner of the Good Shepherd of the sheep and in that their words will be wolf-like. So when Jesus says that we will know them ie false prophets by their fruits. He's talking about words.

Not deeds. A true prophet is one who speaks only as Jesus himself speaks. And what does Jesus speak? Well in this section of his Sermon on the Mount, he speaks of mercy. He speaks of not judging your neighbor.

He speaks of helping your neighbor. Helping him overcome his or her sin and so avoiding God's judgment of your of your own. He speaks of loving your neighbor as he says just a few verses before those of today's gospel in Everything therefore treat people the same way that you want them to treat you for this is the law and the prophets.

Referring of course to Leviticus chapter 19 18, which says love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus speaks of love folks. He speaks of mercy our mercy and love for our neighbor as a Reflection of God's mercy and God's love for us and his son.

Yes, Jesus also speaks some pretty stringent words of law in his Sermon on the Mount. We heard some of those words a couple of weeks ago when we looked at Matthew chapter 5 and Jesus is teaching there on anger.

But ultimately Jesus teaches in a way that draws people to himself. He teaches in a way that leads people to trust in his own saving deeds for them. We see that when we look closer at Jesus words about doing the will of his father in heaven.

We quoted them earlier. Not everyone who says to me Lord Lord shall enter the reign of heaven. But he who does the will of my father who is in heaven. At first glance those words appear to beat to put the emphasis On a prophet's works his doing the will of the father.

But they don't for Jesus speaks of doing the will of his father in two other places in Matthew's gospel. And in the first place chapter 12, he commands those following him for Commends those following him for doing the will of his father.

In the second chapter 21 He commends those who follow John the Baptist. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus leading people to repent. He pointed to the deeds of Jesus by laying the sin of the world upon Jesus in his baptism in Preparation for Jesus's death on the cross.

When we put those two passages together. We see that for Jesus. Doing the will of the father means repenting of our sins. It means following the one John the Baptist pointed to by being a disciple of Jesus.

One does that of course by heeding the words of Jesus. The words of Jesus are Emphasized in this portion in the Sermon of the Mount. In fact, the words right after those of today's gospel are these. Jesus says everyone who hears these words of mine Hears and does them will be like a wise man who builds his house on the rock.

Jesus's words are important because they point to his deeds of death and resurrection. For the world salvation a true prophet heeds those words. He repents of his sins and he clings to the mercy of God in Christ.

He trusts in the Word of God's Son instead of his own deeds he trusts in the Word of God's forgiveness. A true prophet preaches and teaches only the words of the Lord Jesus Christ Crucified and risen for his sins.

Indeed for the sins of the whole world. Doing the will of the father is about those words not deeds. That's important because it speaks to what makes living the Christian life So difficult the fact that we are always focused on our deeds.

We get caught up in how bad we are or at least in the awareness that we're not good enough. We deal with guilt and shame over the way we lead our sinful lives or else we feel too smug About the good lives we lead and we end up being self-righteous like the Pharisees of Jesus's day.

The gospel however consists of the Word of Jesus words that take our focus off of our deeds and put it squarely on the deeds of Jesus who lived died and rose again for us. That's the key to being able to enjoy the blessings of the reign of heaven keeping the Focus of our attention on the words of Jesus not our deeds of sin.

True prophets help us do that false prophets do not and so today's gospel speaks a warning to us about false prophets pastors or preachers. It tells us to beware of what they say to us. Because if they tell us things that are supposed to be from God that do not point to the mercy of God's Son.

Then even though they may look like harmless sheep on the outside Inside they are ravenous wolves. I said a couple weeks ago that the key to understanding the Sermon on the Mount is to be read through the lens of the Beatitudes which stand at the beginning.

Well, it's the first beatitude where Jesus says blessed are the poor in spirit. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven that describes a true prophet poor in spirit a true prophet looks to God's spirit. Present in his word to make him rich in Jesus.

That's not just true for pastors either. But for all who endeavor to speak God's words to others they we cling to that word for forgiveness. Jesus tells us in today's gospel again. Not everyone who says to me Lord Lord shall enter the reign of heaven.

But he who does the will of my father who is in heaven. The will of the father is to follow his son Jesus believing that because of his death and Resurrection God's mercy and grace and forgiveness is for you.

That is the message of God's Word the message all true prophets speak. God grant that we all heed that message in faith and so cling to Jesus's words. Not to our deeds in his name. Amen great sermon great great sermon, and I'm gonna By way of tag-teaming.

I'm gonna just add a little bit of biblical emphasis here. Okay Lenski and his commentary on the gospel of Matthew provides us some really good cross References that really help us flesh out the fact that the false Prophets the fruits that they bear.

The bad fruit is bad teaching and here's the idea is that the ultimate. This is a question. We're trying to answer is that false prophets. Of course, they're going to have what looks like good deeds. The reason why is.

Because those good deeds are the things that that's the fleece that hides the wolf Fur you see what I'm saying? Anyway, let me give you a couple of cross references here that will help the Apostle Paul writing in.

Well not writings, but speaking in Acts chapter 20 Verse 29 is talking to the churches in Ephesus. He says I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you not sparing the flock. Okay, and from among your own selves will arise men.

Speaking.

Twisted things to draw away disciples after them notice here in Acts chapter 20 verse 30. The God the Apostle Paul Said he makes it clear the fruit that you're to be listening for are those who are speaking twisted things and.

Therefore be alert remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears and now I commend you to God and to the word of his Grace, so they're commended to God and the word of his grace keeping in mind that listen.

There's there's wolves coming and they're going to speak twisted things and this is what Jesus is getting at. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

The Apostle Paul says here in a direct cross-reference that wolves are coming. They're going to speak twisted things. That's how you'll know. They're a wolf. Okay. Other cross-references. Isaiah chapter 8 verse 20 to the teaching and to the testimony if they will not speak according to this word.

It is because they have no dawn. They have no light. Okay, false prophet will not speak according to the Word of God. They'll twist it mangle it. You know make you know, basically pull out their Ginsu knife and turn it into Julian fries.

But they won't properly speak it and they won't preach Christ from it. Okay, first John chapter 4 verse 1 beloved do not believe every spirit. But test the spirits to see whether they are from God for many false prophets have gone out in the world.

The way we test them is with the Word of God. Hebrews 13 9 do not be led astray by diverse and strange teachings. For it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace not by foods which have not benefited those devoted to them.

Do not be led astray by diverse and strange teaching. 2nd John Verse 9. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the father and the son or verse 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

Wicked works are well, according to 2nd John. The wicked work of not abiding in the teaching of Christ that we have in Scripture. Okay. In another sign here. Even Jesus points out in Matthew chapter 15 verse 9 in vain.

Do they worship me teaching as doctrines? The commandments of men that's a sure sign. You got somebody who's teaching the doctrines of men. That's a wolf there. They're going you know, they're they're not teaching what's in the Word of God.

And of course Titus chapter 1 verses 9 through 12. Which make it clear that an overseer in the church must hold firm to the trustworthy word is taught. So that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it for there are many who?

Are insubordinate empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced. And since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.

One of the Cretans a prophet of their own said Cretans are always lazy. Are always liars evil beasts and lazy gluttons therefore rebuke him sharply.

See.

The the common theme throughout all the scripture is that the fruit that you test a false prophet by are their words if They're not teaching sound doctrine if they're not pointing you to Christ if they're going beyond what is written if they are not abiding by what scripture says but running off on their own, okay, or Comforting you in your sin rather than confronting you with it and driving you to repentance and forgiveness Through Christ shed blood on the cross.

That's a false prophet. That's a false prophet. The fruit that you test a prophet by is Their teaching plus Jesus himself in this gospel text. Listen to this not everyone who says to me Lord Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven.

But the one who does the will of my father on that day the Day of Judgment Many will say to me Lord Lord. Did we not prophesy in your name? Notice they're pointing to their works Lord. We prophesied in your name.

Notice that that's what they're holding up to Jesus as somehow proof that they're a Christian. Look at Lord. We prophesied in your name. They're pointing to their works not Christ's and we cast out demons in your name and Did many mighty works in your name?

See on the last day the false prophets point to all of their good works as if they're good work somehow merit God's favor.

So.

They're full of works that to the casual observer Look like quote good works. But if you had listened to their teaching You would have identified the fact that they were pointing you to Christ. They were pointing you to yourself in your own good works.

And so they're there they're holding up their good works to Jesus on the last day, right? Many will say to me Lord Lord Did we not prophesy in your name and cast out demons in your name and do mighty works in your name?

And then I will declare to them. I.

Never.

Knew you.

Depart from me you workers of lawlessness.

Yep.

Let me let me read to you what the the notes in the Lutheran study Bible point out. False prophets such prophets seek to lead astray those on the narrow way. Okay, they are outwardly these prophets seem to be followers of Jesus, but their goal is to devour the sheep and.

Then the note on verse 16 says this regarding fruits. It's used seven times in verses 16 through 20 and it does not refer to good deeds. But to what the prophet says his preaching and his teaching grapes gathered.

Rhetorical question on judging a prophet. Okay, and then here's kind of the summary of this little section from the Lutheran study Bible. Just as there are two ways the good and the bad so there are two kinds of prophets.

One can identify false prophets by what they teach. Especially by what they teach about the person and mission of Jesus. Here's what Luther said you must hold on to the chief part the summary of the Christian teaching and Accept nothing else that God has sent and given Christ his son and that only through him.

Does he forgive us all of our sins and justify and save us? Preserve me O Lord from all false prophets who would take away my trust for salvation in you. Alone, it's always the key. Okay in false prophets, you know, they they are very subtle and They might use big words like vision casting God has given me a vision and they might point to how quickly and rapidly their church has grown as the Miraculous proof that God has given them the vision, but when you listen to their teaching, that's where the fruit is.

When you listen to their teaching, they're not pointing you to Christ and him crucified for our sins. They're pointing well you to them or pointing you to yourself and basically say work harder.

Do.

Big things for God to somehow merit his favor. It's what they teach. Always a false prophet will take your eyes off of Christ and put them either squarely on the false prophet himself or herself nowadays.

Or have you basically hold up a mirror to constant look to see if you're producing, you know. Look to your own works as if somehow your own good works Could stand on the Day of Judgment. Their works won't and they will plead before Jesus on the Day of Judgment.

Lord Lord. Did we not prophesy in your name prophecy apparently in God's name? Don't you think that would be a good work? Do we not cast out demons in your name? That would be a good work. And do many mighty works in your name and Jesus will declare to you to them.

I never knew you depart from me you workers of lawlessness. So when you hear the preaching of Matthew chapter 7 beware of false prophets, you will know them by their fruit. Their fruit is their words not their deeds.

Closing Remarks and Show Sign-Off

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