Laying a Firm Foundation - Discernment

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This sermon is part of a series of messages based on the Sermon on the Mount. This message is based on the text found in Matthew 7:15-20.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction

Those of you who are really alert may have already realized that I have skipped over a couple of verses since last Sunday’s message. I did that on purpose, because I felt that the topic addressed in verses 13 and 14 were more appropriate to use next Sunday when we plan to honor our high school graduates and try to emphasize a message that would be appropriate for that occasion. So today we are moving on to the next section or paragraph which includes a warning against false prophets.

In reviewing this topic and trying to tie it in with the overall theme we have been using – building a solid foundation for life – I came to the conclusion that the core message Jesus is giving to us here relates to the need for discernment if one is to be successful in laying a firm foundation. In the warning that we read here it seems to me that Jesus is pointing out to us that every person needs to develop the ability to distinguish between truth and error or friend and foe. In this particular example, He talks about those from whom we receive guidance and knowledge and how important it is for each of us to have the ability to discern between those who would lead us astray and those who would guide us into the way of truth.

There are three primary thoughts I find expressed in these few verses. The first thought is a warning against false prophets. The second thought contains a description of the false prophets. And, the third thought emphasizes the method for identifying false prophets.

I.   The Warning Against False Prophets

Prophet – 1. One who predicts future events. 2. One who proclaims the messages of God.

Prophets in the OT were often associated with the king, the court and the official theocracy. There are indications that some prophets were part of the whole religious/political system of the monarchy. On the other hand, there were prophets that were independently called by God to expose and denounce what had become the status quo in the apostate religious practices of Israel. Many prophets were in danger of their very lives whenever they contradicted the wishes and plans of a wicked king and the “professional” prophets that were giving messages in harmony with the desires of the idolatrous leaders.

(Theo. Dict. of NT) The prophet is normally a biblical proclaimer of a divinely inspired message. Apart from Balaam (2Pe 2:16), only one Gentile, the Cretan poet in Titus 1:12, is called a prophetes. The biblical prophet can predict the future (cf. Ac 11:28), can know the past (Jn 4:19), and can look into the heart (Lk 7:39), but is essentially a proclaimer of the word, not a magician or soothsayer.

In the NT, the office of prophet is not as prevalent as in the OT.  Again, the ministry of “prophecy” includes both aspects of foretelling some future events and proclaiming the Word of God. However, it would seem that proclamation of the Word was more prevalent than predicting the future.

In the OT a prophet was identified as a false prophet by two primary signs: his prophecy did not come to pass or was not fulfilled; and his message(s) led the people into idolatry. A prophet may be described as a false prophet either because his message or his life was inconsistent with the actual truth of God.

I have come to believe that a preachers / teachers can be false prophets by what they don’t say as much as they can by what they do say. There are some preachers and teachers who always say things that are true, but there are certain topics and truths in the Word of God that they never get around to proclaiming at all.

For example, there are many preachers and teachers who always emphasize the love of God, but they never have proclaimed the holy wrath of God or the judgment of God. In fact, they would openly admit that they don’t see where that message has any place in the ministry of a Christian. However, dear friends, God requires His servants and His prophets to declare the whole counsel of God. To leave out any aspect of truth about God distorts the biblical record about who He truly is.

To leave out any aspect of truth about divine redemption that has been provided through the atoning death of Jesus Christ is to distort the biblical truth. That’s why I believe it is so important for pastors / teachers to be oriented toward preaching through the Bible in various ways that effectively covers all the truth of God’s Word, not just our pet themes that we like and that our people like to hear.

In our text today the disciples of Jesus Christ are admonished to be alert for false prophets. The warning itself implies a need for discernment and the ability to make “judgments” and distinctions. Jesus is simply alerting us to the fact that not everyone who claims to speak for God is worthy of our attention and our compliance.

II.   The Description of False Prophets

Sheep’s clothing – outwardly appealing, inviting, innocent.

Probably exhibit smooth, enticing words, actions.

One writer said that shepherds often wore vests or outer cloaks made from the hide of a sheep.

This could be Jesus’ way of saying that these false prophets appear outwardly like genuine shepherds, but in fact they are the worst enemy of the flock.

Ravenous wolves – inwardly they are hungry, devouring, destructive wolves.

Wolves care only for themselves. Wolves by nature are predators.

What they say may be true, but they use the truth to cut, slash, hurt and destroy.

They use a machete when a scalpel is needed.

Bitter (rotten) fruit – What they produce is the exact opposite of what they profess.

I won’t take any more time here. I think we get the point of what Jesus is describing.

III.   Identifying False Prophets

By the fruit they produce.

What are the results of their ministry?

Paul talks about the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5.

Does the fruit that is produced by the prophet resemble the love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,  faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” that is defined as the fruit of the spirit?

By the spirit they exhibit.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

The spirit of a false prophet goes contrary to the spirit of Christ.

Christ – the perfect blend of love and holiness; compassion and righteousness.

By the message they teach.

1 John 4:2-3 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: ³And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

The core element of truth/heresy has to do with the question, “Who is Jesus?”

All false religions, heresies, etc. have doctrines about Jesus that are not consistent with all of the teachings in Scripture.

Emphasize His humanity to the exclusion of His deity or vice versa.

Conclusion:

Every Christian needs the help of God’s Spirit to discern between:

Light and darkness; truth and error; right and wrong; good and evil.

This is only possible through a vibrant, living relationship with Jesus Christ and a love for His truth.

Discernment is received by divine grace from God, but it is also an ability that develops through experience.

May the Lord grant each one of us the grace and ability we need to distinguish between those who teach the truth and those who teach and lead people into error.

Let us prayerfully sing our closing song:

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us