False Teachers & Their Fruit

2002003

Subject: False Teachers; Sermon on the Mount

Introduction:

A. Theme through entire 7^th chapter is judgment.

1. 7:2; 13; 19; 23; 27

2. In His concluding thoughts Jesus reminds us that this life is about living in way that pleasing to God or facing eternal consequences.

3. To please God – we must enter narrow gate & follow narrow path.

B. Today’s lesson covers His warning about the dangers or hindrances that could prevent our entering the narrow gate.

1. 7:15

2. False teachers not just a theoretical possibility – but a threatening reality!

3. The kingdom of heaven must be sought out in a world where lies/deceptions concerning it will abound.

4. OT & NT full of warnings about this.

C. So, dealing w/FT & their ways is just a fact of life.

1. Never been a time when Christians have not been locked in controversy w/some sort of false gospel.

2. There will be times when we have to deal w/those who attempt to subvert our faith.

D. Today’s lesson will discuss:

1. What a FT is.

2. Identifying marks of a FT.

3. How to spot these identifying marks.

I. What is a False Teacher?

A. 7:15-16 – picture of someone standing outside the narrow gate – about to make a decision.

1. FT there – trying to keep us from being influenced by Jesus’ words.

2. What exactly do we mean by using term FT?

B. This is the person who appears to be everything desired.

1. nice; pleasing; pleasant.

2. SEEMS to be a genuine Christian.

3. SAYS the right things; seems sincere; talks about God, Jesus, religious matters.

C. But, eventually, one begins to see in his fruit something that wrong with his teaching & his manner of life.

D. Perhaps we have known people as this.

II. Identifying Marks of a False Teacher.

A. His teaching/influence have no strait gate and no narrow way. It all seems right!

1. often boils down to what the person does NOT say.

2. easy to spot one who teaches something ridiculous.

3. not easy to recognize error of one who SAYS right things – but leaves out many vital things.

4. In essence, this is the person who leaves out the heart of the gospel. How?

B. This is the person who leaves out doctrine.

1. Maybe an absence of it as a whole or if mentioned, it = vague & general.

C. This is the person who leaves out the wrath/justice of God.

1. We need not just get hung up on God’s love & grace. (Jhn. 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9)

2. We must remember that, but Scriptures also emphasize:

a) Rom. 11:22; 2 Cor. 5:11; Heb. 12:29

b) Some FT many not deny these passages – just never mention them…

D. This is the person who leaves out the doctrine of judgment & eternal punishment.

1. Acts 24:25 – note how Paul preached: whole picture…used fear as a motivator….when used appropriately can be effective.

2. We need to be reminded of the coming judgment & the reality of eternal punishment.

3. 2 Pet. 3:9-11 – are these things emphasized like they should be in our today’s culture?

E. This is the person who leaves out the doctrine of sin.

1. w/o Christ all men are dead in their trespasses – Eph. 2:1

a) all men have sinned – Rom. 3:23

2. Some seek to smooth over certain sins – not that serious.

3. ALL sin is lawlessness – 1 Jhn. 3:4

F. This is the person who leaves out repentance.

1. One’s own sinfulness is de-emphasized. Just commit to Jesus.

2. IN other words – self examination not that important.

3. But…2 Cor. 13:5 – self examination IMPORTANT!

G. Finally, this is the person who leaves out true holiness.

1. Obedience not that important.

2. Need of not loving the world; being separate from it; not being conformed to it is left out.

a) we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. Rom. 12:1

b) To make a commitment – FT de-emphasize this!

III. How to Spot These Identifying Marks.

A. 7:16 – you will know them by their fruits.

1. there = an objective standard by which those claiming to speak the will of God may be judged true/false.

2. Mt. 7:21, 24 – that standard is God’s word.

3. Gods’ word tells us to look at their fruits…

B. Do the actions in their life contradict what comes out of their lips?

1. The life reveals the heart! Dishonesty w/the gospel message is bound to create dishonesty in life.

2. By using analogy of trees/fruit – Jesus drives home the point that citizenship in the kingdom is NOT a matter of appearance but being.

3. Earnhart: Being a Christian is not simply a matter of “doing” something new – but of “being” something new! It is the kind of life which begins in the heart – at the center of the personality. That is the reason it is only produced by a new birth.

4. A true child of the kingdom is different! Jhn. 7:38

C. Belief & life are inseparably linked.

1. A man’s nature is bound to come out!

a) as he thinks so he will act.

b) Appearances may deceive for a little while – but they do not last.

c) Some “appear” to be converted – genuinely – but later we see they were not.

2. maybe they made some additions; changed a few habits; but did not really b/c new creatures in Christ.

3. We must not be too enamored by appearances.

a) sit back – wait for fruit to be revealed!

b) God sees it all along – but we must wait awhile to see it.

D. Does this mean we need to be paranoid?

1. Some sense FT behind EVERY bush!

2. Some constantly in a questioning or investigating mood. Lose direction or focus – because always looking to see where their brethren are wrong!

3. Brethren – there is NOTHING in Jesus’ words that should make us suspicious – even cynical – toward ALL our brethren!

4. 7:16 – it is at the level of FRUIT these judgments to be made – not before the sprout is out of the ground!

5. There is no need to go prying into the hearts of others. All we need to do is wait until the tree bears fruit and we shall not have to wait long. (Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship p. 146)

6. Therefore, we need to be willing to give the benefit of the doubt until the circumstances are clear!

E. When a FT’s fruit is revealed – we must hold up their teaching to God’s word.

1. 1 Jhn. 4:1

2. Not respond? Then relationship must be severed. 2 Thess. 3:14-15.

Conclusion:

A. FT offer easy salvation. A wide gate. A broad way.

1. Offer trust in place of obedience. Ease in the place of sacrifice & service.

2. FT still around today. Paul’s writing applicable: 2 Cor. 11:13-15

B. Heb. 4:13 – God not deceived – He is the judge!

C. Let us strive to serve Him to the best of our ability!

D. This will involve a change in every aspect of our life.

1. Jhn. 3:3-5 – must be born again.

2. Have you been born again?

3. Are you ready to remove burden of sin & live a new life for Jesus? We can assist you here.

E. Christians, are you living up to God’s standard? Is your heart right with God?

F. I N V I T A T I O N



False Teachers & Their Fruit 2002003 Subject: False Teachers; Sermon on the Mount Introduction: A. Theme through entire 7^th chapter is judgment. 1. 7:2; 13; 19; 23; 27 2. In His concluding thoughts Jesus reminds us that this life is about living in way that pleasing to God or facing eternal consequences. 3. To please God – we must enter narrow gate & follow narrow path. B. Today’s lesson covers His warning about the dangers or hindrances that could prevent our entering the narrow gate. 1. 7:15 2. False teachers not just a theoretical possibility – but a threatening reality! 3. The kingdom of heaven must be sought out in a world where lies/deceptions concerning it will abound. 4. OT & NT full of warnings about this. C. So, dealing w/FT & their ways is just a fact of life. 1. Never been a time when Christians have not been locked in controversy w/some sort of false gospel. 2. There will be times when we have to deal w/those who attempt to subvert our faith. D. Today’s lesson will discuss: 1. What a FT is. 2. Identifying marks of a FT. 3. How to spot these identifying marks. I. What is a False Teacher? A. 7:15-16 – picture of someone standing outside the narrow gate – about to make a decision. 1. FT there – trying to keep us from being influenced by Jesus’ words. 2. What exactly do we mean by using term FT? B. This is the person who appears to be everything desired. 1. nice; pleasing; pleasant. 2. SEEMS to be a genuine Christian. 3. SAYS the right things; seems sincere; talks about God, Jesus, religious matters. C. But, eventually, one begins to see in his fruit something that wrong with his teaching & his manner of life. D. Perhaps we have known people as this. II. Identifying Marks of a False Teacher. A. His teaching/influence have no strait gate and no narrow way. It all seems right! 1. often boils down to what the person does NOT say. 2. easy to spot one who teaches something ridiculous. 3. not easy to recognize error of one who SAYS right things – but leaves out many vital things. 4. In essence, this is the person who leaves out the heart of the gospel. How? B. This is the person who leaves out doctrine. 1. Maybe an absence of it as a whole or if mentioned, it = vague & general. C. This is the person who leaves out the wrath/justice of God. 1. We need not just get hung up on God’s love & grace. (Jhn. 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9) 2. We must remember that, but Scriptures also emphasize: a) Rom. 11:22; 2 Cor. 5:11; Heb. 12:29 b) Some FT many not deny these passages – just never mention them… D. This is the person who leaves out the doctrine of judgment & eternal punishment. 1. Acts 24:25 – note how Paul preached: whole picture…used fear as a motivator….when used appropriately can be effective. 2. We need to be reminded of the coming judgment & the reality of eternal punishment. 3. 2 Pet. 3:9-11 – are these things emphasized like they should be in our today’s culture? E. This is the person who leaves out the doctrine of sin. 1. w/o Christ all men are dead in their trespasses – Eph. 2:1 a) all men have sinned – Rom. 3:23 2. Some seek to smooth over certain sins – not that serious. 3. ALL sin is lawlessness – 1 Jhn. 3:4 F. This is the person who leaves out repentance. 1. One’s own sinfulness is de-emphasized. Just commit to Jesus. 2. IN other words – self examination not that important. 3. But…2 Cor. 13:5 – self examination IMPORTANT! G. Finally, this is the person who leaves out true holiness. 1. Obedience not that important. 2. Need of not loving the world; being separate from it; not being conformed to it is left out. a) we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. Rom. 12:1 b) To make a commitment – FT de-emphasize this! III. How to Spot These Identifying Marks. A. 7:16 – you will know them by their fruits. 1. there = an objective standard by which those claiming to speak the will of God may be judged true/false. 2. Mt. 7:21, 24 – that standard is God’s word. 3. Gods’ word tells us to look at their fruits… B. Do the actions in their life contradict what comes out of their lips? 1. The life reveals the heart! Dishonesty w/the gospel message is bound to create dishonesty in life. 2. By using analogy of trees/fruit – Jesus drives home the point that citizenship in the kingdom is NOT a matter of appearance but being. 3. Earnhart: Being a Christian is not simply a matter of “doing” something new – but of “being” something new! It is the kind of life which begins in the heart – at the center of the personality. That is the reason it is only produced by a new birth. 4. A true child of the kingdom is different! Jhn. 7:38 C. Belief & life are inseparably linked. 1. A man’s nature is bound to come out! a) as he thinks so he will act. b) Appearances may deceive for a little while – but they do not last. c) Some “appear” to be converted – genuinely – but later we see they were not. 2. maybe they made some additions; changed a few habits; but did not really b/c new creatures in Christ. 3. We must not be too enamored by appearances. a) sit back – wait for fruit to be revealed! b) God sees it all along – but we must wait awhile to see it. D. Does this mean we need to be paranoid? 1. Some sense FT behind EVERY bush! 2. Some constantly in a questioning or investigating mood. Lose direction or focus – because always looking to see where their brethren are wrong! 3. Brethren – there is NOTHING in Jesus’ words that should make us suspicious – even cynical – toward ALL our brethren! 4. 7:16 – it is at the level of FRUIT these judgments to be made – not before the sprout is out of the ground! 5. There is no need to go prying into the hearts of others. All we need to do is wait until the tree bears fruit and we shall not have to wait long. (Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship p. 146) 6. Therefore, we need to be willing to give the benefit of the doubt until the circumstances are clear! E. When a FT’s fruit is revealed – we must hold up their teaching to God’s word. 1. 1 Jhn. 4:1 2. Not respond? Then relationship must be severed. 2 Thess. 3:14-15. Conclusion: A. FT offer easy salvation. A wide gate. A broad way. 1. Offer trust in place of obedience. Ease in the place of sacrifice & service. 2. FT still around today. Paul’s writing applicable: 2 Cor. 11:13-15 B. Heb. 4:13 – God not deceived – He is the judge! C. Let us strive to serve Him to the best of our ability! D. This will involve a change in every aspect of our life. 1. Jhn. 3:3-5 – must be born again. 2. Have you been born again? 3. Are you ready to remove burden of sin & live a new life for Jesus? We can assist you here. E. Christians, are you living up to God’s standard? Is your heart right with God? F. I N V I T A T I O N