Sermon on the Mount Part 8
Matthew 7:15-29 NIV
Jesus concludes His sermon on the mount with words of warning and wisdom for the believer:
True and False Prophets
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
This warning instructs the people of God to make discerning decisions and to watch for the fruit people are producing. Fruit is not just productivity but character attributes and the results of that character. If they are not producing the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. If they are bearing fruit that is selfish, divisive, and worldly, they are not prophets of God. Always ask the Lord for His discernment before making choices.
True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Ministry is an overflow of a person’s relationship with God. God gives each person gifts to use in the kingdom of God. Romans 11:29 says that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance, which means that He never takes back the gifts He gives to us. Those gifts in operation without a relationship with God would be exercising these gifts without the power and fruit of the Lord. In other words, trusting the flesh instead of the Lord. That is why Jesus said that He would tell such people, “I never knew you.”
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Jesus’s final statements summarize the message by exhorting those who hear this message that they must put His words into practice to receive the foundation and strength they will need in all seasons. Jesus is the Rock, and He will keep us in the midst of life’s storms.
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Q: What truths stood out to you as your read these passages?
Q: What instructions from Jesus can you put into practice?
Prayer: Lord, thank You for your word. Send your Spirit of truth to help us listen, learn, understand, and do what is necessary to walk in your ways. Again, we ask for your grace and mercy as we walk and grow in relationship with You. Amen.
Jesus concludes His sermon on the mount with words of warning and wisdom for the believer:
True and False Prophets
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
This warning instructs the people of God to make discerning decisions and to watch for the fruit people are producing. Fruit is not just productivity but character attributes and the results of that character. If they are not producing the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. If they are bearing fruit that is selfish, divisive, and worldly, they are not prophets of God. Always ask the Lord for His discernment before making choices.
True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Ministry is an overflow of a person’s relationship with God. God gives each person gifts to use in the kingdom of God. Romans 11:29 says that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance, which means that He never takes back the gifts He gives to us. Those gifts in operation without a relationship with God would be exercising these gifts without the power and fruit of the Lord. In other words, trusting the flesh instead of the Lord. That is why Jesus said that He would tell such people, “I never knew you.”
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Jesus’s final statements summarize the message by exhorting those who hear this message that they must put His words into practice to receive the foundation and strength they will need in all seasons. Jesus is the Rock, and He will keep us in the midst of life’s storms.
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Q: What truths stood out to you as your read these passages?
Q: What instructions from Jesus can you put into practice?
Prayer: Lord, thank You for your word. Send your Spirit of truth to help us listen, learn, understand, and do what is necessary to walk in your ways. Again, we ask for your grace and mercy as we walk and grow in relationship with You. Amen.