Matthew 7:15-20 A Warning from Jesus About False Prophets

 

Introduction: Not every dollar bill is genuine. Neither is everyone who says that he is called of God to preach. Jesus warns “Beware of false prophets.”

 

I.  The use of the word “prophets” in the Bible.

            A.  The word originally meant “One who by direct revelation from God could foretell future events”.

            B.  It came to mean one who had any kind of direct revelation from God; even one which did not foretell

                        future. (For example: Moses received the Law.)

            C.  It finally came to mean one who teaches concerning morals or religion.

 

II. Old Testament methods of identifying God’s prophets.

            A.  The prophet who foretold events must foretell an event in the immediate future.

                        1. The people would soon know if he spoke the truth.

                        2.  This would be repeated several times.

                        3.  Only if he spoke the truth every time was he a true prophet to be believed in long range

                                    prophecies.

            B.  There were 3 procedures for establishing the prophet who was merely a teacher but not a foreteller.

                        1.  If he was taught directly by an accepted prophet.

                        2.  If he was taught and approved by the school of the prophets.

                        3.  Or if his teachings were upheld by the already established scriptures.

 

III. New Testament methods of identifying God’s prophets.

            A.  Jesus was first endorsed by an Old Testament prophet already established and accepted by the people

                        of Israel.

                        1.  He was further endorsed by God the Father.

                        2.  Angels also identified Him as such.

                        3.  By His miracles He proved Himself to be of God.

                        4.  By His resurrection He gave final proof.

            B.  Jesus then endorsed the twelve apostles.

                        1.  Jesus said that one of these was only a pretender.

                        2.  It finally became evident who the pretender was.

                        3.  The apostles and other proven men wrote the New Testament and completed the Bible.

 

IV. The problem with the false prophets.

            A.  They will come in sheep’s clothing.

                        1.  This means that they look and sound almost exactly like God’s true prophets.

                        2.  They read and quote scriptures; they use Biblical terms such as “new birth, redemption, etc.”

            B.  But inwardly they are ravening wolves.

                        1.  Their nature has never been re-born.

                        2.  They are dangerous to the flock of God.

 

V.  A method of identifying the false prophets.

            A.  Jesus said, “By their fruit ye shall know them.” (By this He meant their doctrine and their practices.)

            B.  Some of their heretical doctrines:

                        1.  Some preach Jesus, but deny that He is the virgin born Son of God.

                        2.  Some preach the crucifixion, but deny the resurrection.

                        3.  Some preach the resurrection, but not a bodily resurrection.

                        4.  Some preach salvation, but make it by works.

                        5.  Some preach a new birth, but make it only a change of character or a new lease on life.

                        6.  Some preach Jesus as the Son of God, but deny that He was always deity.

           

            C.  Some of their heretical practices:

                        1.  Baptism of infants.

                        2.  Sprinkling for baptism.

                        3.  Baptism of the living for the dead.

                        4.  Burning incense or candles to ward off evil spirits.

            D.  Jesus illustrated His point by saying that grapes and figs do not grow on thorns and thistles. V. 16-19

                        1.  Thus sound doctrine and practice does not come from those who are inwardly raging wolves.

                        2.  Neither do God’s people need to be taught by such.

 

Conclusion:

            1.  In judgment God will deal with the false prophets. V. 19

            2.  The sad truth is that a lot of unsaved people will burn with them because they accepted their false

                        gospel.

            3.  Even saved people can be led astray by them.

            4.  God’s people should not be gullible and believe every wind of doctrine.

            5.  Neither should they become overly critical and suspicious of God’s true men.

            6.  God’s people should give God’s true preachers and God’s true churches all the support they can.

            7.  But they ought to make doubly sure that they are in a church that preaches truth.