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²⁴ “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. ²⁶ And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27 ESV)

Following my conversion to Christ at age nineteen, I strove to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). I read the Bible, Christian books, and listened to Christian radio. One of the best radio programs I listened to most every day was Through the Bible with Bible teacher Dr. J. Vernon McGee. The theme song for the program then, and now, is the hymn How Firm a Foundation.

I share this brief memory because of today’s text. Jesus was bringing His Sermon on the Mount to a conclusion. He summarized all that He had spoken about being His disciple with the metaphor of a foundation. In other words, on what foundation are you building your life? Is your life built upon obedience to the Word of God or something else?

Jesus said, ““Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” To hear Jesus’ words means to understand and comprehend them. The evidence of understanding and comprehension is obedience. Such a perspective is like a man who builds his house on the solid foundation of a rock.

Understanding and comprehending Jesus’ words, and the corresponding obedience is important because life is tough. In keeping with the building metaphor, Jesus said, ““Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

A life built upon obedience to the Word of God, as a child of God, will ultimately be for the individuals well-being. God calls such individuals wise. They apply God’s Word into their daily lives.

Conversely, a life not built upon an understanding and obedience to God’s Word will result in destruction. Such a man is a fool.

²⁶ “And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

“Jesus doesn’t comment on the style or particular qualities of the house in this passage. As a result, He doesn’t comment on exactly what our life looks like. What He emphasizes is what our life is built on. The house of the wise man is built on the rock. The wise man builds on the rock because he hears and does Jesus’ words (v. 24). So, regardless of what our house looks like—who we are and what our lives consist of—we’re called to build on the same foundation. We’re called to be hearers and doers of God’s Word. That doesn’t mean that what our lives look like doesn’t matter, but what Jesus is emphasizing here is the foundation. The foundation is the thing that imparts stability to everything else,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

“We all build our individual houses, and they are all different. Looks can be deceiving, but what matters is the foundation. Are we hearing what Jesus says but not doing it? Or are we actually doing it? Let us pray that we will be faithful to build our houses—whatever they look like depending on our own particular circumstances, talents, and callings—on Jesus and His Word. It is only through building on this sure foundation that our lives will have any sense of true stability, both now and forever.”

How firm a foundation is the excellent Word of God. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

²¹ “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. ²² On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ²³ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21–23 (ESV)

“Dr. James Montgomery Boice pointed out the special irony of Jesus’ warning about the wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15) when considered it within the context of modern academia. Diplomas are referred to as “sheepskins” because that is the material on which such diplomas were originally printed. Today, many with “sheepskins,” or higher-level degrees, are teaching rank error in our colleges and seminaries. These are clear instances of wolves speaking with the “respectability” of the sheep,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

What is the destiny of false prophets, and all who would distort the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:5-10)? Jesus makes a clear statement in today’s text that should give everyone pause.

Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” The phrase “Lord, Lord” is an address of intimacy (Gen. 22:11; I Sam. 3:10; 2 Sam. 18:33; Luke 22:31). However, claims of personal intimacy of knowing Christ is not the test of a true disciple. Rather, it is obeying the will of God.

Jesus said that on the Day of Judgment, there will be many who will claim to have done works in Jesus’ name and for His glory. These false teachers will refer to prophecies spoken, exorcisms performed, and mighty works done in the name of Christ. None of this will matter.

What matters is obedience to the Word and will of God as a result of faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. Genuine intimacy with God means knowing God and being known by God (I Cor. 8:1-3).

“Those who teach falsehoods usually have no desire to follow God’s Word and care little if Scripture endorses their positions. We will probably not be taken off guard on judgment day when Christ banishes such hardened individuals. However, today’s passage warns us that some will be surprised when many who appear to be believers are barred access to glory on that day. Not everyone who calls Jesus “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven (vv. 21–23),” states Dr. Sproul.  

“This teaching should instill within us a healthy fear and trepidation. It is possible to do great works in our Savior’s name and to assent to His Lordship without really trusting Him for salvation. The people in today’s passage have a false assurance of their Christian faith. They know the right things, but they have not done the right things. Their faith is dead, for their works are not done in obedience to Jesus (James 2:14–26)”  

John Chrysostom says that we may claim to know the Lord, but we “derive no benefit as long as the actual fruits of good living are not present.” (Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew, 23.7).

I encourage you to read 2 Peter 1:3-11concerning how to make certain your calling and election in Christ. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria! 

¹⁷ “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7:17–19 (ESV)

This week, we are focusing on the importance of holding to biblical truth and being aware of false teachers. It would be pleasant to think that false teachers are outside the local church. Unfortunately, that is not the case. False teachers exist within the church; always have and always will until the Lord’s return.

By their fruits we can know the true nature of false teachers. Believers in Christ must be on guard today by taking each thought captive to the obedience of Christ through Scripture (2 Cor. 10:4-6).

Jesus taught that one may distinguish between good and false prophets (teachers) not only by the content of their teaching but also by the fruit of their lives. Healthy prophets of God bear good fruit. This would refer to the fruit of the Spirit. “²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)

Conversely, a false prophet bears bad fruit. They gratify the desires of the flesh. ^16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:16–21 (ESV)

Recently, in the aftermath of the violent death of a young man by five police officers, one local pastor stated from the pulpit that the solution to such violence was for the church to understand the gospel “is justification by faith and social justice.” At best, this is error. At worst, it is heresy, which is a deviation from the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is justification by faith alone.

Justification is a legal declaration. God declares the sinner just on the basis of grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone (Romans 3:21-26; 4:1-5; 5:1-5; Philippians 3:3-9).

“This legal or forensic term (justification) comes from the Greek word for “righteous” and means “to declare righteous.” This verdict includes: pardon from the guilt and penalty of sin, and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to the believer’s account, which provides for the positive righteousness man needs to be accepted by God. God declares a sinner righteous solely on the basis of the merits of Christ’s righteousness. God imputed a believer’s sin to Christ’s account in his sacrificial death (Isa. 53:4–5; 1 Pet. 2:24), and he imputes Christ’s perfect obedience to God’s law to Christians (cf. Rom. 5:19; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9). The sinner receives this gift of God’s grace by faith alone (Rom. 3:22, 25; 4:1–25),” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

“The most crucial question facing anyone is ‘How can I be right with God?’ The answer to that question is the central issue that keeps the various professing expressions of Christianity apart; it is justification by grace alone, received through faith alone, mediated to believing sinners through Christ alone, and recorded as final authority in the Scriptures alone,” states Dr. Bruce Bickel.

False prophets and teachers will always seek to add something, anything, to justification by faith alone. Be on your guard against the bad fruit of false prophets.

Soli deo Gloria!  

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” (Matthew 7:15–16 (ESV)

“Tolerance toward people is a good and biblical virtue, but tolerance toward false teaching is sin. The teaching of a false prophet cannot withstand scrutiny under the divine light of Scripture.” – John MacArthur

“The mark of the false prophet or teacher is self-serving unfaithfulness to God and His truth. It may be that he says what he shouldn’t; but it is far more likely that he will err by failing to say what he should. He will gloss over all the tough questions and issues as did the false prophets in the Old Testament who went around saying, “Peace, peace,” when there was no peace (Jer. 6:14).” J.I. Packer  

“The apostles of Satan are not saloon-keepers and white-slave traffickers, but are for the most part ordained ministers.” – A.W. Pink

This week, we are focusing on the importance of holding to biblical truth and being aware of false teachers. It would be pleasant to think that false teachers are outside the local church. Unfortunately that is not the case. False teachers exist within the church; always have and always will until the Lord’s return. Therefore, those who hold to biblical truth must be on guard.

Today’s text begins with these cautionary words from Jesus; “Beware of false prophets.” Jesus then invoked a familiar biblical illustration. “…who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves”

Jesus then instructed His disciples how they could recognize false teachers. “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?”

To recognize (ἐπιγινώσκω; epiginosko) is a future middle indicative verb. This means that to understand and know false teachers is an activity all believers in Christ must personally engage. It is not just a discipline for the present, but also for the future. The church must always be on guard against error and heresy.

Fruits (καρπός; karpos) are the activities and results of false teachers. It is what they personally accomplish or produce. They personally own their heresy and they delight in it.

Jesus then posed a rhetorical question. “Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” The answer is no. Neither can any good come from false teachers. They are like thorns and thistles that inflict pain and discomfort. They are not like grapes and figs that are nourishing.

“Recognizing prophetic impostors is not always easy, but Jesus says the fruit of their teaching helps us evaluate our instructors (vv. 15–16a). Some buckthorn bushes in Palestine produce black berries that look like grapes from a distance, and certain thistles have flowers that appear to be figs. However, a close inspection of both these fruits reveals them for what they really are — things unfit for consumption. Likewise, we must examine the fruits our teachers’ produce in order to determine the nature of the source from which they come (vv. 16b–18),” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

By their fruits we can know the true nature of false teachers. Be on your guard today by taking each thought captive to the obedience of Christ through Scripture (2 Cor. 10:4-6).

Soli deo Gloria!  

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” (Matthew 7:15–16 (ESV)

“False teachers [are] not made outside Christianity. They are always bred in the church, half in and half out; but eventually they reject the truth and try to seduce others in their attempt to fulfill their self-gratification.” – John MacArthur

“This is the way it always is with false teaching. False teachers cannot force their opinions on anybody. They can only persuade people to adopt their ways of looking at things. And false teaching, of course, often has an attractive veneer. People like new ideas; and false teaching, by definition, trades in new ideas. People also like teaching that might make them feel less guilty about their own sins and failings. And certainly the false teachers of [biblical times and our day hold] out this advantage.” – Douglas Moo

“It would have been well for the church of Christ, if the warnings of the Gospel had been as much studied as its promises.” J.C. Ryle  

This week, we are focusing on the importance of holding to biblical truth and being aware of false teachers. It would be pleasant to think that false teachers are outside the local church. Unfortunately that is not the case. False teachers exist within the church; always have and always will until the Lord’s return. Therefore, those who hold to biblical truth must be on guard.

Today’s text begins with these cautionary words from Jesus; “Beware of false prophets.” Jesus then invoked a familiar biblical illustration. “…who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves”

The phrase who come (ἔρχομαι; erchomai) is a present, middle indicative verb. This means that false personally come to believes in Christ. They pretend to be good. They pretend to be harmless but they are dangerous and destructive. False teacher do not wait for Christ’s disciple to come to them.

Sheep’s clothing (πρόβατον ἔνδυμα; probation endyma) is another way of saying that false teachers act as if they are biblical in their beliefs. However, they are not.

What are they? By nature they are ravenous wolves (ἅρπαξ λύκος; harpax lykos). Wolves are not domestic pets. They are predators. They are destructive and vicious. They take no prisoners. Instead, they destroy.

“The message of false prophets may be attractive and even seem orthodox. The only way to know for sure is to allow time to see ‘their fruits (vv.16-20),” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.

We will examine the fruits of false teachers next time. Have a blessed day and be on your guard. False teachers are everywhere.

Soli deo Gloria!  

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” (Matthew 7:15–16 (ESV)

“The most damnable and pernicious heresy that has ever plagued the mind of man was the idea that somehow he could make himself good enough to deserve to live with an all-holy God.” – Martin Luther

“Error always goes to church because Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, infiltrates the systems of religion, particularly Christianity even true Christianity and plants his seeds of error there and a gullible, witless, uneducated, undiscerning church becomes a victim.” – John MacArthur

“False teaching is often revealed in false living… Following bad doctrine leads to bad practices.” – Douglas Moo 

This week, we are going to focus on the importance of tightly holding to biblical truth and being aware of false teachers. It would be pleasant to think that false teachers are outside the local church. Unfortunately that is not the case. False teachers exist within the church; always have and always will until the Lord’s return. Therefore, those who hold to biblical truth must be on guard.

Today’s text begins with these cautionary words from Jesus; “Beware of false prophets.” Let’s being to unpack these four words.

Beware (προσέχω; prosecho) is a present active imperative verb. This action is to be constantly, actively and obediently followed. It means to pay attention, to take care, to be on the lookout, and to consider carefully.

Believers in Christ are to constantly, actively and obediently pay attention to, to care of, to be on the lookout for and to carefully consider false teachers. False teachers (ψευδοπροφήτης; pseudoprophetes) are preachers of falsehood. They are deceivers ((Matt. 7:15; 24:11, 24; Mark 13:22; Luke 6:26; Acts 13:6; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1; Rev. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10). False teaching possesses them because they are by nature against biblical truth.

“Following His call for us to pursue the narrow way that leads to salvation (Matt. 7:13–14), Jesus warns us to beware of false prophets (Matthew 7:15–20). Just as there are two ways, one of salvation and another of damnation, so too are there only two kinds of teachers: true ones and false ones. Being able to distinguish these teachers from one another is vital if we want to promote our spiritual well-being. Otherwise, false prophets will lead us to destruction,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.  

Take time today to consider these quotes of those from church history and also texts from Scripture. Be on your guard for false teachers.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria! 

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” (Matthew 7:15–16 (ESV)

“Whatever is only almost true is quite false, and among the most dangerous of errors, because being so near truth, it is the more likely to lead astray.”    – Henry Ward Beecher

“As Christ is the end of the Law and the Gospel and has within Himself all the treasures of wisdom and understanding, so also is he the mark at which all heretics aim and direct their arrows.” – John Calvin

“We have somehow got hold of the idea that error is only that which is outrageously wrong; and we do not seem to understand that the most dangerous person of all is the one who does not emphasize the right things.” – D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

²⁸ Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. ²⁹ I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; ³⁰ and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. ³¹ Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. ³² And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:28–32 (ESV)

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. ⁴ Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. ⁵ They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶ We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:1–6 (ESV)

³”Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. ⁴ For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Jude 3–4 (ESV)

This week, we are going to focus on the importance of tightly holding to biblical truth and being aware of false teachers. It would be pleasant to think that false teachers are outside the local church. Unfortunately that is not the case. False teachers exist within the church; always have and always will until the Lord’s return. Therefore, those who hold to biblical truth must be on guard.

Take time today to consider these quotes of those from church history and also texts from Scripture.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria! 

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV).

This statement by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount parallels Luke 13:22-24. Luke records, “²² Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. ²³ Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, ²⁴ “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” (Luke 13:22-24 ESV).

Enter (εἰσέρχομαι; eiserchomai) is an active imperative verb. Jesus is giving a command for individuals to go into a particular entry way into heaven. Jesus called it the narrow gate. Narrow (στενός; steno) means a restricted or strait gate. Gate (πύλη pylē) is an entrance or passage. The grammar of these two words indicates that the narrow, or strait, gate, or entrance, is the only way into the God’s kingdom.

The reason for this exclusive entry way into a covenant relationship with God has to do with destination. Jesus said, “For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” The road to hell is wide and spacious. Consequently, those who are on this road and approaching the gates of hell are many. They are from all walks of life. Their destination is destruction (ἀπώλεια; apōleia) or waste.

Contrastingly, Jesus taught, “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”  The destination for the few is life (ζωή; zōē).

“Both the narrow gate and the wide gate are assumed to provide the entrance to God’s kingdom. Two ways are offered to people. The narrow gate is by faith, only through Christ, constricted and precise. It represents true salvation in God’s way that leads to life eternal. The wide gate includes all religions of works and self-righteousness, with no single way (cf. Acts 4:12), but it leads to hell, not heaven,” explains Dr. John MacArthur.

John’s Gospel indicates that Jesus is not only the gate unto salvation (John 10:1-10) He also is the only way (John 14:1-6).

“You live in a culture that tells you every single day that the most important virtue you have is to be broad minded, and the most politically incorrect thing is to be narrow minded and have narrow views. There is only one way to God? Jesus is the only way? How narrow is that? According to our culture, we are to embrace pluralism and relativism. No one has an exclusive claim to truth—that is way too narrow minded,” states Dr. R. C. Sproul.

“I regularly hear language in the church where people describe themselves as “broad evangelicals.” Did you hear that? “I’m a broad evangelical.” A broad evangelical is an oxymoron. If you are evangelical, if you really believe the gospel, then you have chosen the narrow path, and you have said: “This way and none other. One Christ, no more. Jesus is the monogenēs, the only begotten of the Father. All the rest are thieves and robbers.”

There are two gates and two roads. Which one are you on as you travel through this life? Your answer is a matter of life and death.

Soli deo Gloria!