SEMESTER 6
289 – Christ’s Warning Against False Prophets
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: SOTERIOLOGY VI LESSON # 89
SERMON ON THE MOUNT
CHRIST’S WARNING AGAINST FALSE PROPHETS
Read: Mat. 7:15-20
INTRODUCTION:
1. One of the great precipitating factors in false religion today is false prophets.
2. (Comment: 3)Today’s tolerant society forbids criticism or scrutiny, but Christ enjoins it.
3. This word beware not only assumes existence, but instructs as to our conduct toward them.
4. Let us consider four basic things relevant to these false prophets:
I. THEIR APPEARANCE – (SHEEP’S CLOTHING) (VERSE 15)
1. A classic mistake today is that a good preacher seems good and well accepted and vise versa.
III:The contrast to John the Baptist, Paul, Elijah, etc.
2. The Lord says these come in sheep’s clothing, not appearing as they are.
3. They coin and spout Christian terms and phrases of praise and adoration. (II Cor. 11:13-15)
III: By their deliberate working up of enthusiasm.
4. They speak of love, etc., and promise what the broken person needs most.
II. THEIR TRUE NATURE – (RAVENING WOLVES) (VERSE 15)
1. This word ravening means a predator on the hunt, ready and anxious to catch and kill.
2. This person sees all who are profitable to his purpose as fair game.
3. His purpose may be financial gain, or the building of a religious empire.
4. Regardless, he does not give his life for the sheep.
5. These “scum-bags” have an insatiable appetite for money, power, position, prestige, and success.
III. HOW MAY WE IDENTITY THEM? (THEIR FRUIT) (VERSE 16)
1. These fruits come in three categories: Doctrine, Disciples and Conduct.
2. Paul says if his Gospel is false, let him be accursed. (Gal. 1:7-9)
3. Personal conduct should be manifest in his morality, finances, general deportment and children.
4. His disciples must be godly, biblically sound, and in doctrinal unity.
This does not mean no rotten spots in fruit, but a certain kind of fruit.
IV. HOW ARE WE TO RESPOND TO THEM? (BEWARE) (VERSE 15)
1. Many say, I will never judge or criticize any preacher. Well, I WILL!
2. Paul says mark and avoid according to doctrinal lines. (Rom. 16:17-18)
3. Neutrality in doctrine is the same as false doctrine.
4. I will avoid the fad riders and electric church hucksters like AIDS.
5. Let every Christian who pursues pure religion do so, and set his walk in order. (Eph. 3:21)
Conclusion: How is your walk and fruit? As a prophet is judged, so is a disciple. Search your soul! Are you inwardly, what you are outwardly?