“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).
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Contents:
1) A Tree & Its Fruit (Mark Mayberry)
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A Tree & Its Fruit
Mark Mayberry
Introduction
Let us focus upon Jesus’ cautionary words regarding false prophets, and how such individuals may be identified (Matt. 7:15-23).
Beware of False Prophets
Sounding a warning, Jesus said, “Beware!” In this context, the Greek word prosechō calls us to a state of alert, watchfulness, and concern. Earlier in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 6:1-4). Later, He would say, “But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles” (Matt. 10:17-22). After coming to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus said, “Watch out and beware of the leaven (i.e., teaching) of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matt. 16:5-12).
Specifically, the Lord warned against false prophets. The Greek word pseudoprophētēs, translated “false prophet,” refers to one who falsely claims to be a prophet of God or one who prophesies falsely. While the falsity of such individuals can involve their claim, content, and/or character, the essential characteristic involves a repudiation of divine truth.
The (false) prophet Balaam, covetous and corrupt by nature, spoke only the words which God gave unto him, pronouncing blessings rather than a curse upon Israel. Nevertheless, he eventually earned his wages of unrighteousness by counseling King Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, enticing them to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. So, Balaam ends up proving the rule that a false teacher is one who promotes rebellion against God’s pattern and precepts.
In His discourse on the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus warned against false Christs and false prophets who would show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect (Matt. 24:11, 24; Mark 13:22). Sinful men praise proponents of error, speaking well of them (Luke 6:26). Nevertheless, they pose a deadly peril, seeking to turn men away from the faith (Acts 13:6-8). Just as false prophets threatened the people of God during the Mosaic era, false teachers imperil believers in the Christian age, secretly introducing destructive heresies, bringing swift destruction upon themselves, and also their followers (2 Pet. 2:1-3; Matt. 15:13-14). True disciples will test the spirits to see whether they are from God, recognizing that many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).
Who Come in Sheep’s Clothing
Such individuals come in sheep’s clothing, acting with stealth and guile, disguising their true identity, character, and purpose (Matt. 7:15). Discussing the Judaizers who threatened the Corinthian church, Paul said, “such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds” (2 Cor. 11:13-15). At the Jerusalem counsel, this same faction (identified as “false brethren”), demanded that Titus, a Greek, be circumcised; however, Paul remained steadfast, refusing to yield in subjection, even for an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would not be compromised (Gal. 2:1-5; cf. Acts 15). We must not remain spiritual babes, easily beguiled by false doctrine; rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ (Eph. 4:14-16).
But Inwardly Are Ravenous Wolves
Despite appearances, false prophets are ravenous wolves, seeking to devour and destroy (Matt. 7:15). Ezekiel employed similar language describing the sins of ancient Israel: “There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst like a roaring lion tearing the prey. They have devoured lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her. Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they hide their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain” (Ezek. 22:23-31, esp. vs. 25-28).
Saying farewell to the Ephesian elders, the apostle Paul warned, “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.” Their only protection from such dangers was this: “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Moreover, their only weapon was “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).
Interestingly, the Greek word harpax, translated “ravenous” wolves, is elsewhere rendered “swindlers” (Luke 18:11; 1 Cor. 5:10, 11; 6:10). Rapacious wolves and robbers and false prophets/teachers share a predatory nature: Unconcerned with the rights of their intended victims, they seek to satisfy their own cravings. The first takes the physical life of its victim; the second takes the property/possessions of his victim; the third takes the spiritual life of its victim, robbing him of the hope of eternal salvation.
Note the stark contrast between false prophets and a true apostle: “Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?” (2 Cor. 12:11-18, esp. vv. 14-15).
You Shall Know Them by Their Fruit
How does one distinguish between one who is false and one who is true? Jesus said, “You shall know them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:16-20)! The Greek word karpos, translated “fruit,” refers to the product or outcome of something. What is the result of an individual’s teaching? Does it draw us closer to God, or lead us away from Him? We must properly distinguish between those who are true and those who are false.
Conclusion
Those who do the will of the Father bear good fruit (Matt. 7:21-23). Emphasizing the nature of spiritual kinship, Jesus said, “Whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother” (Matt. 12:46-50, esp. v. 50). Concerning His personal aim and purpose, Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:27-38, esp. v. 34). Again, He said, “I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 5:30). And again, “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:35-40, esp. v. 38). Paul admonished the readers of his Roman epistle, “Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:1-2). The mystery of Christ is both knowable (Eph. 3:1-5) and the will of the Lord is doable (Eph. 5:15-17). In contrast with the world and its lusts which are passing away, the one who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:15-17).
Those who practice lawlessness bear bad fruit (Matt. 7:21-23). The Greek word anomia, translated “iniquity” (KJV) or “lawlessness” (NASB), refers to behavior that is contrary to divine revelation. This is the state of unregenerate sinners (Matt. 13:41; 24:12; Rom. 6:19; 1 John 3:4); it is the status of those who turn aside from the truth to error, thus falling into apostasy (Matt. 7:23; 23:28; 2 Thess. 2:3, 7). What should we do if we are in such a state? Turning from sin, and turning to God, we must obey the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, and enjoy divine forgiveness (Rom. 4:7; 2 Cor. 6:14; Titus 2:14; Heb. 10:17).
— Via Truth Magazine, January 2014
https://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume58/2014_01_Jan_Truth_Magazine.pdf
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31).
2) Believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins. For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30). For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so “through faith in the working of God” (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to…
6) Continue in the faith by living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday: 9 a.m. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. Worship Service
Wednesday (all but the first): 7 p.m. Bible Classes
First Wednesday of the month: 7 p.m. Congregational Song Service (about 45 minutes of singing, followed by a short talk)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
https://thomastedwards.com/go/all.htm (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)