Part 5: Be Real

MASTERCLASS: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

PART 5

Matthew 7:15-23

1. DETECT THE SPIRITUAL DECEPTION AROUND YOU.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”

Matthew 7:15 (NIV)

• False Prophet:  Teaches or affirms something false that leads people away from God.

1. YOU IDENTIFY FALSE PROPHETS BY THEIR FRUIT. 

“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” Matthew 7:16 (NIV)

“A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” Matthew 7:17-20 (NLT)

1. YOU ARE WHAT YOU SAY AND DO - EVEN WHEN IT’S HARD TO ADMIT.  

“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.” Matthew 7:21 (NIV)

“On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Matthew 7:22-23 (NLT)

• Tell yourself the brutal truth.

• Be broken before God and someone else.

MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS: 

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This week’s Reading Plan and blog/podcast:

• YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan:
  “Narrow is the Way”  (3 days)   

• Blog and podcast: “Standing Out and
  Fitting In”