Authenticity in Faith: Discernment and Obedience
Summary
In today's reflection on Matthew 7:15-23, we delve into the profound teachings of Jesus as He concludes the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus warns us about the presence of false prophets and false confessors within the community of believers. These individuals may appear genuine, but their true nature is revealed through their actions and the fruits they bear. As citizens of the kingdom of God, we are called to live lives that reflect the teachings of Christ, demonstrating true salvation through our actions and obedience to His word.
Jesus emphasizes that not everyone who claims to know Him will enter the kingdom of heaven. It is not enough to merely profess faith; our lives must align with His teachings. True believers are recognized by their fruits, the evidence of their faith manifested in their actions. This is a call to authenticity in our walk with Christ, urging us to examine our lives and ensure that our faith is not just a verbal declaration but a lived reality.
The warning against false prophets is a reminder to be vigilant and discerning. These individuals may come in sheep's clothing, appearing harmless, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves seeking to lead others astray. We are encouraged to test the teachings we receive against the truth of Scripture, ensuring that they align with the teachings of Christ. As a community, we must hold each other accountable, striving to live as true citizens of the kingdom.
Jesus' message is a sobering reminder of the seriousness of our faith journey. It challenges us to reflect on our relationship with Him and the authenticity of our faith. Are we living as true followers of Christ, or are we merely going through the motions? This is a call to action, urging us to live lives that bear good fruit, demonstrating our commitment to Christ and His kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
- Authenticity in Faith: True salvation is not just about professing faith but living it out. Our actions should reflect the teachings of Christ, demonstrating our commitment to Him and His kingdom. This authenticity is the hallmark of a true believer. [04:26]
- Vigilance Against False Prophets: We must be discerning and vigilant against false prophets who seek to lead us astray. Their true nature is revealed through their actions and the fruits they bear. As a community, we must hold each other accountable to the truth of Scripture. [05:32]
- The Importance of Obedience: Obedience to Christ's teachings is a key indicator of true faith. It is not enough to merely profess belief; our lives must align with His word. This obedience is a demonstration of our love for Him and our commitment to His kingdom. [31:38]
- The Seriousness of Our Faith Journey: Jesus' warning is a sobering reminder of the seriousness of our faith journey. We are called to examine our lives and ensure that our faith is not just a verbal declaration but a lived reality. [39:17]
- Community Accountability: As a community of believers, we must hold each other accountable, striving to live as true citizens of the kingdom. This involves testing the teachings we receive against Scripture and supporting one another in our faith journey. [14:41]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:13] - Introduction to the Text
- [01:58] - Kingdom Citizenship
- [03:18] - False Prophets Warning
- [04:26] - True Salvation Looks the Part
- [05:32] - Recognizing False Prophets
- [06:54] - The Comfort of False Teachings
- [07:47] - The Seriousness of Jesus' Teachings
- [08:43] - Living as Kingdom Citizens
- [10:01] - Church Membership and Involvement
- [11:10] - The Importance of Bearing Fruit
- [11:54] - Beware of False Prophets
- [13:12] - The Nature of Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
- [14:41] - Accountability in the Church
- [15:47] - Recognizing True and False Prophets
- [16:52] - The Role of the Church in Addressing False Prophets
- [17:54] - Purging Evil from Among Us
- [19:14] - Faith and Works
- [20:30] - Demonstrating Faith Through Actions
- [21:56] - Diseased Trees and Bad Fruit
- [23:34] - Judging False Prophets
- [24:29] - The Importance of Striving
- [25:50] - Dealing with False Prophets
- [27:11] - The Evidence of True Faith
- [28:23] - Addressing Misunderstandings
- [29:06] - False Confessors and True Belief
- [30:34] - God's Justice and Judgment
- [31:38] - The Key to Entering the Kingdom
- [32:56] - Obedience Over Sacrifice
- [33:31] - The Tragic Reality of False Confessors
- [34:56] - The Warning of Jesus
- [36:20] - The Example of Israel
- [37:37] - The Consequences of Rebellion
- [38:29] - The Importance of Living as True Believers
- [39:17] - The Call to Authentic Faith
- [40:12] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 7:15-23
Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus warn us about in Matthew 7:15-23, and how are false prophets described? [01:13]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the fruits that people bear, and how does it relate to their true nature? [05:32]
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between true believers and false confessors? [04:26]
4. What examples were given in the sermon about how false prophets might try to lead believers astray? [06:54]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "bearing good fruit" serve as an indicator of true faith according to the sermon? [08:43]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that false prophets can be identified within a church community? [14:41]
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between obedience to Christ's teachings and true salvation? [31:38]
4. How does the sermon interpret Jesus' warning about those who say "Lord, Lord" but do not enter the kingdom of heaven? [30:34]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where your actions do not align with the teachings of Christ? How can you work towards bearing good fruit in those areas? [39:17]
2. How can you practice discernment in your spiritual community to identify teachings that may not align with Scripture? What steps can you take to hold yourself and others accountable? [05:32]
3. Consider a time when you might have been influenced by teachings that were comforting but not necessarily true to Scripture. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [07:47]
4. In what ways can you actively demonstrate your commitment to Christ's kingdom in your daily life? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [31:38]
5. How can you support others in your community to live authentically as followers of Christ? What role can you play in fostering accountability and encouragement? [14:41]
6. Reflect on the concept of obedience over sacrifice. How can you prioritize obedience to Christ in your life, even when it is challenging? [33:31]
7. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your faith is not just a verbal declaration but a lived reality? [39:17]
Devotional
Day 1: Authentic Faith in Action
True salvation is not merely about professing faith; it is about living it out in our daily actions. Jesus teaches that our lives should reflect His teachings, demonstrating our commitment to Him and His kingdom. Authentic faith is characterized by the fruits we bear, which serve as evidence of our genuine belief. This calls for a deep examination of our lives to ensure that our faith is not just a verbal declaration but a lived reality. As believers, we are challenged to align our actions with the teachings of Christ, showing the world the transformative power of true salvation. [04:26]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where your actions do not align with your professed faith. What steps can you take today to bring this area into alignment with the teachings of Christ?
Day 2: Discernment Against Deception
Jesus warns us about false prophets who may appear genuine but are inwardly deceitful. These individuals can lead believers astray with teachings that do not align with Scripture. As a community, we are called to be vigilant and discerning, testing the teachings we receive against the truth of God's Word. This vigilance requires us to hold each other accountable, ensuring that we remain true to the teachings of Christ. By doing so, we protect ourselves and others from being misled by those who seek to distort the truth. [05:32]
"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." (1 John 4:1, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a teaching or belief you have encountered recently. How can you test its validity against Scripture to ensure it aligns with the truth of Christ?
Day 3: Obedience as a Mark of True Faith
Obedience to Christ's teachings is a key indicator of true faith. It is not enough to merely profess belief; our lives must align with His word. This obedience is a demonstration of our love for Him and our commitment to His kingdom. Jesus emphasizes that those who truly know Him are those who do the will of His Father. This calls us to a life of active obedience, where our actions reflect our faith and our love for Christ. [31:38]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you struggle with obedience to Christ's teachings. What practical steps can you take to cultivate obedience in this area today?
Day 4: The Gravity of Our Faith Journey
The journey of faith is a serious one, and Jesus' warning serves as a sobering reminder of this truth. We are called to examine our lives and ensure that our faith is not just a verbal declaration but a lived reality. This involves a deep reflection on our relationship with Christ and the authenticity of our faith. Are we living as true followers of Christ, or are we merely going through the motions? This is a call to action, urging us to live lives that bear good fruit, demonstrating our commitment to Christ and His kingdom. [39:17]
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your current faith journey. What is one specific area where you can deepen your commitment to living out your faith authentically?
Day 5: Accountability Within the Community
As a community of believers, we must hold each other accountable, striving to live as true citizens of the kingdom. This involves testing the teachings we receive against Scripture and supporting one another in our faith journey. By fostering a culture of accountability, we help each other grow in faith and remain true to the teachings of Christ. This communal responsibility is vital in ensuring that we all live lives that reflect our commitment to Christ and His kingdom. [14:41]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a fellow believer who may need encouragement or accountability in their faith journey. How can you reach out to them today to offer support and encouragement?
Quotes
True salvation looks the part. Jesus today our sermon title today is Jesus and Unbelievers and he begins by dealing with false prophets verses 15 to 20 and then verses 21 to 23 he deals with false confessors. These messages are not always my favorite messages to preach. But if you've known me very long you know that I have a deep passion for the body of Christ to live as the body of Christ. For citizens of the kingdom of God to look like, live like, be citizens of the kingdom of God. [00:04:18] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Jesus takes the way we live our lives seriously. He says the way we live our lives demonstrates whether or not we are part of the kingdom. Jesus has the audacity to say things like this. Jesus has the audacity to teach us that if you're really part of the kingdom, you're going to look like and live like you're part of the kingdom. [00:08:43] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
If we truly have faith in Christ, the actions of our life, should show that. Often times we come to a place in our lives, often times we even can teach this in the church, where if you just believe the right things, it doesn't matter how you live. And while we can say, faith in Christ is all that's needed for salvation, that is absolutely 100 % true. Period. [00:19:41] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Jesus says, fruit. Fruit is how we know false prophets. Fruit is how we know those who are wolves in sheep's clothing. Healthy trees bear good fruit. Diseased trees bear bad fruit. Verse 17. Every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. What is a diseased tree? What is bad fruit? [00:21:33] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
How do we know false prophets? How do we watch out for wolves in sheep's clothing? We beware. We know what we're looking for in someone who claims to be part of the kingdom of God. How do we know what someone is supposed to be, how they're supposed to live as a citizen of the kingdom of God? Just read the Sermon on the Mount. [00:23:34] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Not everyone who claims to know Jesus knows him. There's a difference between mental assent and true belief. There's a difference between Jesus benefits my plans and Jesus is the end of my life. Jesus is the end all. There's a difference between those two things. [00:29:14] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
How do we know if someone knows Jesus? How do we know? It just says here, their lifestyle, those who do. The one who does the will of my Father, who is in heaven, that's the one. That's the one who enters the kingdom. Those are the people who enter the kingdom. [00:31:21] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Why does it matter how we live? Why does it matter how we speak? Why does it matter how we act? It matters because it is a demonstration of whether we know Jesus or not. If that's not a big deal, I don't know what is. We act like it doesn't matter. Well, God knows. God understands. [00:39:15] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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