Discernment and Truth: Guarding Against False Prophets
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into Matthew 7, focusing on the critical warning from Jesus: "Beware of false prophets." This message is as relevant today as it was in biblical times. We must be vigilant and discerning, ensuring that what we follow and believe aligns with the true, pure Word of God. Not everything labeled as "Christian" is beneficial or truthful. We discussed five foundational terms: the inspiration, authority, inerrancy, infallibility, and sufficiency of Scripture. These principles are crucial for understanding and defending our faith.
False prophets are a real and present danger. They may appear genuine, but their teachings and actions can lead us astray. We examined various modern movements, such as the New Apostolic Reformation, which claim new revelations and authority that contradict the sufficiency of Scripture. These movements often emphasize extra-biblical revelations and dominionism, which can mislead believers.
Jesus' teachings in Matthew 7 also highlight the importance of true relationship with God. Many will claim to know Him, but only those who genuinely follow His will and build their lives on the firm foundation of His Word will enter the kingdom of heaven. This is a call to self-examination: Are we truly following God, or are we merely going through the motions?
We concluded by emphasizing the necessity of building our lives on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. Just as a house built on a firm foundation withstands storms, so will our lives if we are grounded in God's truth. This is the only way to ensure we are on the path to the kingdom of God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Discernment in Faith: It's crucial to be discerning about what we accept as Christian teaching. Not everything labeled as "Christian" aligns with the true Word of God. We must increase our knowledge of God to enhance our discernment and avoid being led astray by false teachings. [35:34]
2. Foundational Beliefs: The inspiration, authority, inerrancy, infallibility, and sufficiency of Scripture are foundational to our faith. These principles affirm that the Bible is God's Word, free from error, and sufficient for all matters of faith and practice. This understanding is essential for defending our beliefs against false teachings. [36:27]
3. Identifying False Prophets: False prophets can be difficult to identify because they often appear genuine and may even perform miracles. However, their true nature is revealed by their fruits—the outcomes of their teachings and actions. We must be vigilant and examine the fruits to discern truth from error. [54:08]
4. True Relationship with God: A true relationship with God is marked by genuine faith and obedience to His will. Many will claim to know God, but only those who truly follow Him will enter the kingdom of heaven. This calls for self-examination to ensure our faith is genuine and not merely superficial. [56:42]
5. Building on a Firm Foundation: Our lives must be built on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ and His teachings. Just as a house built on rock withstands storms, so will our lives if grounded in God's truth. This is the only way to ensure we are on the path to the kingdom of God. [01:00:57]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[35:34] - Importance of Discernment
[36:27] - Foundational Beliefs
[37:11] - Authority of Scripture
[37:49] - Inerrancy and Infallibility
[38:35] - Sufficiency of Scripture
[39:14] - Modern False Prophets
[40:32] - Warning from Ezekiel
[41:21] - Apostles and Prophets Today
[42:09] - Qualifications of Apostles
[43:40] - Special Revelation
[44:18] - New Apostolic Reformation
[45:39] - Dominionism
[46:50] - Jesus' Kingdom
[48:15] - Prayer Declarations
[49:47] - Threat to Sound Doctrine
[51:18] - Recognizing False Prophets
[54:08] - Fruits of False Prophets
[56:42] - True Relationship with God
[01:00:57] - Building on a Firm Foundation
[01:02:17] - Authority of Jesus
[01:03:39] - Final Exhortation and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 7:15-23
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
3. John 14:6
#### Observation Questions
1. What warning does Jesus give in Matthew 7:15 about false prophets? How are they described? [51:18]
2. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the purposes of Scripture? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on the sufficiency of Scripture? [37:49]
3. In John 14:6, what does Jesus declare about Himself? How does this statement counter the teachings of false prophets mentioned in the sermon? [39:52]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to be discerning about what we accept as Christian teaching, according to the sermon? How can increasing our knowledge of God help in this discernment? [35:34]
2. How do the principles of inspiration, authority, inerrancy, infallibility, and sufficiency of Scripture help in defending our faith against false teachings? [36:27]
3. What does it mean to have a true relationship with God, as discussed in the sermon? How can one ensure their faith is genuine and not merely superficial? [56:42]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current sources of Christian teaching. Are there any that you need to re-evaluate in light of the sermon’s warning about false prophets? How will you go about this evaluation? [35:34]
2. The sermon emphasized the sufficiency of Scripture. How can you make the Bible a more central part of your daily life to ensure you are grounded in God’s truth? [37:49]
3. Think about a time when you encountered a teaching or movement that seemed off. How did you handle it? What steps can you take to be more vigilant in the future? [39:14]
4. Jesus said that many will claim to know Him, but only those who genuinely follow His will enter the kingdom of heaven. How can you practice self-examination to ensure your faith is genuine? [56:42]
5. The sermon concluded with the importance of building our lives on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. What specific actions can you take this week to strengthen your foundation in Christ? [01:00:57]
6. How can you help others in your community or small group to be more discerning about false teachings and to build their lives on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ? [45:39]
7. Reflect on the concept of dominionism mentioned in the sermon. How can you balance being active in societal issues while ensuring your primary focus remains on God’s kingdom? [46:50]
Devotional
Day 1: Discernment in Faith
In a world filled with various teachings and ideologies, it is crucial for believers to exercise discernment in their faith. Not everything labeled as "Christian" aligns with the true Word of God. Many teachings may appear genuine but can lead us astray if they do not adhere to biblical truth. Increasing our knowledge of God and His Word enhances our ability to discern truth from error. This vigilance helps us avoid being misled by false teachings and ensures that our faith remains grounded in the true, pure Word of God. [35:34]
1 John 4:1-2 (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. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God."
Reflection: Think of a recent teaching or book you encountered that claimed to be Christian. How did you test its alignment with Scripture? What steps can you take to improve your discernment in the future?
Day 2: Foundational Beliefs
The inspiration, authority, inerrancy, infallibility, and sufficiency of Scripture are foundational to our faith. These principles affirm that the Bible is God's Word, free from error, and sufficient for all matters of faith and practice. Understanding these concepts is essential for defending our beliefs against false teachings. When we grasp the true nature of Scripture, we can confidently stand against any doctrine that contradicts it, knowing that God's Word is the ultimate authority in our lives. [36:27]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
Reflection: Reflect on your understanding of the Bible's authority and sufficiency. How does this understanding impact your daily decisions and actions? What can you do to deepen your appreciation and knowledge of Scripture?
Day 3: Identifying False Prophets
False prophets can be difficult to identify because they often appear genuine and may even perform miracles. However, their true nature is revealed by their fruits—the outcomes of their teachings and actions. We must be vigilant and examine the fruits to discern truth from error. By closely observing the results of a prophet's teachings and comparing them to the Word of God, we can protect ourselves from being led astray. This vigilance is crucial in maintaining the purity of our faith and ensuring that we follow true, biblical teachings. [54:08]
Matthew 7:15-16 (ESV): "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"
Reflection: Think of a spiritual leader or teacher you follow. What are the fruits of their ministry? How do their teachings and actions align with Scripture? What steps can you take to ensure you are not being misled?
Day 4: True Relationship with God
A true relationship with God is marked by genuine faith and obedience to His will. Many will claim to know God, but only those who truly follow Him will enter the kingdom of heaven. This calls for self-examination to ensure our faith is genuine and not merely superficial. It is not enough to go through the motions; we must actively seek to know God and live according to His Word. This genuine relationship with God is the foundation of our faith and the key to entering His kingdom. [56:42]
Matthew 7:21 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Examine your daily walk with God. Are there areas where you are merely going through the motions? What changes can you make to ensure your faith is genuine and marked by true obedience to God's will?
Day 5: Building on a Firm Foundation
Our lives must be built on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ and His teachings. Just as a house built on rock withstands storms, so will our lives if grounded in God's truth. This is the only way to ensure we are on the path to the kingdom of God. Building on a firm foundation involves not only hearing Jesus' words but also putting them into practice. This solid foundation will help us withstand the challenges and trials of life, keeping us steadfast in our faith. [01:00:57]
Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV): "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 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."
Reflection: Consider the foundation of your life. Are you building on the solid rock of Jesus' teachings? What practical steps can you take today to ensure your life is firmly grounded in God's truth?
Quotes
1. "We must be aware. Matter of fact, I'm hopeful that we increase our discernment because we've increased in the knowledge of God. Not everything that is out there with the label Christian on it is necessarily something that's good and beneficial. We should be very careful what it is that we're following or not following. We should be very careful what we're listening to and what we're getting sucked into. Not every book that's out there that's by the name of Christian is something that we should be following. We should be following the true truth, pure truth of the Word of God." [35:34] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I believe that the Word of God is from God, and as such, it carries the authority of God. It came from Him. And when God tells us to do something or how to live or how to spend our money or treat one another, He has the right to do it because He has the authority over us. I believe in the authority of Scripture." [37:11] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I believe that the Word of God will accomplish what God wants it to accomplish, and it will not fail, that the Word of God is accompanied with the power of God. By the way, without the Word of God, you cannot be saved, because it is the power of God to salvation, to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." [37:49] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I believe that the Word of God is enough. I believe that it's enough for all faith and all practice. In other words, what we believe doctrinally and for how we conduct ourselves. It's not enough for how to learn how to mow the lawn. I believe that it's God intended for others to encourage us. I believe there's other sources that we need to be encouraged by, but there's one. There's one source for faith and practice. It is the Word of God, and it's enough for us today. It is sufficient." [38:35] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "But what does the Sermon on the Mount say? It says narrow is the path. What does Christ say in John 14? I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by me. It's a narrow path. There's not a bunch of roads or a bunch of gates that you enter into. I know you've all traveled a different road, but there's one gate, and that is the truth of Jesus Christ." [39:52] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "But woe to the prophets who say they have a message from God but don't. Woe to those who say God hath said when God hath not said. And by the way, we're guilty of that at times. But there's movements among us that have gone astray that claim to be voices for God, which I believe are not." [40:32] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Beware of this. Extra-biblical revelations, prayer declarations. Ultimately, I see it as a threat to sound doctrine because it's a denial of the sufficiency of Scripture. I believe it adds new apostles and prophets. I believe it contradicts the biblical flow of end times. I believe it increasingly depends on signs and wonders. I believe that it makes extraordinary, claims of power and miracles that are dubious at best. And I believe that it's a counterfeit kingdom." [49:47] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. So remember Saturday mornings, getting up, it's cartoon day. It used to be cartoon day for us. We watched the same cartoons over and over. You know, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Laghorn, Wiley, Coyote. But there was another one with Sam and Ralph. How many of you remember Sam and Ralph? Yep, Sam and Ralph. They would come to work every day, and Sam would say, hi, Ralph. And Ralph would say, hi, Sam. And then they'd go to work. Ralph was a wolf, and Sam was a sheepdog." [51:18] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "But what's really difficult about it is these false prophets actually say things that are true. They work miracles. They do incredible things. So it's hard to sort out. Are they right or wrong? Is it truth or is it error? Well, we check out the fruit. By their fruit you shall know them. And every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits." [55:25] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "But on that day, many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Oh, we said good things. Didn't we cast out demons? Oh, we worked miracles. Did many mighty works in your name? And then will I declare to them, I never knew you. Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. They weren't doing God's bidding, but they were doing their own, even though they were doing good things and naming the name of Christ and even saying some true things. Their claim did not match reality. They claimed to know God, but God did not know them. There was no true relationship there." [58:10] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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