Who Is The More Dangerous, Satan Preachers? 11-09-2025

Devotional

Day 1: True Blessedness Begins with Spiritual Poverty

To enter the kingdom of heaven, one must first recognize their utter spiritual poverty and inability to earn God’s favor by their own merit. Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” are not about material lack or mere sadness, but about a deep awareness of one’s own sinfulness and need for God’s mercy. This realization is the foundation of genuine faith, as it brings a person to a place of humility and dependence on God’s grace, rather than self-righteousness or religious performance. Only those who see themselves as spiritually bankrupt can truly receive the riches of God’s kingdom. [05:44]

Matthew 5:3 (ESV)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Reflection: In what ways have you tried to rely on your own goodness or religious activity instead of coming to God with empty hands, admitting your need for His mercy today?

Day 2: Godly Sorrow Leads to Repentance and Comfort

When a person truly sees their sin, it brings about a deep grief and mourning—not just regret, but a sorrow that leads to repentance. This is not about being a “crybaby,” but about being broken over the distance sin creates between you and God. Such mourning is met by God’s comfort, as He forgives and restores those who come to Him with genuine contrition. This godly sorrow is essential for salvation, as it moves us from mere belief to a heartfelt turning away from sin and toward God’s mercy. [06:55]

Matthew 5:4 (ESV)
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Reflection: Is there a specific sin or pattern in your life that you need to grieve over before God today, asking Him for true repentance and comfort?

Day 3: The Narrow Gate—Obedience and the Danger of Deception

Jesus warns that the way to life is narrow and few find it, while many are deceived—even those who claim His name or perform religious works. The true test is not what we say or do outwardly, but whether we actually do the will of the Father. Mere religious activity or association with Jesus is not enough; only those who obey Him from the heart will enter the kingdom. This calls for self-examination and a willingness to reject false teachings and easy-believism, embracing the costly obedience that marks genuine discipleship. [25:55]

Matthew 7:13-14, 21 (ESV)
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few… 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: Are there areas in your life where you are relying on religious words or actions rather than true obedience to Jesus’ commands? What step of obedience is God calling you to take today?

Day 4: A Changed Heart Produces Righteous Actions

Jesus makes clear that righteousness is not just about external behavior, but about a transformed heart that produces right actions. He contrasts the outward religion of the Pharisees with the inner change He brings—where murder, adultery, lying, and revenge are all traced back to the heart. Only those who have received a new heart and spirit from God can truly live out the radical love, mercy, and integrity Jesus describes. This is the evidence of being born again: a life that consistently does good, even to those who do not deserve it, reflecting the character of the Father. [16:27]

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV)
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”

Reflection: What is one specific way you can demonstrate the new heart God has given you—by showing mercy, telling the truth, or loving an enemy—this week?

Day 5: Following Jesus Means Surrender and Daily Transformation

To truly follow Jesus is to surrender your own way, take up your cross, and let Him change every area of your life. This is not about praying a formulaic prayer or simply attending church, but about a daily decision to die to self, obey His commands, and allow Him to reshape your priorities, habits, and relationships. The call of Jesus is radical and all-encompassing, requiring a willingness to let go of old patterns and embrace a new way of living that reflects His lordship. [36:30]

Luke 9:23 (ESV)
“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”

Reflection: What is one area of your life—time, money, relationships, or habits—where Jesus is calling you to surrender and follow Him more fully today?

Sermon Summary

The journey of faith is often clouded by misunderstandings, traditions, and teachings that have drifted from the heart of what Jesus intended. Just as the telephone game distorts a message as it passes from person to person, so too has the message of Christ been twisted over centuries. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, confronted this very problem among the Jewish people, calling them back to the true intent of God’s commands. Today, we face the same challenge: to rediscover and live out the authentic call of Jesus, not merely the version we’ve inherited or assumed.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 5-7 are not just lofty ideals or abstract spiritual truths; they are a radical call to transformation. He begins by describing the kind of person who truly belongs to the kingdom of heaven: the poor in spirit, those who mourn over their sin, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. These are not natural qualities, but the evidence of a heart changed by God. The blessing Jesus speaks of is not mere happiness, but the deep favor and presence of God upon those who recognize their spiritual poverty and turn to Him in repentance.

This transformation is not about outward conformity or religious performance. Jesus repeatedly contrasts the external righteousness of the Pharisees with the inner change He requires. Murder, adultery, lying, revenge, and hatred all begin in the heart. The new birth Jesus offers is a new heart and a new spirit, enabling us to live in true righteousness—not just in appearance, but in reality.

The path to life is narrow, and many are deceived—even among the religious. Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him “Lord” or does impressive works in His name will enter the kingdom, but only those who do the will of the Father. Obedience, born out of a transformed heart, is the true mark of a disciple. It is possible to be deeply religious and yet tragically deceived, as many will discover on the day of judgment.

True conversion is not a matter of reciting a prayer or mentally assenting to certain truths. It is a deep recognition of our sin, genuine grief over our rebellion, and a turning from sin to follow Jesus in obedience. This is the foundation that will withstand the storms of life and the judgment to come. The call is urgent: examine your heart, turn from sin, and follow Jesus with your whole life.

Key Takeaways

1. True Righteousness Begins with Spiritual Poverty Recognizing our utter spiritual poverty is the gateway to God’s kingdom. It is not enough to acknowledge general sinfulness; we must see ourselves as completely bankrupt before God, unable to offer anything of worth. This humility is the soil in which God’s grace takes root, leading to genuine transformation and dependence on Him alone. [05:23]
2. Heart Change, Not Just Behavior Modification Jesus demands a change of heart, not just outward compliance. The sins He addresses—anger, lust, deceit, revenge—are rooted deep within us. Only a new heart, given by God, can produce the kind of righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees. This is not about trying harder, but about surrendering to the Spirit’s work within. [16:27]
3. Beware of Deception—Religious Activity Is Not Enough Many will be shocked to discover that religious activity, even miraculous works, are not proof of salvation. The true test is obedience to the will of the Father, flowing from a heart that knows Christ. It is possible to be sincere and yet sincerely wrong, if our faith is not grounded in repentance and a changed life. [26:19]
4. Repentance and Grief over Sin Precede New Life Genuine conversion involves deep sorrow over sin and a turning away from it. This godly grief leads to repentance, which in turn leads to salvation. Skipping over this step and settling for a superficial “acceptance” of Jesus leaves us unchanged and unprepared for eternity. [33:11]
5. Following Jesus Means Dying to Self To follow Christ is to lay down our own ways, desires, and sins, and to take up our cross daily. This is not a one-time decision, but a continual surrender of our will to His. True discipleship is marked by obedience, sacrifice, and a transformed life that reflects the character of Jesus. [36:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:36] - The Telephone Game and Lost Messages
[01:17] - Jesus Corrects Twisted Traditions
[03:15] - The Audience of the Sermon on the Mount
[04:06] - The Meaning of “Blessed”
[05:02] - Poor in Spirit: The True Gate
[06:39] - Mourning and Meekness Explained
[08:39] - Hungering for Righteousness
[10:39] - The Pure in Heart and Peacemakers
[12:05] - Evidence of a Changed Life
[13:37] - Righteousness Beyond the Pharisees
[14:33] - Heart Sins: Murder, Adultery, Lying
[17:38] - Revenge and Loving Enemies
[21:08] - The Call to Perfection
[22:17] - The Narrow Gate and False Teachers
[25:36] - Not All Who Say “Lord” Will Enter
[27:14] - Personal Testimony of Deception
[28:20] - Building on the Rock
[29:36] - The True Gospel Call
[33:11] - Godly Sorrow and Repentance
[36:20] - The Cost of Following Jesus
[38:15] - A Prayer of Surrender
[40:41] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 5:1–12 (ESV) — > Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
> “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
> “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
> “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
> “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
> “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
> “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
> “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
> “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
> “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

- Matthew 7:13–23 (ESV)
> “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
> “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? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
> “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. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

- Ezekiel 36:26–27 (ESV)
> And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Observation Questions

In Matthew 5:3, who does Jesus say will inherit the kingdom of heaven, and what does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? ([05:02])
According to Matthew 7:13–14, what is the difference between the wide gate and the narrow gate? ([22:37])
What does Jesus say is the true evidence of a disciple in Matthew 7:21–23? ([25:36])
In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the difference between outward religious activity and the kind of righteousness Jesus wants? ([14:03])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus start the Sermon on the Mount by describing people who are “poor in spirit,” “mourning,” and “meek”? What is he trying to show about the kind of people who belong to his kingdom? ([05:32])
The pastor says that “heart change, not just behavior modification” is what Jesus is after. Why is it not enough to just try harder to be good? ([16:27])
Jesus warns that many religious people will be surprised on judgment day (Matthew 7:21–23). What does this teach about the danger of self-deception in our faith? ([26:19])
According to Ezekiel 36:26–27, what is God’s role in helping us live righteously? How does this connect to what Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount? ([09:39])

Application Questions

The pastor said that recognizing our “spiritual poverty” is the gateway to God’s kingdom. When was the last time you honestly admitted your need for God, not just in general, but in a specific area of your life? What would it look like to do that this week? ([05:23])
Jesus calls us to mourn over our sin, not just feel bad in general. Is there a sin or pattern in your life that you have been ignoring or excusing? What would it look like to grieve over it and bring it to God? ([33:11])
The sermon warns that religious activity is not enough. Are there ways you have been relying on church attendance, serving, or “doing Christian things” instead of real obedience and heart change? How can you tell the difference? ([26:19])
Jesus says the path to life is narrow and few find it. What are some “wide gate” attitudes or habits in your life that you need to leave behind to follow Jesus more closely? ([22:37])
The pastor shared his own story of being deceived about his faith. Have you ever had a time when you realized your faith was more about tradition or assumption than a real relationship with Jesus? What changed for you? ([27:14])
Jesus calls us to die to ourselves and take up our cross daily. What is one area where you need to surrender your own way or desire to Jesus right now? ([36:30])
The sermon says that true discipleship is marked by obedience, sacrifice, and a changed life. What is one practical step you can take this week to obey Jesus in a way that costs you something? ([36:30])

Sermon Clips

Meekness is the strongest, strongest, what do you call it? Bending your knee, giving up your will, absolute surrender, boom, down, giving up everything. The meek, and this is kind of like he used to talk on these shows about like fighting these wild stallions out in the wild thing. And the guy captures him and he tries to break them. And then they're there, but they love to scream and yell and chase mares and control everything. But when he comes and gets them, they're broken, not in power, not in strength, but in will, they surrender their will to a new master. That's exactly what this is talking about. [00:07:19] (51 seconds) #MeeknessIsStrength

Blessed are the pure in heart. What? Pure in heart? Who can be pure in heart? I only know one kind of people that can be pure in heart. The one that have the pure Holy Spirit living inside them. All the, all the ones that get filled with righteousness because his spirit gives you grace and power to walk. Walk with him in obedience. That's the only ones I know. [00:10:30] (23 seconds) #PureHeartPower

Here's the moral principle. Notice it's right here in the culture of Jesus called to be the church. God tells us we are to do more. Our standard is more. We don't look at the world and say, well, Hey, I don't, I don't lie that much. No, don't lie. You know, he said, I don't, I only cheat on my taxes when I really feel like I need to. No, no, no cheating on taxes. None. He's calling you to a standard. He says, you do more. Well, can you do more in Jesus? You can, you can in Jesus because he gives you a new heart. [00:20:40] (36 seconds) #DoMoreInJesus

Beware of false preachers who come disguised as harmless sheep, but really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their food, that is, by the way they act. Now, you know why I ask you who is the most dangerous, the devil or preachers? Because Jesus gave a huge warning to all of time. 2,000 years ago for every generation, he's saying beware of preachers. Beware of them. [00:24:04] (33 seconds) #BewareFalsePreachers

Not everyone who calls me out to me and says, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven. What? Not everybody who yells that. And this is where we get to the few and the many. It's in the context. Only those who look at here, listen to this, actually do the will of my will. My Father in heaven will enter. Good. Obedience. Remember the things he just talked about. They're the only ones. [00:25:36] (33 seconds) #DoTheWillEnter

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise. Again, listen. Sitting in church listening, big deal. Following, obeying what he says. Bigger deal. Hear that? Like a person who builds a house on a rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against the house, it won't collapse because it's built on bedrock. [00:28:14] (33 seconds) #BuiltOnTheRock

Salvation comes when you see your sin, feel grieved by it, turn from that wickedness, beg God to forgive you, and you are brought to salvation. Jesus said, blessed are those who mourn for they will have eternal comfort. [00:34:23] (19 seconds) #MournForComfort

I'm calling you to hear the new, if you haven't heard this before. Jesus said, if any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way. That means your sin and all the stuff you decide you like and take up your cross and follow me. Take up your cross means you die to your ways. You follow him. You follow his commands. You follow his leadership. You change your lifestyle. You make things different. The way you spend your money, it has to be different. The way you spend your time has to be different. Everything must be turned as you pick up the cross and follow him wherever he leads you, wherever he leads you. Are you willing? [00:36:16] (42 seconds) #FollowJesusLifestyle

``Jesus said, if any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way. That means your sin and all the stuff you decide you like and take up your cross and follow me. Take up your cross means you die to your ways. You follow him. You follow his commands. You follow his leadership. You change your lifestyle. You make things different. The way you spend your money, it has to be different. The way you spend your time has to be different. Everything must be turned as you pick up the cross and follow him wherever he leads you, wherever he leads you. Are you willing? [00:36:20] (38 seconds) #TakeUpYourCross

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