THE FRUIT REVEALS THE HEART (19 OF 20)
by Tim Melton
Scripture: Matthew 7:15-23
This content is part of a series.
The Fruit Reveals the Heart (19 of 20)
Series: Sermon on the Mount
Tim Melton
Matthew 7:15-23
''The Fruit of One's Life Reveals the Condition of One's Heart''
We live in a world where truth is under attack. Truth is relative to some and even non-existent to others. That is bad enough when we see it happen in the world, but the problem is even more grievous when this way of thinking creeps into the church. We see this happening in various places in our churches today. Jesus was familiar with this struggle and in Matthew 7:15-23 spoke directly against it.
''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.'
Throughout scripture prophets were spokesmen to whom God gave a message to share with others. There were generally two different types of messages that prophets were given. One was a message about what would happen in the future. This is called ''foretelling'' which means telling before. That is the type most people think of when they hear the words prophet or prophecy. Another type of message that the prophets were given was that of speaking a particular truth to the people. That could be called ''forth-telling'' where they spoke forth ...
Series: Sermon on the Mount
Tim Melton
Matthew 7:15-23
''The Fruit of One's Life Reveals the Condition of One's Heart''
We live in a world where truth is under attack. Truth is relative to some and even non-existent to others. That is bad enough when we see it happen in the world, but the problem is even more grievous when this way of thinking creeps into the church. We see this happening in various places in our churches today. Jesus was familiar with this struggle and in Matthew 7:15-23 spoke directly against it.
''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.'
Throughout scripture prophets were spokesmen to whom God gave a message to share with others. There were generally two different types of messages that prophets were given. One was a message about what would happen in the future. This is called ''foretelling'' which means telling before. That is the type most people think of when they hear the words prophet or prophecy. Another type of message that the prophets were given was that of speaking a particular truth to the people. That could be called ''forth-telling'' where they spoke forth ...
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