KJV Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
KJV Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Zion Rise! Zion Rise!
KJV Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
The Sermon on the Mount begins with the Beatitudes in Chapter 5 and ends with the warning about false prophet. The conclusion of the Sermon is the house built on the Rock. Jesus is the Bedrock, as He taught with Peter as the little rock.
The warning is pivotal, teaching that among all teachers are the false teachers, which are seem to be appealing but actually predators not pals. People have trouble with "fruits," but that is not food but the outcome of efforts.
"Beware of false prophets" is ignored these days and even now is revealing the dangers following error and not the truth. I attended a Church Growth session in downtown Columbus (St. Paul "Lutheran") years ago [$80 fee, I let someone else pay]. The expert kept preaching/bragging - "Do this and you will have Happy Campers!" That congregation is almost completely gone now.
Jesus did not (and does not) promote falsehood. The truth is freely available around the world. Those who pretend to be friendly are really the most dangerous, which we can see in many cults but also in neglect of the Word of God, which is the Word of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
These comparisons are so clear - and ironic - so no one should ignore the message. There are good Bibles (one is easily the best) and good teachers, based on health rather than sugar and various temporary treats. Fact - it takes time to give up expensive but useless foods (ice cream, candies, chips) because of the craving and seductive label designs.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
[Note the two "mission leaders" who ranted and raved against my essay on the Means of Grace. That became the final chapter of Liberalism, Its Cause and Cure, "The Means of Grace." ]
There is a simple but often ignored foundation in all of this. Or call it a comparison similar to verses 18ff.
A. Faith in Jesus Christ
versus
B. Production
The basis for all of Christianity, all of the Bible - is faith in Jesus the Good Shepherd. There are all kinds of false claims about Jesus - only a rabbi, not divine, a teacher but not part of the Trinity, someone who is much like Buddha, etc. etc.
Most of the world depends on production as proof of their success. All the synods we know have glamorous, expensive castles to prove they are successful, as Marvin Schwan boasted. They are equally rich in cash but impoverished. They do not know the best Bible in English - and they loathe Martin Luther as much as they slobber over their California gurus.
That comes down to the individual's faith in the Good Shepherd, which is first taught as early as newborn and baptized, renewed through teaching and learning when able. I remember well that my mother had me learn Psalm 23 by heart when she was my Sunday School teacher (Plymouth Congregational, Moline) as a young lad. She became a Lutheran and she lived in our house in Phoenix at the end, 90+ years. I read the 23rd Psalm to her - she had a hospital bed in the sunny living room. I said, "You taught me this, Mom." She passed into eternal life.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
This is the ultimate in distinguishing faith in the Good Shepherd from making a lot of noise, insisting that Jesus has done wonderful things outwardly Very dramatic and wonderful. Luther had a response to this, "A believer does not search for a cross to bear - it is already on his back."
Link ->Luther's Three Sermons on Matthew 7:15ff - Beware of False Prophets
Eighth Sunday After Trinity
Lord God, heavenly Father, we most heartily thank Thee that Thou hast caused us to come to the knowledge of Thy word. We pray Thee: graciously keep us steadfast in this knowledge unto death, that we may obtain eternal life; send us now and ever pious pastors, who faithfully preach Thy word, without offense or false doctrine, and grant them long life. Defend us from all false teachings, and frustrate Thou the counsels of all such as pervert Thy word, who come to us in sheep's clothing, but are inwardly ravening wolves, that Thy true Church may evermore be established among us, and be defended and preserved from such false teachers, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #586 A Pilgrim and a Stranger - Gerhardt
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #586 A Pilgrim and a Stranger - Gerhardt
