Ravenous Wolves: Destined for the fire.

Matthew 7:15-20 "...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..."

Luke 6:43-45 "...For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks..."

What is a true prophet supposed to do?

- literally, one who foretells future events.

- a true prophet is anointed to speak for God.

- a true prophet teaches men the will of God.

What makes a prophet a false prophet?

- false representation of God.

- false representation of what God expects.

What do false prophets look like?

- they appear to be real.

Did the religious leaders of the day seem to be good men, teaching spiritual truths about the Messiah and His kingdom? What about religious leaders of our day?

How can false prophets be recognized?

- by their fruit.

- prophets can be properly identified over time.

1 John 4:1 "...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..."

Surprise Departure: Missed it.

Matthew 7:21-23 "...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..."

Luke 13:25-28 "...When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out..."

What credentials were not enough?

- some actually had some pretty hefty credentials, or at least claimed to have them: prophesy, casting out demons, mighty works.

- some just claimed to be close to Jesus: ate/drank in presence, heard the teaching.

What credentials are needed?

- doing the will of the Father.

- being known by Jesus.

What credentials do you have?

How can a person think they have saving faith but be 'workers of lawlessness'?

2 Timothy 2:19 "...But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity...”

1 Corinthians 8:2-3 "... knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God..."

Do ravenous wolves lead to surprised departures?