The Sermon on the Mount

Beware of False Prophets; Matthew 7:15-23

Beware of False Prophets

1. False prophets look like they are sheep, but they are wolves
2. To determine whether the prophet is a sheep or a wolf carefully inspect what the prophet says and does
3. External religious acts do not prove the authenticity of the prophet
4. Submission to God’s will as revealed in Christ, in His life and His teachings marks the authenticity of the prophet

Four of the current false doctrines which are prominent in the religious world today

1. Legalism: The pride of legalism claims that we are able to keep a set of rules well enough to earn a standing as righteous before God.

Wherever there is superficial view of sin there will be a low view of grace.

2. Antinomianism: The pride of antinomianism claims that we can embrace the grace of Christ while ignoring His right to our lives.

Wherever there is a superficial view of God’s holiness there will be a low view of righteousness.

3. Syncretism: The pride of syncretism claims that we have the ability to discern the truth about God from our own study of social and cultural norms and use our own wisdom to speak for God.

Wherever there is a superficial view of God’s Word there will be a low view of the exclusive claims of Jesus Christ.

4. The Prosperity Gospel: The pride of the prosperity gospel claims that God is primarily concerned with our wealth, health, and prosperity in this life because success in these areas means that God is well pleased with a person while their poverty means that God is not pleased with their faith, life, ministry, work

Whenever there is a superficial view of God’s glory there will be a low view of living for eternal purposes.