Six Marks of a Genuine Disciple of Jesus (Matthew 7:12–29) Part 2
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Two ways to live
Two ways to live
In the book of Deuteronomy, God presents His people with a choice: life and prosperity or death and destruction (Deuteronomy 30:19). The Israelites stood at a crossroads, a moment filled with immense weight. They had witnessed God's faithfulness and provision, yet still had to choose to follow Him wholeheartedly. This morning Jesus is doing the same thing with First Baptist Church of Litchfield.
Jesus is wrapping up his sermon on the Mount. In the first part of chapter seven, he sums up the Law and the prophets with the Golden Rule, or as I called the Golden Love,
12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Jesus begins the conclusion of his sermon with a warning. He explains that there are only two ways to live life: the narrow road and the broad road. The narrow road is challenging, but it leads to eternal life, while the broad road is easy but leads to destruction. Jesus further emphasizes his warning by using the analogy of two trees bearing fruit, two kinds of people, and two builders constructing their houses. He prompts the audience to reflect on which path they are treading, what kind of person they are, and on what foundation they are building their lives. By examining these analogies, we can identify the characteristics of a true disciple of Jesus and find the answer to the ultimate question: Are you truly a disciple of Jesus?
Faithful Disciples Bear the Good Fruit of Faithfulness (Matthew 7:15-20)
Faithful Disciples Bear the Good Fruit of Faithfulness (Matthew 7:15-20)
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Jesus is aware that false teachers will assault the church. Later on in the gospel of Matthew, Jesus warns,
11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
There are people who have come, and who will come to us, who are outside the family of God but claim to be fellow believers. They will bring false teaching that does not align with the teachings of Jesus. These false prophets will claim to be inspired by God, but their sole purpose is to deceive people and lead many astray from the salvation of Jesus.
Two things scare me about the reality of false prophets and what I see in verses 11 and 24. The first is that false teachers are coming to the church to teach deception. Their deception is going to be so strong that even the elect could be tempted to follow it. Their signs and wonders are going to coincide with their teaching to such a degree that you will be tempted to think, maybe this is of the Lord. If God’s elect are eternally secure, which I believe they are, how strong is the deception of these false teachers that even the elect will be tempted to give them a second look? That is scary deception.
The second thing that scares me is how many church people will be led astray. In the same chapter, Jesus warns,
11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
In his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul warns about the consequences of letting your love grow cold. In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul talks about a man of lawlessness who is currently being restrained but will come. Even though he is doomed for destruction, he opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, sitting in God’s temple and proclaiming that he himself is God (2 Thess 2:4).
Until then, it is our responsibility to remain vigilant and discerning, not allowing ourselves to be led astray. Listen to what Paul says,
2 Thessalonians 2:9–12 (ESV)
9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
The passage discusses the rise of a lawless one who will use the power of Satan to increase lawlessness. This figure will deceive people, particularly those who are religious, through signs and wonders. The text refers to this figure as a false teacher, or more accurately, an anti-Christ. It emphasizes that all false teachers are anti-Christ, as they work against Christ in the spirit of Satan, like ravenous wolves among sheep, causing many to lose their faith.
The passage also questions how false teachings can deceive people in the church from those who appear to be fellow believers. Verse 10.
10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
Their love for the truth was cold, so cold they refused to hear it. The consequence of false teaching is it makes the flame of your love for God’s truth become a flicker until it is quenched. How many churched are being led by wolves in sheep’s clothing? How many churches are filled with nominal Christians? How many churches are filled with distracted people who are more passionate about their political ideology than they are about the gospel? What do you think is the consequence of nominal Christianity and distracted Christianity? They are susceptible to deception. They are likelier to allow a false teacher to deceive the flock and lead them astray.
I think there is a mass exodus from the church on the horizon. The love of truth has grown cold in the hearts of many churchgoers, and Nominal Christianity is not surviving in this climate. Jesus warns us, "Do not let your love grow cold by following false teachers."
How do we recognize false teachers?
How do we recognize false teachers?
In biblical times, people understood agriculture deeply. When Jesus spoke of trees bearing good or bad fruit, it resonated with His audience. So, he uses the metaphor to help us understand the fruit of a false teacher and the kind of fruit we must bear in our own lives.
Jesus says you will know a teacher by his fruit.
16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
The fruit Jesus refers to is a person's words and actions, which ultimately reveal their true nature. Jesus says that from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Their true nature is revealed by the messages they preach, their ethical quality, conduct, and their joyful obedience to Jesus.
A healthy teacher will teach what God says is good. A false teacher will deceive people. Jesus says,
17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit.
The ESV uses the words "healthy" and "deceased," which confuses the reader. "Health" and "disease" imply the condition of the tree. It’s not that the tree is unhealthy; it’s a different species of tree altogether.
A Bing Cherry tree bears nutritious cherries that can be enjoyed and used for all reasonable purposes. Some Bing Cherries may be diseased, but they are cherries, nevertheless.
18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit.
A Bing Cherry tree will never produce Jerusalem Cherries. Jerusalem Cherry Trees are deceptive because they are not what they appear to be. They are from Bolivia, not Jerusalem. They look like cherries, taste like tomatoes, and are highly toxic if you ingest them. They are also called the Winter cherry or Christmas cherry and are, in fact, not a cherry tree at all but a poisonous bush.
To ensure you do not get sick or even perish, you need to know a tree by its fruit. The same applies to false teachers. You need to examine the fruit of their life and ministry carefully.
You must pay careful attention to what is being taught in the pulpit. Does the preacher uphold the Bible as inerrant, authoritative, and fully sufficient, applicable to every area of life, or is it merely a collection of wise sayings we can pick and choose to embrace?
You need to pay attention to the preacher's life and character. Is the preacher's character molded by love and pursuit of truth and holiness, or is it ridden with immorality?
You must pay attention to the preacher's life in and outside the church. Is he an honorable man respected for his integrity, or is his life full of hypocrisy?
You need to pay attention to the motives of the preacher. Does he teach and preach God's word for the joy of advancing God's kingdom by making much of Jesus, or is he advancing his own kingdom for power, prestige, and financial gain?
Jesus says
20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
You need to know the fruit of your preacher because your eternal life depends on it. Jesus says,
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
The fruit of a false teachers life and ministry is eternal condemnation in hell. For those who sit under the authority of a false teacher run the risk of bearing bad fruit. Jesus warns every believer in the same way he warns the false teacher. Every branch that that does not bear fruit perishes. Jesus says,
John 15:2 (ESV)
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away…
6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
There are only two ways to live. Either you are a tree that abides in Christ and bears fruit, or you are a tree that abides in the world. The fruit of abiding in the world is the pride of life. John says,
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
As one commentator noted, the pride of life can be defined as anything that is “of the world,” meaning anything that leads to arrogance, ostentation, pride in self, presumption, and boasting. John makes it clear that anything that produces the pride of life comes from a love of the world and “if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). This kind of tree is thrown into the fire.
Imagine a gardener tending to his orchard, meticulously pruning the trees. Some trees, despite care and nurturing, refuse to bear fruit. After years of waiting, the gardener decides it's time to act.
A bad tree could not be changed; its nature was flawed. It served no purpose in a gardener's field and was ultimately cast into the fire.
This scenario paints a picture of God's judgement. Each of us is called to produce God-honoring, Jesus exalting, Spirit-empowered good fruit; the kind of fruit that reflects our loving obedient faith in action. If you are not bearing God-honoring, Christ-exalting, Spirit-empowered fruit in your life at some lever, you must confront the reality that you may be a difference species of tree. You may be a tree of the world, and you need to understand if you do not repent, you will cast into the fire.
Faithful Disciples are Hearers and Doers of God’s Word (Matthew 7:21-23)
Faithful Disciples are Hearers and Doers of God’s Word (Matthew 7:21-23)
21 “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. 22 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?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
In my opinion, this is the scariest verse in the Bible. Jesus makes it clear that not everyone who says to him, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven.
In the Septuagint Greek translation of the Old Testament, the holy name of God, 'Yahweh,' is translated as 'Lord.' However, 'Lord' was also used simply as a polite form of address to someone as 'Sir.' In this context, Jesus as Lord is associated with entry to the kingdom of heaven and with the working of miracles. It aligns with Jesus' presentation of himself as the ultimate judge who decides who does and who does not enter the kingdom of heaven. The use of the double title, "Lord, Lord," draws attention to its importance and emphasizes his lordship. Those who say "Lord, Lord," at the very least, recognize Jesus as a divine authority. These are religious people, churchgoers, who had an affinity for Jesus, who acknowledge his Lord but did not submit to him as Lord.
It becomes evident that these individuals did not truly acknowledge Jesus as their Lord if their actions did not align with the Father's will. Obedience to the Father's will is the hallmark of a true believer. Despite their religious activities, these individuals were living in disobedience, even in their seemingly good deeds.
These individuals, who claimed to have a close relationship with Jesus and used his power to preach, cast out demons, and heal the broken, were in for a shock. They believed they were speaking God's message when they prophesied, and they were able to use the authority of Jesus' name to bring light into someone's life. Yet, Jesus' words, "depart from me, I never knew you," reveal the stark irony of their situation.
Some of you may ask, how is it possible to cast our demons and do miracles in Jesus name and not know Jesus?
Some of you may ask, how is it possible to cast our demons and do miracles in Jesus name and not know Jesus?
Jesus plainly says that preaching the truth, casting out demons, and doing miracles are not signs of saving faith.
Just because a preacher is passionate in his preaching does not prove he is a faithful follower of Christ. Balaam gave an accurate message but was a hireling and a sinner (Numbers 22–25). Saul was used by God when he was under the spirit of prophecy, but he himself was lost (Kent Hughes).
The Pharaoh’s magicians were able to to do signs and wonders. Judas had the power to cast out demons (Luke 10:17). The false prophets I already mentioned can and will do signs and wonders.
Paul says there are powers of evil and deception in this world at work in sons and daughters of disobedience (Eph 2:2). Some of those sons and daughters of disobedience gather in church every Sunday, some of them even preaching and casting out demons, believing they are bearing the fruit of salvation because they can do the miraculous.
Jesus says you will know a tree by its fruit. The fruit that proves you belong toe Jesus is joyful obedience to the will of God. What is the will of the Father? To believe upon the Son and live in his kingdom now. To believe upon the son is to
Romans 10:9 (ESV)
9 … confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Yes there is an intellectual faith that is required. You must know Jesus and understand the gospel. You can only be justified by faith. Have you been justified before God by faith? Do you believe in your heart that he is your only hope to be justified? You do well to say yes to these questions. The inward reality of your faith, however, must also manifest itself outward in obedience.
The second part of God’s will is to live by faith, doing the works he has planned for you. Paul explains the will of God in salvation and both the faith and the works that come with it to the Ephesian church. He says
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
God’s will is you believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ and walk in the good works the Father planned ahead of time. This is the will of the Father.
Does your faith work itself out with genuine loving obedience? Do you love the Lord Jesus as the Father loves Jesus? Do you love your neighbor the way Jesus loves his neighbor? Only those who do the will of God will bear good fruit that glorifies the Father and proves you belong to Jesus (John 15:8), and Jesus acknowledges you.
Keep in mind, Jesus only associates himself with those who do the will of His Father. When his mother and brothers asked to see him. Jesus responds,
48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Faithful Disciples Build their House on the Rock (Matthew 7:24-27)
Faithful Disciples Build their House on the Rock (Matthew 7:24-27)
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
The “therefore” points us back to the previous section of scripture. In light of walking on the narrow path, bearing fruit that proves you belong to Jesus and glorifies the Father, and doing the fathers will, Jesus says the one who takes his words to heart and does them, is like a wise man who builds his house upon the rock. At this point, Jesus has broadened his audience from mainly the disciples to the entire crowd gathered to hear his sermon.
In this parable, there are two kinds of hearing that is happening. There are those who are hearing to ignore Jesus’ teaching, and there are those who are hearing to obey Jesus’ teaching. The wise person has ears to hear. What does the wise man hear?
The wise person hears with a heart of obedience.
The wise person hears with a heart of obedience.
The wise person builds their house upon the rock. In antiquity, to build your house is to build your life: your family, vocation, reputation, everything that makes up your identity as a person. The rock is the testimony of Jesus. When Peter confessed that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus said,
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Although the Catholic church believes Jesus was referring to Peter himself because Peter’s name means rock, we hold that Jesus was referring to Peter’s testimony. Jesus will build his church upon the truth that Jesus is God’s promised Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the World.
The wise man build his identity, his life, his house, upon the rock of Jesus Christ as your Savior. That is, you hear his words by faith and you put your faith into practice; you joyfully obey the Lord in every aspect of your life.
Jesus says to his disciples,
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands.
The wise man hears Jesus’ call to have a single-minded heart united loyal love for Him that expresses itself with joyful obedience. Only then will your faith sustain you in the judgement and your works receive their due reward.
The wise man hears of a future judgement.
The wise man hears of a future judgement.
Jesus uses the future tense when he says “will be like a wise man.” Why is the function of this phrase? What is Jesus trying to convey to us about the future?
Water is often used as a symbol of judgement. Think back to Noah’s Flood and the Red Sea for the Egyptians. Also notice how the rain and floods come and beat upon the house. Judgement is swift and severe like a flood. Judgement is coming to every person.
27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
Everyone has ears to hear, so, everyone will be held accountable. Those who hear Jesus’ words and does them, will survive the judgement. The house of the wiseman is able to withstand the water because the wise person listened to Jesus.
Only a fool would hear and ignore Jesus’ clear warning. The life built upon the sand of this world will surely perish, and how great will that perishing be! Everything you’ve trusted to sustain and support your identity and legacy, whether it be your family, vocation, or reputation, will collapse in the blink of an eye. God will find you guilty. Jesus will say to you,
50 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For the Scriptures are clear
8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Eternal judgement is the plight of the fool who hears to ignore the words of Jesus.
The wise man hears how to persevere to the end.
The wise man hears how to persevere to the end.
Jesus is not only looking forward to a future judgment. He uses a present voice and the temporal "when" to convey an "already/not yet" concept. There is a coming judgement which is the "not yet.", but there are already trials and tribulations that test the viability of your house. Jesus says, "When the rains and the floods come and beat upon your house," meaning that your faith will be tested with trials and tribulations. Suffering is part of walking on the narrow path. Suffering is how the Father prunes your branch to bear more good fruit. Persevering through suffering for the gospel is the will of the Father. Build your house on the firm foundation of Jesus's words so that you will persevere through suffering with your faith intact until the final judgment, where Jesus will say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter my eternal rest." William Hendriksen wisely warns
True believers hear. They meditate until they understand. Then they act upon it, putting it into constant practice, thereby showing that their house was built upon a rock.
William Hendriksen; Simon J. Kistemaker
Faithful Disciples Recognize the Authority of the Teacher (Matthew 7:28-29)
Faithful Disciples Recognize the Authority of the Teacher (Matthew 7:28-29)
28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
After concluding his Sermon on the Mount with these words, Jesus received an astonished and amazed response from the crowd. They were impressed by both his teaching style and the content of his message. His words profoundly resonated with them, unlike anything they had heard before. Furthermore, his words were backed by his ministry, which included healing the sick, casting out demons, and feeding the hungry.
Some in the crowd were amazed by Jesus but never embraced him as Lord. These were the fools who enjoyed walking on the broad way, never bearing spiritual fruit, hearers of God's word, and never considered building their house on the truth of Jesus their Savior. Many of these people were religious people who liked Jesus, maybe even thought of him as a prophet. But he was never their Lord and Savior.
Some of you in this church may come with a fool's ear every Sunday. You like church. You like the community and the fellowship. You even like the value system we uphold. It's nostalgia reminds you of the good ole days. Friend, please hear me plead with you to repent, turn to Jesus, confess your sin, and seek his salvation. Call upon him to save you from God's wrath. How horrible would it be for you to die today only to hear Jesus say to you, "Depart, I never knew you!" And no matter how much you plea and say, didn't I go to church every day? Didn't I tithe? Didn't I do good deeds for my neighbors? Doesn't this count for anything? Jesus will say through this one in the fire prepared for them, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For those who have ears to hear, listen to Jesus' words. Put them into practice.
Hunger and thirst for righteousness so only Jesus can satisfy you. Be a peacemaker so God will call you his son or daughter.
Rejoice in your suffering for Jesus, knowing yours is the kingdom.
Be salt and light to your community and home. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Live your life as a whole, complete person the way your Father is complete. That is, live with a single-minded heart united in loyal love for Jesus.
Guard your heart from murderous anger. Whenever you think there is a grievance between you and another, drop whatever you are doing and seek reconciliation. Never ignore. Always be ready to address it in love.
Remain pure, for only the pure in heart will see God. Do not allow your heart to use people as objects of self-centered pleasure. Make a covenant with your eyes to not look at worthless things.
Remain faithful to your spouse or even your future spouse. Forsake all adultery and divorce—Prize faithful loyalty to God and each other.
Live your life in the truth in such a way that you never have to make a promise. But if you do make a promise, do everything in your power to keep it, and if there is any doubt that you can keep a promise, don't make it.
Do not return evil for evil. Love your enemies the way Jesus has loved you.
Do not cling to this world's good, but free yourself from anxiety by giving generously to the poor, and trust that Your Father in heaven knows what you need and will provide for you.
Pray. Pray without ceasing. Pray Sovereignty-Centered, kingdom-obedient-minded, God-providing, Christ-forgiving, Satan-defeating prayers, and pray them with confidence as if they are already answered yes and amen. For you, God in heaven is a Good father who knows how to care for his children who call out to him.
Do not judge anyone to hell. Love your neighbor as yourself, for whatever you want done to you, do to them.
Walk the narrow road. Bear good fruit that proves you belong to Jesus and glorifies the Father. Do the Father's will at all times. Hear these words, brothers and sisters, and put them into practice. Show the world and the kingdom of God you surrender to Jesus the King, and your life is under his authority. Do this until the end, and you will not be a counterfeit disciple, a Judas who betrays Jesus with a kiss. You will prove you are a genuine disciple and will one day hear your King say to enter enjoy my rest and your inheritance.
