The Sermon on the Mount
Basic Christian Living #19
“True Faith Bears True Fruit”
Matthew 7:15–23 (NLT)
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. 21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
I. Be Discerning (vv. 15)
Discernment Is a Christian Responsibility
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.
II. Bear Fruit (vv. 16–20)
Fruit Reveals the Heart
16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
III. Believe Obediently (vv. 21–22)
Profession Without Obedience Is Not Saving Faith
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.
Romans 10:2 I know about them. They have a strong desire for God, but they do not know what they should about Him.
James 2:17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
IV. Belong to Christ (v. 23)
Relationship with Christ Is the True Standard
23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
We must continue in grace, walking daily in obedience and love. Salvation is not a one-time transaction detached from our lives—it is a DAILY relationship that must be maintained through faith.
Luke 9:23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
Ps 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
"Well done, my good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:23)
Matthew 7:15–23 (NLT)
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. 21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
I. Be Discerning (vv. 15)
Discernment Is a Christian Responsibility
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.
II. Bear Fruit (vv. 16–20)
Fruit Reveals the Heart
16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
III. Believe Obediently (vv. 21–22)
Profession Without Obedience Is Not Saving Faith
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.
Romans 10:2 I know about them. They have a strong desire for God, but they do not know what they should about Him.
James 2:17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
IV. Belong to Christ (v. 23)
Relationship with Christ Is the True Standard
23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
We must continue in grace, walking daily in obedience and love. Salvation is not a one-time transaction detached from our lives—it is a DAILY relationship that must be maintained through faith.
Luke 9:23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
Ps 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
"Well done, my good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:23)