Fruit Inspection

Text: Matthew 7:15-23

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (05/20/01)

Introduction:   

There are times in every life when an individual must give an account of themselves.

Man has devised various ways of holding his fellow-man accountable.

Ie. Income tax and the tax audit.   Also the civil and criminal courts.  The Bureaucratic Red Tape.  The Stats Canada Building in Ottawa.

Jesus said of the false prophets (also applies to false professors) ye shall know them by their fruits.

Here’s the Question: Is our Christianity Ornamental or is it Real?

There is a great difference between SAYING & DOING, and a greater difference yet between DOING & BEING.

We are to BE right, then we will DO right and SPEAK right.

One day we will stand before God.  There will be no room for coverup, disguise, facade or fakery on that day.

Hebrews 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

I. The Representation of False Profession vs.15-19

A. As a wolf in sheep’s clothing vs.15

Every hypocrite is a goat in sheep’s clothing, but a false prophet is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Not only is he not a sheep, but he is the worst enemy the sheep have.

We must be discerning, we must ask the right questions.

Is their life Holy?  Is their teaching sound?

Their works should be approved by teaching, and their teaching by works.

One day Christ will tear away the sheepskin to reveal the wolf.

B. As a Corrupt Tree vs.16-19

1. You will know a tree by it’s fruit.

The corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit.  EVIL – a strong term meaning grievous, wicked, malicious.  The good tree brings forth good fruit.

ASK – What should our main concern be?

Our main concern should be the tree and not the fruit.

Should we be concerned when we see no fruit, or no good fruit?

Yes!!!!

WHY?  Because it is an indicator of the existence of inner corruption.

2. The tree produces fruit based on what sort of tree it is.

No matter what you do with an apple tree, it will always be an apple tree.

The word “cannot” is a key word here.

Evil fruit is good works at best.  Good fruit is much more than works.

A person may have much outward knowledge of Christ, much outward activity in His service, but no inward relationship to Him at all.

3. The corrupt tree was never good.

A thorn was never a vine producing grapes, a thistle was not once a fig tree.

That would be a physical and spiritual impossibility. 

Yet through  Christ that which was formerly a spiritual thistle can produce wonderful fruit.  The fruit of the Spirit.

That is the work of God and not of men!!

Ephesians 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

II. The Risk Of False Profession vs. 21

Profession alone will not get you into heaven.

1. There is that which does not go beyond profession.

2. There is that profession which includes a tremendous amount of work.

Why will this person be shut out of heaven?

a. Because it is all about self.  Notice “Have we not done”.

The miracle, great work, or skill is the display of God’s power through the medium or agency of another.

ILLUS: The Physician and the Preacher

There is not necessarily and never should be implied that there is a direct connection between a great work and true spirituality!!

1 Corinthians 13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

b. Because it is a profession that fails to recognize God’s Will.

Don’t just start doing right!!  Start Being Right!!!

III. The Rationalization of False Profession vs.21-22

It is all about Self-Righteousness/Works

ILLUS: Two men (both are working) one believes in righteousness of Christ (motivated by love), the other believes he can gain acceptance with God (motivated by self-advancement).

A. The Great Plea

“Lord, Lord”

John 13:13  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

Luke 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Contrast this with the professions of the following passages….

1 Corinthians 12:3  Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Philippians 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

B. The Great Pride

“Have we not…done many works?”

Luke 6:44  For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

C. The Great Presumption

“In thy name”

They may be sincere, but they are deceived.

It is not self confidence they need, but confidence in Christ!

IV. The Rejection of False Profession vs.23 (see also vs.19)

Christ repudiates the false professors of Salvation.

They are rejected for two reasons.

A. Christ never knew the false professors

To be KNOWN is to be approved, loved, regarded.

NOTICE: Not He once knew them and now He no longer knows them, but He had NEVER known them.  They had never been true Christians!!

1 John 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

This is one of the strongest Biblical arguments for eternal security.

True believers do not fall away.

What a contrast to those who truly know Him and are known of Him.

Psalms 1:6  For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

2 Timothy 2:19  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

1 Corinthians 8:3  But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

This itself is the fruit of a genuine relationship with Christ.  We know Him and are known of Him.

It is a joy for the believer to be in the presence of someone who walks with God!!

B. The false professors only worked iniquity

Isaiah 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Conclusion:     (Review)

I. The Representation of False Profession

ARE YOU A GOAT OR A WOLF IN SHEEP”S CLOTHING?

A CORRUPT TREE?

II. The Risk Of False Profession

ARE YOU WILLING TO RISK ETERNITY FOR SAKE OF APPEARANCE?

III. The Rationalization of False Profession

IV. The Rejection of False Profession