Wolves in Sheep's Clothing

7-22-2018 Sermon, Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing I. Intro a. Last Week: Introduced to 2 paths i. Expand b. We will be spending the next 2 weeks (this and next) focusing on walking this path i. (sometimes referred to as the “straight and narrow”) ii. Will be looking at this in two ways 1. those who would cause us to stray from this path 2. Authentically following this path c. This week our focus is on individuals that may cause us to stray from the “straight and narrow” II. Matthew 7:15 a. 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. III. Focus: As you walk the straight and narrow, there will be those who will try to sway you away from this path IV. If we are to keep to the path Jesus set before us, the straight and narrow; we need to be aware of the presence of false prophets V. In some ways, spotting a false prophet has changed over time, and has become arguably more difficult a. Prevalence of false prophets in OT i. Ex: Jeremiah – true prophet – tasked by God to give warning of God’s coming judgment on a wicked people 1. Jeremiah found himself under constant attack by false prophets, even to the point of being tempted to quit a. He however did not quit, and God promised to deal with the false prophets 2. But in the example of the Prophet Jeremiah – the false prophets he dealt with were easily spotted a. They did not befriend him and try to influence him not to follow God’s instruction i. They openly opposed him b. The tactics of false prophets have changed over time i. From declaring other allegiances to blending in with the faithful – which Jesus called being “wolves in sheep’s clothing” 1. Sheep often used as metaphor for people of God a. Wolves destroy sheep 2. Wolves in sheep clothing try to blend into the people of God, while actually working to bring chaos, disorder, and hardship c. These wolves can come in many types and forms i. Those seeking personal gain: such as pretending believers or also televangelists 1. Illustration: Pretending pastor looking for money, lying to get it a. Also throw in, televangelists manipulating people’s emotions for funds that go directly to them b. Ex: Going to church in hope of gaining clients for business i. Both a real life example and something Dwight did in The Office (my generation’s Seinfeld) ii. Those pushing unbiblical ideas: iii. Instead of swearing allegiance to Christ and His Gospel, false prophet’s champion ideas that are counter to the teaching of scripture 1. This is something that the Church (big C) has had to deal with over and over again a. Early Church – Gnosticism b. Reformation Period - Arminianism c. 19th Century liberalism – arguable the most devastating wolf the Church has faced i. decimated European church, cathedrals once filled, now stand empty d. More current examples: i. Universalism – Expand ii. Open and Affirming - Expand 1. Leading to a destruction of the Church (big C) a. Look at the conflict in our own denomination as an example VI. Knowing the damage that false prophets have done to and are currently doing to Christ’s Church, it is imperative that we are able to recognize these wolves for who they really are VII. Jesus provides direction on how to recognize these wolves a. Matthew 7:16-18 i. 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 b. Jesus tells us that we will recognize those wolves amongst us by their fruit i. Explain: fruit is the product of their efforts (like how fruit is the product of a tree/bush) VIII. Ways to examine fruit a. Examine their History – do they have a history of baring fruit? i. What is the result outcome of their ministry/leadership, spiritual growth or death? 1. Takes time, either by examining past results or keeping an eye to current influence ii. Look at what effect their presence has had on others, whether those influenced by them tend to move towards a life of faith or away from it 1. If everywhere they go sees decline or spiritual death, then they may be a wolf a. Ex: some habitually church hop b/c they cause problems everywhere they go (and of course blame every church along the way b. Examine their Spiritual Life - Are they showing signs of fruit and maturity in their spiritual life? i. What does their spiritual life look like? 1. Are they committed to prayer and scripture 2. Do they lives as Jesus taught 3. Do they set an example worth following? c. Examine their Argument - Are their viewpoints founded in the Word of God? i. Do they have good theology that is in line with the teachings of scripture? 1. Is their evidence of them manipulating or misrepresenting scripture? 2. Is their evidence that maybe they don’t know their scripture very well, but are convinced of their viewpoint? a. Joke: never trust someone who quotes the “Book of Revelations” (explain: no s) ii. Also, it is good to ask whether or not their viewpoint makes any sense 1. Do their arguments support their conclusion? a. Don’t just take their word for it, examine the content of what they are saying b. Sometimes large/fancy words take the place of solid arguments i. Just because something sounds good, doesn’t make it true d. Examine their Tactics - Are they being manipulative? i. Many wolves are smooth talkers, essentially salesmen of whatever it is they are peddling (their way, the influence and power the comes with that) 1. There is a big difference in sharing a vision given by God and promoting our own ideas ii. Are they playing on your emotions – using emotional arguments while disregarding teaching of scripture 1. (common today – use personal situations to disregard scripture, often under guise of “hurt feeling” or might cause someone to leave) a. However, it does no good to keep someone about lying to them i. Instead of watering down the Gospel and the directions of Jesus on how to live a life of faith, we should be honest about sharing His truth iii. There is a cost to following Jesus, if you need those around you to lie about this so you don’t feel bad about not following Jesus’ teachings….is your faith really in Christ or are you just along for the ride to reap in the benefits? IX. While many live as wolves amongst Christ’s sheep because they think they won’t be found out, Jesus teaches that in time false prophets will indeed be revealed for the wolves they are a. Matthew 7:19-20 i. 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. X. Illus. – our garden a. 2 years in a row strawberries did poorly, weren’t producing fruit i. Response – going to tear them out and plant something new ii. Just as I expect a return on my investment when it comes to gardening 1. God expects a return on investment for His people a. That there be fruit from our labor b. Those who are false prophets will be found out, and like our strawberry bushes, will be removed from the garden and cast aside XI. Warning a. Be aware of false prophets i. They way lead you away from the path Christ has set before you ii. They will try to trick you into not realizing their influence iii. They look to benefit from your loss iv. They are set apart for destruction 1. And if you are not careful, they will try to take you down with them XII. Pray