Love Yourz

No such thing as a life that's better than yours No such thing as a life that's better than yours No such thing as a life that's better than yours No such thing, no such thing

In this song the poet J. Cole speaks about the reality of success. He talks about how he knows that he has arrived because he now has fake and poisonous people trying to attack. He explains that being successful is not all it is cracked up to be and to love the process in between. He warns that riches is not the way. I’ll paraphrase his words because as he speaks his reality it is not always pretty just like ours. He says, concerning wealth

On the road to riches listen this is what you’ll find

The good news is you came a long way

The bad news is you went the wrong way

He speaks about loving your life! As it is! He reveals the truth behind what is seen and educates so as to not cause others to follow the same mistakes he did. And I believe that the life of a Christian, the life of a follower of God, the life of those redeemed is the best life and I love it! In the sermon on the mount I am told how it is that I should live and I do NOT have to bump my head trying to figure it out! We are told and given ways on how we can exist in a chaotic world and be the change in it that we wish to see! Jesus continues today in our text of Matthew 7:15-23 giving us a warning so that we will be safe and be able to enter into the kingdom of heaven! Turn your Bibles there with me!

Matthew 7:15–23 ESV

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. 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.’

Snakes in the Grass

Matthew 7:15 ESV

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Beware

A lot of us at some point an time hating folks that told us in our young days to beware or be aware!

Jesus cares about those he loves so he warns us of the dangers that do exist

False Prophets

Now we would automatically think of folks we KNOW to be this.

These are people who claim to be of God professing his will and way but are liars.

You automatically may think of...

Kenneth Copeland

He blew away, condemned, and ended the coronavirus all the way back in April.

Creflow Dollar & Jesse Duplantis

Were both called by God to ask their churches for multimillion dollar private planes.

You may even think back to that pastor down the road who used to ask his members to put their paychecks into his account…

Why does Jesus feel the need to warn of such people?

You may say “I can smell a rat from a mile away! But it is not so easy to tell. Jesus says that they come to you in sheep’s clothing.

They are hard to see!

Do you remember the first time you got your heart broken? Think back! You remember how long the lashes used to be as she fluttered them in your direction. You remember how you used to brush your hair away from your face. Butterflies used to go crazy in your stomach! You knew they were the one because they LOOKED the part! But they ended up being no good, lying, cheating, scoundrels that you wished you never met! WOLVES IN SHEEPS CLOTHING!

Human beings will see anything in someone if we want to see it badly enough.

“…but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

They seek to do you harm!

Jesus wants to keep you from the damage that they can inflict when it comes to your relationship with God!

Matthew 7:16 ESV

16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

He goes on to explain using this…

Matthew 7:17–20 ESV

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.

1st section: Be aware that there are people who seem to be godly on the outside but are destructive predators within.

Keep your eyes open because spiritual predators exist!

But take heart in the fact that Jesus tells you how to spot them!

Ugliness in Success & Signals of Distress

Matthew 7:21 ESV

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.

Matthew 7:22 ESV

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?’

What we care about vs What Jesus cares about…

What Jesus says that he cares about:

Being a positive influence on the world

Knowing that you are blessed even if your circumstance is unfavorable.

Having a good understanding of the purpose of the Law and how life changing it is.

Using loving words towards people.

Keeping sex within the proper confines and learning to control lust.

Having deep integrity and letting your yes be yes and no be no.

Overcoming evil by accepting and giving in to wrong

Having a proper attitude toward the needy

Building up Treasure in heaven

Not judging and giving medicine with a dirty spoon

Matthew 7:23 ESV

23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

If Jesus does not know me then I really do not know me either...

The problem with our relationship with God is not a failure of obedience but a failure of heart.

Love Yourz

This life that we live as Christians and Kingdom citizens has the power to change the world! Let us be willing to at least entertain the words of Jesus spoken on that mount so many years ago. Let us take what Jesus has given us LIVE it! Let us be open to a renovation of heart! Let us appreciate the step by step guidelines he has given!