Sheep, Wolves and Fruit

The Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 7:15-20

Ask, Search, Knock

The Golden Rule

The Narrow Gate

A Tree and Its Fruit

Concerning Self-Deception

Hearers and Doers

Matthew 7:15–16 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?” (NRSV)

Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

prophet of lies

falsely claims to be a prophet of God

bogus prophet

What experiences have you had with wolves?

Pseudo-prophet

1.Pretends to be a prophet of God

OR

2. Proclaims what is false

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Good Fruit and Bad Fruit

Matthew 7:17-20 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.

What do good fruits look like?

What do bad fruits look like?

Banana fruit story

ἀγαθός - agathos

essential goodness of God; functioning the way it should

καλός - kalos

fine characteristics; useful

σαπρός - sapros

decaying, rotten

πονηρός - poneros

useless, with serious faults so result is worthless

Matthew 7:17-20 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits. (NRSV)

In the same way, every tree that is the essential goodness of God bears fine, useful fruit, but the decaying, rotten tree bears useless, worthless fruit.

A tree that is the essential goodness of God cannot bear useless, worthless fruit, nor can a decaying, rotten tree bear fine, useful fruit.

Nicola McDermott

So What?

We are not just called to be able to identify good and bad trees and good and bad fruit.

We are called to be a good tree with good fruit.

“Fruits are good only if they grow and ripen on this basis of divine repentance...” Lohmeyer

These images do not merely present us with good and bad trees and fruits. They are a summons to man to participate in the kingdom of God by μετάνοια (repentance/conversion), and thus to be a good tree with good fruit. TDNT

How do you feel about being called to be a good tree with good fruit?

How to Be a Good Tree

Have a strong root system.

Feed on the right nutrients.

Grow up towards the sun.

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.”

Get connected to Jesus .

Stay connected to Jesus.

Invite him to do his holy work in you.

Which one of the steps of “How to be a Good Tree” do you need to focus on?

Lemonade tree

Matthew 7:20 By their fruits you will know them. (NKJV)