JesusPeople it’s about…

Life in the Kingdom A Kingdom of the Unlikely A Kingdom of aligned hearts not just actions A Kingdom of purity in devotion A Kingdom of life lived unto eternity

THE DISCERNING LIFE life outside the box

Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT) Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT) ““Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.

Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT)Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT) You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT)Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT) A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.

Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT)Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT) So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit,

Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT)Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT) so you can identify people by their actions.

Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT)Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT) “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.

Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT)Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT) 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.’

Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT)Matthew 7:15-23, (NLT) But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”

IT MATTERS WHO YOU LISTEN TO the discerning life

Because few will find the narrow gate or walk the difficult road that leads to life, it is imperative that we discern what is true from what is false.

Matthew 7:13 (NIV84) “Enter through the narrow gate.”

Two Key Questions This Week that we need to ask ourselves: “Is Our Leadership Genuine?” “Is Our Confession Authentic?”

IS OUR LEADERSHIP GENUINE? the discerning life

False Prophets PseudoprophetesPseudoprophetes Pseudo = lie, deceivePseudo = lie, deceive One who lies or deceives in spiritual leadership by claiming to speak for God, but not speaking truthfully about God.One who lies or deceives in spiritual leadership by claiming to speak for God, but not speaking truthfully about God.

Their Presence Is Assumed “Beware of false prophets,” (v. 15)

Their Identity Is Disguised “…who come disguised as harmless sheep…” (v. 15)

Where the narrow gate is not preached and the difficult way is not walked, there is likely a wolf in the herd.

Their Intentions Are Destructive “…but [they] are really ferocious wolves,” (v. 15).

Work of Wolves DeceiveDeceive DivideDivide SelfishSelfish Consum eConsum e DestroyDestroy

They Are Known by Their Fruits “Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” (Matthew 7:20, NLT)

IS OUR CONFESSION AUTHENTIC? the discerning life

Confession Alone Is not Enough “ Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven,” (v. 21) “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven,” (v. 21)

What Did Paul Mean? “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

What Did Paul Mean? For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” (Romans 10:9–10, NLT)

Confession Is Just the Start “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

Obedience Confirms Our Confession “Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” (v. 21)

Our Obedience Demonstrates Our Calling “So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.” (2 Peter 1:10, NLT)

“No man enters the kingdom of heaven because of his obedience, but it is equally true that no man enters who is not obedient,” (D.A. Carson).

Effectiveness in Ministry Is not a Confirmation of Our Confession “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.’” (Matthew 7:22, NLT)

Effectiveness in Ministry Is not a Confirmation of Our Confession “But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” (Matthew 7:23, NLT)