A couple of weeks ago we read the passage at the beginning of Matthew 7 where Jesus taught « Judge not that you be not judged ». We live in a « Judge Not » culture which takes Jesus words to mean « Don’t Judge AT ALL ». But Jesus wasn’t excusing sin nor telling people to never speak up against sin. Every man needs someone to hold them accountable before God. That’s what the True Prophet of God does.
Jesus was taking aim at self-righteous hypocrites who were accusing others but guilty of the same sins themselves. Jesus said the same measure we use to judge others will be the same measure used on us. He was basically asking « are you qualified to judge ? »
We learned from 1 Corinthians 6 that Christians will judge the world and even angels in the world to come. We need to learn to be good judges now. Judging well is a good thing and needed for justice. Remember, people want justice ! As we continue reading Matthew 7, we see that Jesus went on to instruct on how to discern a false prophet, thereby teaching on how to have good judgement concerning them.
This is the age of diversity and inclusion. Everyone is included except of course those narrow minded fundamentalist Christians. Jesus loves everybody and would never turn anyone away, would he? Narrow minded, bigoted, far right extremist, these are some of the dirtiest labels you can be given in this day and age.
Narrow minded. Narrow. Where have we heard that word before?
Well only last week in fact ! This message is so important, I thought we needed to repeat it this week.
Matthew 7:13-23
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a 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. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. “Not everyone who says to Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
This passage of scripture contains some of the most frightening warnings Jesus ever spoke. We don’t want to skip by this passage without really dwelling on what it means for you and me today. Finding the narrow gate and entering through it is the most important thing we can achieve in life. All our other choices and achievements are insignificant in comparison.
Note that the first part of the passage is very similar to
John 10:7-10
Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
In the famous book Pilgrims Progress there is a tragic character called Ignorance. Unlike the main character Christian (who we see in this illustration entering through the Wicket-Gate), Ignorance has bypassed the Wicket-gate meaning he has no scroll with which to gain entrance to the Celestial City. He doesn’t have a passport !
The Wicket-Gate represents Christ who is the only door to salvation.
Ignorance goes through life going his own way hoping for the best. He believes a good life is enough to enter heaven and tells Christian that his path to the Celestial City is unnecessarily long and difficult.
Ignorance manages to cross the river to the Celestial City on a ferry called Vain-hope, but, at the city gates, is without a certificate. Because of this, he is bound by angels and shipped off to Hell.
Ignorance did not go in through the Narrow Gate, he never knew Jesus or rather Jesus never knew him and everything after that he did was lawlessness. He hears the awful words ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
There is no other way to Heaven, you must go through the Narrow Gate.
Likewise, there are only 2 religions in the World. Mystery Religion and Biblical Christianity. All the other religions are works or mystically based, only Biblical Christianity relies 100% on faith in Christ alone. Other religions have elements of truth, but not the whole truth which is found only in Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can give you eternal life. Other religions cannot.
Universalism and New Age religion are inclusive of everyone. It is the broad way to claim all roads lead to Heaven. This religion preaches « Judge Not » and rejects One Way, One Truth, One Life. Other religions attract characters like Ignorance from Pilgrim’s Progress who try to get into Heaven another way other than Jesus. Islam has rejected Jesus and depends on you being a good Muslim. Hinduism has reincarnation which brings you back as a higher or lower life form depending on your goodness. Buddhism teaches you become one with the Universe after suffering. Cult religions like Mormonism are more deceptive in that they preach another Jesus. Mormons claim to be Christians but believe that Jesus is a created being and a brother of Lucifer. They believe that God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are one in will and purpose but are not literally the same being or substance, as conceptions of the Holy Trinity commonly imply. Mormons do not embrace the Apostle’s Creed that we have taught you. Likewise Jehovah Witnesses claim to be Christians but do not believe Jesus is Almighty God nor do they believe in the Trinity. Catholicism is full of blasphemous and heretical teaching but also claims to be Christian.
So even for those who are not just out for a good time but who are genuinely searching, it is hard to find the right way amongst all the religions of the world. This is why Jesus was right when he said;
…narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:14
How do you spot these false prophets? Many people have difficulty and are being deceived. Only the Holy Spirit can lead you in to all truth. Jesus said to judge a tree by it’s fruit. So an analogy could be how to spot a poisonous tree in the wild.
Step 1: Inspect the plant and take a good look at the fruit, leaves and roots of the plant and compare them to a book on taxonomy.
Step 2: Check the colour of the berry. Blue and blackberries are usually safe to eat but be wary of berries that are red, white and yellow especially if they grow in clusters.
Step 3: Watch out for certain features (milky sap, spines, hairy stems, and bitter stems)
Step 4: Check by taking a pinch of the fruit and rubbing it on your skin and wait 5 mins for irritation or chew without swallowing in case of bitterness which is often poisonous.
Step 5: After 15 mins and no reaction, eat a small quantity
Step 6: Observe the symptoms
If you reach step 6 then you’ve used all the 5 senses that God has given you – look, listen, smell, touch, taste and it should be good to eat. If there’s still a doubt, leave it out.
Jesus described the false prophets as ravenous wolves. They are hungry and on the lookout for an easy meal for themselves. Underneath the sheepskin they are hungry for your money, their fame, their power. Many of them seek after one or all of the 3 G’s - Gold, Girls and Glory. So Jesus warns beware, they take advantage of the naïve and the foolish. They take your money and ultimately your soul.
1. Look
Just like you need to examine a plant’s roots, leaves and fruit growth and check against a textbook before proceeding to the next step, examine the doctrine of the Church/Preacher to see if it matches the Bible doctrine that you’ve been taught. « Doctrine Matters » as one of my favourite preachers always says. That is why we teach sound doctrine at PCC !
Hebrews 13:7-9
Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
Sound doctrine is static. It doesn’t change. What Jesus taught you through your Pastor when you were young is as true today as it was back then. Jesus doesn’t change. Don’t be taken in by Preachers who say « God is doing something new » if it’s not in the Bible, seems strange or contradicts sound doctrine your former Pastor taught you.
2. Listen
If the Church/Pastor passed the static test of sound doctrine, you’re going to need to spend time listening to them to find out more. Don’t spend hours and hours! One message should be enough, maybe two. If it takes more than two messages for him to give a correction/warning, that’s a red flag. Sound teaching should always be a mixture of both correction/warning and encouragement. The Bible instructs the Pastor or Elder;
2 Timothy 4:2-4
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
Listen to what they say. You can spot a false teacher because they reject the Bible as the whole truth. They pick the parts that support their bias. They teach only the nice bits. The wide road extends in to the realm where other false teachers reside. Think of the media, the music world etc. where newsreaders, actors and musicians are constantly pushing a message, most often one that is counter to what the Bible teaches. The narrow path means that very little from the World is of any spiritual value, very little glorifies God or honours Jesus.
Even in the schools and universities, a message totally counter to the Bible is being taught today. This never used to be the case. Science has become hostile thanks to such false teachers as Charles Darwin but even subjects like Maths are now bringing social justice and critical race theory which is counter gospel. It’s also hypocritical because the woke crowd says « Judge Not » concerning itself but always point their fingers at others, ignoring the log in their own eyes.
3. Smell
A lion can sniff his dinner a long way off and in the same way, a false prophet can smell an easy target a long way off. Because they have accumulated money from their prey, the assets and lifestyle of the false teacher are often extravagant. True disciples are like Abraham or Moses or Peter, looking for the Kingdom of Christ not of this World.
Hebrews 11:13-16
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Our cat will walk away if his dinner smells bad. Something smells a little off if the preacher is living like a king. Even the Non-Believer is wary of the wealthy evangelist who keeps on appealing for money every time you go and hear them. God and Money don’t look right together. They tell you you can have your best life now but that is not the message of Hebrews 11. If they pass this test, go to the next step.
4. Touch
Jesus said in Luke 6:26
Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.
False teachers are popular with the crowds because they make you feel good. Is it just warm fuzzies you’re getting from them? Faith based only on feelings is dangerous leading to mood swings. Popularity is a warning flag. False prophets bring a popular message accompanied by popular music. It is called Pop Music for a reason and my generation has had a lot of trouble disconnecting from it and I’m preaching to myself here. Did you know that Andy Stanley, son of Charles Stanley recently allowed musicians to play Led Zeppelin’s « Stairway to Heaven » in his Church Service?
Greg Laurie who I like, was involved in the making of the movie « The Jesus Revolution » and is a character in the movie, recently wrote in his book Lennon, Dylan, Alice, and Jesus: The Spiritual Biography of Rock and Roll
«It’s time I admitted it… to quote the great theologian Joan Jett, I Love Rock ‘n Roll.».
We should instead be suspicious of almost all the best selling artists and musicians. Preachers especially shouldn’t be using Rock to attract people to the Gospel because the two cannot mix. Many famous musicians stopped hiding their allegiance long ago.
Rock has always been the devil’s music. You can’t convince me that it isn’t.... I believe that rock & roll is dangerous... I feel that we're only heralding something even darker than ourselves.
David Bowie
David Bowie didn’t admit he followed the Satanist Alastair Crowley when he was an unknown artist. These artists hide their true allegiance in the beginning as it might halt their career. But something is wrong with us when we buy the music of such artists as David Bowie and John Lennon and help them grow wealthy when they openly sing against God. It looks and sounds good and we fall for the same old trick as Eve in the Garden of Eden. The Devil doesn’t always come with horns, bearing his teeth so that we’re scared of him.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
The false prophet has a smiley face, he looks cool. He dresses sharply, has a great haircut, he’s a smooth operator. He only tells you or sings you what you like to listen to. He never tells you to repent, he never warns you about Hell. In fact the musician boasts he’s on a Highway to Hell, tells you that’s where the party is. He’s only lying about the party. Hell is horrific, Jesus said there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. People there will be sobbing knowing they can never get out. People there will be grinding their teeth, in rage, shaking their fist at God. You do not want to go there. Only Jesus can save you from Hell.
False prophets preach a comfortable, easy message. The popularity of the songs and their messages should sound a warning bell to us to exercise caution. Jesus said we will know the false prophets by their fruit. There are very few musicians and actors living godly lives so why do we listen to the messages of Hollywood and the Music industry? We do so because it’s easy listening but it is from the wide road Jesus warned is the Road to Destruction, popular with the crowds.
5. Taste
The final test is the taste test, this is the best one. The Bible says in Psalm 34:8
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
A good tree produces good fruit that tastes good. A tasty dinner smells good but can still be ruined if it it’s served up cold. Eat while hot, tuck in !
In summarising this passage on the Narrow Gate and False Prophets, note that Jerusalem has several gates, some are wide for cars to go through. Others have steep, narrow steps so that only pedestrians, animals and small handcarts can go through. One way in is easy, the other is difficult, requires effort, and intention.
But Jesus said only the narrow gate leads to life. The easy wide way leads to destruction. This is very challenging for us to hear and is very different to the modern gospel we hear preached. The modern gospel gives warm fuzzies telling us about God’s love but downplays the difficulties that Jesus talked about.
The true gospel is not popular because it involves self sacrifice and submitting to God’s way rather than the more comfortable way that we naturally prefer.
This is at first hard to get used to because the opposite of what we feel like doing is often the narrow path that Jesus is telling us to follow. But the final destination is the Celestial City and the Wedding Banquet promised when we will surely « Taste and see that the Lord is Good »
The End
PS. I’ve added this video into this post only because it pokes fun at those that say that the disciples were only int it for the money and fame.
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