Textual Sermon: Separate The False From The True (Matt. 7:13-29)

SEPARATE THE FALSE FROM THE TRUE
Matthew 7:13-29

Intro.
1. Lk. 12:54-57 - Lord expects us to judge what is right (cf. 1 Ths. 5:21).
2. And he expects us to use "righteous judgment" by seeking the will of the Father in all things - Jno. 7:24 (cf. 5:30).
3. Matt. 7:13-27 - Jesus teaches kingdom citizens to:
    · Enter the narrow gate (7:13-14)
    · Beware of false prophets (7:15-20)
    · Do the will of the Father to enter the kingdom of heaven (7:21-23)
    · Hear & obey the teachings of Jesus (7:24-27)
4. Matt. 7:28-29 - The authority of Jesus compels us to be sure we separate the false from the true! (Jno. 17:17; Prov. 23:23)

I. ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT WAY? - 7:13-14 (Lk. 13:23-24)
A. The Broad Way.
    1. Seems right - Prov. 14:12 (28:26). {It is "inclusive," "accepting," "non-judgmental," "I'm okay, you're okay," etc.}
    2. Is the way of Cain (faithless) - Jude 1:11.
    3. Is destructive - 2 Pet. 2:1-2.
      -[cf. Creeds / "New" Revelation / Human Wisdom / Feelings] -
B. The Narrow Way. (Compressed, troubled) - The way of Christianity:
    1. Not in man - Jer. 10:23 (cf. Isa. 55:8-11) - Divine source.
    2. "The Way" - Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 24:14:
      -Of truth (2 Pet. 2:2), of righteousness (Matt. 21:32; 2 Pet. 2:21), straight ways of the Lord (Acts 13:10), of salvation, (Acts 16:17), of the Lord & of God, (Acts 18:25, 26), (new & living way, (Heb. 10:20), right way (2 Pet. 2:15).
C. The Old Paths ("the good way")- Jer. 6:16-17.
    1. Path of divine truth - Psa.119:104-105; 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
    2. Applications:
      a. Not the way of human creeds - cf. Matt. 15:7-9.
      b. Not the way of denominationalism - Matt. 16:18 (Eph. 4:4; 1:22).
      c. Not the way of ecumenism (UID) - Gal. 1:8-9 (Jude 3).
      d. Not the way of modernism (reinterpret creation record, Gen.1:31-2:2).
-We must separate the true way from the false way & walk in it!

II. BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS! - 7:15-20.
A. A Warning - 7:15; cf. Jer. 23:16, 21-22.
    1. The warning is still needed - 2 Pet. 2:1 (Eph. 5:6; 2 Cor. 11:13-15).
    2. Need protection against deception, sin & death - cf. Acts 20:28-32.
B. A Test: What Is The Fruit Of Their Teaching? - 7:16-20; cf. 1 Jno. 4:1.
    1. Does their word come to pass? - cf. Mk. 9:1.
    2. The standard of measurement: Inspired word of God - 1 Jno. 4:6; 2 Jno. 9; Gal. 1:6-9.
C. Apply The Test To Separate False Teachers From Teachers Of Truth:
    1. "Saved by faith alone" (before & w/o water baptism) - Raise your hand, statement of faith, pray - (H-B-R-C-B … F) - Jas. 2:24.
    2. "Baptism is not necessary to be saved" - (Periodic baptism services, Acts 16:33; 8:36-37 (Mk. 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).
    3. "God accepts all worship as long as it is sincere (instru. music) - Jno. 4:24 (Eph. 5:19).
    4. "God hates fags" (Rev. Fred Phelps). - Jno. 3:16.
    5. Divorce for every cause - Matt. 19:3-6, 9.
-We must separate the true teachers from false teachers so our souls will not be devoured by error and sin! - 2 Tim. 4:1-5

III. BE CAREFUL TO DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER - 7:21-23.
A. The Father's Revealed Will Contains Every Good Work For Our Lives - Eph. 2:10; Heb. 13:20-21; 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
B. False Works ("did we not…"):
    1. "We have good intentions" - Acts 26:9-11.
    2. "Look at the good we're doing" (end justifies means) - cf. Rom. 3:8.
    3. "At least we're doing something!" (no comfort if it is wrong!)
    4. Examples:
      a. The social gospel appeal being used among churches.
      b. Bait & switch in evangelism (lang. schools, medical missions, etc.).
      c. Entertainment instead of worship (casual, exciting, etc.).
    5. Jesus: "I never knew you…depart…lawlessness!"
-We must separate true works from false works in order to bear the fruit that pleases God! (Heb. 13:21)

IV. WILL YOUR HOUSE STAND? - 7:24-27.
A. Wise & True Foundation: Hearing & Obeying Jesus - 7:24-25 (Lk. 6:46; Rom. 10:11). Faith: hear, believe & obey!
B. False, Foolish, Faithless & Faulty Foundation: Hearing But Not Obeying Jesus.
1. Mk. 4:14-19: Hard, closed heart…shallow, emotional mind… external hindrances….internal temptations…
2. Jno. 6:68 - No one else to go to for words of eternal life!
-We must separate the true foundation of faith from the false foundations of faithlessness!

Conclusion
1. By Jesus' authority we can separate the false from the true! - 7:28-29
2. Jesus is the:
    · True way - Jno. 14:6
    · True Prophet - Acts 3:22-23
    · Example of true works - Jno. 13:15-17
    · True foundation - 1 Cor. 3:11