Worship Guide

Beware of Wolves!
Matthew 7:15-23
Pastor Jason Carlson

Matthew 7:15-23

Jesus gives 4 warnings about false teachers:

1. Their character (v. 15)

Matthew 24:3-14
Acts 20:28-31
2 Timothy 3:14-16

“The picture we need to have in our minds, therefore, should rather be this.  The false prophet is a man who comes to us, and who at first has the appearance of being everything that could be desired.  He is nice and pleasing and pleasant; he appears to be thoroughly Christian, and seems to say the right things.  His teaching in general is quite all right and he uses many terms that should be used and employed by a true Christian teacher.  He talks about God, he seems to be saying everything that a Christian should say.  He is obviously in sheep’s clothing, and his way of living seems to correspond.  So, you do not suspect that there is anything wrong at all; there is nothing that at once attracts your attention or arouses your suspicions, nothing glaringly wrong.” – Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Jeremiah 6:14
2 Corinthians 11:13-15

2. Their creed (v. 16-20)

How to recognize the wolves:

1) Do they affirm the triune nature of God?
2) Do they affirm Jesus as fully God and fully man?
3) Do they preach God’s holiness, justice, and judgement?
4) Do they preach humanity’s fallen sinful nature?
5) Do they deny the substitutionary atonement of Christ?
6) Do they teach a Jesus + way of salvation?
7) Do they weaken the demands of God’s moral law?
8) Do they avoid or erase the doctrine of Hell?
9) Do they deny God’s creation mandate for human sexuality?
10) Do they elevate subjective experience to the level of Scripture?

3. Their conduct (v. 16-20)

Luke 6:43-45

“A wolf can wear sheep’s clothing, but it cannot grow a sheep’s coat.  It is possible to put grapes on thorns, and figs on thistles, but they cannot grow there.  It is possible to subscribe to the qualities of the Beatitudes, and yet never truly own them from within.  But appearances can only be kept up for so long.  Time will reveal the nature of the fruit.  Sooner or later we will know where a man stands.” – Kent Hughes

4. Their condemnation (v. 21-23)

Application for sheep:

1. Am I on guard?
2. Am I following Jesus?

Matthew 9:9
Matthew 5:2-4
Psalm 139:23-24
Isaiah 55:7
1 John 1:9
2 Corinthians 5:17
Galatians 5:25
Matthew 7:7-11
Philippians 1:6

Sermon Discussion Questions

Questions for reflection:

1. How can followers of Jesus discern true teaching from false teaching?
2. What are the marks of genuine Christianity?

Questions for discussion:

1. What are some of today’s most popular false teachings? In what ways are they at odds with God’s truth?
2. Do you have any experience with wolves in sheep’s clothing? If so, how did you recognize them?
3. What is the basis of Jesus’ judgement in v. 21-23? What should our response be to this individually? As a church?

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