Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 10 January 2021

Texts: Matthew 7:15-20; Luke 6:43-49

Subject: “By their fruits you will know them” Matthew 7:20

INTRODUCTION

1. The imagery of “fruit”

a) This was employed by John the Baptiser (Matthew 3; Luke 3)

b) This was also employed by the Lord Jesus (Matthew 7; Luke 6)

2. The significance of this imagery

a) Fruit involves a process

i) Sowing

ii) Tending

b) Fruit is a product

i) Growth

ii) Harvest

THE TEACHINGS OF THE LORD JESUS

1. Summarized by Matthew

a) Matthew 5-7

b) The core teachings of the Lord Jesus

c) Features

i) The Core of what the Lord taught (Matthew 5)

ii) Correction of wrong teachings (Matthew 6)

iii) Cultivation of faith and life (Matthew 7)

2. The problem of false teachers/ false prophets

a) They are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15)

b) They come in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15)

c) They will always come in disguise

3. How may we know them?

a) By their fruits (Matthew 7:16a)

b) Fruits- unmistakable evidence (Matthew 7:16b)

i) Grapes are not found on thornbushes

ii) Figs do not come from thistles

4. Every good tree (Matthew 7:17a)

a) It will bear good fruit

b) This is natural 

5. Every bad tree (Matthew 7:17b)

a) It will bear bad fruit

b) This too is natural

6. A good tree

a) It cannot bear bad fruit (Matthew 7:18a)

b) To be carefully noted

7. A bad tree (Matthew 7:18b)

a) It cannot bear good fruit

b) This is to be carefully noted too

8. Consequently

a) Every tree that does not bear good fruit

b) It is cut down

c) It is thrown in the fire

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

FALSE TEACHINGS CONFRONTED BY THE APOSTLES

1. The Apostle Peter

a) False teachers noted (2 Peter 2:1)

b) Destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1)

c) They deny the Lord (2 Peter 2:1)

d) Many will heed them (2 Peter 2:2)

2. The Apostle Paul

a) Perilous times (2 Timothy 3:1)

b) Wrong lifestyles (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

c) They will be made manifest (2 Timothy 3:9)

3. The Apostle John

a) The spirit of the Antichrist (1 John 4:3)

b) A worldly spirit (1 John 4:5)

c) A spirit of hate (1 John 4:20)

PRACTICAL THINGS WE MUST CONSIDER

1. Hearing the sayings of the Lord (Matthew 7:24)

2. Doing what the Lord has taught

3. Likened to a wise man building a house upon a rock

4. Building on a strong foundation (Luke 6:48)

a) Digging

b) Deeply

WORDS OF WARNING TO BE HEEDED

1. Building on sand

2. Not a strong foundation

3. Great ruin (Luke 6:49; Matthew 7:27)