Sermon On The Mount - Matthew 7: Beware!

Jesus begins these next few verses with the warning: "Beware!" Jesus doesn't want you to be paralyzed by fear, but a healthy dose of skepticism can go a long way. Our mission, Jesus's mission, to seek and save the lost and to announce the Good News that the Kingdom of Heaven is near, will take us to places we may not normally go or see people we wouldn't otherwise see. Along this journey, we encounter fellow believers as well. But, not all is as it seems. Jesus warns us that there are people that want to "sneak in", they will try to "fit in", and they will try to lead us down a path of destruction for their own benefit. This morning, we look at one example of a false prophet. This prophet (actually, a servant to the prophet), abused the trust he was given for personal gain and ultimately found himself trading places with the very one his master had healed. False prophets make themselves known to us by showing their true character: selfishness. This text challenges me, because Jesus says we will know the goodness or badness of a servant by the fruit they produce. Do I have faith inside me that works it way out through love and good deeds? Or do I have a faith that helps me play the part but doesn't actually lead me to sacrificial service?