Enter ye in by the narrow gate: (Matt.7:13-23)
A. Enter ye in by the narrow gate:
for wide is the gate, broad is the way, that leads to destruction,and many are they that enter in thereby. Matt.7:13
For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leads unto life,and few are they that find it. Matt.7:14
B. Beware of false prophets: Matt.7:15
False prophets come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
C. How you may recognize them? Matt.7:16
By their fruits you shall know them! Matt.7:16
This is the principle à
A good tree can’t bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit! 7:18
Yes, by their fruits you shall know them!
What do “fruits” mean?
Many and that include myself used to believe “fruits” mean good behavior, do good things in their life time
on earth!
Yes, that may be truth! But we must also think in this case it means the result of their preaching,
the end product of their preaching!
The end produce of their preaching is definitely fruits!
Such as 2000 years ago, Paul, Peter, Philip, Apollos they were all gospel preachers!
The end result of their preaching according to Romans 16:16 were churches of Christ!
In history we know for the first 500 years, all the churches were churches of Christ!
That were the result of their preaching of the gospel of Christ!
Those were their fruits! It is by these fruits you will know!
By the grace of God, as I said all along à Anyone who comes to preach, ask them to write down the name of the
church which they belong to or associate with!
Then ask this simple questionà Is this name of this church written in the Bible!?
Remember, we demand all who are being asked to give a yes or no answer!
We must advise them with all the kindness we can muster, because we concern and love them!
For when they begin to explain, they had said more than yes or no!
And Jesus said in Matt. 5:37, that is from the evil one!
This is simple, easy and most effective!
This is the fruits that we are looking for and this is the Lord’s way to know them!
Thank God and by the grace of God, now that God has reveal it to us, we must utilized it to do his job!
Please remember the word “fruits” here means the end produce of anyone’s preaching!
When Paul, Peter, Philip or Apollos went to a place to preach the gospel of Christ,
their end result is establishing churches of Christ!
Praise the Lord and be grateful to God, no more confusion! No one can argue!
Don’t said a word just produce your end product!
We will know you whether you are from God, a true prophet or a false prophet!
Yes, by their fruits you shall know them! (Matt.7:20)
D. Thank God I found their sheep clothing! (Matt.7:21-23)
1. In today’s (2008) saying, it is “we teach according to what is recorded in the Bible”!
Yes, this is these ferocious, ravening wolves’ sheep clothing!
2. Jesus said: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not preach by thy name,
and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? Matt.7:22
What a beautiful by thy name…!
And they said it in front of the Lord Jesus Christ!
3. No one can fool Jesus! (Matt.7:23)
Jesus said: And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, you that work iniquity! (Matt.7:23)
4. Please do not associate with them! (2 Jn.1:9-11)
For 2 John 1:9-11 says, whosoever go onward and abide not in the teaching of Christ has not God :
he that abide in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son.
If anyone comes unto you, and bring not this teaching, receive him not into house, and give him no greeting:
for he that gives him greeting partake in his evil works!
This is a world big problem!
These ravening wolves are roaming freely all over the world in sheep clothing and taking captives of so many
and no one care to identify them!
The world think that these people are doing good things!
But in the eyes of God their works are evil works!
E. Conclusion: Matt.7:24-27
Jesus said: Everyone therefore that hear these words of mine, and does them, shall be likened unto a wise man,
who built his house upon the rock…
They will never be fooled and their happiness and salvation is secured!
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
By the grace of God, I am still preaching what is recorded in the Bible please imitate the Berean Christians,
study the Bible everyday and verify what I preach or write! September 22, 2008.
(This is the first draft, Lord willing, I may refine this later!) P.S. Beware of this also!
When the name of the church is church of Christ we must also verify the content of that church!
Just like a bucket of apples may contain a few rotten ones!
Rotten apple is bad for your health also!