A Prophet by His Fruit - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

A Prophet by His Fruit 憑果子看先知

Mat 7:15-20

Sermon on the Mount SeriesSlide2

INTRODUCTION

Sermon

on the Mount drawing to an end.

Jesus’

Prompting

and

warning

Message today

is important and relevantSlide3

Mat 7:15-20

Beware

of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

You shall know them by their fruits.

Do

men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?

Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruits, nor can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Therefore

by their fruits you shall know them.Slide4

Jesus’ message

Jewish

leadership is corrupt

To be aware of false prophets

False prophets may be identified by their fruits

God will judge and punish false prophetsSlide5

What is a prophet?

The

role of a prophet

A

leader

A messenger

of God

For

the benefit of God’s people

Prophets in Jesus time

Prophet is a preacher

1Co 14:3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for building up, and exhortation, and

comfortSlide6

Marks of a False prophet

Deceptions

Hypocrisy

Preying

on the flock

To take advantage of the flock for his own benefit

Does not love

and hurts the

flock

Lead

them to unrighteousness and

deathSlide7

The Analogy of the Fruit of

a

Tree

Fruit

is the definitive indicator of

the nature and the quality of the tree

The quality

and quantity of

the fruits

The

longevity of

fruitfulness

Takes time to

seeSlide8

Times needed for Trees to Fruit

Apple Trees

2-5 years

Apricot Trees

2-5 years

Banana Plants

2-3 years

Cherry Trees (sour)

3-5 years

Cherry Trees (sweet)

4-7 years

Citrus Trees

1-2 years

Fig Trees

1-2 years

Mulberry Trees

2-3 years

Nectarine Trees

2-4 years

Olive Trees

2-3 years

Pawpaw Trees

5-7 years

Peach Trees

2-4 years

Pear Trees

4-6 years

Persimmon Trees

3-4 years

Plum Trees

3-6 yearsSlide9

Mature Fig TreesSlide10

My Fig TreeSlide11

What Are the

Fruits

of

Prophets? (1)

What they do, their work: their faithfulness

Their

personal conduct and ethical behavior

The product of their labor

: faithful churchSlide12

What Are the Fruits of Prophets? (2)

Jesus was a

prophet

And

after two days He departed from there and went into Galilee. (44) For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own native-place.

(Joh

4:43-44

)

We

are His

fruits

In

this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, so you shall be My disciples.

(Joh 15:8)Slide13

Consequences

False

prophet will be judged and punished

We are fruit

,

if

we are

corrupt or unrighteous,

If we follow the

false prophet,

we

are as well

like a tree

,

shall

also be judged accordinglySlide14

Therefore, Beware!

To

be alert

To be discerning

To

observe

for fruit over time

To self-examine as a church and as an

individualSlide15

Application

Who Are the False Prophets Today?

Those

who

are not

faithful to

the gospel

Those who

seek

the

world / current society

Those who appease the congregation

.

Some Questions you should ask your prophetSlide16

CONCLUSION

Jesus

warns us of false teachers (prophets) who will hurt us

We need to beware

We need to identify false teachers by what they do and over time.