Matt. 7:15-27

[vpbrett]

Matt. 7:15-27



I've been looking at these verses for a while now
I think they hang together as one unified passage.
I outline it like this.

Matt. 7:15 "Beware of the false prophets..."
The warning. This is the heading and subject of this message.
16-20 "By their fruit shall you know them..."
How to recognize false prophets. This part should be obvious.
21-23 "Not everyone who calls me Lord, Lord..."
The judgement of false prophets, those who acted in Jesus' name, but were never and in no way His followers. This judgement is reserved for people like Elmer Gantry and all those other non-believers seeking wealth and fame through the misuse of the Gospel.
24-25 The way to resist the teachings of the false prophets.
Found your beliefs upon the Rock.
26-27 The way to be sure to be deceived by false prophets.
Found your beliefs on nothing.

This is my own take on this passage.
It really gives me peace about verses 21-23.
I'd like to hear from others, just to make sure I've not gone off my nut.
Thanks and peace.
Victor

 

[JFrench]

Yeah - that looks like a pretty good way to outline it. It does seem like a unified message about false prophets.

 

[Dispy]

Matt. 7:15-27

I've been looking at these verses for a while now
I think they hang together as one unified passage.
I outline it like this.

Matt. 7:15 The warning against false prophets
16-20 How to recognize them.
21-23 Their just and final destiny.
24-25 The way to resist them. (Found your beliefs upon the Rock)
26-27 The way to be deceived by them.

This is my own take on this passage.
It really gives me peace about verses 21-23.
I'd like to hear from others, just to make sure I've not gone off my nut.
Thanks and peace.
Victor

What you have outlined it the last portion of "The Sermon on the Mount" that started in chapter 5. For one to understand the full context of your outline, one must study it in its entire context.

Paul tells us in Romans 15:8 "Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision (Jews/Israel) to confirm the promises made to the fathers."

Jesus Himself said in Matthew 15:24 "I am not come but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

When Jesus began His ministry and appointed 12 disciples, He commanded them "Go not into the way of the Gentiles...But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt.10:5-7).

So, What did Jesus and the 12 preach? The gospel of the kingdom/the kingdom at hand (about to be established).

While Jesus was preaching to those of Isreal, He was telling them about how things would be in His kingdom that was to be here upon the earth.

In verses chapter 5:17-30 He tells his Jewish listeners how things will be in that kingdom. Whoever breaks the littlest thing of the Law will be considered the least in that kingdom.

In chapter 6:9-13 He teaches them what to pray for. In vs 10 they are to pray "Thy kingdom come."

In 6:19-24 He tells them that in His kingdom they are not to put away things for the future, and goes on in 25-35, He is telling them that all their need will be taken care of, and worry about nothing.

In chapter 7, Jesus is still speaking about those things in His kingdom. So when we get to vss 24-29, we know that in His kingdom; all those that do the things mentioned in the entire sermon, have built their house upon a rock, and those that don't do those things have built their house upon the sand.

As I read the entire sermon, I realize that I cannot possibly do the requirements of that sermon. 7:24 says "Therefore whosoever heareth these saying of mine,AND DOETH THEM (not try your best)..." So, if you are trying to live that sermon today, How are you doing, and on what is you house built upon?

When Christ does return to earth and establish His kingdom, Jeremiah 28:31-34 will be fulfilled, and those in the kingdom will be able to live "The Sermon on the Mount."

The Body of Christ, Church for today in this dispensation of grace, is not found in the Gospels. The instructions in the gospels all pertained to the nation of Israel. Israel is the receipiant of the OT promises and the earthly kingdom. Members of "the Body of Christ" have a heavenly home to look forward to.

To understand the promises and blessings, and instructions in righteousness, that the members of the Body of Christ have, we must turn to the Pauline Epistles. We are not Israel or "spiritual" Israel.

Hope this has been helpful in some way.

God Bless.
Live Well, Laugh Often and Love the Lord!