Month: August 2010

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (Matthew 7:22)

To me, Matthew 7:22 is one of the most remarkable verses in scripture. We have learned in our study of Matthew 7:21-23 there is a solemn warning concerning self examination so that we are not self deceived thinking we know Christ when we actually do not. In preaching on this subject, I have made a general application of this passage to all Christians, which is certainly proper since the Bible clearly states that each believer should apply tests to his profession of faith to see if it is real. The apostle John teaches this in 1 John as he gives three tests that can be applied. There is a doctrinal test—what do you believe concerning the doctrines of the Bible; there is a moral test—do you respond in obedience to the commands of Christ; and finally a social test—what is your relationship to others as commanded by Christ; in other words, do you love your neighbor as yourself?

Although it is proper to apply Matthew 7:21-23 to every Christian, we must not forget these verses link directly to the preceding ones concerning false prophets. What makes verse 22 so remarkable is the lack of denial by Christ that these false prophets have actually cast out devils and done many amazing works. Here is where we find the devil in the details. Satan is able to transform himself into an angel of light and his ministers often appear to be preachers of truth (2 Cor. 11:13-15). Many people are deceived by false preachers because they falsely assume all spiritual activity within churches is Holy Spirit activity. This is terribly untrue. Much of what goes on in charismatic churches and others is not the work of the Holy Spirit. If you attend a church where the Bible gets little play, you can be sure the Holy Spirit is not there. God works through the Word, and where there is spiritual activity without it, the devil is at play not God.

It is further remarkable that God does at times use false prophets for His purposes. This seems like an incredible statement, but nonetheless it is true. It certainly does not make the false prophet personally acceptable to God, but we must never forget nothing takes place in God’s universe that He does not control. In the Old Testament, the prophet Balaam spoke truth, but according to the New Testament he loved “the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Pet. 2:15, Jude 11, Rev. 2:14). Caiaphas the wicked high priest charged Jesus with blasphemy (Matt. 26:65), but also spoke truly, albeit in ignorance of the import of his own words, when he said that Jesus would die for the nation of Israel as well as Gentiles throughout the world. This prophecy was not his own but was given by God (John 11:49-52).

Surely, no greater evidence can be given that prophecies and miraculous works are not the final indicators of true belief. Signs and wonders and gifts and healings are not the ways we find assurance of salvation. The devil can do spectacular things. Jesus gave us the means—we must do the will of the Father (v. 21). Purity of a regenerated heart which produces continued obedience to Christ is the foundation of assurance. Are you really a child of God? Good trees do not bear evil fruit! (Matt. 7:18)

Pastor V. Mark Smith

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21)

The past several months of studies in the Sermon on the Mount have been some of the most enlightening in my ministry at Berean. Perhaps you believe the preacher knows about as much as he can learn and what is left is for him to distill Biblical information and disseminate it to you. Every day I find out how much I don’t know, or if I did know it, how poorly I have practiced it. The Sermon on the Mount is sobering. I am reminded of Paul’s words in Philippians: “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus” (Phi. 3:12). Paul was a specially called apostle and an inspired writer of scripture. After teaching and preaching with near flawless precision, he still reminded himself and others that he had not yet reached all he wanted to be in Christ.

I wonder sometimes if there are Christians that have actually attained all they want to be in Christ. Is there any struggle in their lives to push upward for Him? In scripture, living for Christ is often described as a battle; it is warfare. Jesus said it is a road of self denial and of cross bearing. I don’t think we see much of this in churches. I am afraid there are many in our own congregation that are just holding their position, which all in all, is one not much worth defending. Satan is no real trouble to them because they have been chummily sitting around his campfire. Matthew 7:21 is a wake-up call. This is reveille for complacent self assured church members.

In the past few weeks, I have been working on sermons for Matthew 7:21-27. I have been shaken down to the foundation of my faith (Matt. 7:24). Jesus warned against false prophets that may deceive you, but I believe He reserved the most frightening words for those who are self-deceived. Is the preacher absolutely sure of his salvation? I found I could not be until I was willing to examine my motives, my desires, my beliefs—and just as importantly, the sin that I allow to lurk in my heart without enough anguish to do anything about it. It is easy to preach against the “big sins,” ones that most likely I would never commit. But what about the ones that hardly ever show outwardly and are only discernible by me?

This concerns me; and yet I have found that true concern over it is evidence the Holy Spirit is working within. I needed the wake-up call of Matt. 7:21. I think many of you do too. Sadly, some of you will not hear the ring. You claim to know Christ, but there is much evidence to prove otherwise. Profession is not enough. Saying “Lord, Lord,” is hypocritically blasphemous if you do not “do the will of the Father.” There are various ways to make the discovery if you have the sensibility to make the effort. I will give you just one today that in our modern world sounds the bells of the heart like a towering church spire. Perhaps God has blessed (?) us with a new tool of discovery. Start with this: take a look at your social life. What can others (maybe even me) learn about you on Facebook? It may just be another tool to expose false professors.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

This week we continue our study of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” I am acutely aware that most people are alarmingly unaware of the insidious danger lurking in the pulpits of America’s churches. The devil is such a deceitful mastermind that those who attempt to expose his preachers are the ones shunned and branded as the real threats to the gospel of Christ. Most people in Christian churches know so little about the Bible that they haven’t a clue as to what is truth and what is not. They have no way to discern the false from the true because the Bible is the only place this information is found.

The apostle Paul warned the Ephesian church what would happen if there weren’t strong leaders in the church sticking close to the word of God and using it skillfully. The result is people that are “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Eph. 4:14). The false preacher perpetuates himself by abandoning scripture and replacing it with personal anecdotes, inane object lessons, self-help psychology, and multitudes of worldly wisdom. He is perpetuated because the more people are kept in the dark the more darkness seems to be natural and right. And why wouldn’t it? Jesus said people love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19). Preaching that is not sin-exposing and spiritually enlightening is tailor-made to please the crowd and help the preacher keep his job. The people become as spiritually weak as the pastor and are as indifferent to the Word as he is. Preaching that constantly deals with self esteem and meeting every felt need never impresses people that worship is for the glory of God. Thus they go to church first for them and not for God.

The message preached by Jesus and the apostles was not tailored to be a crowd pleaser. Jesus was not an entertainer. He was not the emcee of “The Gospel Show.” He didn’t promise prizes for sowing “seed faith money.” He guaranteed that a life of commitment to Him would cause His followers to be “hated of all men” (Matt. 10:22). The apostles learned this lesson well because all of them were martyred for their faith. John was the only exception and he was exiled to a rocky barren island after being boiled in oil.

We do not seek to be offensive with our preaching; we don’t have to. The preaching of the cross is naturally offensive. It is made to move people out of their comfort zones not to help them settle in. Those that are convicted of their sins, repent, and turn to Christ, are no longer offended by the cross. They take up its reproach and bear it gladly for God’s glory (1 Pet. 4:13-14).

Pastor V. Mark Smith