the church in action. lesson 13 lesson text—matthew 7:15 matthew 7:15 beware of false prophets,...

The Church in Action

Lesson 13

Lesson Text—Matthew 7:15

Matthew 7:15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Lesson Text—Matthew 7:20-23

Matthew 7:20-2320 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.21 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.


22 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?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


Matthew 24:4-54 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Lesson Text—Matthew 24:11

Matthew 24:11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.


Matthew 24:23-2423 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.


Matthew 7:24-2624 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.


26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand.

Focus Verse—II Timothy 3:13

II Timothy 3:13But evil men and seducers shall

wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Focus Thought

Many persecutions and

deceptions will confront the

church, but God has prepared

the church to prevail.

I. Prepared in Apostolic Distinctiveness

IntroductionThe church is the body of Christ, a

body with many members (I Corinthians 12:27). Each member has a unique place and purpose within the body, and when functioning properly, each contributes to the welfare of the whole body. The Holy Spirit must prepare and condition each member in order for it to function properly for the benefit of the body. Further, it is necessary for every member to work with the Spirit, accepting and following His guidance and action within.


Preparation involves fitting a person with skills unique to his temperament, background, and personality; conditioning a person to make his actions suitable in advance of the need for the actions; and making a person ready to take the appropriate action at the precise time it is needed. Most believers accurately recognize the will of God for their lives because the Scriptures reveal His general and moral will. However, many individuals sometimes miss the timing and purpose of God for events in their lives.


Understanding proper timing of the will of God is as important as knowing what is His will.

The church is a unique creation with a unique mission. As the body of Christ, it exists to perform the will of Jesus Christ on earth, perpetuating the kingdom of heaven. The Lord has called believers to perpetual readiness to do His will, making new converts and preparing them to be servants of Jesus Christ.

I. Prepared in Apostolic DistinctivenessPrepared in Apostolic

DistinctivenessA prepared church is marked by

distinguishing apostolic traits, both in word and deed. Distinguishing apostolic characteristics began with the apostles and prophets on which Jesus built the New Testament church (Ephesians 2:20), but they continue with apostolic believers today. Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone of apostolic teaching and the gospel message, which distinguish His church from others.


Like the Shema to Israel (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), each generation has to pass down distinguishing apostolic traits if successive generations are to hold to them and propagate them. Paul instructed Timothy to commit (teach) to faithful men the things he had heard from Paul so they could in turn teach them to others (II Timothy 2:2). It is important that believers teach and preach doctrinal truths, but it is most important that they live out those truths daily.

I. Prepared in Apostolic DistinctivenessIt is vital that the church put into

the heads, hearts, and hands of the coming generations the distinct doctrines and practices of the apostles. Some of those vital doctrines are described below.

Transparency 2Vital Church Doctrines1. Monotheism

2. Gospel of salvation

3. Emphasis on Jesus’ name

4. Service

5. Sanctification


1. Monotheism—belief in only one God who Himself took on flesh through the Son of God, Jesus Christ (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Isaiah 12:2; Matthew 1:21-23).


2. Gospel of Salvation. The apostles preached the gospel that was given to them by Jesus Himself. Luke noted that the Acts of the Apostles was a continuation of what Jesus had begun to do and to teach in the days of His flesh (Acts 1:1). The apostle Paul succinctly spelled out the gospel according to the Scriptures as the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:1-8).


Moreover, the gospel involves the believer’s association with these dramatic elements of Jesus’ life as the believer experiences their practical application in his own life. He experiences the death of Jesus Christ through repentance of sins; in other words, he dies to the personal gratification and self-serving desires wrought in us by sin. Second, he experiences the burial of Christ through water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 22:16).

I. Prepared in Apostolic DistinctivenessThird, he experiences the

resurrection of Christ when he receives the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit gives the utterance (Acts 2:1-4; 38-42). (See also Isaiah 28:11-12; Acts 10:46; 19:6; I Corinthians 13:1.)


It is essential that one be filled with the Holy Spirit to be saved (Romans 8:9-11, 14). After experiencing the new birth, a believer continues to grow in Christ and manifest spiritual progress in his holy lifestyle, sanctification unto God, and life of Christian service. (See II Peter 1:5-9; 3:18.)


3. Emphasis on the Name of Jesus (Matthew 6:9; 18:20; Mark 16:17; John 2:23; 3:18; 20:31; Acts 2:38; 3:6; 4:10; 16:18; Ephesians 5:20). Sometimes we see writing that emphasizes the use of the term “Christ” with little or no mention of the name of Jesus. While Christ means the anointed one and Jesus is the Christ, it serves more as a descriptive title than a name. The New Testament emphasizes the importance of the name of Jesus (Matthew 1:21-23; Acts 4:10-12). Further, all that we do must be in the name of Jesus (Colossians 3:17).

I. Prepared in Apostolic Distinctiveness4. Serving One Another in Love

by the Spirit of God (John 13:35; Romans 5:5; 12:10; 13:8; Galatians 5:13; I Thessalonians 4:9; I John 4:11).

5. Sanctification from the World as a Holy and Peculiar Treasure to God (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 14:2; 26:18-19; I Peter 2:9).

II. Prepared in DisciplinePrepared in Discipline

Webster’s Dictionary gives several meanings for the word discipline. First, it means “to inflict suffering on or to penalize for the sake of discipline, regularity, order, or rule.” Second, the word means “to train by instruction or exercise . . . train (the mental faculties) in habits of order, sobriety, and precision.” Third, it means “to bring (a group) under control: govern strictly: train to habits of order.”

II. Prepared in DisciplineAll true discipline is for the

purpose of initiating and promoting self-discipline. Godly discipline arises from the genuine love and burden of one’s heart. When motivation comes from outside the heart, however, a person becomes guilty of merely trying to enact or enforce a code of rules apart from genuine love for God. When the laws of God are written in our hearts, however, we choose our course and plan our actions according to a higher moral law under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

II. Prepared in DisciplineSeveral religious exercises or disciplines help us to regulate our minds and bodies, which in turn help us to draw nearer to God and enhance our relationship with Him.

1. Prayer and Fasting. Fasting and prayer in solitude in the wilderness prepared Jesus to confront the devil and his temptations and to victoriously conquer him (Matthew 4:2-11). Jesus advocated prayer to God as indispensable to the believer and efficacious when done properly.

Matthew 6:7

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the

heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for

their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7).

Mark 11:24

“What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye

shall have them” (Mark 11:24).

Luke 11:2

“When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in

earth” (Luke 11:2).

Luke 11:2 Prayer prepared the apostles to

avoid the snare of temptations. Jesus stated, “Pray that ye enter not into temptation” (Luke 22:40).

Prayer with fasting prepares believers:

• to exercise faith for the miraculous. “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21).

Luke 11:2 • for intervention by God. Cornelius testified, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God” (Acts 10:30-31).

Luke 11:2 • to undertake missions. The church at Antioch appointed Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for a mission: “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:2-3).

Luke 11:2 • to make wise decisions. The apostles prayed before selecting church elders. “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed” (Acts 14:23).

Luke 11:2 2. Daily Bible Devotions. Jesus prayed, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11; Luke 11:3). Jesus equated the Word of God to bread: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). He also spoke the Word of God to the people daily in the Temple (Matthew 26:55; Mark 14:49; Luke 19:47).

Luke 11:2 3. Church Attendance. When members of the body of Christ assemble together, it provides a forum for mutual prayers, giving in offerings, hearing and presenting faith-lifting testimonies, and exercising good works. Attendance in church enables a believer to exercise spiritual gifts and benefit from their operation. Further, it provides an opportunity to benefit from the counsel and biblical instruction given by the pastoral leadership of the congregation.

Luke 11:2 Church attendance strengthens one’s resolve to stand firm on principles of truth, and it provides an opportunity for believers to exhort one another in the fellowship. We should not forsake the custom of assembling together (Hebrews 10:25).

Luke 11:2 4. Witnessing to Others. Jesus emphasized another distinguishing apostolic trait at the time of His ascension when He stated, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Witnessing is a vital trait of apostolic believers. Soon after Jesus’ ascension, the disciples began to demonstrate this characteristic. For example, Peter witnessed of Jesus in His message on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).

A. Deception Anticipated Prepared to Deal

with DeceptionA. Deception Anticipated

Many instances in the New Testament warn believers of counterfeit religion.

1. Jesus warned in the Sermon on the Mount that two classes of deceivers would emerge and persist (Matthew 5-7).

Luke 11:2 First, false prophets will appear to

be religious but are not. They dress to appear like true believers, but Jesus said they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15-16).

The actions and words of these false prophets do not coincide; they are as false as grapes on thorn bushes or figs on thistle plants. (See Matthew 7:16.)

Luke 11:2 Never do good trees bear evil fruit or evil trees produce good fruit; it is against their natural production. False teachers introduce “damnable heresies” (II Peter 2:1), which are terribly destructive. These persons falsely interpret fundamental truths. On the other hand, “false prophets” claim to bring from God the true message of salvation, but their claim is false. They come with an innocent appearance (in sheep’s clothing), professing simplicity and gentleness and claiming to be members of God’s true flock.

Luke 11:2 However, at heart they are “ravening wolves.”

The word ravening speaks of cruel violence and greed. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance indicates that the meaning of the word translated ravening derives from several words that can mean extortion, rapaciousness, pillaging, plundering, robbing, plucking, or taking (by force). False prophets are not merely wicked at heart and opposed to the truth, but they seek to injure for their own selfish gain. (See Galatians 6:13.)

Luke 11:2 Second, professing believers will

surface whose works will appear to be true but who actually are false believers. “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. 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? and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).

Luke 11:2 Why did Jesus not know them

when they knew Him and in His name had done many wonderful works? Some individuals know Jesus through the testimony of Scripture (John 5:39), but to be known by Jesus comes only through the new-birth experience through repentance of sins, water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, and receiving His Holy Spirit. Without the indwelling Spirit of God, we are not of Him (Romans 8:9).

Luke 11:2 2. In the Olivet discourse (Matthew 24) Jesus repeatedly warned His followers about deception that would be a sign of the nearing of His second advent and of the end of the age. “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5).

Luke 11:2 Later in the discourse Jesus prophesied, “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:11). He repeated this warning in his closing words: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24). The true disciple is not to believe these reports or to chase after those who claim such distinction with God.

Luke 11:2 3. The apostle Paul prepared the

elders in the Ephesian church to face deception by alerting them to the risk both from outside and inside the church (Acts 20:29-31). He warned them that deceivers would “enter in” from outside the church and that they would not spare the flock. For an outsider to be convincing, he must be able to act, look, and talk like a true believer. Consequently, to avoid deception believers must not rely on outward appearance, but they must test the spirit of such a person.

I John 4:1-2“Beloved, believe not every

spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:

because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of

God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ

is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that

confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:” (I John 4:1-2).

I John 4:3-5“And this is that spirit of

antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come;

and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the

world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world

heareth them” (I John 4:3-5).

I John 4:6

“We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he

that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit

of truth, and the spirit of error” (I John 4:6).

I John 4:6 Any spirit that inspires a teacher

to deny the incarnation, death, physical resurrection, or physical ascension of Jesus is not of God. Rather, it is a spirit of antichrist.

One of the advantages of membership in a unified body of ministers and believers is an advanced ability to detect and thwart the effect of deceivers. Within a true body of believers, what is not of God soon will face exposure and condemnation.

I John 4:6 Sadly, Paul also warned the Ephesians that some from within (“of your own selves”) would arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples (Acts 20:30). However, believers have solutions to empower them to guard against deception.

I John 4:6 Three such weapons against deception are:• faithfully feeding the flock as overseers of God (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:12-15);• being watchful and remembering the warnings (Acts 20:31; Colossians 2:8);• using the gifts provided to the church for the perfecting (completing) of the saints.

I John 4:6 Further, when believers study the Word of God in their times of corporate assembly and in their own daily devotions, they keep the truths of God’s Word foremost in their hearts. The Word of God cultivates maturity and stability within the people of God.

I John 4:6 Paul admonished the Ephesians, “That we henceforth be no more children, 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; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:14-15).

4. Paul warned Timothy that deception would be common in the last days. “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (II Timothy 3:13).

I John 4:6 But Paul encouraged Timothy that he could prepare himself to face deception and deal with it: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (II Timothy 3:14-15). Knowing and obeying the Scriptures makes us wise unto salvation and prepared to defeat every false doctrine.

I John 4:6 Peter also warned of false teachers. “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (II Peter 2:1).

I John 4:6 5. Finally, the New Testament

reveals that the master deceiver, the Antichrist, will rise to supremacy through deception and false promises. In II Thessalonians 2:1-12, Paul warned the believers of this future deception and instructed them to avoid it:

• Let nothing shake your mental resolve: “Be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us” (verse 2).

I John 4:6 • Do not be deceived by any man by any means (verse 3).

• Expect first a “falling away,” then revelation of the man of sin, the son of perdition: “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (verses 3-4).

I John 4:6 • Know that the mystery of iniquity is at work (verse 7). The mystery of iniquity is lawlessness that in every generation has given rise to a stream of anti-Christian sentiment. It seems to be more virulent than ever in this present modern culture. Many people reject godliness and replace it with godless, secular, anti-God philosophy that attempts to remove all mention and thought of God from everyday life.

I John 4:6 There was a time in North America that it was the norm to honor God in homes, schools, and government, but now He often is ignored and ridiculed. Many have replaced reverence for His laws with hedonistic, sectarian, and lawless behavior. The Scriptures refer to such individuals as those who call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).

I John 4:6 • Be aware that there is a restraining power in the world that prevents the manifestation and appearance of the man of sin until that restraining force is removed (II Thessalonians 2:7). Many Bible scholars have concluded that this restraining power is the presence of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ on earth. When the church is caught away, or raptured, the restraining force will be removed.

II Thessalonians 2:7, AMP

“For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden

principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is

already at work in the world, [but it is] restrained only until he who restrains is taken out of the way” (II Thessalonians

2:7, AMP).

I John 4:6 • Know that the Antichrist will come with power and signs and lying wonders (verse 9).

• Recognize that deceit leads to unrighteousness in individuals who receive not “the love of the truth” (verse 10). Further, when a person chooses not to retain the knowledge of God in his conscience, God will send a strong delusion to that individual. Consequently, he will believe a lie and be damned (verses 11-12).

B. Deception’s Antidote Prepared to Deal

with DeceptionB. Deception’s Antidote

Antidote is a medical term for “a remedy to counteract the effects of poison” (Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary). It prevents the deadly action of anything noxious taken into the body. There also are antidotes that counteract the evil in individuals and society produced by deception.

B. Deception’s Antidote 1. The first and best antidote to

deceit is being grounded in and founded on God’s Word (Matthew 7:24-27). Whoever hears the words of Jesus, and does them, is like a wise person who builds his house upon a rock. When the rain, flood, and winds come against the house, it stands because of its foundation on the rock. In contrast, a person who hears the gospel but does not obey it is foolish, and he is like an individual who builds his house on sand. Like a house built on sand, a disobedient person is destined for destruction.

B. Deception’s Antidote 2. A second antidote to deception

is to embrace and uphold the name of Jesus. This distinguishing apostolic trait is vital to true worship and successful daily living as believers of Jesus Christ. To rely on other means is full of risk and vulnerability. The people of Laodicea were deceived while thinking they were rich, blessed with goods, and in need of nothing (Revelation 3:17). In contrast, the people of Philadelphia received the promise of an open door because they kept all the Word of God and did not deny the name of Jesus (Revelation 3:8)!

C. Deception’s Alternative C. Deception’s Alternative

If believers are to avoid deceit, they must grow and mature in Jesus Christ. Spiritual maturity is an alternative to deception. Paul wrote, “That we henceforth be no more children, 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; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:14-15).

IV. Prepared for DeparturePrepared for Departure

The believer must enter each day prepared to minister and prepared to die. Near the close of his life, Paul testified that he had kept the faith and finished his course. His inspiring words ring through the ages: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (II Timothy 4:7).

IV. Prepared for DepartureThere was no note of sadness in his declaration to Timothy, however, for he went on to point out his pending reward for faithfulness: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (II Timothy 4:8).

A believer also should be prepared daily for the rapture of the church.

IV. Prepared for DepartureTo the Thessalonians Paul wrote, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (I Thessalonians 4:16-18).

IV. Prepared for DepartureJesus mentioned many events and signs that will precede the catching away of the church and His subsequent second advent, and both He and the apostle Paul made comparisons of that time to the difficulties endured by an expectant woman preparing to give birth or of a woman caring for a young child. (See Matthew 24:4-24; I Thessalonians 5:2-3.) Jesus warned believers to prepare to deal with attempts to deceive them.

IV. Prepared for DepartureFurther, they should expect turmoil and armed conflict among the nations of the world and worldwide devastation.

There will be converts during this time of trouble, but there also will be some who will fall away from the truths of God’s Word because they are not prepared for the intense persecution. However, before the end, the gospel will be preached throughout the whole world.

IV. Prepared for DepartureConclusion

Deception by false prophets and teachers will arise to draw aside believers from the truth. Jesus repeatedly cautioned His followers to be on guard. Writings of the apostles Peter, John, and Paul let us know the risk of deceit by evil men and seducers that will arise in the days leading up to the Antichrist himself.

A prepared church is alert and tuned to the teachings and actions of godly leaders.

IV. Prepared for DepartureApostolic believers comprehend the importance of the distinguishing traits that have marked the apostolic church since its beginning, and they eagerly safeguard and practice them. Among the distinguishing apostolic characteristics are prayer, fasting, holiness, worship, daily witnessing, and devotion to and in the Word of God. True believers carefully maintain these vital characteristics while remaining on guard for those who would attempt to deceive them—wolves who attempt to appear as sheep among the flock of God.

the church in action. lesson 13 lesson text—matthew 7:15 matthew 7:15 beware of false prophets,...

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