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Grace Community Church MATTHEW 7:15-20 Truth Matters Grace Community Church MATTHEW 7:15-20

Grace Community Church MATTHEW 7:15-20 Truth Matters “Where previous generations said, ‘If it’s true….it will work’ – the current generation says, ‘If it works…. it must be true’…” ~Josh McDowell / Christian Author and Apologist We are called to: Walk in truth – III John 1:4 Love in truth – I John 3:18 Know the truth – John 8:32 Grace Community Church MATTHEW 7:15-20

Every believer can avoid being deceived by identifying three core characteristics of false prophets noted in Scripture.

“Watch out for false prophets.” Matthew 7:15a “Watch out for false prophets.”

Where must we go to attain truth? Matthew 7:15a “Watch out for false prophets.” Pseudos - LIE Where must we go to attain truth? John 17:17 – “Your Word is truth.”

The Bible Written over a period of 1,500 year Written by more than 40 different authors Written on 3 Continents / 3 Languages Hundreds of controversial topics – yet perfect harmony TRUTH TO BE TRUSTED!

"I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on the earth..." ~Joseph Smith, Founder of Mormonism

First characteristic: False prophets deviate from God’s truth

Matthew 7:15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”

as though it were not serious. Jeremiah 6:14 “They dress the wound of my people     as though it were not serious.     ‘Peace, peace,’ they say,     when there is no peace.”

THE WAY False Prophet: BROAD The Truth: NARROW CHEAP GRACE NO GRACE GRACE – Trusting in the provision of Jesus (fully divine / fully human) through the cross.

Second characteristic: False prophets are dangerously deceptive

“By their fruit you will recognize them.” Matthew 7:16 “By their fruit you will recognize them.”

Third characteristic FALSE PROPHETS… Are Duplicitous Family Friends Finances Are not Doctrinally Sound The Word is not his authority Jesus is not his Savior

“I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam….. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I.” ~Joseph Smith, Founder of Mormonism

Third characteristic FALSE PROPHETS… Are Duplicitous Family Friends Finances Are not Doctrinally Sound The Word is not his authority Jesus is not his Savior Glory to God is not his aim

Every believer can avoid being deceived by identifying three core characteristics of false prophets noted in Scripture. False prophets deviate from God’s truth False prophets are dangerously deceptive False prophets are duplicitous & not doctrinally sound