2. “By their fruits you will know them.”
Are fruits DEEDS?
Or are fruits LIES?

3. The bad fruit is lies, not deeds
Jesus’ subject is not recognizing who is saved, but who is a false prophet.
The false prophets actually may DO many good works (they look like sheep).
Prophets claiming to speak for God are dangerous for what they SAY, not necessarily what they DO.
In Matthew 12 Jesus specifically teaches that bad fruit are lies Pharisees spoke, not bad things they did.

5. Satan and the gospel Distraction from truth Denial of truth
Distortion of truth
 2 Corinthians 4:4 – The god of this age [Satan] has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Mark 4:15 – Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 – For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

7. Similar, but deceptive fruit
Buckthorn Tree
Grape Vine

9. Jesus defines “fruit”
Matthew 12:33-35 – Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
Context (Matthew 12:22-32) – WHO IS JESUS? Dispute with Pharisees about whether Jesus’ miracles proved he was the Messiah or that he was demon-possessed.

11. 4 core doctrines - good fruit. Truths that save eternally
4 core doctrines - good fruit Truths that save eternally Truths false teachers may deny
The seriousness of sin
All have sinned (unqualified for heaven – Romans 3:23).
The reality of eternal judgment for sin
The penalty of sin is death (eternally – Romans 6:23).
The sufficiency of Jesus Christ
The gospel that saves is Christ’s death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-5).
The necessity of faith alone in Christ alone
We must trust in Christ alone for eternal life (John 3:16).

13. Recognizing false prophets today
2 Peter 2:1-3 “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”