Leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast platform. I get it. It's annoying. Everybody

asks, but I'm going to tell you why. When you give us a positive review, what that does is it

triggers the algorithm so that our podcast shows up on more people's news feeds. You and I both know

that this ministry is willing to talk about things that most ministries aren't. We need

this content for the glory of God to reach more people's ears. Amen. Please join me in standing

for the reading of God's words. We are continuing our series through the gospel according to Matthew. Our text for today is Matthew chapter 7 verses 15 through 23.

Again, that's Matthew chapter 7 versus 15 through 23. I'll read our text in its entirety.

When I finish reading the text, I'm going to say this is the word of the Lord, at which point I would

appreciate very much if you'd respond by saying thanks be to God. One final time, our text for today is the word of the Lord, at which point I would appreciate very much if you'd respond by saying

thanks be to God. One final time, our text for today is the gospel according to Matthew, chapter 7,

verses 15 through 23, the Bible says this. Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing,

but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their

fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? So every healthy tree

bears good fruit. But the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a disease tree bear good fruit.

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, you will recognize

them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does

the will of my father, who is in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in

your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name and then will I declare to them I never knew you depart from me you workers of lawlessness this is the word of the Lord all right please be seated by way of introduction I've written the following. It's in your notes. Feel free to follow along.

This passage warns against false prophets and advises us to be careful not to be misled by them.

Prophets are typically people who predict future events. And in the Old Testament, some falsely claimed to be prophets without any real

authority, without having been commissioned by God. And their predictions were ultimately proven wrong.

However, prophets, in addition to making a foretelling, predictive statement, prophets also taught people how to live

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