We would like to ask you all:

• What is your life built on? If you could think of your life in terms of having a foundation what would that foundation be? Picture it. Name it.
  
  
  
• What happens when storms come—social, financial, emotional, relational, spiritual, or legal?
  
  
  
• Will your life stand or collapse built on your named foundation? Where and to whom do you turn when you are in a violent emotional storm?

Jesus speaks directly to this in Matthew 7:24–29:

(24) “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
(25) The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
(26) But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
(27) The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
(28) When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, (29) because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” This is God’s word

John talked about the names of God and that He alone is to be worshipped. We are worshipping all the time, like a garden hose…it is what we aim it at, what we think will save us is what we worship. Our master is what we worship. We are building on this thought: Jesus is Lord, and Lord is not his first name, but his title. MASTER. Which we have recently defined and discussed.

Now we are back to the sermon on the mount, and like we have said over and over it builds on itself…Jesus warns us to avoid the destruction of the wide path, but to CHOOSE the straight and narrow path. Then goes into details about the difficulties of doing so…He is warning that we are in great danger of being led astray by false teachers, he calls them ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing. Because of their attractive character, that successful personality, and easy doctrine, which is more prevalent than ever… it is so deceiving and so subtle. Now Jesus shows us the danger not of false prophets out there but inside right here in ourselves, it is the terrible danger of self-deception and self-delusion.

Matthew 7:21–23 (NIV)

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

Samantha Testimony

The Manchineel Tree looks like a tropical apple or guava tree, and its fruit looks enticing. This tree, by appearance, is beautiful. They are found in Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America, mostly in coastal regions.

This tree, by appearance, is quite nice. But never stand under one or even touch it. Its sap is poisonous and will cause blistering of the skin upon contact.

And if it’s raining and you’re standing under it for shelter, you might as well call 911. By the way, eating its fruit will kill you. The Manchineel tree is the most dangerous tree on earth, so beware.

Why do I mention this? Because we are talking about that which is destructive yet doesn’t look like it could lead to destruction: false prophets. They are everywhere today and prophet btw does not necessarily mean telling the future, its a person who speaks with spiritual knowledge claiming to be from God.

Sermon Title: Discerning Truth in a Deceptive Age"

Matthew 7:15-20

(15) Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (16) By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? (17) Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. (18) A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. (19) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (20) Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.