Teachers and Their Disciples

A Tree and Its Fruit
Matthew 7: 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Comments: One man's fruits will eventually tell of its roots. How we are rooted in christ determines the condition of the fruits. We will eventually tell. Stott noted that there are 2 kinds tests that we can use to determine if a preacher is true or false: (1) His character (as based off the list in Galatians 5 the fruits of the spirit) ; (2) His doctrine (as cited by John in 1 John and Revelations). This is a call for holy living and doctrinal purity. A true prophet must essentially have both.

I Never Knew You
21 “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. 22 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?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

What struck me is that
(1) God is not interested in the spectacular. Many times in ministry we focus on the wrong things(such as the result), and misses the heart. One can simply fake it off and produce a 'good work' in the eyes of man
(2) "but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven": A disciple is ultimately marked by his obedience to God. No amount of outward sacrifices can please God (see the sad example of King Saul) . One can please God by doing the very thing God has asked him to do - no matter how big or small.