By Their Fruits

By Their Fruits

The Eighth Sunday after Trinity – 8/10/2025

Matthew 7:15-23

Rev. Dr. Christopher W. Brademeyer

 That portion from God’s holy Word for consideration this morning is our reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew in the seventh chapter with special emphasis on verses fifteen and sixteen which read as follows:

                [Jesus said,] “ Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.”[1]

Thus far the Scriptures.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Beware of false prophets.” This is a simple command, yet it is one that is not received well in our present age. Indeed, Jesus tells us here to identify and avoid those who preach falsely, yet faithful pastors are often attacked by well-meaning parishioners who find Jesus’s words here to be insensitive. But this instruction is not optional.  Jesus does not say “if” false prophets come. He says when. Beware. Be on your guard. Pay attention. Jesus warns His disciples that the greatest danger to their souls will not be from outside the Church but from inside it. The wolves do not come howling in from the wilderness; they come dressed like shepherds. They look like Christians. They sound like preachers. They quote the Bible. They smile. They are winsome. They hold office. But inwardly, Jesus says, they are ravenous wolves. This is a frightening thought. Jesus is not just speaking to the Twelve; He is speaking to you and, indeed, all Christians.

This passage is part of His Sermon on the Mount. He is teaching the Church to be watchful, discerning, and anchored to His Word. He is teaching you not to believe every preacher, not to follow every voice, not to assume that sincerity or being heartfelt equals truth. Many, He says, will say to Me on that day, “Lord, Lord.” But not all who say “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom.

False Prophets Dress Like Shepherds

These words form Jesus demand to be taken seriously. After all, false prophets don’t come waving red flags. They come in disguise. They may have well-worn Bibles. They may even speak of Jesus. They may preach love, grace, and acceptance. But they do not rightly handle the Word of God. They twist it. They subtract from it. They refuse to preach repentance or the hard things of the Law of God. They present a Jesus different from the Savior who shed His blood for the sins of the world. Consequently, they tickle ears. They avoid the cross, that is, the death of our Lord Jesus which is our atonement. They never call sin what it is, and they do not speak of hell, because it would be impolite.

How do you know a false prophet? Jesus tells you plainly, you will know them by their fruits. But He is not talking about their personality, their church size, or their cultural engagement. The fruit of a prophet is his doctrine, what he teaches, and the lives lived by himself and those under his care. Does he preach Christ crucified for sinners? Does he rightly divide Law and Gospel? Does he teach the whole counsel of God, or only the parts that are accepted in general society? False prophets will always soften the law of God and shift the focus of the Gospel from Jesus to you.

They will preach a moralistic gospel: “Be a better you.” They will preach a therapeutic gospel: “God just wants you to be happy.” They will preach a legalistic gospel: “Real Christians only act according to these rules our church has.” They will preach a prosperity gospel: “If you have faith, you’ll be rich and healthy.” None of that is the Gospel. That is fruitless, soul-destroying poison. And it’s everywhere.

This is also seen in the lives of those who teach falsely and in the lives of those who listen to them. Are they loving as Christ loves us? Do they act with integrity and behave in godly ways? Or are their lives characterized by greed and vice, sins of every sort?

Many Will Say, “Lord, Lord”

As terrifying as this is, the most troubling part of Jesus’ teaching is that  many will say to Him, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name?” These are not pagans. These are not atheists. These are people who profess to be Christians. Churchgoers. Bible-studiers. Even miracle-workers. But Jesus will say to them, “I never knew you. Depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.” Why? Because they trusted in their false teachings and works, not in Christ. They said, “Lord, we did this, we did that, in Your Name.” But they were not doing the will of the Father. And what is that will? “This is the will of My Father,” Jesus says elsewhere, “that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life.”[2] Yes, these false teachers and those who believe their teaching may have every trapping of Christianity, all the right cultural things and talking points, but they lack the one thing needful. They had the outward appearance, but not the inward faith. They used Christ’s name, but did not trust in Him alone for salvation. They built a house on sand. And when the flood came, on the Last Day, it could not stand.

The True Prophet: Jesus Christ

But now lift up your hearts, dear Christian. There is one true Prophet who never spoke a lie, whose every word was full of grace and truth. His name is Jesus. He did not come as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He came as the true Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He laid down His life for the sheep. He warned against wolves, yes, but more than that, He faced the wolves. And He let them tear Him apart so that you might live in forgiveness and grace.

Jesus bore the judgment that our sins deserve. He did not say “Lord, punish these sinners for their sins”, He said, “Father, forgive them.” And the Father heard Him. On the cross, Jesus looked like the ultimate failure, a prophet rejected, beaten, and crucified. But that was the fruit of perfect love. His death bears fruit even today, fruit that feeds and saves you body and soul.

This is the true Gospel. Not that you must do enough, believe enough, or serve enough, but that Christ has done all. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

The Church Must Be Watchful

So what shall we do with Jesus’ warning? We must be watchful. We must test the spirits. You must not assume that because a preacher is popular, he is faithful or that because a congregation or church body is large that it speaks the truth. Nor should you assume that every person who uses the name “Jesus” is telling you of the Lord who saves us. God has given you a standard: His Word.

You also must remain humble. “Let anyone who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”[3] Do not think that because you are a lifelong churchgoer, you are above this warning. Examine yourself. Confess your sins. Come again to the reality of your Baptism, to the altar where our Lord feeds us His very, saving body and blood, to the Word. Cling to the promises of Christ.

You must be fed, not by the lies of false prophets, but by the pure doctrine of Christ. You will know them by their fruits, so stay where the fruits are good. Where the Word is rightly preached and the Sacraments rightly administered, there Christ feeds His sheep.

And finally: You must not despair. Jesus has spoken this word not to terrify you into doubt, but to keep you in faith. He warns you so that you may stay near Him. And He promises that no one will snatch His sheep from His hand.

Conclusion

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” But everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord in faith will be saved. You are not saved by merely mouthing “Lord, Lord.” You are saved because the Lord knows you. He chose you. He called you by name. He washed you in Baptism. He feeds you in the Supper. He forgives you through the Gospel. He gives you His Spirit.

So trust not in your own works. Trust in Christ. Hear His Word. Beware the wolves. Stay with the Shepherd. And you will bear good fruit.

In the holy Name of + Jesus. Amen.

The peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

[1] Matthew 15:15-16a English Standard Version. All further citations from the Scripture are taken from the ESV.

[2] John 6:40

[3] 1 Corinthians 10:12