True and False Religion

August 10, 2025

Preacher: Andrew Love

Series: Mini-Series - Sermon on the Mount

Passage: Matthew 7:13-27

Service Type: Sunday Morning

Introduction

Jesus preaching on the Sermon on the Mount – coming to the end of it today
- What would it have been like for us to be there listening to Jesus Christ?
The longest recorded sermon
- The people were astonished at His teaching
- Jesus’ teaching had a powerful effect on the people
- ‘God has exalted His word above His name’
- The word of God has the power to bring belief
Many know the Sermon on the Mount – because of the beatitudes
- People do not understand these qualities are God sent
Not just the beatitudes but searching truth
- Matt 7:13-14 – the narrow gate (explanation)
Looking at Matt 7:15-27 today
- Warnings about false religion/hope and a call to examine the foundation of our life

A challenge about false religion
Example of a shepherd
- However there are those who dress like a shepherd/put on an act/inwardly are ravenous wolves
  - They are destructive to others
  - Example of Noel Stanton
Jesus warns ‘beware false prophets’
- They are not easily detectable
- The New Testament speaks about false teachers – 2 Pet 2, Jude, Gal
- The are self-centred and self-promoting
- Look at their fruit
  - Often they are self-righteous
  - Often they preach a false message
  - Often they downplay the requirements of God
  - Often there are false converts
  - Does their ministry focus solely on Jesus?
  - Is their ministry truly gospel focussed?
- Reading v16-20
Signs of false teachers – examples
- Look at their doctrines
- Strong words in the New Testament – examples
  - They create chaos, havoc and destruction

We are called to examine the source of our hope
- People may be earnest or claim God’s name
- People may have prophesied in God’s name
- Yet they are false, practicing iniquity, lawless – example of Judas
- Yet not belong to the Lord Jesus
Jesus says that many will be turned away
Do we have true faith in the Lord Jesus?
- Example of Ravi Zacharias
- How many people are in churches that do not focus on Jesus?
Jesus is clear – many will be turned away
- Reading a poem
Jesus came into the world to save sinners
- He cannot be blamed if people refuse to repent and remain in their sin

Jesus ends with a parable
- What was their response to the parable?
The differing factor between the two people – the foundation
- The foundation matters – examples
What is your foundation?
- Good works – this can not deal with your sin
  - Only Jesus’ blood can deal with sin
- Jesus Christ is the rock
  - Have you come to Him personally?
  - Do not put it off
  - Do not harden your heart
- If you build on the sand, your life will crumble in the day of judgment
- If you build on the rock (of Jesus Christ), you will stand in the day of judgment
On whom is your life built?
- Are you on the narrow path in Jesus Christ?