It’s very clear that ‘Christians’ don’t have a great reputation amongst those who don’t go to church, especially young people. Some people believe Jesus is real but don’t want to become a ‘Christian.’ Check out this video as we look at the disconnect between who Jesus is, how He really changes people, and the negative perceptions that exist. Most of all, don’t let inauthentic followers of Jesus keep you from pursuing the God of the universe, Jesus.
Matthew 7:15-27
All ‘Christians’ aren’t GENUINE; None are PERFECT
Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act…Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”
Genuine Followers of Jesus…
Pursue GOD’S will
Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
LISTEN to & OBEY Jesus’ teaching
Matthew 7:24-27 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock…”
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
What’s your response to the statistics that Christians have a bad reputation amongst young people who don’t follow Jesus? In your experience, is that true?
Read Matthew 7:15-24 silently. What is the setting (who is speaking, who is listening, where/when are they, etc.)? What verses stick out to you?
How have insincere Christians negatively impacted the reputation of the church? Is it fair to evaluate people by their actions? What’s the danger in doing that? (legalism, comparison, we can’t read people’s hearts)
What’s your initial reaction to this passage? What’s the difference between “doing good” and pursuing God’s will? Is God being unjust in His response?
What’s the picture of a sincere follower of Jesus in this passage? What does it look like to build one’s life on Jesus?
CONCLUSION
What does this passage communicate and how should we apply these verses today?
MAIN IDEA
Why are Christians jerks? Because they all aren’t genuine and none are perfect. Don’t let fake Christianity keep you from the life-changing, loving Jesus of history and the Bible.
