Two Trees

We had an awesome service last night at Cultivate. We played Fishing for Worms & Word Up!

This week has been an amazingly fruitful time. We have had several students make first time decisions for Christ and we look forward to plugging them in!

Sermon Notes: Two Trees-Matt 7:15-20

Have you ever heard of a Lukewarm Christian? In Revelation 3, God calls out a church. He says they're lukewarm. They aren't hot; they aren't cold. Have you ever tried to drink lukewarm water? Doesn't it taste nasty? Hot water has a purpose. It's good for something. Cold water has a purpose. It's good for something. But lukewarm water is a waste. God goes on to say that he will spit out the lukewarm water. This carries the idea of gagging or vomiting. Imagine God saying, "You make me want to throw up!" Jesus doesn't want your idle religion. He wants your all or nothing.

In James Chapter 2, we read...

"Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?" The Message

Have you ever met someone who claims to know Jesus, but they don't act like it? You can't say you met Jesus but nothing change about your life. When you meet Jesus, everything changes. You won't be perfect. You will still make mistakes. But if you meet Jesus, you will slowly become more like Him. Ask yourself the following questions:

1.) Have I met Jesus?

2.) Has anything about my life changed?

3.) Are there areas that need improvement?

Matthew 7:15-20

"Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned." The Message

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸A 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. ²⁰Thus you will recognize them by their fruits." English Standard Version

We will encounter people who try to give your shortcuts to God. "Call now and donate $29.99 and you'll receive God's blessings!" Or people will tell you there are many different ways to get to heaven when Jesus said there was only one way. God says watch out for those people. Those people are easy to spot sometimes. How do you recognize a poser? Ask them questions and observe their reactions. Jesus tells us that our actions will match our beliefs. He then goes on to describe a healthy tree and an unhealthy tree. A good tree produces a good fruit and a bad tree produces a bad fruit. Ask yourself the following questions:

1.)What kind of tree am I?

2.)What kind of fruit am I producing?

3.)Do my actions match my beliefs?

We now have video of sermon content. Please check out Part 1 & Part 2 of Wednesday night's lesson.

-Daniel your friendly neighborhood youth pastor