Trinity 8

Text: Matthew: 7:15-23

Have you ever noticed parents have this crazy ability to spot a person they would prefer their child not to hang around? It's like they have sonar that keeps them in a constant state of alertness. When I was young, it would sometimes frustrate me to no end. But as I have grown and have my own children, I can now realize and understand the wisdom of my parents. They warned me of bad company and didn't want me to be led astray, into trouble, sin, or away from the faith.

One of the hardest things about growing up can be to know who a true friend is and who is not. This continues to be true throughout the Christian Church, some pastors appear good and friendly, but in reality, they are sheep in wolf’s clothing that wish to lead Christians away from true faith in Jesus.

In fact, just a couple weeks ago, I was called a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but not in so many words. The person was a devoted Latin Mass Roman Catholic and had no time to discuss the Christian faith with me. I did not belong to what the person had determined as the “One Roman Catholic Church.” My arguments and confession for the use of Scripture and the “One Christian and Apostolic Church” fell upon deaf ears. Instead, I was informed I was wearing a “Fake Collar.”

The whole ordeal brought me some sadness, but it also helped me realize again we must always keep watch over the faith entrusted to us.

For this reason, our Lord begins today’s Gospel with a word of caution against false prophets and wolves, saying, "Beware!" Be in a state of alertness, be concerned, and do not let down your guard.

What does the wolf do?

The wolf tells us what we want to hear and not necessarily what we need to hear. The wolf leads you away from your Savior. The wolf corrupts your faith at the core, telling you that it's not enough to simply believe that Jesus died for your sins; there is more you can do to be saved and earn heaven.

So, here's a challenge of today's Gospel. Jesus instructs that we are to beware, to be on guard, and to discern the faithful preachers and prophets from the false ones. Simple enough, except they will be in sheep's clothing. They will appear to be good while being bad. From the exterior, they are indistinguishable. They may even wear a clerical collar as the clergy do here at Immanuel. Or they may be the writers of the blogs you peruse or the podcasts you can’t get enough of. Yet, Christ warns us that they are ravenous wolves.

St. Paul also warns, "Satan will disguise himself as an agent of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14) These men and women are not coming to synagogues for Jews; they are not coming to mosques for Muslims. Instead, these imposters and fictitious storytellers are coming for you, the Christian.

Luther writes regarding Satan and his wolves:

The aim of these desperate scoundrels, with the beautiful appearance of their doctrine and life, is to destroy souls and to tear them up. They will not do it outwardly, like the tyrants and persecutors who tear up life and property or like the preachers who preach against us publicly and condemn our doctrine. They will do it inwardly by secretly tearing away the treasure in our heart, which has now become the throne and kingdom and dwelling place of God.

So, the wolf in sheep's clothing conducts an inside job. The treasure they wish to snatch from your heart is the true doctrine and Gospel of Jesus Christ. God the Father sent His only begotten Son into this world to be a Shepherd for His sheep, sacrificing and laying down His life so that the sheep may live and withstand the wolf's attacks, sure of their salvation and eternity.

The prophet Jeremiah says the false preacher will tell you, "It shall be well with you," and "No disaster shall come upon you." Except, these words stand in contrast to our Lord recorded in the Gospel of John that this life will, in fact, experience tribulation and hardship.

There is an allure to the words of the false preacher because when life leaves you hurting from the betrayal of family or friends, the hurt you witness of a child wounded by the lips of the wolf masquerading as a child's friend. The false preacher does not tell you what you need to hear; instead, jumping on your vulnerability, he fills you with vain hope by telling you what you want to hear. That "It shall be well with you." Sticks and stones, words never hurt, and everything will be okay in time. Don't worry, child.

So why doesn't God do away with false preachers? Why are wolves allowed to circle and lie in wait?

To strengthen you for the times when you feel as if no one is around to protect you. To prepare you for the times of despair when the friends of the night provide you with false counsel that lacks true wisdom. It's written in Deuteronomy, "You shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD, your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 13:3) In these ways and at these times, your faith is directed to Christ, it is deepened, and your foundation surer.

How does one discern the faithful preacher from the unfaithful one? By their fruits. The fruits of a preacher are the doctrine they teach and proclaim. The faithful preacher is one that warns you of falling out of faith. He cautions you from the lure of false doctrine. He doesn't tell you what you want to hear. Instead, he speaks the words that you need to hear.

What is it that you need to hear? First, God's call to repentance. The words of the last prophet, John the Baptist, still ring true today, repent. "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance." The faithful preacher calls you out of sin; he calls you to turn away from the things that cause you harm in this life. But he also instructs you to cast your burdens, wounds, and scars upon the crucified Lord.

And then the faithful preacher equips you for the attacks of the wolf by always pointing you to the Gospel, by constantly pointing you to Jesus, by pointing you and giving you Christ's precious body and blood. Why? Because this is where Jesus has said He will be for you.

In Jesus, you are given the words you genuinely need to hear. Words that grant forgiveness. Words that give eternal life. Our prayer is that God will keep us steadfast in the one true faith by keeping us in His Son.

The antiphon of the introit today is quite beautiful; it gives us this focus as the psalmist writes, "We have thought on your steadfast love oh god, in the midst of your temple." Here the third commandment gives pause to this life so that we will gather in this place to contemplate God's Word and steadfast love in the Divine Service and become receivers of His healing, His mercy, and forgiveness. (Paraphrase of Rev. David Petersen)

What joy this is! You have a Good Shepherd that desires to keep you safe from the false prophets and wolves that come and masquerade among you. You have a merciful Lord that wishes nothing more than to bandage the wounds and scars of your life with His forgiveness.

This you can be assured of, for God's Word has surely said it. +INJ+

“Now the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

Rev. Noah J. Rogness
Associate Pastor, Immanuel Evangelical-Lutheran Church
Alexandria, VA